Mardi gras bead necklace turned DIY bracelet

Stacking different styles of bracelets "Mr. T style" has become a huge trend these days so I wanted to create a few different styles and send them as Christmas gifts.  Pinterest offered a variety of different ideas - one of which I attempted (it didn't turn out as beautiful as the original) that later spawned into something I can call my own.  The original inspiration came from a great site called Honestly...WTF.  Her tutorial is clear and easy to follow but I didn't find my completed piece to be as cool as hers.

Directions below are to make the bracelet next to the red arrow.

Supplies

• I used 1.5 mm leather cord ( I wrapped it around my wrist once leaving a few extra inches on each end then doubled it by folding the cord in half).
• Brass ball chain a little shy of the diameter of your wrist.
• Waxed cord 4-5 feet (I think? I didn't really measure but basically you are wrapping this around the leather cord and ball chain - in between each ball)
• Hex nut or large button or bead

Step 1
Create a loop by folding the leather cord in half  (this will loop around your bead to clasp your finished bracelet). 

Step 2
Getting this started is the hardest part - place the ball chain on top of the folded cord and wrap the waxed cord around everything several times (just under the desired loop size). 

Step 3
Continue to wrap the waxed cord around every brass ball and leather cord.
Step 4
Once the waxed cord is completely wrapped around each ball, wrap it around the other end of the leather cord several times (replicating part of step 2).

Step 5
Thread the bead through the leather cord and tie a knot.

Ok, so the bracelet isn't so terrible but I thought it would be larger (I should have purchased larger brass ball chain). 

The bracelet I'm much more proud of consists of...

Supplies

• 1.5 mm leather cord ( I wrapped it around my wrist once leaving a few extra inches on each end then doubled it by folding the cord in half).
• Waxed cord 4-5 feet (I think? I didn't really measure but basically you are wrapping this around the leather cord and Mardi Gras beads - in between each ball on either side).
• Hex nut or large button or bead
• Mardi Gras beads (you should be able to make 2 bracelets out of one strand of beads.  Cut 2 strands of beads the length of your wrist).

Step 1
Create a loop by folding the leather cord in half (this will loop around your bead to clasp your finished bracelet). 

Step 2 Place 1 strand of beads on top of the folded cord and wrap the waxed cord around everything several times (just under the desired loop size).

Step 3
Continue to wrap the waxed cord around every Mardi Gras bead and leather cord.

Step 4 Once the waxed cord is completely wrapped around each bead, take the other half of Mardi Gras beads and place them on the other side of the leather cord.  Continue wrapping the waxed cord around both strands of beads and the leather cord.

Step 5 Wrap the waxed cord around the other end of the leather cord several times (replicating part of step 2).

Step 6
Thread the bead through the leather cord and tie a knot.
*Tip:  I used hot glue every so often to secure the string wrapped around the beads.

 I'm a huge fan of these Mardi Gras bead bracelets!!

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