Southwest Feather Bracelet Design Ideas

Description

INSPIRATION
Let your spirit soar with this stunning bracelet. Use hole punching tools and bracelet bending pliers to turn a feather pendant into a customized focal!

Techniques: metal bending, hole punching, knotting
Tip: For best sliding knot results, don’t let loops overlap.

Steps
String 6mm gemstone bead, Western Bead and 4mm gemstone bead onto head pin. At top of last bead bend wire over at right angle. Trim wire to 3/8”. Form simple loop. Set aside.
Use sharpie to make a centered mark 1/8-3/16” from tip of feather.
Use hole punching tool to carefully punch a hole where marked, making sure to position punch so that edge of hole will not be less than 1/8” from tip of feather.
Use bracelet bending pliers to gently curve feather. Begin at loop end and work slowly toward other end. Option: If you don’t have bracelet bending pliers, curve feather by pressing it around a bracelet mandrel.
Thread one piece of cord 2” through loop of feather. Wrap short cord end around long end once and tie an overhand knot. (Fig 1) Tighten securely and apply small drop of glue to knot. Let dry, then trim excess cord.

Repeat Step 5 with second piece of cord at other end of feather.
Overlap cords to create the loop of the bracelet. Adjust size so loop just fits over widest part of hand. The cord ends are now the “working” cords, and the looped cord is the “bottom” cord.
At center of loop just to one side of the overlap, position both cords so that working cord is on top. Fold working cord back onto itself. (Fig 2)feather-sliding knot
Grasp fold and bottom cord in one hand. Bring loose end of working cord behind other cords and wrap 2-3 times around (not too tight), looping away from fold.
(Fig 3)feather-sliding knot
After final loop bring end towards you, then thread back through all loops including original loop created by fold. (Fig 3) Tighten by carefully pulling working tail, keeping knot near center of bracelet loop. Adjust knot until secure but loose enough to slide.
Repeat Steps 8-10 with other end to create a second sliding knot right next to first one.
Trim excess cord at each end leaving ¼” tails.
To tighten bracelet slide knots away from each other towards feather.
Pick up bead dangle and open simple loop. Attach to loop of feather. Close loop.
Items Needed:
Feather Pendant
Feathers are always delightful! A feather in your path is often considered a message from a dearly departed. Both ancient Egyptians and Native Americans considered feathers symbolic of the heavens.
Product Details
Width (mm): 17 mm
Height (mm): 72 mm
Loop Inner Diameter (mm): 2 mm
Materials and Finish: Cadmium & Lead free Pewter, Fine Silver plate with antiqued finish
Country of Origin: USA

Western Bead, Antiqued Silver Plate
Make a big impact with this beautiful bead. The proportions are perfect for combining with a wide range of other beads and the detailing gives it enough character to stand on its own!
Product Details
Width (mm): 10.4 mm
Height (mm): 5.8 mm
Hole Diameter (mm): 2 mm
Materials and Finish: Cadmium & Lead free Pewter, Fine Silver plate with antiqued finish
Country of Origin: USA

Ballpins 1.5in 24ga, 1.3mm
Sterling Silver 24 Gauge Head Pin. A simple head pin with a ball tip. Wire is approximately 24 gauge. 1.5 inches long.
Sold in packs of 10,

Please check our bead selection for beading ideas.