This trio of braided bangles is the perfect project to illustrate the wonders of Bead Stoppers. Bead Stoppers are one of my favorite tools. Sure, they work for keeping beads secure on a single strand of beading wire, but they're also handy in many other ways. In this project, Bead Stoppers add weight to the end of wires which helps the braiding process, keep braids from unraveling, act as place-holders to keep beads in a certain spot on a group of wires, AND secure beads from falling off the end of a single strand of wire. 
Materials needed:30 foot spool of Pink Tourmaline .019 Diameter Soft Flex Beading Wire
4 Sterling Silver 3mm Crimp Tubes
2 Sterling Silver 2mm Crimp Tubes
2 Sterling Silver 3mm Crimp Covers
64 Multi Color Tourmaline 4mm Faceted Rondelles
2 Assorted Color 7x12mm Ceramic Teeny Tiny Owls
Tools needed:
Bead Stoppers
Cutters
Mighty Crimping Pliers
Crimping Pliers
Pre-made Bangle Bracelet or Bracelet Mandrel
Finished size: 2 1/2" diameter
Bangle One
Step 1: Attach 1 bead stopper to three 14" pieces of wire about 6" from one end of the wires.
Step 2: Use all three wires to string 1 ceramic owl bead (top to bottom). Use one wire to string 18 tourmaline rondelles. Place a bead stopper on the wire end.
Step 3: Begin braiding the three wires together below the owl bead. When the wire strung with tourmaline rondelles is placed in the middle of the other two wires, slide 1 bead up into the braid and continue braiding. Repeat this every time this wire is in the center of the braid.
Step 4: Once you've braided about nine rondelles into the braid, place a bead stopper on the wires to secure the braid. Push the owl bead down over the braided wire until it reaches the first rondelle.
Step 5: Remove the bead stopper above the owl bead. Use 1 strand of wire to string 7 rondelles. Place a bead stopper on the end of that wire. Braid the wires as before, working 1 rondelle into the braid every time its wire is in the center of the braid. Place a bead stopper on the wire ends.
Step 6: Remove the bead stopper on the long end of the wires and continue braiding and adding rondelles to the braid until the bracelet is the size of the pre-made bangle. 
Step 7: Use all three wire ends to string one 3mm crimp tube. Carefully remove and replace bead stoppers to secure the wires and use the other three wire ends to pass through the crimp tube in the opposite direction. Adjust the braided wires as necessary so that it's the right size, and use Mighty Crimping Pliers to crimp the crimp tube. Trim wire ends.
Bangle Two
Step 8: Use both ends of a 3" piece of beading wire to string one 2mm crimp tube. Snug the tube up the wire, leaving a small loop, and use Crimping Pliers to crimp the crimp tube. Cover the crimp tube with 1 crimp cover. Use both wire ends to string 1 owl bead (top to bottom) and 1 crimp tube. Snug the beads and crimp the crimp tube. Cover the crimp tube with 1 crimp cover. Trim the wire ends to about 1/8" and 1/4" and set the charm aside.
Step 9: Adjust one 16" piece of beading wire and two 12" pieces of beading wire so that one end of each wire matches up. Use all three wire ends to string 1 crimp tube. Adjust the tube so that it is covering the other ends of the 12" wire pieces and use Mighty Crimping Pliers to crimp the crimp tube. 
Step 10: Use the short single wire to string 15 tourmaline rondelles and one 3mm crimp tube. Place a bead stopper on the single wire.
Step 11: Braid the three wire ends together for about 3/4". Use 1 wire end to string the charm made in Step 8. Continue braiding the wire ends until the bangle is long enough when measured against the pre-made bangle. Use all three wire ends to pass through the 3mm crimp tube in the opposite direction and use Might Crimping Pliers to crimp. Trim wire ends.
Bangle Three
Step 12: Cut three 12" pieces of wire. Place a bead stopper on all three wires just off of center. Use 1 wire end to string 10 rondelles. Attach a bead stopper to the wire to secure the beads.
Step 13: Use 1 wire to string 9 rondelles. Use the remaining wire to string 10 rondelles. 
Step 14: Remove 1 bead stopper and braid the three wires together for about 3 1/2". Use all three wire ends to string one 3mm crimp tube. Place a bead stopper on the wires. Remove the other bead stopper and braid the wires together for about 3 1/2". Use all three wire ends to pass through the crimp tube in the opposite direction. Measure the bangle against the pre-made bangle, adjusting the wire as necessary for size, and use Mighty Crimping Pliers to crimp the crimp tube. Trim the wire ends.
Wear the bangles together or separate or play around with additional bangles to add to the stack. Enjoy!
Guest blogger Jamie Hogsett is the Education Coordinator for Soft Flex Company. Contact her at Jamie@SoftFlexCompany.com.