This is a neat, simple, project that will teach you how to string beads with wire.  You can take these skills and create bracelets, necklaces, earrings, etc.  With different types and sizes of beads you can create many different looks.  Don't be afraid to experiment a bit, it's how we all learn a lot of things, by trial and error.  You may, however, want to make that "error" with a cheaper wire! 
Enjoy the project, and wear it with pride. 
 
What you'll need for this project: 
• 1-1/2 ft (45 cm) of 21 round hard 
• 6 inches (15 cm) of 22 square hard 
• 11 beads (4 mm or 6 mm - your choice) 
• 22 little gold-filled beads (2mm, optional) 
• Cutters 
• Flat-Nose Pliers 
• Round-Nose Pliers 

1.   Your first step is to see the Helpful HInt below!  Then cut 11, 1-1/4" (or whatever size is right for you) pieces of 21 round hard.  Take one piece and, with your round-nose pliers, make a loop at one end, as in Fig. 1 

2.   Now, with your round-nose pliers still in the loop, bend the loop backwards slightly to that it is now centred.  Fig. 2. 

3. Thread on the bead of your choice.  Fig. 3. 

4.   Bend the wire at the top of the beads over at a right angle and cut off about 3/8-inch from the bead.  Fig. 4. 
 

5. Now, with your round-nose pliers, begin to curl the wire in, as in Fig. 5. 
 

6. Continue to curl it into a loop until it meets and forms a circle.  Fig. 6. 
 
 

7. Repeat steps 1 to 6 until you have used up all 11 pieces of the wire you prepared.   All of your bead links are now done.  To join them together, take your flat-nose pliers and open up one of the loops sideways, link another loop onto it (Fig. 7a) and close again sideways with your flat-nose pliers (Fig. 7b). Continue Step No. 7 to link all of the beads together. 
 

8. Make two S hooks to go on either end of the bracelet. 

9.   Cut a 2-1/2 inch length of 22 square hard wire.  With your round-nose pliers, make a loop at each end of the wire as in Fig. 8. 

10.   With your round-nose pliers still in the loop, pull back slightly to centre the loop.  Do both loops. Fig. 9. 

11.   With your round-nose pliers, hold the wire in the centre and slowly bring it around so you have a U bend, and the two loops meet evenly.  Fig. 10. 

12. Hold the U bend with your flat-nose pliers about 1/8-inch from the end, and gently squeeze together.  

13.   Using your flat-nose pliers, bend the loop on the tip up on an angle, as in Fig. 12. 

14. Place your round-nose pliers about 5/8-inch from the end (where the marks are in the picture), as in Fig. 13. 

15.  Bend it around as in Figures 14 and 15. 

16.  With the pliers still in the hook, move them to the back of the loop and bend backwards, as in Fig. 16. 

17.   Then bend forward again, as in Fig. 17. 

18.   Attach this hook to your bracelet by opening your S hooks sideways and closing them again.  Use the eye described in February's beginners section for the other end of your bracelet.  You're done!  You should now have something that resembles Fig. 18. 
 

HELPFUL HINTS 
• To make loops of the same size, mark your pliers with masking tape (see the January, 1999 issue). 
• Before you cut the 11 pieces of wire into the 1-1/4-inch size, work one piece to completion:  This will establish whether your loop is the same size as the one in the project.  If you prefer a larger loop, cut your pieces longer. 

Craft sticks can be found at any craft store and many toy stores too!  Different sizes combined are an endless array of building blocks for your imagination.  Here is another fun idea courtesy of J.M. Art! 

Materials needed:  

Step 2:  Take four more full size sticks and glue them over the sticks you laid down in step one.  Make sure to put glue wherever the sticks touch. 
 

Step 3:  Glue a full size stick along the center of the fish on both sides.  To make the eyes, cut the ends off a craft stick and glue them in place. 
 

Step 4:  Carefully find the balance point of the fish and make a small hole for the thread.   
 

• Small Fish 
Cut four full size craft sticks in half to make eight pieces.  Round all the ends.  Follow steps one through four with this exception:  in steps one and two, only use three sticks in each step. 
 

• Cross Piece 
The cross piece is a full size craft stick. 

Step 1:  Cut the notches on both sides of the stick about 1/4 inch from the ends. 
 

Step 2:  Cut notches on both sides of the stick 3 inches from the end that the small fish is on.  Before cutting these notches, you have to hang the two fish on the cross piece first.  Then tie a thread loosely around the middle stick, near the middle, and slide it back and forth until you find the balance point.  This should be about 3 inches from the end the small fish is on.  Mark this spot and cut the notches. 

Instruction for 14 different projects:  $5 Precut, individual kits:  $3 Shipping:  $2 per order 690 Los Angeles Ave., #207 Simi Valley, CA 93065 Fax: 805-578-8622 email: PRISMA2788@aol.com