DIY Jewelry: Make Your Own Jewelry
Design and make bracelets and necklaces using elastic cord, colorful beads, and charms. Practice patterning, measuring, and tying secure knots safely.
Step-by-step guide to make your own jewelry
DIY ♡ aesthetic ♡ jewelry - EASY + BEGINNER FRIENDLY!
Step 1
Lay all materials on a clean flat table where you can reach everything easily.
Step 2
Measure your wrist or neck with the ruler or tape measure and add 4 cm for a bracelet or 6 cm for a necklace.
Step 3
Cut the elastic cord to the length you measured.
Step 4
Place beads and charms on the tray and arrange them in the color and shape pattern you want.
Step 5
Thread the beads and charms onto the cord in your chosen order leaving about 2–3 cm free at each end.
Step 6
Slide the beads to the center and wrap the bracelet or necklace around your wrist or neck to check the fit.
Step 7
Move beads to adjust the pattern or spacing until the piece looks and fits how you want.
Step 8
Hold both cord ends and tie a surgeon’s knot by crossing the ends, making an overhand knot, passing the ends through the loop twice, and pulling tight.
Step 9
Tie a second square knot on top of the first knot for extra security.
Step 10
Carefully tuck the knot into the hole of a nearby bead to hide it.
Step 11
With adult help, put a tiny drop of clear nail polish or fabric glue on the knot to seal it and let it dry completely.
Step 12
Share your finished bracelet or necklace on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I can't find elastic cord for this project?
If elastic cord is hard to find, use stretch beading cord or a thin hair elastic cut to the measured length and follow the same cutting and knotting steps, or use jewelry wire with crimp beads instead of tying the surgeon’s knot.
My knot keeps coming undone — what should I try?
If your knot slips after step 8, tie an extra square knot as in step 9, add a tiny drop of clear nail polish or fabric glue from step 10, and tuck the knot into a nearby bead hole to hold it securely.
How can I adapt the activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, have an adult measure and cut the elastic, provide large-hole beads and help with the surgeon’s knot and gluing in step 10, while older kids can measure, cut, and experiment independently with more complex patterns and using jewelry wire with crimp beads.
How can we make the bracelet or necklace more unique or special?
Personalize your piece by adding letter beads to spell a name during step 4, include a focal charm before checking fit in step 5, seal the knot with clear nail polish in step 10, and share a photo on DIY.org as in step 11.
Watch videos on how to make your own jewelry
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Facts about jewelry making for kids
🌍 Beads are one of the oldest forms of adornment — people have been stringing beads for tens of thousands of years.
💎 Beads can be made from glass, wood, metal, gemstones, and even recycled materials, so you can mix color and texture freely.
🧵 Elastic cord is great for kids' bracelets because it stretches to slip on and off, but always secure it with a strong knot and a tiny dab of glue.
🔢 Designing bead patterns is a fun way to practice math skills like counting, repeating patterns, and measuring wrist size.
🎁 Homemade necklaces and bracelets make thoughtful gifts — and some young crafters even turn bead-making into a small business.
How do you make DIY bracelets and necklaces with elastic cord and beads?
What materials do I need to make jewelry with elastic cord, colorful beads, and charms?
What ages is DIY jewelry making suitable for?
What are the safety tips for kids making bracelets and necklaces?
Make things. Learn new skills. Share safely.
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