Sea Glass Charm Bracelet Tutorial

Learn how to drill sea glass, wire wrap your drilled pieces, and finish them as a charm bracelet with a toggle clasp (or a clasp of your choice) so it’s easy to throw on as you're heading out for fun in the sun. A great project for beaders of all skill levels, including beginners.

This sea glass charm bracelet features smaller pieces of wire-wrapped sea glass interspersed with beach-themed charms attached to a large-link chain. We love the way the dangling metal charms and the translucent color of sea glass pop when they catch the light. Better still, when you move your wrist, the charms and sea glass jingle together and sound like gentle waves lapping on the sand.

Walking the beach and searching for sea glass is a favorite summer pastime. We’ve been collecting sea glass and making sea glass jewelry for years - in fact, it was the first project that got us into beading. We realized that it was high tide, we mean, time, to share our favorite techniques for how to drill sea glass and turn it into fun and colorful sea glass jewelry just like you’d find at high-end seaside boutiques. So, whether you use sea glass you found yourself or sea glass you “found” online, you'll end up with gorgeous handmade sea glass jewelry you'll be proud to wear or share.

This detailed sea glass tutorial includes a recommended materials list, supply information, over 60 high-resolution full-color photos, and easy-to-follow step-by-step directions to ensure your success and enjoyment.

Recommended Materials:

- Pieces of sea glass - our smallest piece of sea glass measures approximately 15 mm tall x 10 mm wide, and our largest piece measures about 20 mm tall x 10 mm wide. All our pieces are approximately 2 mm thick. We will show you how to drill your own pieces or you can purchase pieces online on Etsy, eBay, etc.
- Charms - our smallest charm measures approximately 10 mm tall x 10 mm wide, and our largest charm measures about 15 mm tall x 10 mm wide
- 4 mm open jump rings
- Open link chain - we used a gold 4.5 x 5 mm flat cable chain that we purchased from Shipwreck Beads (# 47CX1854)
- 24 gauge German jewelry wire a.k.a Artistic Craft Wire
- End clasps
- Flush cutter
- Chain nose pliers
- Round nose pliers

Optional sea glass drilling supplies:

- Old shallow bowl or dish (to drill in)
- Hot glue gun and hot glue
- Pencil or fine point marker
- Paper plate or other heavy-weight paper and scissors to cut out templates for the bottom of your shallow bowl or dish
- Tap water
- Dremel high-speed drill
- Drill bit designed for drilling glass or ceramics