How to Make Deployment Bracelets

Deployment bracelets are simple bracelets typically made from patriotic colors that feature the name of a deployed military service person. There is often a charm that has personal significance to the service person, such as a small tank or something specific to the branch of the military the person is serving in. Deployment bracelets are often worn as a show of support and love by friends and family of a deployed service person.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Beading wire (.015 gauge)
• Wire cutters
• 2 mm round beads (clear, red, white, and blue)
• Letter beads (to spell out the service person's first name)
• Toggle clasp
• 4 crimp beads
• Charm
• Crimp pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Tape measure

1. Measure the wrist, using a tape measure. Add two inches to this measurement. Cut two lengths of beading wire to this measurement.

2. Place the two lengths of beading wire together and thread the name beads onto both wires together to spell out the name. Slide the beads so that they are centered on the wires.

3. 
    

   Separate the wires on either side of the name beads. Add a red, white, and blue bead to each end of each wire (four).

4. Add clear beads to each of the four beading wires to fill up the remaining beading wire. Stop adding clear beads when approximately one inch of beading wire remains.

5. Place a crimp bead onto each beading wire. Working on one side of the bracelet first, thread each of the two wires through the loop of one half of the toggle clasp. Pass each end of the beading wires back through the same crimp bead and pull the wire taut so that the crimp bead is right next to the toggle clasp. Crimp the crimp beads with the crimping pliers and cut the excess tail of the beading wire flush with the crimp bead. Repeat with the other two beading wires on the other side of the bracelet using two more crimp beads and the other half of the toggle clasp.

6. Add a charm that has special significance to the service person to the loop of the toggle clasp, if desired. Open the ring of the charm with the pliers and place it onto the loop of the toggle clasp. Close the ring securely to finish the deployment bracelet.