For starters: the bracelet I made...
http://limettejewelry.com/sp/Untitled-1%20copy.pngSo I was browsing some high end designer jewelry a while back, and though I never buy designer things, it's sometimes interesting to look through such items. I came across this bracelet that i thought was really cute...except it was $385!
http://limettejewelry.com/sp/bracelet.pngthe $385 bracelet.
Looked simple enough. So I decided to make my own; except with brass chain, since well, I like brass chain better.
http://limettejewelry.com/sp/01.pngthe materials.
- Thick curb chain (I used brass chain from Michael's, $2.99)
- Embroidery thread, of your color choice(s).
- Clasp, charms, jump rings
- Jewelry pliers, clear nailpolish
1) Measure a length of chain that will fit comfortably around your wrist. Then cut 6 strands of embroidery thread that are three times the length of your wrist. These 6 strands will count as one set. Repeat this to make another one, so that you have two sets. (I chose 3 colors, so I used 2 red/2 blue/2 purple in each set)
For the sake of this tutorial though, I separated the strands - let's clall them Red/Purple and Blue/Purple! It will be much easier to follow along this way.
2) Tie the strands together, then string Blue/Purple under & through one end of the chain.
3) Red/Purple goes over Blue/Purple, then under and through the chain
4) Red/Purple goes over the chain, and Blue/Purple goes over Red/Purple.
5) Then Blue/Purple under and through the chain....
6) Red/Purple goes over and through the chain. Keep repeating until you're done!
*Depending on how thick/wide your chain is, you may need more or less embroidery thread. The original by Bidermann only had the thread wrapping around each link once. I had a much wider chain, so the thread wrapped around each link three times.
7) Tie it off, trim it down if you'd like, add a few dots of clear nailpolish to secure the knots. Add some charms and a clasp.
It was a little tricky figuring out how to braid two strands around each chain link - essentially, the chain is the 3rd "strand" of the braid...The whole thing is pretty much a bunch of overs and unders and through the chain.
http://limettejewelry.com/sp/Untitled-1%20copy.pngDone! and it cost me WAY less than $385.
the same pictures (more or less) are at my blog , although on my blog i included text instructions. although i think if you just really look at the strands of thread, it's pretty easy to figure out (as long as you know how to braid!) Added the full tutorial here! (8/9/10)
Let me know what you think! or if you have any questions. I might make a few more with different color schemes
button to nominate it!
