Camino Trail

Project by Janice Parsons
Sample by Kate Richbourg

Please Note: This project is older and uses some components we no longer have available to us. Please check through our Metal Bead and Tribal & Trade Collections to find replacements you love!

Inspired by a bracelet made by Linda Johnson and shared in our private Facebook Group, The Bead Table, Kate knew she needed to make this new Trail’s End project ASAP! While Linda’s used our Pear Festival Monthly Mix (September 2019), Kate decided to go for the muted colors of a California Autumn. The name is a tribute to the El Camino Real after the road (or “trail,” as this is a Trail’s End!) that the Spanish Padres used to travel through California when building Missions.

To start, string beads in a random pattern on regular C-Lon to make a 20" strand. Next, tie the strand together in a continuous circle using an overhand knot. Glue knot, let set and cut away tails. Loop the bead strand around four times and use a jump ring to gather all four strands together, add the Jardin Ring and Rustico chain to the ring and close. Use a second jump ring to attach the Swivel Clasp to the Jardin Ring.

Gather the four bead strands on the opposite end in a separate jump ring. Close and attach a second ring to this first ring that gathers the beads. Add a third jump ring to the end of the Rustico chain and string the beads and chain jump rings through the deerskin lace to the center point. Tie an overhand knot below the jump rings to secure leather in place. String on charms or add additional decorative knots if you wish.

Measure for wrist size and tie both strands in a second overhand knot. Close a jump ring around one strand of the deerskin lace to connect to the Swivel clap as the closure. Feel free to add more jump rings and charms to the lace or chain to personalize!

Please join us as our worldwide community gathers on Facebook and YouTube at 10:30am Pacific Time on October 30th, 2019. It’s so much fun to go live with us and bead together! After the live broadcast the video will be available above.