How to Make a Baby Name Bracelet
Parents and grandparents are thrilled to have a baby name bracelet to treasure. Making your own alphabet beads from self hardening clay gives this project an extra personal touch. If you make enough bracelets, every member of your family can have one. Make a larger-sized bracelet to decorate the nursery or to use as a room sign for the baby's door. If it is close to the holidays, use baby name bracelets as stocking stuffers.
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Things You'll Need
- Self hardening clay
- Cookie sheet
- Toothpicks
- Butter knife
- Acrylic paints
- Paintbrushes
- Dental floss or other waxed string
- Necklace closures and other jewelry findings
Instructions
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1
Roll two or more colors of self hardening clay together into a striped rope. Cut the rope into 2-inch lengths. Put the pieces together to make the letters of your baby's name, and be sure to smooth any joints with water or your thumbs until you are sure they will not separate. Use a toothpick to make holes through the letters for stringing later.
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2
Once the letters have had several days to dry, paint them using acrylic paints. Allow the paint to dry overnight before using the letters to make your bracelets.
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3
String your alphabet letters into your child's name. Alternate alphabet beads with block beads or other jewelry findings. Make macrame knots between beads. Continue until the bracelet is half an inch to an inch longer than the circumference of the intended recipient's wrist.
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4
Once assembled, tie a necklace closure to each end of your bracelet. Be sure to use lark's head knots and half knots. Trim away any sharp edges or tuck floss ends into one of the beads.
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Tips & Warnings
If you choose not to make your own clay beads, you can buy them already made. The manuscript ones look better than the block style beads and are more colorful. When you've finished, place your bracelets in small jewelry boxes on a bed of cotton batting and wrap them in pretty paper with a bow. Give them as welcome gifts to the baby's first birthday party or at a Christmas celebration.
