Beading to Beat Autism

Kara and I have been hard at work on our bracelets for Beading to Beat Autism.  As I have mentioned before on this board, Kara's brother has a form of Autism called Aspergers.  Several of her friends also have brothers on the spectrum.  Michala Riggle is a 14 yr old girl who started this fundraising cause when she was Kara's age.    We are helping the cause to raise enough money to build a world class Autism Research and Treatment Center.  1 in less than 100 children are affected by Autism and this center is very much needed.  If you would like to know more about the project please check out   BeadingtoBeatAutism.org here.

We were sent a kit with enough beads and supplies to make 300 bracelets for the project.  Each bracelet sells for a $3 donation.  We have been working hard, and have also recruited her girl scout troop to help make the bracelets. Making a bracelet is actually fun to do, so I thought I would share how to make them.   I also wanted to share a few tips that might help when beading and displaying the bracelets. 

We were sent little plastic containers of beads  that were the perfect size to fit into egg cartons.  Not only did this make the containers easier to transport, it keeps them from spilling.  

To make a stretchy bracelet,  Stretch Magic works really well.  We were sent .5mm which is a nice size for the small beads.  

You do not need a beading needle, but the process goes much quicker if you do.  A beading needle opens in the middle and holds the thread in place.   I chose 3 colors for the bracelet in this tutorial. 

Thread the colors onto the needle and then onto the elastic.  Do not cut the elastic from the roll until you are finished beading.  If you cut it before you bead,  it is easier to drop the beads off the elastic.

Keep beading until you get to your desired length.  The suggested lengths in the kit were 5", 6", 7" and 8".  A 5" bracelet fits a younger child.  A 6" fits many older children, teens and small women.   7" and 8" bracelets fit most adults.   The bracelet I made in the picture was 7' long.  Once you reach the desired length, triple tie the elastic and then  cut from the roll.

To secure the knot,  use a drop of clear nail polish and let dry for at least 15 minutes.  Once dry the elastic and be cut close to the knot.

Kara is going to set up a display table for our beads at our garage sale.  When in the craft room looking for something else, Kara found a display board.  We had cut it in half awhile ago for a school project.  The amount that was left was the perfect size for showing our beads.  

I bought a package of clear push pins from the dollar store. 

I pushed the pins in the board a few inches apart, and then we placed a bracelet on each of the pins.  

We arranged the display by each size, starting with 5" bracelets on the left. 

When using the push pins we did have a bit of a problem.  The pins stuck out a bit on the back of the board.   I dont want anyone to hurt themselves on our display board so I looked around to see what might cover the pins.  I tried masking tape, but that did not work as well as I had hoped.  I then came across a bag of stale mini marshmellows.  They were the perfect solution, because they were hard enough to stay on the pin, and there is nothing sharp exposed.   I may have to come up with a different long term solution but for now marshmellows it is!

Because this is such a great cause and a craft tutorial I am linking this post up on several linky parties.  Please make sure to check my linky party page  and check out all of the awesome blogs.