How To Make A Shamballa Bracelet

[LindaWoosen]

Shamballa bracelets are currently enjoying a wellspring of demand. That celebrities have worn them in the public eye undoubtedly contributes to their renown. The word "Shamballa" has two connotations. It denotes a mythic domain in the beliefs of Tibetan Buddhists, and it is also the brand name for a celebrated jewelry company. Bracelets under the official Shamballa label can be expensive. But resourceful jewelry lovers can fashion a similar bracelet for a low cost.

Loop Knot

1 .Begin the bracelet by cutting two lengths of your thread to 36 inches with scissors.

2 .Fold them in half and make a knot at the center. Form a 1/2-inch loop.

3 .Pull the strands to tighten the knot and leave the loop intact.

Square Knots

1 .Place the left cord over the center of the thread lengths, then under the right cord. Allow this section of the cord to be loose.

2 .Pass the right cord under the center and over the left cord.

3 .Move the right again over the center, then under the left cord.

4 .Pass the left cord under the center and over the right cord.

5 .Repeat steps 1 to 4 twice, so that you have formed three square knots.

Adding the Beads

1 Thread one bead along the two inner strands. Then make another square knot.

2 Repeat this process of threading a bead and making a square knot until you have reached your desired bracelet length.

3 Complete three additional square knots once your bracelet is at the length you like.

Closing the Bracelet

1 Finish your bracelet with crimp beads. Slide one crimp bead down both sides of the bracelet.

2 Pull the thread through the crimp beads to form the bracelet into a circle. Fit the bracelet onto your wrist and size it so that the bracelet is both comfortable and attractive. Remove your wrist.

3 Tie a knot to mark the correct size for the bracelet. This knot should be wider than the diameter of the crimp beads.

4 Tuck and pull this knot so that it fits inside both crimp beads.

5 Close the beads by clamping down on them with jewelry-specific pliers. Cut away excess thread length.

Tips & Warnings

The best known Shamballa jewelry, the macrame braided bracelet, features 18-carat gold balls and precious stones. Naturally, these can prove pricey to order. Alloyed European beads, however, make an effectively attractive substitute. You can purchase these from companies that specialize in wholesale jewelry products.

Woven round cord is recommended for its look: it appears to be authentic leather, but is actually produced from cotton, making it biodegradable and easy to knot. Waxed cotton also works well and is available in a huge array of colors. If you want a more feminine bracelet, use Gudebrod silk cord, known for its delicateness.

Practice basic knots for bracelets. Strong technique is needed to create an authentic Shamballa Bracelet. The attractiveness of the bracelet is also dependent on your skill in basic knotting technique.

Consider using two different colors of thread for a more vibrant bracelet.