How to Make Eras-Style Friendship Bracelets — Because This Trend Isn't Going Anywhere

I bought these acrylic alphabet beads ($7), which I love because they came with heart beads and letters; and these Bala&Fillic seed beads ($11) in the Crayon colorway. The seed beads came with elastic jewellery cord, which is perfect for making friendship bracelets, as it's strong and secure but stretchy, so they're easy to take on and off. You can buy elastic jewellery cord ($16, originally $20) separately if you already have beads. You can also buy a full friendship bracelet making kit ($10) with different beads and jewellery cord colours.

To start, make a loose loop around your wrist with the elastic cord. Add about two extra inches, and then cut the cord to about that size. (Be generous: having extra on the ends will make it easier to tie and cut at the end.) Once you have a cut length of cord, tie a knot at one end to keep the beads in place.

Next, choose your pattern. You can make a bracelet with a single colour, multiple colours, a repeating pattern, or totally random set of beads; it's completely up to you! Once you have about half the bracelet beaded, stop the pattern so you can add the letters.

This is the fun part: choose what you want your bracelet to say, then thread those beads onto the cord. You can do your best friends' names, inside jokes, motivational sayings, Swiftie references, acronyms, and more.

I recommend laying the letter beads out flat on a plate so that it's easier to find the letters you need. Any flat surface works — as long as it has raised edges so the beads can't roll away.

Once you have your beads picked out, make sure you add them in the correct order. Most letter beads have the letters flipped on the opposite side, so you never have to worry about the letters looking upside down. If you'd like, you can also play with putting coloured beads in between the letters.

Once you add the lettered beads, finish the pattern. You can continue it or do a mirrored version like I did here. When you're done, tie a knot at the other end to secure the letters, and then tie the bracelet into a loop. Be sure to pull the knot tight.

Here are a few more beaded friendship bracelet pattern ideas, including colour combinations, stripes, and gradients. Don't be afraid to play around and get creative — after all, the more the bracelets, the merrier.

Once your bracelets are done, it's time to swap, share, and enjoy the memories and jewellery you've made. Now that you have all the supplies and know how to make one, your next friendship bracelet is just a few minutes away.