Easy DIY Teacher Bracelets that look like pencils, notebook paper, and a composition book! Make this fun clay bead bracelet set for your favorite teacher!
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Looking for that perfect teacher gift to show a little appreciation? Or perhaps, you’ve been on the hunt for a special teacher appreciation gift that’s more than just a simple thank you note?
Well, look no further! Today, I’m sharing a fantastic and better way to express gratitude to those incredible individuals who shape our little ones’ little minds: a special beaded bracelet that’s not just beautiful but also perfect for everyday wear! Great for all PreK-12 teachers!
I’ll show you how to create a personalized teacher bracelet set that looks like adorable pencils, composition notebooks, and classic lined paper! 😍😍😍 Imagine the delighted faces of teachers when they receive this adorable piece of jewelry with a special heartfelt message!
Add a charming gift box, and this beautiful bracelet set is a thoughtful gesture and the perfect gift for a special teacher with a big heart! 🍎
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Cute DIY Teacher Bracelets
These clay bead bracelets don’t require many supplies, and they don’t take long to make, so you will most definitely end up wanting to make them for ALL of your favorite teachers!
Supplies Needed for Teacher Clay Bead Bracelets:
- Clay Beads (6mm) in assorted colors including black, white, yellow, pink, grey, and black/white speckled.
- Assorted Spacer Beads
- 3mm or 4mm Black Beads
- Elastic Beading Cord
- Washi Tape (Scotch Magic Tape also works well!)
- Alphabet Beads
- Apple Charms
- Jump Rings & Jewelry Pliers
- Super Glue Gel or GS Hypo Cement
For those with sensitive skin, don’t worry! Clay beads are one of the most allergy-friendly types of jewelry materials! Most polymer clay beads are hypoallergenic, meaning that they are significantly less likely to cause a reaction.
How to Make Clay Bead Bracelets
1. Starting the Bracelet
To begin, cut a length of stretchy cord that is approximately 10″ long.
Heidi’s Handy Tip:
To make quick work of measuring, I like to add a piece of washi tape to my desk that is 7″ long, which is the length that I will make all of my beading. Simply extend the cord about 1.5″ from each end of the washi tape and then cut.
Grip the ends of the cord and pull to stretch. Pre-stretching the cord will allow you to tie tighter knots at the end!
Add a small piece of washi tape to the end of the elastic cording, and fold the tape back on itself. This will create a barrier so that your beads don’t slip off the end of the cord.
2. Beading the Bracelet
Following the patterns below, add beads to the bracelet string until it reaches the desired length.
Again, you can use that handy strip of washi tape to easily measure the length at a glance!
3. How to Tie a Clay Bead Bracelet
My favorite way to tie clay bead bracelets is with a surgeon’s knot. It’s quite simple to do, and it holds better than a typical square knot.
Follow the video above: tie a half-knot, then another half-knot (do NOT pull the second half-knot tight yet!). Loop each tail through one more time, and then pull tightly.
Teacher Clay Bead Bracelet Patterns
This fun bracelet set includes three different styles of teacher-themed clay bead bracelets that are reminiscent of some of your favorite classic school supplies – pencils, lined notebook paper, and a composition book!
Bracelet 1 – Pencil Design
For this fun pencil bracelet, I used approximately 80 yellow clay beads, 12 light pink beads, 6 grey beads, 8 tan (or peach) beads, and 6-8 black beads. I also used two 4mm black round beads, two heart “alphabet” beads, and alphabet letters to spell out T-E-A-C-H.
String the beads as follows:
- Flat Silver Spacer
- 6 Light Pink Clay Beads
- 3 Grey Clay Beads
- 40 Yellow Clay Beads
- 4 Tan/Peach Clay Beads
- 3-4 Black Clay Beads
- 1 4mm Black Bead
- 1 Heart Bead
- “TEACH” Alphabet Letters
Then, repeat the pencil pattern in the opposite order for the second half of the bracelet.
Bracelet 2 – Composition Book
For this heart bracelet, I used 80 white clay beads, 34 colored clay beads, two faceted gold spacers, and three gold hearts.
String the beads as follows:
- 2.75″ of Black & White Speckled Clay Beads
- 1 Gold 5mm Round Spacer Bead
- “INSPIRE” Alphabet Beads
- 1 Gold 5mm Round Spacer Bead
- 2.75″ of Black & White Speckled Clay Beads
- Add an Apple Charm after tying the bracelet closed.
Bracelet 3 – Notebook Paper
For this bracelet, I used 80 white clay beads, 26 colorful clay beads (in 7 colors), and 18 flat gold spacers.
