DIY Bracelet Kit – Black Lava, Lapis Lazuli & White Heishi

DIY Bracelet Kit – Black Lava, Lapis Lazuli & White Heishi

A ready-to-make bracelet kit with a crisp, beachy look. Matte black lava stone sets off the deep royal blue of natural lapis lazuli, and thin white clay heishi discs add bright little spacers. No clasp is needed — the bracelets slide on and off. Make them for yourself, to share with friends, or as gifts.

What’s included

• 2 × 6mm black lava strands — 64 natural black volcanic lava stone beads per strand (128 beads in total), 37cm strands, hole about 1mm. Porous, so they work as an essential oil diffuser.
• 1 × 8mm lapis lazuli strand — about 22 natural lapis lazuli beads, deep blue with golden flecks, on a 20cm strand, hole about 1mm.
• About 380 × 8mm white heishi discs — handmade polymer clay flat round disc beads, 8mm wide and 0.5–1mm thick, hole about 2mm, on one long strand.
• 1 × 5m black stretch cord — 1.0mm black elastic beading cord. Cut about 25cm per bracelet, including extra for knotting.

How many bracelets?

An average adult wrist is about 18cm (7 inches). This kit makes 6 adult bracelets:

• 4 bracelets with 4 lapis lazuli, 20 black lava and about 36 heishi discs each (in four little stacks of about 9), and
• 2 bracelets with 3 lapis lazuli, 24 black lava and about 16 heishi discs each.

That uses all the lapis and lava beads and about 176 heishi discs, so you have around 200 heishi discs spare. Heishi discs vary from 0.5mm to 1mm thick, so add or remove a few discs to get the exact length. Bigger wrists need a few more beads per bracelet. Six bracelets use only about 1.5m of the 5m cord.

How to make a stretch bracelet

1. Measure your wrist, or use 18cm (7 inches) for an average adult size. Cut about 25cm of stretch cord (wrist size plus 6–7cm for knotting).
2. Gently stretch the cord a few times before threading so the finished bracelet doesn’t loosen later. A little tape on one end stops beads sliding off.
3. Slide a few heishi discs off their strand at a time. Thread your beads: for example 5 black lava, a stack of heishi discs, 1 lapis lazuli, another stack of heishi, then repeat around the bracelet.
4. Check the fit around your wrist and add or remove heishi discs to fine-tune the length.
5. Tie a surgeon’s knot or a tight double knot, pull it snug, and trim the tails. A small drop of clear jewellery glue on the knot is optional.
6. Slide the knot into the 2mm hole of a heishi disc or next to a lava bead so it sits out of sight.

Aromatherapy diffuser tip

Lava stone is naturally porous. Put one drop of your favourite essential oil on two or three black lava beads, let it soak in for a minute, then wear the bracelet. The scent is released slowly over a day or two. Keep oil off the lapis lazuli and the white clay discs, as oil can mark them.

Specifications

• Black lava beads: 6mm round, 64 beads per strand × 2 strands, 37cm strands, hole about 1mm, natural black lava stone
• Lapis lazuli beads: 8mm round, about 22 beads, 20cm strand, hole about 1mm, natural gemstone
• Heishi discs: 8mm × 0.5–1mm flat round, about 380 discs, hole about 2mm, white polymer clay
• Cord: 5 metres of 1.0mm black stretch beading cord
• Suitable for 18cm / 7 inch adult wrists (adjust the bead count for a smaller or larger size)