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River of Fire Bracelet

You may notice that some bead sizes or shapes don't have all the same colours as another shape from the same manufacturer. In some cases, especially with the more expensive beads, the manufacturer doesn't make it in all the colours. In other cases, the larger beads concentrate the colours and make them richer, more intense, or darker. In any case, I love the Fire Opal Swarovskis, but we only have them in the rounds - the 5000 series to the bead-noscenti. The Fire Opals are a varigated bead, shading in colour from Mandarin Orange to Orange Crush.

But a plain band of just Fire Opal, as fabulous as they are, lacked something.

So in this case, we have a repeated progression, that is mirrored on each side. The shading from light to dark to light to dark gives the bracelet more depth and dimension as it moves on your wrist than if it were all one colour.

This makes a fairly large bracelet that has no catch. It rolls on and off like a bangle bracelet. As such, the sizing needs to be quite precise. It needs to be large enough to just slide on without stressing the cable so much that it breaks, but not so large that it falls off when you reach down and shake your wrist. You may need to remove a bead and spacer or two to make this fit you correctly. It is, of course, up to you to decide which to remove.

Assembly couldn't be easier — you can make this in half an hour with no experience whatsoever.

Supplies needed

24 Swarovski 8 mm rounds (5000 series)
- 2 x Siam
- 4 x Light Siam
- 4 x Indian Red
- 4 x Hyacinth
- 4 x Red Topaz
- 6 x Fire Opal (adjust here for a shorter bracelet)
24 Sterling Silver daisy spacers
Softtouch beading cable (We have found that with the constant taking off and putting on, that the cable can break with time. We suggest stringing this as a bracelet with a clasp instead. )

Tools needed

Wire cutters or scissors that you don't love

Making the bracelet

Thread the 8 mm rounds alternating with the sterling daisy spacers. Check the size of the bracelet. Adjust as necessary.

Thread the beads in the following order for the optimum "River of Fire" effect: The colours in this photo do not do justice to the true colours of these beads.

Siam
Light Siam
Indian Red
Hyacinth
Red Topaz
3 x Fire Opal
- then reverse the set
Red Topaz
Hyacinth
Indian Red
Light Siam
Siam
- and repeat from the beginning
Light Siam
Indian Red
Hyacinth
Red Topaz
3 x Fire Opal
- then reverse the set once more
Red Topaz
Hyacinth
Indian Red
Light Siam

Test for the threaded bracelet for size, and adjust as necessary. Then tie a Surgeons' Knot to secure the ends. A Surgeons' Knot is an overhand knot with an extra pass through the loop.

The beauty of using the Softtouch is that you can knot it, as it is lighter and more supple than it's other Sofflex cousins. It is, by the same token, not quite as indestructible. If you scrape it, you can make it curl, or weaken it. And, it is possible to break it, if you pull it too hard.

After knotting, pass the ends back through two or three beads (there is plenty of room), and secure with an additional knot around the main cable. Repeat, working around the bracelet, with each long end, until you meet again at the opposite side with the two ends. Knot the two ends together. Tuck the ends through a few more beads, and then cut off the end.

Alternately, you can thread on a doubled line.

Enjoy!

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Check out our new Inspirations!

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River of Fire Bracelet

Supplies needed

Tools needed

Making the bracelet