Lately, I am in LOVE with Waxed Irish Linen Thread, sometimes referred to as Waxed Irish Linen Cord, as a medium for bracelet making. Waxed Irish Linen Thread has been used for a long time in different fiber arts projects like macrame and basket making and also in it’s unwaxed form for book binding. It is a great substitute for hemp when you want a cleaner more refined jewelry look for your bracelets.
Waxed Irish Linen Thread is available in a wide variety of exciting colors and it is easy to thread beads right on without the use of a needle. It comes in different plys or thicknesses giving you lots of creative options for layering and beading the thread. The coating of beeswax makes the cord a bit malleable almost like clay in your hands. This quality really allows the thread to become a beautiful part of your design. The wax also helps to hold a knot securely without any glue. Besides being friendly to work with, a Waxed Irish Linen bracelet feels comfortable around the wrist due to its flexible quality. It generally comes in spools anywhere from 25 – 45 to almost 200 yards, unless you are buying from someone who supplies smaller hanks to try for the first time.
Here is a photo of a few Waxed Irish Linen bracelets I have made in a silver gray and black linen. I wear these bracelets quite a bit when I am just hanging around in my workout clothes, taking yoga or running after my kids. I also like to layer them with other bracelets. More on layering bracelets in another post! They are great casual, chic everyday bracelets. I am working on making different colors and using a variety of beads and closures.
Waxed Linen Sparkly Bracelets
You are not supposed to get the Waxed Irish Linen wet to preserve it’s life – but I wear mine quite a bit even when I am washing my hands or washing a few dishes. I would not submerse it in water like swimming or showering though….. I will probably try to abuse mine a little more to see how much they can really take.
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Leave a comment below and let me know if you like the look of these bracelets or if you have used waxed linen in jewelry making before. Always feel free to ask me the “Bracelet Making Girl” any questions you have and I will do my best to answer them in future posts.
Make Bracelets! 
So glad I found your blog, Tracy! I am awaiting the delivery of some waxed linen thread and then I’m going to start experimenting, with your help. These bracelets are great!
Thanks. Have fun making them!
Can you do or do you have a video on how to make the loop look like this one where the cord/linen is wrapped around the loop? (in the 4th picture)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69186511/new-box-bracelet-with-pure-silver-and
Hi jackie. I don’t yet. However, an attractive wat to make the loop stronger and more substantial (and pretty) than just the linen loop is to add seed beads like a 6/0 – maybe 8/0 so they will fit over the linen. It makes for a really neat looking loop! I will look into that wrap.
Thank you so much for your time! 🙂
I measured to the best of my ability and it seems like it has to be a 1 mm hole to make it go through easily. I like the silver plated rounds I get from Michaels. They seem to have the biggest holes and work well for the Irish Linen.
Thank you! One more question if you’d indulge me. I ordered some 4 ply Irish Linen, but trying to figure out the hole opening diameter the 3mm beads should have, I’ve never used the Irish Linen & I don’t want to order a bunch of beads and have it not fit.
Hi I was wondering about how many of the beads do you use per braclet? And do you use real silver?
Hi Jesse.
I have used both solid sterling and sterling plated rounds. The ones you see in the pics are plated. There are about 24 beads for a single and about 70 beads or so for a triple wrap bracelet. I have a small wrist. You may factor in a few more if you have more than a 7 ” bracelet size.
Please send me the instructions for making these lovely waxed linen bracelets.
Thank you
http://makebraceletsblog.com/make-bracelets-video/
The 2nd video on my video page shows you how to make the bracelets I think you are referring to. Have fun!
Hi, I love these bracelets and was wondering if you could recommend
a supplier that sells smaller quantities of waxed linen thread so I could try working with it for the first time?
Tracy,
Thanks so much for the video! I can’t wait to try making these bracelets with my daughter!
Hi. I have seen your “sparkly bracelets” on so many websites, but they charge so much to buy them. I am dying to know how to make them! I just love them to wear during the day, or like you said, to yoga class or just around town. Do you have a written set of instructions on how to make them? I’m sure it’s not too difficult, but would love to learn. I know you mentioned a video tutorial. I will keep checking. Thanks so much for sharing your jewelry making wisdom!
-Nicole
Hi Nicole. Here is a link to the Video. It was listed in another post. http://makebraceletsblog.com/2011/01/30/braided-irish-linen-wrap-bracelet-tutorial/
hi! I was wondering where the video is that you mention. I Love these waxed Irish linen bracelets and am dying to know how to make one! Thanks!
Jess
Hi Jess. It should be available this week. It is on my long list of projects to finish! I will post it as soon as it is finished. Make sure you enter your email at the top right of the blog so youa re able to get emails when the posts are made.
-Tracy
I love those little sparkly bracelets! I’m wondering if you’re not supposed to get waxed linen wet because it degrades the wax on it? I guess the test would be to take a sample and immerse it in water for awhile and see what happens (hmmmm I’ve given myself an idea – now where is my waxed linen cord?)
I’d love a tutorial on the sparkly bracelets – have signed up for your emails so I know when you post your video.
Thanks for sharing so generously!
Cindy
The sparkly bracelet will definitely be in the video. I don’t see your email (the one associated with your name in the comment) in the subscriptions – Try again to sign up. Thanks Cindy!
Tracy –
How are your Irish Linen Sparkly bracelets made?
Do you use three strands and braid inbetween the beads? How
long are your bracelets? They are great looking.
Congratulations on being chosen for the “A Jewelry Accord” book.
Good job. Can’t wait to see your work.
Thanks.
Kath
Thanks Kath.
Yes they are three strands of waxed linen braided with the beads slipped on at regular intervals. I am going to do a little video tutorial on it in the new year. There are fun ways to make them look different. There is a teal one in the header picture on the blog too – a single wrap. They are one of my favorite kinds of bracelets to wear for everyday and being active. The multi wraps are about 19 1/2″ long and go around my wrist three times. Be sure to add your email address in the tips box so you can stay tuned for the video on this.
Happy Holidays!
Tracy