How to Make Kandi With Charms: Bracelets, Croc Charms and the PLUR Trade

Learning how to make kandi takes about ten minutes, and adding a charm is what turns a simple bead bracelet into something people ask about. This guide covers the supplies, a step-by-step single bracelet with a center charm, other ways to use charms, and how to trade kandi the PLUR way.

What Kandi Is

Kandi is handmade beaded jewelry made to be traded at raves. It grew out of the PLUR ethos of peace, love, unity and respect. The point is not the bracelet itself. The point is the moment you share with a stranger when you trade it. Many ravers keep every piece they have been given as a record of the shows and people that mattered.

Kandi Supplies

• Pony beads. The standard kandi bead. Pick a color theme or go full rainbow.
• Letter beads if you want to spell a word, a name or an inside joke.
• Stretch cord. Clear elastic cord is the easiest to work with. Cut about 12 inches per single bracelet so you have room to tie.
• A charm. Our 3D-printed kandi charms come in over 100 designs, starting at $1.50.
• Scissors and clear nail polish or glue to seal the knot.

3mm vs. 4mm Bead Holes

Our charms come with either 3mm or 4mm bead holes. The hole size decides what you can thread through it:

• 3mm holes work with standard stretch cord and a single strand. Good for simple bracelets.
• 4mm holes give you room for thicker cord or a doubled strand, which is better for cuffs and multi-row designs.

Check the hole size on each product page before you plan your design.

How to Make a Kandi Bracelet With a Center Charm

1. Measure. Wrap the cord around your wrist, then add a few inches for tying. Cut it.
2. Stop the end. Clip a binder clip or piece of tape to one end so beads do not slide off.
3. Bead the first half. Thread pony beads until you reach about half your wrist size.
4. Add the charm. Thread your charm so it sits in the center.
5. Bead the second half. Mirror the pattern from the first half so the charm stays centered.
6. Check the fit. Wrap it around your wrist. It should slide on over your hand with a gentle stretch.
7. Tie it off. Tie a tight square knot, add a drop of clear nail polish or glue, and let it dry. Trim the ends and tuck the knot inside a bead.

Beyond Bracelets: Croc Charms, Pendants and Bag Pulls

Our charms double as shoe charms, so the same piece can go on your Crocs for the walk in and on your kandi for the trade. You can also hang one from a lanyard, a hydration pack zipper or a fanny pack strap. Our Lil Party Favors Variety Pack is an easy way to try a few at once.

Charm Ideas by Theme

• Cute: Lil Rubber Ducky, Lil Sprout, Lil Googly Eye.
• Funny: Lil Uno Reverse Card, Crank da AC.
• Music: Lil Speaker, Bass Head, Drum n Bass, Dubstep.
• Looking out for each other: Designated Driver, Sober is Cool.
• Spooky season: Festi-ween Wobble Pumpkin, just in time for Escape Halloween.

How to Do the PLUR Trade

The PLUR handshake is the traditional way to trade kandi:

1. Peace: make peace signs and touch fingertips.
2. Love: form half a heart each and put them together.
3. Unity: clasp hands.
4. Respect: slide the kandi from your wrist onto theirs while your hands are joined.

Always ask before you trade, and never take kandi back once it is given. Make a few extra bracelets before every show so you are never empty-handed when someone offers you one.

Kandi FAQ

What size beads do you use for kandi?

Standard pony beads are the go-to. Match your charm's hole size, 3mm or 4mm, to your cord.

How much stretch cord do I need per bracelet?

About 12 inches for a single bracelet gives you enough length to tie a secure knot.

Do your kandi charms fit Crocs?

Yes. Our charms are made to work as shoe charms as well as kandi beads.

Is it rude to say no to a kandi trade?

Not at all. A friendly no is fine. The whole point of PLUR is respect.

Make it, trade it, keep the memory. PLURRSTUFF