Have you noticed that there are about a million and one wrap bracelets out there right now? They are all over the place. You may remember a little while ago I told you that I am working on branching out from my hair tie bracelet. It seems like everywhere I turn I see cute wrap bracelets, especially on Pinterest. I think I have pinned more than my fair share, but can I tell you a secret --- they terrify me! They all have a laundry list of requirements and take all sorts of tools and trays and glues and by the time I added all the supplies up, I could have bought three of the dang bracelets at the little jewelry shop up the street! Every time I am in a craft store it seems that I land in the bead aisle and again, toy with the idea of trying the daunting wrap bracelet. The other night I saw a pin from Amusing and decided it looked easy enough - it was time to adapt and make a bracelet!
The original bracelet used a thick silk thread but I didn't want such a chunky bracelet so I got some very thin round lace leather band (the package said 1mm). I thought that the numbers would coincide with the size beads I would need, but I was wrong. Yeah, I know nothing about jewelry making. The beads that ended up being the perfect fit were 6/0 glass beads. Learn from my mistake and ask some questions of the people at the craft store --- or rip the packages open and test the beads, but I'm pretty sure that's frowned on. I now have three packages of beads that I don't need. Oh well, I bet I can find a use for them.
To start my bracelet, I cut the leather into three 1-yd pieces. I tied them together and started the bracelet. Because I don't have all the fancy stuff that most jewelry makers have, I went old school. Remember back in the day when friendship bracelets were cool... the first time?? I used to make them in the car on road trips by safety pinning the bracelet to my jeans -- oh yeah, I went there. I stuck a safety pin in the knot and pinned the bracelet to my jeans and got to work. I braided about two inches and then got to adding beads. Add the beads to the center piece right AFTER you have taken it from the left -- only the left. The right piece will hold the bead into place. I added ten beads and then did another two inches of braiding. Keep on going until you are happy with the length and finish with the braid. I tied two knots at the end and added a little silver clasp because I'm fancy like that. And Done!
Now that I've tackled this one, I think I want to make another one, just longer. I really want one that will wrap at least six times and this one only goes three times. I was scared of it, but now that I know it's not bad -- I'm totally going to do it again. What do you think? What colors should be next?? Do you like the Instagram pics for the post? (I just thought I'd throw that in there - ha)
Happy Friday!!
