Things You'll Need:
- Sturdy sheet of cardboard, approx. 12 inches square
- Scotch tape
- 2 lengths of fine jewelry chain, 8 to 10 inches (or cut to loosely fit around wrist)
- 10 beads, 6 to 8 mm
- 1 bead, 8 to 10 mm
- 2 metal caps, sized to fit larger bead
- 11 eye pins
- 4 jump rings
- Miraculous Medal or other centerpiece
- Small crucifix
- Metal clasp, any type
- Roundnose or rosary pliers
- Flatnose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Optional:
- Bead reamer
- Small spacing beads
- Caps to fit small beads
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Step 1
Tape one end of a single length of chain to the cardboard. Stretch the chain taut, ensuring that it remains straight and untwisted. Tape the other end of the chain to the cardboard. This will be the working chain.
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Step 2
Use your pliers to open a slight gap in each of the eye pins. Beginning approximately 1 1/2 inches from the end of the chain, attach the first 10 eye pins, skipping three chain links between each pin. Close each eye.
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Step 3
Skip nine links and attach the last eye pin. If you are using metal caps to decorate your Our Father bead, this pin might have to be slightly longer than the other eye pins.
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Step 4
Place one of the smaller beads on the first eye pin. Use your pliers to form a second eye. Do not close the eye completely, because you still have to attach the pin to the second chain. Repeat the process until all 10 Hail Mary beads are attached.
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Step 5
Attach the larger Our Father bead to the isolated eye pin. If you are using decorative caps place the first one on the pin, cupped side to the center, followed by the bead and the second cap. Properly placed caps should lie flat against the surface of the bead, protecting it from the chain.
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Step 1
Tape the second chain to the board, running parallel to the first chain, with approximately 1/2 inch between them, make certain that the second chain is also taut and that the links fall in the same direction as the links on the first chain.
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Step 2
Use the open end of the eye pins to connect the two chains. Make certain that both chains continue to lie flat and that the same number of links is skipped between eye pins on each chain. When all pins are connected, both chains should have the same number of links at both ends.
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Step 3
Connect one pair of ends using one jump ring and the Miraculous Medal. Take care to avoid twisting the chains. Skip enough links to make a smooth transition that lies flat against the cardboard.
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Step 4
Using a second jump ring, attach the closed end of the clasp to the finished end.
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Step 5
Bring the second end of the bracelet together in the same manner as the first, using a third jump to connect the "live" end of the bracelet clasp. Use the last jump ring to attach the crucifix, placing it so that it does not interfere with the closing of the clasp. The completed rosary bracelet is now ready to be blessed by a priest.
