Braced with Chain and String

Can't believe it's been over a month since I was home.  And can't believe it's taken me this long to write up another blog post!  Life here is busy to say the least.

Before I went home, I had been seeing these bracelets at fancy stores all over the place.. selling for at least $25 each.  Recognizing that they are just chain, suede string, and some connecting pieces, I of course exclaimed, "wait, I can make this!".

I had been unable to find chain that was thick enough for the purpose of these bracelets at my local craft store.  I therefore waited until my trip to America to really scour the craft stores for the right materials for this project.

The bracelet took under 30 minutes to make; I ended up making a bunch of them!

Here's what you need:
- 2 pieces of chain (about 8-10 inches, depending on your wrist).
- Suede string, 2.5 times the length of your chain.
- lobster clasp and jump rings
- craft glue
- pliers
- scissors

What to do:
1. Using a jump ring, attach the first links of the two chains together.
2. Lay the chains down so that they are flat and the links line up to one another.
3. Start weaving the suede string between the links (in, over, under).
4. Once you've weaved through a few links, glue the tail of the suede string to itself.  (Do this on the side of the bracelet that will face your wrist, so that it will not be seen when you wear it.)
5. Continue weaving the suede string the same way between the links of the two chains.
6. At the end, once again connect the last two links with a jump ring.  Again, glue the suede string to itself on the side facing your wrist.
7. Cut any extra suede string from either side, once the glue has dried.
8. Open one of the jump rings on one end and add a lobster clasp.  Close the jump ring.
9. On the other end, attach as many extra jump rings as necessary to allow ease of putting on the bracelet!

With buying most of the supplies in bulk packs from the craft store, the bracelets ended up only costing a few dollars each!

I ended up keeping one for myself and giving the rest as gifts.  Everyone loved them!

The First Post in a New Place: Suede Tassle Earrings

I'm back!

After 3 months settling into this new place, I have returned to my crafting ways.

With a holiday gift exchange tomorrow - it gave me the perfect excuse to visit the local craft store.  Of course, I bought much more than needed in anticipation of other crafting projects!

I found suede string in a multitude of colors, and for a little less than fifty cents a piece.  Most things are more expensive here; it is always exciting when I come across cheap finds.  So, I bought a bunch of strings, a variety of other trinkets (clasps, earring hooks, elastic, jump rings,...), and set to work.

Materials:

- suede string (cut into 12 pieces, about 2 inches each)

- 2 cylinder cones

- 2 Earring loops

- Industrial strength glue

- pliers

- scissors

Once the suede string is cut into 12 pieces, separate 6 and 6 for each earring.

Gather the bunch of 6 pieces.  Squeeze the glue into one cylinder cone.  Then, push the bunch of suede string into the cylinder cone.  Repeat for the second earring.  Let them sit for a few minutes.

Use the pliers to attach the earring loops to the top of the cylinder cones.

Trim the ends of the suede so they are all the same length.

That's all!

I ended up making 2 pairs - now which color do I keep and which do I give?!