Retired - Swallow Bird Braided Bracelet

Note: Components and tools listed within this INSTRUCTIONS box and the printer-friendly PDF, if available, may have been discontinued since this project was published. Refer to the PURCHASE COMPONENTS and TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES sections for current availability.

1. Before you begin, watch the video: How to Make a Round Braid Knotted Anchor Bracelet. This video will show you how to make the whole project, which I will also walk you through here. The only difference is the swallow bird pendant replaces the anchor.
2. For an 8" bracelet, cut four 14" lengths of brown ultra suede cord. Tie these together in an overhand knot right at the top. Braid the cords into a round braid as demonstrated in this video, making sure your finished braid is just a bit over 8". Wrap the ends in transparent tape, with just about 4mm of the tape on the part of the braid you'll use, and the rest of the width on the extra part of the braid. Use a pair of flush cutters to cut through the braid at the measured point in the tape.
3. Repeat the last step to create a second braided piece using red ultra suede cord.
4. Use a pair of chain nose pliers to gently bend the opening of a silver plated large capsule bead cap slightly so that the opening is more oval shaped instead of round. Repeat with the second bead cap.
5. Cut a 6" piece of brown 1mm waxed cotton cord. Put both ends (one at a time) down through the top of a bead cap. Place a scrap of cord in the loop at the top (to stop it from pulling through) and pull the ends down until the scrap string stops the cord. Tie an overhand knot in the ends about 1/2" from the end of the loop. Pull the loop up so that the knot sits just inside the bead cap's hole.
6. Holding the two ends of the brown braid together side by side, place some E6000 glue on the tips. Hold the waxed cotton cord to one side of the bead cap and slide the glued braid ends in, pushing them all the way to the end. Allow to dry thoroughly before moving on.
7. Cut another 6" piece of waxed cotton. Fold it in half and tie a lark's head knot around the loop on a 17mm silver plated pewter anchor pendant. Put the ends of the cord down through the top of the 2nd bead cap. Tie a knot and use pliers to push the knot down into the bead cap as far as you can.
8. Fold the red braid in half and bring the ends around and up through the loop of the brown braid, as shown in the first video.
9. Holding the two ends of the red braid together side by side, place some E6000 glue on the tips. Hold the waxed cotton cord to one side of the bead cap and slide the glued braid ends in, pushing them all the way to the end. Allow to dry thoroughly before moving on.
10. Use a pair of flush cutters to trim the waxed cotton cord ends close to the edge of the bead caps.
11. Bring the cord loop around the wings of the swallow to close your bracelet.

• XCR-43118 - Beadsmith Crimson Red Faux Leather Suede Beading Cord 9Ft (3 Yd) Spool
  Project uses 1 spool. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-43102 - Beadsmith Medium Brown Faux Leather Suede Beading Cord 9Ft (3 Yd) Spool
  Project uses 1 spool. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-4313 - Waxed Cotton Cord 1mm Round - Light Brown (5 Meters/16.5 Feet)
  Project uses 1 foot. You will need 1 package.


• BMB-6001 - Silver Plated Large Capsule Bead Caps 8x8mm (10)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• PND-5326 - TierraCast Fine Silver Plated Pewter Swallow Bird Charm 17mm (1)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• XTL-1054 - E6000 Industrial Strength Glue Adhesive (0.18 fl oz)
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-5511 - Beadsmith Jeweller's Micro Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose
• XTL-5600 - Xuron Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - Wire/Soft Flex
• XTL-5700 - Fiskars 5 Precision Tip Scissors - Super Sharp