A poster suggested I do a tutorial on how to make the bracelet row counters like this:
So after a loooooooooooooong delay (& a reminder email - sorry!!!), here ya go. Enjoy. 
(You can count up to 99 rows with these bracelets. The âhow toâsâ of using it are at the bottom.)
What you need:
-Nylon-coated beading wire (I use .30mm) or memory wire found in beading stores
-Elastic cord (I used .5mm/.019")
-(5) 2x2 crimp tubes
-A lampwork bead or other focal bead
-(10) 8mm beads
-(13) 6 mm beads (or (9) 6mm beads and additional accent beads)
-Assorted accent beads
-Medium sized toggle
-Crimp tool
-Wire cutter (or I find nail clippers work just as well and I can sometimes cut much closer to where I want to be)
Here is a closeup of the crimp tool. Notice there are two notches. The one closest to the bolt crimps the crimp tube into a âCâ shape and the notch closest to the tip closes the âCâ into a more round shape. The purpose is to hold the wire tight so it doesnât slide and also functions as a stopper for the beads so their not sliding all over the bracelet.
To start, cut two 10" lengths of the beading wire. Slide a crimp tube on both wires followed by the open end of the toggle. Thread the end of the wire back through the crimp bead so you have a loop holding the toggle. Pull the loop tight, but do leave a bit of room so the toggle has a bit of room to move. You should have about 1 to 1-1/2" of excess wire on the other side of the crimp - DO NOT TRIM - crimp the crimp tube.
Next, on both wires, thread on accent beads and the lampwork bead or focal bead as desired making sure to cover the excess wire, followed by another crimp tube. Crimp.
On one wire, thread nine of the 8mm beads. On the other wire, thread 9 of your 6mm beads. Measure 7 - 8" away from last crimp tube placed and put on another crimp tube [B]on both wires[/B]. This distance will be a personal preference. I like mine to be about 7" long. That gives me enough spare wire to use the bracelet comfortably. The bracelet is large on me, so if you want a more snug fit but still need the empty wire room, I suggest using 6mm beads for the larger size and 4mm for the smaller size.
Now cut approx 4-5" of elastic cord. String four 6mm beads or whatever accent beads you want onto the elastic cord. Thread a crimp tube on one end of the cord and thread the opposite end of the cord through the same crimp tube going the opposite direction. The result is a circle of beads large enough so that you can push your counter beads (already threaded onto the main bracelet) through through this ring but not so large that they will just slip through. When you have the diameter you want pull the elastic taut but not tight. You do want some stretch. Crimp & trim the excess cord. Slide this circle over both wires on the bracelet.
Now thread any additional accent beads and an 8mm bead on both wires followed by another crimp tube. Finally, thread the latch part of the toggle and loop the ends of the wire around and back through the crimp tube just like the beginning. Again pull the wires into a small loop, but still allow enough room for the toggle to move - you donât want the loop too tight. Crimp and trim the excess wire as closely as you can.
Ta-da! Youâve made your very own row counter bracelet!!!:woohoo:
Itâs used like an abbicus; think of the smaller beads as signifying 1 row and the larger beads signifying 10 rows. After each completed row, push a smaller (6mm) bead through the beaded ring. When the 10th row is completed, push all the small beads back through and replace with a larger bead. You can count up to 99 rows with these bracelets. Have fun!
Just want to say how much I appreciate the time and effort you put into it for us!!