String the beads as follows:
- 5 White Clay Beads
- 1 Red Clay Bead
- 5 White Clay Beads
- 1 Blue Clay Bead
- Repeat the White/Blue pattern 19 times
- 5 White Clay Beads
- 1 Red Clay Bead
- 5 White Clay Beads
Frequently Asked Questions About Clay Bead Bracelets
How long should my clay beaded bracelet be?
The most common women’s bracelet length is 7 inches long, however, the standard range is anywhere from 6 to 8.5 inches. For best results, use a soft tape measure to measure your wrist, and then add 1/4 inch to the length.
Children’s bracelets typically range from 5 to 6.5 inches; men’s range from 7.5 inches to 10.5 inches.
How many clay beads do I need to make a bracelet?
To make a standard 7″ adult bracelet, you will need around 100-1450 flat clay beads per bracelet, depending on the thickness of each clay bead (you will notice that some are thinner-cut than others). If you are weighing out the number of beads, you will need around 5-6 grams of clay beads per bracelet.
If you include any additional letter beads, spacers, or decorative beads, you will need fewer clay beads.
How do I keep my clay beaded bracelet from untying or breaking?
Follow the step-by-step video demonstration above to tie your bracelets using a surgeon’s knot, which creates one of the strongest and tightest knots possible when working with stretchy jewelry cords. Adding a dab of glue to the knot can add an extra layer of security.
When pulling the knot tight, you’ll want to be gentle so as not to overstretch the cord, which can weaken it and may lead to potential breakage.
Are clay bead bracelets waterproof?
Yes! Clay beads are made from cured polymer clay or vinyl material which are durable and waterproof materials; however, due to other chemicals and components often found in pools and other bodies of water, we still recommend that you remove your bracelets before swimming or bathing for the best results and longevity.
What is the best string to use for clay bead bracelets?
We recommend using a clear stretchy beading cord that is between .4mm and 1mm thick. Stretch Magic is a popular brand of jewelry cord that we use frequently.
Which clay beads are the best for bracelets?
You can find all of my favorite clay beads and bracelet supplies in my Amazon Shop!
What You’ll Need:
Instructions:
- To begin, cut a length of stretchy cord that is approximately 10" long. Tip: to make quick work of measuring, I like to add a piece of washi tape to my desk that is 7" long, which is the length that I will make all of my beading. Simply extend the cord about 1.5" from each end of the washi tape and then cut.
- Grip the ends of the cord and pull to stretch. Pre-stretching the cord will allow you to tie tighter knots at the end!
- Add a small piece of washi tape to the end of the elastic cording, and fold the tape back on itself. This will create a barrier so that your beads don't slip off the end of the cord.
- Following the patterns below, add beads to the bracelet string until it reaches the desired length. (Again, you can use that handy strip of washi tape to easily measure the length at a glance!)
- To finish the bracelet, tie a surgeon's knot as demonstrated in the video. Ttie a half-knot, then another half-knot (do NOT pull the second half-knot tight yet!). Loop each tail through one more time, and then pull tightly.
- Add a small dab of glue to help secure the knot, and then allow the glue to dry completely before trimming off the ends of the cord.
Pencil Bracelet Pattern:
- String the beads as follows: Flat Silver Spacer6 Light Pink Clay Beads3 Grey Clay Beads40 Yellow Clay Beads 4 Tan/Peach Clay Beads3-4 Black Clay Beads1 4mm Black Bead1 Heart Bead"TEACH" Alphabet LettersThen, repeat the pencil pattern in the opposite order for the second half of the bracelet.
Composition Notebook Bracelet Pattern:
- String the beads as follows: 2.75" of Black & White Speckled Clay Beads1 Gold 5mm Round Spacer Bead"INSPIRE" Alphabet Beads1 Gold 5mm Round Spacer Bead2.75" of Black & White Speckled Clay BeadsAdd an Apple Charm after tying the bracelet closed.
Lined Notebook Paper Bracelet Pattern:
- String the beads as follows: 5 White Clay Beads1 Red Clay Bead5 White Clay Beads1 Blue Clay BeadRepeat the White/Blue pattern 19 times5 White Clay Beads1 Red Clay Bead5 White Clay Beads
So, now that you have all the details, it’s time for you to start making your own teacher bracelets with clay beads! If you make your own, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @HeidiKundin or use the hashtag #HIHMakersClub so I can check them out!
Happy crafting!
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Heidi Kundin has captivated the hearts of millions with her colorful and inspiring approach to crafting, celebrations, and family fun. With over 15 years of experience, Happiness is Homemade has become a must-visit destination for those seeking quick and easy creative ideas and last-minute solutions. Heidi’s warm personality shines through her posts, inviting readers to join her on a creative journey that’s fun, rewarding, and achievable. Heidi is also the author of Homemade Bath Bombs & More and DIY Tie-Dye.