Wire and Labradorite Ankle Bracelet
Labradorite, with its flashes of blues, teals and greys, is gorgeous any time of year. Paired with delicate silver swirls, this anklet dresses up or goes great with casual wear. Directions are for standard 9 1/2" ankle bracelet.
Level: Medium
Materials
4mm Labradorite round beads (35)
3mm sterling round beads (10)
Sterling wire connectors (see instructions below)
Sterling crimp beads (10)
Tiny sterling toggle clasp
Beading wire
Without cutting from spool, string a sterling round bead, seven Labradorite beads and another sterling round bead on the beading wire. Using a crimp bead, attach the loose end of the wire to the round end of the toggle clasp. Thread excess wire back through 1-2 beads and clip excess.
Ensure beads are snug against crimp, and cut wire from spool about 1 1/2" from the last sterling bead. Using a crimp bead, attach the wire to a sterling connector. Thread wire back through 1-2 beads and clip excess wire.
String one sterling bead, seven Labradorite beads, and another sterling round bead on the wire (still attached to the spool). Attach wire to the other end of the connector using a crimp bead. Cut wire from spool about 1/ 1/2" from the last bead and attach to another connector using a crimp bead. Make sure connectors are going the same direction - my connectors are looped so that there is a definite "top" and "bottom".
Repeat three times, with the last attachment to the bar end of the toggle instead of to another connector.
Sterling Connectors: I like to leave my wire on the spool because it's easier to wind around the pliers and creates less waste. Using the small end of a stepped pliers or about the middle of a needle-nosed pliers, create a loop. Using the medium section of a stepped pliers or the largest section of a needle-nosed pliers, create a loop and a half, so that the wire is now on the opposite side of the loop from your first loop.
Create another small loop, making sure that the loop direction is the same as the first loop. This will create a "top" and "bottom" of your connector. Using a flush wire cutter, cut connector from the spool. Work harden end loops by gently twisting back and forth the open end until it is flush against the center loop.
