I agree that age has nothing to do with it, you need to measure the wrist and add about 1 1/2" - in my experience that usually works out to be about 7" to 7 1/2" - you absolutely have to take the size of the beads into account when taking the final measurement. Use a cone with the desired length marked on it and before you put the clasp on tape the ends together and slide onto the cone, this gives you the size inside the bracelet - you can use the tape to include the length of the clasp. You can make a cone with a file folder or even cardstock weight paper.

Butterfly226

I always mesure the wrist then add 1" 1/2 for good measure. But as a generic I make 7 1/2" bracelets to sell at jewelry partys they seem to be a good size for most women. i hope that helped.

i take 28 6mm swarovski cristal for a bracelet

The average female wrist is 7". Very few are smaller or larger than that.

Not all bracelets are meant to be worn tightly. 7 1/2" is a common length for bracelets, as it sits comfortably loosely around the wrist. Watches tend to be a bit more snug. Bracelets with large beads or hanging charms are traditionally worn loosely, so you are talking 7 1/2-7 3/4". Please note thick beads add to this measurement., as the length of the cord is measured, and that is no longer sitting against the wrist. 7 3/4" with thick lampwork beads may fit like a 7 1/2"

THat comes from 20 years of taking measurements for costume design, hope it helps

I myself am a big girl with a thick wrist; 7 3/4 is comfortable and 8" is nice and loose (with large beads) Those sizes are very loose on slender gals. I have not yet met anyone with a wrist so large that that is not big enough for them.

If in doubt, go towards the larger option and build in a jump ring to hold the clasp on; it can then be removed if the owner needs it tightened.

Her age doesn't matter. What matters is her wrist size. I am "middle age" and wear a 6.5" bracelet.

You should measure the wrist, you'd hate to have to re-string. If this is for a surprise gift just go up to her and say "What small wrist you have" and put your thumb and middle finger around it to measure, then measure your fingers. I've been doing that for years and it works.

7 inches

7 1/2" -- You can add a 2" extender if you wish.

I estimate 7 to 7 3/4"

Use a crimp cover. Depending on the design, it will look like one of the beads.

Yes, glue the knot and then slide it under a bead. If you want it to never show then sacrifice one bead by gluing it inside.

Another method is to singe it with a match. You have to be very careful or you will undue everything you just did. This knot will be permanent.

Just place a dab of glue on the knot and slide the bead over it. Should stay in place once dried.

Happy Beading,
Hope

Pull the knot through a bead and it wo't be seen.

I, too, totally dislike the sight of the knot. I have hidden it between two bead caps. Bead cap styles are endless; it can be either a statement on the bracelet or blend into it. Your choice!

Another idea - many bracelets now are several strands with a large focal element on top. The knot could be hidden under the focal element.

Sometimes it's virtually impossible to hide the knot on a stretch bracelet. It all depends on the size of the bead opening. If making a piece using beads with varying hole sizes, I try to plan to end it near a bead with a large opening. Then, one can work with the cord and often gently tug the knot into/inside the bead hole, thus hiding it quite well. To repeat, it is sometimes impossible to hide a knot if using beads with smaller openings.

Try to pull the knot into a bead. That is how I hide the knots on my stretch bracelets.

Sometimes it's almost impossible to hide the knot, especially if the bead holes are all small. However, if the hole in any of your beads is large enough, try to plan to knot near that bead. Then, you can usually work with the knot and often actually gently tug it inside the bead opening to hide it. With practice, one becomes more adept at planning "where" to knot and "how" to hide knots.

I highly recommend that you use something called hypo cement. I do believe artbeads does carry it. It works way better than expoxy and isn't as messy as long as you use jewel setters or tweezers with it. Plus it won't eat away at the backing of the crystals like epoxy does.

