Creating a Shamballa Style Bracelet
Shamballa style bracelets have become very popular undoubtedly because celebrities such as Jay-Z, Michael Jordan and Heidi Klum wearing them whilst in the public eye. Most recently the winners of the X Factor.
“Shamballa” has two connotations, a mythic domain in the beliefs of Tibetan Buddhists and the brand name for a celebrated jewellery company
In the the tutorial below. Click on any of the pictures below to enlarge.
Tips before you start
I use a little dab of glue on the end of the stringing material. This helps to stop any fraying and allows the thread to be that little bit firmer when threading on a bead.My other tip is to knot the end of my right tail after tying the loop knot. This allows you to keep track of which tail will be threaded.
Materials
- Stringing Material
- Disco Beads
- Glue (Gem Tec or G-S Hypo Cement)
- Craft Knife
- Knot Glue
- Cutters
1. Begin the bracelet by cutting two lengths of your stringing material.The first length will be for the bracelet or guide line, probably best to measure your wrist and add extra for the sliding knot, 11 inches or 28 cm in our case. I prefer to cut the second to 6 times the length of the first, 66 inches or 168 cm.
2. Pass the left cord under the centre and over the right cord
3. Place the right cord over the centre of the thread lengths, then under the left cord and pull tight
4. Taking the right cord, pass it under the centre and over the left cord.
5.Place the left cord over the centre of the thread lengths, then under the right cord and pull tight Now repeat steps 2-5Adding a bead
Some people prefer to add all the beads to the cord and then tie off when required, I prefer to add the beads as I go.
6. Add your bead to the guide.
8.
9.
10. After your third knot, add your next bead. Repeat until you are happy with the length
11. After your last bead, you need to finish the knots. Repeat your knots.
12. To finish off your knots, you can add a small dab of Glue and let it dry
13. Once dry, you can trim the tails with your cutters or craft knife. I have seen some bracelets with crimp beads to re-inforce the glue/knot.
Closing the Bracelet
14. Make sure to overlap your remaining cord as this will now be our new guide line.
15. Start by tying a loop knot around the two ends (guide line)
16. Repeat steps 2- 5 until you have the desired length and finish, remember to tie a knot in each of the end tails so they do not slip through.