Directions for Making Bracelets

Create your own bracelets.

There are many techniques that can be used to make different types of bracelets. You can make a chain bracelet with bead connectors to be worn for a more formal occasion, but this project will be a little more challenging than making a bracelet out of beaded safety pins. You don't always need expensive tools or materials to make a stylish bracelet---make one out of materials that you would have otherwise thrown away.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Chain
• Wire cutters
• Eye pins
• Crystal beads
• Round nose pliers
• Jump rings
• Lobster clasp
• Safety pins
• Beads
• Elastic string
• Scissors
• Plastic Bottle
• Decoupage medium
• Paint brush
• Acrylic varnish

Instructions

Crystal and Chain Bracelet

1. Measure around your wrist with a tape measure to see how long you will need to make your bracelet. Subtract three inches from this measurement---you will make up this length in beads---and cut your chain to this length. Cut the chain into four sections of equal length by counting the links.

2. Slip a crystal or faceted glass bead onto an eye pin. Use your round nose pliers to form a loop in the eye pin about one-eighth of an inch away from the end of the bead, but do not close the loop. Feed the end of the eye pin through the end of one of the sections of chain. Close the loop and cut off the excess wire on the eye pin with your wire cutters.

3. Open the loop of the eye pin with your pliers on the other end of the bead and slip the end of another section of chain onto it. Close the loop with your pliers and make sure there is no gap for the chain to slip off.

4. Repeat steps two and three until all of the sections are connected by crystal beads on eye pins. Attach a jump ring to either end of the bracelet. Open the the rings with your pliers, feed them through the link on the end and close them with your pliers. Leave one open so that you can attach a lobster clasp to the end, and then close the jump ring. Your bracelet is ready to wear.

Safety Pin Bracelet

1. Open a safety pin and slip some beads onto the open end. Leave enough room so that you can close the safety pin. Dab some super glue at the end so that the pin will stay shut and let it dry. Repeat this step for all of the safety pins. You will need to bead 30 or 40 safety pins.

2. Cut two pieces of elastic string at 8 inches long and tie one double knot in each, about 1 inch from the end. Feed the end of one of the strings through the hole in one end of a beaded safety pin, then through the hole in the opposite end of another beaded safety. The third safety pin will be facing the same way as the first, and the fourth one is succession will be facing the same way as the second. Slip the other string through the holes on the other end. Repeat this pattern until you are left with an inch at the ends of each string.

3. Tie a double knot at the ends of the bracelet so the safety pins do not slip off. Tie the two ends of the bracelet together with a double knot. Your beaded safety pin bracelet is ready to wear.

Recycled Bangle

1. Cut a 1- or 2-inch wide ring out of the center of a plastic water bottle with a pair of scissors. Make sure the ring will fit over your hand so you will easily be able to slip it onto your wrist.

2. Cut out magazine pages or pieces of paper with patterns on them. You can also cut strips of plain white paper and write messages or draw patterns or pictures on them. Cut your strips so that they will wrap tightly around the plastic ring.

3. Dip a paint brush into decoupage medium and spread it on the back of the strips of paper. Wrap the strips around the plastic ring and smooth them out. Continue around the bracelet until it is completely covered. Wait 24 hours or until the bracelet has dried completely.

4. Brush on one or two layers of the decoupage medium or clear acrylic varnish to protect the bracelet and make it shine. Allow the varnish to dry completely before you wear your recycled bangle bracelet.

References

• YouTube: Using an Eye Pin to Make a Connector
• Craft Bits: Safety Pin Bracelet
• Cut Out & Keep: Upcycled Bangle Bracelet