How to Make the Amate Bracelet with Hollow Mesh
Use your SilverSilk Hollow Mesh to create next-level dimension in a multistrand bracelet design. Hollow Mesh fits easily 4mm beads and gemstones. The finished look is sophisticated colorful. SilverSilk Hollow Mesh is a revolutionary knitted wire jewelry chain. It’s made by knitting wire as thin as human hair into a tubular wire mesh. The result is a 5mm hollow knitted wire tube that can be filled with leather cord, chain, craft wire, seed beads, or virtually any material between 2-5mm found in your beading drawer. The possibilities are endless! Find out more about SilverSilk Hollow Mesh here. Follow along each step in this tutorial guide, as well as in video form, to create this incredible design.
Before we dive into the magic, let's gather our tools and materials:
Tools:
Cutters (Lindström Tools): Flush cutters used for making precise cuts to your Hollow Mesh and Beading Wire
Chain Nose Pliers: These pliers will be used for opening and closing jump rings
Crimp Pliers: Essential for folding crimps on your beading wire
Materials:
First Strand:
7in • SilverSilk Hollow Mesh in Red
3 • 6mm Jump Rings
40 • 4mm Czech Glass Druk Beads (or any 4mm round beads work too!)
20in • Medium or Fine Beading Wire
4 • 2mm Crimp Tubes
Second Strand:
8-10 • 8-10mm Decorative Beads
1-2 • 10mm Decorative Charms (For the bracelet ends)
1gr • Size 8 Seed Beads
2 • 4mm Jump Rings (Extras are optional for charms)
1-2 • Head Pins (Optional for baubles or charms)
The Amate Bracelet Video Tutorial
The Amate Bracelet Written Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: Stringing the Druk Beads
String 4mm Czech Druks, or any beads 4mm in size or smaller, onto beading wire to the desired length of your bracelet. Most bracelets tend to be around 7-8 inches long and keep in mind that because Hollow Mesh is a 5mm diameter bracelet, it won’t lay flat on your wrist. So, you will need to account an additional half-inch or so to make it fit just right. Plus, the integration of end caps and toggle clasp will add approximately 1.5-inches to the beaded length.
Tip: Give yourself a few extra inches of beading wire to work with. It will be helpful in the next steps.
Step 2: Measuring Hollow Mesh to the Beaded Length
Lay the strung beads next to a strand of Hollow Mesh, then cut a length of it that will cover the beads, plus a few millimeters extra above the end beads. The extra length will be helpful when securing over the last bead to sit inside the end cap. A recommended way of cutting Hollow Mesh is to start by cutting a couple knits of the chain, then work on cutting the knits all the way around the chain, rather than just chopping the entire chain at once. Chopping the chain with your cutters will crush the knits, making it more difficult to open up and stuff with beads later.
Step 3: Stuffing the Hollow Mesh
String a crimp onto one end of your beading wire and fold the beading wire back into the crimp to make a loop. This beading wire loop will make it easier to feed the wire and beads through the Hollow Mesh. Go ahead and began feeding the looped side through the Hollow Mesh, gently pushing the beads through and making sure to not crush the knitted wire chain. Once the beads are inside the wire mesh, center your beading wire and snip off the loop you made earlier.
Step 4: Securing the SilverSilk 6mm Hollow Mesh Cord Ends
Pinch the ends of the Hollow Mesh around the end beads and scrunch down a little so the mesh stays secure. String a cord end to both ends of the beading wire and bring it over the end bead. The Hollow Mesh should be tucked inside of the cord end night and tight.
Step 5: Crimping the Ends of the Beading Wire
On each end of the bracelet, string a 2mm crimp tube and a 6mm jump ring. String the beading wire back through the crimp and the end cap. Make sure the end caps stay snug over the ends of bead and Hollow Mesh. The loop of your wire should be 2-3mm in diameter, ensuring that your jump ring has some flexibility to move around. When you feel everything is looking right, go ahead and make a crimp with your pliers.
Repeat the same process for the step above for the other end of the bracelet. When you go to tighten your beads, make sure that you don’t pull the beads too tightly together. This will make your bracelet super stiff and not be flexible to your wrist.
Step 6: Creating a Matched Length Bracelet
On a new strand of beading wire, string a beaded design with any beads you like. We picked out gorgeous decorative beads from Jesse James Beads for our second strand. Try to match the length of this bracelet to the length of your Hollow Mesh bracelet, measuring from the top of the end caps. Once you have your design configured, string a 2mm crimp tube onto each side. Loop the beading wire through the jump ring that is attached to the Hollow Mesh bracelet, then back through the 2mm crimp tube and maybe a first bead or two. Adjust the beading wire so the loop is about the same as your first bracelet. Make a crimp using your crimping pliers and repeat this process on the other end of your bracelet.
About the featured design: The featured design has an extra element. Nine charms are attached to 4mm jump rings and were added between some of the strung beads. This part of the design is completely optional, but we encourage your bead exploration and you never know what cool design you’ll come up with!
Step 7: Adding the Finishing Touches
Attach a SilverSilk Toggle Clasp to the jump rings at each end of your bracelet. Here is where you also have the opportunity to add any additional charms and baubles to dress up your design! We added a sparkly drop bead using a wire-wrapped loop technique and used a jump ring to attach a cute leafy charm. One good tip we can give you is to attach any cute baubles and charms to the round ring of your toggle clasp. Attaching it to the T-bar will make it infinitely more difficult to clasp if there are baubles in the way.
Enjoy your bracelet!
Conclusion:
Hollow mesh is an exciting way to layer up a perfect match to any palette and beads in this multistrand pop of colorfulness and we are excited to offer custom made cord ends to lift your design to that next level. We hope you enjoyed this tutorial and feel inspired to make a unique bracelet for yourself or a loved one. Don't forget to check out the full video tutorial on YouTube. If you enjoyed it, give us a thumbs up and subscribe to our channel for more exciting tutorials.
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