Sterling Silver & PVC Bracelet - Intermediate Project

Matte black PVC cording complements Sterling silver beads perfectly in this contemporary bracelet project from EJR Beads. This Italian PVC cording is made specifically for jewellery making and does not rot or degrade like leather and rubber alternatives. Here we use square cording, but round versions are also available in a variety of diameters. Find the cording, beads and clasp in the EJR Beads online store or substitute with your own materials.

This bracelet is not difficult to make. The project is rated "intermediate" simply because it assumes a knowledge of making wrapped loops in wire. However, wrapped loops are shown in detail in the previous "Holographic Foil Earrings" project if you need to refresh your memory.

Sterling silver and PVC bracelet - tutorial by Emma Ralph

You will need:

1/2 metre of 3 x 3 mm Square PVC Flexible Cording
4 Sterling Silver 9 mm Round Beads
4 Sterling Silver Paddle Beads
31 Antiqued Daisy Beads
1 Sterling Silver Toggle Clasp
30 cm half-hard Sterling Silver wire, 0.5 mm diameter ( 24 gauge)
Jewellers pliers - round nose and flat nose
Wire Cutters
Medium sized safety pin
Scissors (optional)
Ruler with metric measurements

Step 1

Cut 8 lengths of PVC cording, each 4 cm long. You can use scissors or wire cutters to cut the PVC, just be sure to cut the edges flat for a neat finish. It's best to cut the first section against a ruler to the correct length and simply measure against that piece when cutting the subsequent ones

Step 2

Using a safety pin, pierce a threading hole at both ends of each PVC section. For strength, make sure the hole is at least 1 -2 mm from the cut edge and take care to not stab your fingers!

Step 3

This bracelet is built from 4 repeating sections threaded on to sterling silver wire. Cut a length of wire, 30 cm long. To start the first section, thread a PVC piece on to the wire. You may find it easier to hold the wire tightly with some pliers as you encourage it through the hole in the PVC.

Step 4

Next, thread on one of the daisy beads followed by a 9 mm round bead and another daisy. Before threading the wire through the other hole in the first PVC piece, thread on the next PVC piece and follow that with another daisy bead.

Step 5

Thread the wire through the other hole in the first PVC piece. Follow this will another daisy bead, a silver Paddle bead and another daisy.

Step 6

Complete the first section by threading the wire through the other hole in the second PVC piece and finally threading on another daisy bead.

Step 7

Create four more identical sections. Try the bracelet against your wrist, and taking into account the length of the clasp, add however many daisy beads needed to lengthen the bracelet for a comfortable fit. Finally form a wrapped loop in the wire at each end and attach the clasp.

Variations ....

As you can see, you can create a variety of shapes and designs with the PVC cording.

Don't forget - if you make your own PVC bracelets, I would love to see them and maybe feature them in the Customers' Gallery! Just email me for submission details.

All Text & Images © Emma Ralph 2005. May not be printed, distributed or reproduced electronically without the author's written permission.