Word Bead Charm Bracelet

About This Design

Time:  Approximately 30 minutes - 1 hour

Level of Difficulty:  Beginner - All Levels

Cost: Varies, depending on materials selected.  Approximately $15-20 as shown.

This fun bracelet is made with inexpensive plastic word beads that I found in the craft store in the scrap booking section!  Look around because a lot of different materials can be used to make jewelry.  I created a charm bracelet using bulk link chain and a lobster claw clasp.  The design is accented with pink Swarovski crystals and yummy cherry quartz faceted rectangle beads.  Wouldn't this make a fun Valentine's Bracelet?  Find your own word beads and create something uniquely your own.

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

Step 1

Gather your supplies

1 length of bulk link chain (for desired bracelet length plus extender chain for drop

• 9 Swarovski crystal beads (your choice of colors and sizes)
• 5 cherry quartz beads (or your choice of accent beads)
• 1 lobster claw clasp
• 2 white pearls (or your choice of beads)
• Half hard jewelry wire to attach chain to clasp component
• 11 headpins

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

Step 2

Attach the lobster claw clasp.  

Use a basic wire wrap chain technique to attach the lobster clasp to the chain, placing one pearl and two crystal beads in-between.  If you need help with the wire wrap technique, click here for more instructions.

Step 3

Prepare bead and charm components

To save time, I prepare all my bead and charm components at the same time.  Slide a Swarovski crystal bead onto a headpin, followed by a word bead, and make a loop at the top with round nose pliers.  Do the same for your cherry quartz accent beads Using a basic wire wrap technique, attach each word bead to the chain.  Need help with this wire loop technique?  Click here for instructions.

Next, using a bead design board, or ruler (or just eyeball it!), I determine where to place each  bead on the links of the charm bracelet.  

Step 4

Attach the pearl drop to the extender chain.

This bracelet was made with a little extra length to serve as an extender chain.  This way, the wearer can fasten the bracelet to the right length to fit.  I always attach a dangle bead for detail to the end of the chain.  To learn more about extender chains, click here. 

Slide a crystal, pearl, and another crystal onto a headpin and attach it to the end of the bracelet chain on the last link.  Use a basic wire loop technique.  Click here for instructions.

Step 3

Attach beads and charms

Now attach each charm by looping it through a link in the chain, and closing the jump ring using your chain nose pliers.  Attach each bead, alternating beads and charms in your design.  Feel free to add more beads until you are happy with your bracelet design.  That's it!

IDEA: Have fun with this bracelet by spelling out your own messages using word beads.