AIDS Awareness Bracelet or

Heart Disease Awareness Bracelet

About This Design

Time:  Approximately  30 minutes - 1 hour

Level of Difficulty:  Beginner - All Levels

Cost: Varies, depending on materials selected.  Approximately $20-35 as shown 

Show your support and raise awareness for AIDS or heart disease (the color red represents either of these diseases).  Make this gorgeous AIDS awareness bracelet or heart disease awareness bracelet  and wear it yourself or give it as a loving gift to someone close.   You've seen these bracelets selling for upwards of $100, so why not make one yourself and save, or sell them at your next jewelry party?  Features genuine sparkling Swarovski crystal beads and pearls, silver and gold plated filigree beads, and a quality sterling silver clasp, ribbon, and heart charm.

Want to make this bracelet, or a variation for yourself?  Let's get started!

Step 1

Gather your supplies.  You can BUY the complete BRACELET KIT here, or purchase charms and supplies from your favorite bead store.  Here's what you'll need.

• 7  - Round 8mm Swarovski Crystals in Light Siam and Siam
• Smaller clear crystal spacer beads as accents (quantity as desired).  I used 4 spacer beads in my design.
• Swarovski crystal pearls, or freshwater pearls (quantity as desired for proper length of bracelet), I used 10 beads in my design.  
• Decorative sterling silver or silver or gold plated beads for accents.  I used 10 beads in my design.
• Length of flexible beading wire like Soft Flex or Beadalon.  Enough for length of bracelet plus a few extra inches to work with.
• 2 crimp beads
• 1 Awareness ribbon charm in sterling silver
• 1 Heart charm in sterling silver
• Optional - 2 crimp bead covers

Need Supplies?  Check my Jewelry Supply pages to find what you need

Step 2

String beads on beading wire

Tie a knot on one end of the wire, or place some tape over the end, and string all of your beads onto the wire.    Check the length and overall design and make adjustments by adding, removing, or re-positioning beads until you are happy with the look of the bracelet.  

You can do this first on a bead design board if you prefer, but I always like to wrap a bracelet around my wrist just to check the look and fit.  Make sure you account for the added length of the clasp.  I spaced my beads to end up with a bracelet that was 7.5 inches long.

TIP - You can start a bracelet by attaching the clasp to one end first,  However, if you are unclear about your final design or the finished bracelet length, it is best to simply tie a knot or place some tape over the end of the jewelry wire, string your beads, and once you are happy with the design and length, attach the clasps to the ends.  This way, if you find you need to subtract or add beads you can just remove the tape or knot and work from either end without having to cut off your clasp and start the whole thing over!

If you like my design, string beads in this order (add or remove pearls on ends to adjust bracelet length):

• 1 pearl bead
• 1 silver filigree bead
• 1 light Siam crystal
• 1 silver filigree bead
• 2 pearls
• 1 crystal spacer
• 1 gold filigree bead
• 1 dark Siam bead
• 1 gold filigree bead
• 1 crystal spacer
• 2 pearl beads
• 1 light Siam bead
• 1 silver filigree bead
• 1 dark Siam bead (center of bracelet)
• Repeat in reverse order

Step 3

Crimp ends and attach the clasp

Slide a crimp bead onto the wire, feed the wire through the clasp loop, then back through the crimp bead.  Pull the wire snug, and crimp the bead closed.   Follow the How to Use Crimp Beads instructions if you are not familiar with this technique.  Repeat on other side, making sure you pull the wire tight to beads before crimping.  TIP -  Because this is a toggle clasp, you will want to leave a little "play" in the wire so the clasp is easy to put on, so leave a little room where the loop of wire attaches to the clasp.  Cut off remaining tails of wire with flush cutters.

TIP - As an option, try the new crimp bead covers to hide crimps for an even more finished look.

Step 4

Attach charms

You will use your pliers to open the split jump ring on the charms, and attach it to the end loop of the round clasp.    Close the jump ring so the charms are securely fastened.    Follow the instructions on how to properly open and close jump rings, here.

That's it, your gorgeous new Awareness bracelet is ready to wear or give as a gift!  Enjoy!