A Fun Free Pony Bead Pattern For A Bracelet Or Necklace
From Dragon's Lair Beads
A free pony bead pattern you got it. Do you have a stash of pony beads, or seed beads and need an easy pattern that is fun to make and better yet is free? This is the pattern for you. A beginner level pattern that can be used for a bracelet or necklace and that will let you practice using jump rings, wire protectors and crimps.
You will need:
Stringing wire such as Beadalon
3 to 6 colours of pony beads, you can also use drop beads, seed beads or a mixture of all 3.
12 Crimps
12 Wire protectors (optional)
Wire cutters
Crimper
8 Jump rings
One clasp
If you are not sure how to do something have a look at our
Tips and Techniques page.
Instructions
String the beads
Thread one color of pony beads onto stringing wire such as Beadalon. Do not cut the wire, just thread the beads onto the spool.
You will need to thread approximately 6-7 inches of beads depending on the size of your wrist. To measure wrap a string or tape measure around your wrist and add 1 inch. This is how many beads you need to string.
Finish End One
At the end of the row pass a crimp through the wire and the wire protector. Then go back through the other side of the wire protector and back through the crimp. Pull the wire tight through the protector and push the crimp up to the wire protector. Gently squeeze the wire protector closed. Using the crimp tool crimp the wire.
Then push the beads up to the crimp and over the end of wire that is now sticking out, if it is long cut it back to about ¼ inch then cover with the beads. That is one end done.
Finish the Second End
To finish the other end, cut the wire about 4 inches away from the end of the beads. Add a crimp, then a wire protector then go back through the other side of the wire protector then back through the crimp. Now go down through a few beads and pull the wire so that the crimp is tight against the beads and the wire protector is tight against the crimp. Gently squeeze the wire protector closed.
Then use the crimp tool and crimp over the wire. You will now have the ends done but wire sticking out of the some beads. Gently pull back the wire and laying the flat side of the wire cutters against the beads and alongside the stinging wire cut it off. Try not to leave any ends sticking out as they will catch on things. Just pull the beads over the cut end.
Now do this 5 more times. You will have 6 wires in a variety of colors.
Putting Your Project Together
Open a jump ring, push the jump ring open sideways; we still want it to look like an open circle not a heart shape. Put a jump ring through the loops of two of your six beaded wires. Close the ring back up. Now jump ring the other end. Now do the same with two of the others and then the final two. You will now have 3 groups of wires each group will be jump ringed at both ends.
Pass a jump ring through each jump ring on one end and close. Now all three wire groups will be connected. Now braid the three wire groups together, you may need a friend to hold one end. Jump ring the other ends together the same way as above but also add the clasp.
You are finished.
If the bracelet seems to loose or to tight you can adjust it a little by adding more or less turns in the braid.
Useful tip for any project
If at the end your project is too tight just add a few jump rings to one side to make a little adjustable chain. This works for necklaces that you want to wear with a big sweater and a thin shirt. Make them adjustable.
Making a Necklace
Use the same technique as above just make it longer. Or using the jump ring, add some chain.
Not Using the Wire Protector?
If you are not using the wire protector, pass the wire through the crimp then back through the crimp pulling gently to make a small loop and crimp.
Tips and Techniques for
Wire Protectors, Crimps and Finishing
If you would like to see some photos and get a bit more help on finishing go to our
Tips and Tecniques Page
Please return to the Beads Page
from this Free Pony Bead Pattern Page
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