Use E6000. Go to the pharmacy and obtain one of those little syringes that is used to give small children medicine. Put about 1/4-1/2 teasp. of the E6000 into it, then use it to apply the glue. Not only will it not dry out as fast, but you'll have a more accurate application. In addition, do not allow the glue to get on the crystals, but if it does, wipe it off before it dries. Invest in a wax positioner stick, but when you use it, only touch the crystal very, very lightly to get it onto the wax.

2 part epoxy- 5 minute kind

epoxy.

It sound good to me. What about purple?

Artbeads.com carries a Swarovski Color wheel (product code CHART3) that can match pearl color to crystal colors and then show the contrasting and harmonious colors that go with the pearls.

This wheel shows that Mauve matches Amethyst, Night Blue matches Sapphire, Maroon matches Hyacinth and Light Pearl has a match with Peridot.

These will be my pick:

Light Sapphire AB vs. Light Blue

Faceted Bicone Black Diamon vs. Light Green / Mavue

Faceted Bicone Tanzanite / Tanzanite AB 2x vs. Mavue / Light Blue

Cubist Crystal Silver Shade vs. Light Green

Cubist Brugundy / Bicone Siam AB vs. Maroon

a jet swarovki crystal would go well with all of those colors. if you're going for a lighter palet you can use crystal or crystal AB

I would think 3mm or 4mm would be good. Prior to my beading days I glued small pearls onto a wedding veil. The results were lovely but glueing was difficult because the pearls kind of slid around on the veil before the glue dried. Maybe a glue gun would have worked. Anyway, some type of glueing might be an alternative to sewing them on.

White, and small, 5mm

The color would depend upon the color of the veil. If it's white/white, then you'd want something like crystal AB. If it's a cream color, then you want to go with something like crystal golden shadow. Some veil colors or dress colors may have a slight pink or peach tone too, even a blue. You should take your fabric swatch and look at the bicone page in the Swarovski crystals for the 5301 beads -- you'll likely find a color that you like that goes with that veil. And for size, I'd go small -- tiny. 4mm or less. In the case of a veil, I don't think bigger is better. Hope that helps.

I've used the Mint Alabaster with Turquoise and Caribbean Blue Opal... this is a nice alternative

I've seen the Mint Alabaster combined with Air Blue Opal, Pacific Opal, Rose Alabaster, White Opal and White Alabaster. If you have to pick just two...good luck! Personally, I like Air Blue,White Opal, Mint Alabaster.

After I get out of the shower, I use my wet wash cloth to wipe them down. Then I pat them dry with a soft towel. I've been doing this for years and my jewelry still sparkles like its brand new.

Don't put the soap directly onto crystal, not even when on your fingertips. Instead mix a drop of mild soap not detergent unless it's an all natural "green" type in bowl of luke warm water.Swoosh water around crystals. Don't put many of them in the bowl at once or they'll mar & scratch. Rinse in cool water, place on soft towel - you can let them air dry too. Try not to let them get so dirty that you need soap. They clean fine with a soft damp tissue - not the kind of tissue that has lotion.

Yes, there is! If you look at the top on the left side of this site, click on the purple letters that say CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements, there you will find a chart of all the birth stones.

JANUARY - Garnet
FEBRUARY - Amythest
MARCH - Aquamarine
APRIL - Diamond (so clear would work)
MAY - Emerald
JUNE - Opal - Smokey Quarts
JULY - Ruby
AUGUST - I cant remember the name but its a light/bright green.
SEPTEMBER - Blue Sapphire
OCTOBER - Pink Sapphire
NOVEMBER - Topaz (orange)
DECEMBER - Blue Topaz

White opal is beautiful.

crystal or crystal AB might also work really well

20mm is approximately 3/4in. if you want exact conversion 25mm=1inch. Hope that helps.

Hi Lin,
You don't have to remember how to convert because you can use a ruler or tape measure that has inches on one side and metric on the other (most do). On the metric side, the large numbers are centimeters (cm) and the small lines inbetween are millimeters (mm). 1 cm = 10 mm. So, 20 mm is easy to see: it is the same as 2 cm, a little more than 3/4" long.