Here is how I make the pony bead bracelets. You can make them with all beads or incorporate letter beads with the pony beads, like I am showing here. These are the basic steps I use for all my pony bead bracelets:
- 1. Decide what color beads you want to use. I bought these pony beads at Walmart for $12.95. You can also find them at Amazon.com.
I found this assortment of beads shown below on Amazon.com. They came in shrink wrapped baggies and cost $9.99. I bought this organizer also on Amazon.com for $6.04, but Michael’s has the same thing for $2.50. I like these plastic organizers because the lid is attached and fits snuggly. Less chance of spilling!
I like using elastic string like these. The rolls are more economical and last longer. They come in all colors but I like the black and the multi-color. My granddaughter likes using white elastic so I gave my white to her. I bought these rolls of elastic on Amazon.com.
- 2. To measure the elastic for the bracelet, I wrap the string around my wrist twice and add 1 inch. That should give you plenty of string for the beads and for tying knots, if not, make the string longer.
- 3. You will need to do a practice bracelet so you can determine how many beads fit and will be comfortable around your wrist. Tie the first bead on with just a basic knot. Pull knot tight and leave a bit of string on end for making adjustments later if needed. You can cut this shorter later. Keep stringing beads on the elastic string and trying it around your wrist until you have determined approximately how many beads you will need. My bracelets usually have 29 pony beads. Sometimes I have to add one or take one away, depending on how consistent the size of the beads are.
- 3a. Once I know how many beads I need, I start designing my bracelet. I place the beads on the table in the order I want them on the string. They look like this:
- 4. You can start on the left or the right. I started on the left and tied my first bead on my measured elastic. Use just a basic knot and pull tight so the bead does not come off or you will have beads everywhere!
- 5. Begin stringing your beads on the elastic as shown below:
- 6. When you get to the end and before tying the last bead on, hold it around your wrist to make sure it’s the right length, then tie the last bead using a basic knot. Pull knot snugly. Cut the end a little shorter but still leave some for adjustment later if needed. It should look like this below:
- 7. Now you are ready to tie the ends together using a basic knot that will look like this shown below:
- 8. Pull the knot snugly but not too tight until you try on your bracelet. If your bracelet is too snug or too loose, you can adjust the beads on the end or the knot that ties the ends together. If your bracelet fits, then pull the knot tight, trim the ends of the elastic a little shorter if you prefer.
- 9. Your finished bracelet should look like this:
As you can see, the design possibilities are endless. Have fun making your own bracelets!!
