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Tap into that Inner Child and Remember How to Make a Finger Knit Bracelet
I decided to look back to childhood crafts for inspiration for this video… and I came up with a super easy design that utilizes finger knitting, how fun! This bracelet couldn’t be easier to make, it’s the perfect piece to create during a lazy night in front of a movie. I hope you enjoy watching this tutorial as much as I liked making it. Happy creating!
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Knit Yourself A Bracelet… Because Knitting is Cool!
This one is for all the knitters out there (or those who are willing to learn). This bracelet is a knitted I-cord, made using a pair of double pointed needles and some yarn or thread of your choice.
You will need the following tools and materials:
1: Scissors
2: Two double pointed needles.
3: yarn of your choice. I used some natural colored twine and some beaded thread.
The Steps:
1: Hold both strands together and knot the end to create a loop.
2: Slide the loop over the end of one needle and pull it tight by pulling on the short end.
3: Slide the other needle into the back of the loop.
4: Loop the long end of the thread around the back needle, placing it between each needle.
5: Pull the back needle to the front, keeping the thread looped around it. Then move this loop back onto the first needle. Repeat this until you have three stitches on the first needle.
6: To start the next row, slide the stitches to the other end of the needle and flip it around. Start knitting all stitches, flipping the needle at the end of each row.
7: Continue knitting until the cord is long enough to fit around your wrist.
8: Once you have reached your desired length, cast off your stitches as follows.
9: Cut your thread and then loop that short end back through the final loop. Secure with a final knot at each end.
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How do You Show Yours Off? Here are My DIY Jewelry Display Tips
You can’t wear your favorite DIY jewelry pieces all the time, but that doesn’t mean you have to hide them away in a box either. Here are a couple of ideas for displaying your DIY jewelry creations all the time.
1: Hang your jewelry on the wall.
If you aren’t afraid to add some extra nails to your walls then hanging jewelry like it is art is a great way to show off your DIY jewelry making skills and it allows you to admire your handiwork even when you aren’t wearing your favorite pieces!
2: Place your jewelry into decorative bowls and dishes.
If you aren’t interested in adding any extra holes to your walls, consider placing your DIY jewelry pieces into open topped trays, boxes or bowls so that they can be admired on the shelf. This method of display also has the added benefit of making your pieces easy to find when putting outfits together!
How do you display your jewelry? Share your ideas with me in the comments section or via social media, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
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How to Make an Elastic Bracelet… Seriously, It’s so Easy!
Beading elastic is great for putting together quick, cheerful stacking bracelets. No extra findings are required for this design, all you need are some beads and your elastic and you are good to go! These elastic bracelets are so easy to make you’ll be churning them out. This design is pretty kid friendly too, they’ll have fun threading all sorts of beads together.
You will need the following tools and materials to make this elastic bracelet:
1: Scissors. You will need scissors to cut your elastic to length and again to trim the ends.
2: Beading elastic.
3: Beads of your choice. I used a selection of blue glass beads.
The Steps:
1: Cut a piece of elastic. Wrap it around your wrist to check the length and make sure to cut it a little longer than you need so that you can tie the ends together.
2: Begin adding beads. I started by threading my feature bead and then adding the rest either side.
3: Continue beading until your bracelet is at your desired length.
4: Tie the ends of a bracelet into a knot. You can do a double knot here if you like.
5: Trim the excess elastic using the scissors.
6: Now your bracelet is complete! How easy was that? Make a stack and pile them on both arms.
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Rock Those Curves with a Curved Bar Charm Necklace
I’ve already shown you how to make a simple bar charm necklace, so here are the instructions for a curved bar charm necklace. Using memory wire allows you to create a charm that holds a curve. You can experiment with the shape by using different lengths, creating a charm that has a subtle curve or one that is almost a complete circle.
To make this necklace you will need the following tools and materials:
1: Pliers. You will need to use round nose pliers, flat nose pliers and cutting pliers.
2: Memory wire.
3: Two pieces of chain.
4: One lobster clasp.
5: One jump ring.
6: Beads of your choice. I used three enameled beads and some multi-colored seed beads.
The Steps:
1: Cut a piece of memory wire. I cut my piece so that it formed a complete half circle from end to end.
2: Using the round nose pliers, create a loop at one end of the memory wire.
3: Once the loop has been formed you can begin adding your beads.
4: Once the beading is complete, use the round nose pliers again to create a loop at the other end of the wire, securing the beads in place.
5: Open a chain link on the end of one of your pieces of chain using your pliers. Repeat this for the other piece of chain.
6: Slide one end of the charm onto the chain link and close it again using your pliers. Repeat this for the other side of the charm so that both pieces of chain are attached to the charm.
7: Open a chain link at the other end 0f the chain and slide on the lobster clasp. Close the link again using pliers.
8: Add a jump ring to the other end of the chain.
9: Once your clasp has been attached your necklace is complete! Now all you have left to do is wear it and enjoy!
Here is an example of a similar design made using a longer piece of memory wire to form a more circular charm.
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DIY Jewelry Design Ideas: Super Stylish Mismatched Earrings
One of my favorite things to make are pairs of mismatched earrings. Be they asymmetrical or complete opposites a pair of mismatched earrings is sure to add some pizzazz to your look.
Here are some examples of my mismatched earring creations. I like to use a variety of materials using everything from semi precious stones and polymer clay to glass and plastic charms.
These earrings were made using some plastic charms moulded into cookie shapes.
This mismatched pair is made using a glass charm and a polished gemstone.
These earrings are from DIY Jewelry Hub’s stud earring tutorial.
These earrings were made using hand shaped pieces of polymer clay.
These dangly earrings feature the same beads in different arrangements.What do you think? Would you make or wear a pair of mismatched earrings?
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Braiding the Night Away… How to Make A Braided Charm Bracelet
This braided charm bracelet is really simple to make. I think that mixing cotton thread with metal findings makes for some sweet and wearable accessories. You could use a pre-fabricated charm connector, or maybe try making your own beaded charm bar to wear across your wrist! Get experimental and make lots to stack up your arms.
You will need the following tools and materials to make this bracelet:
1: Scissors.
2: Flat nose pliers.
2: Colorful cotton thread cut to length. I used three long pieces of yellow cotton so that I could create a double thickness braid. Make sure you add a little extra length before you cut your thread to make sure that your bracelet fits.
3: One charm connector.
4: One Lobster Clasp.
5: Two Jump Rings.
The Steps:
1: Thread the cotton yarn through each end of the charm connector.
2: Separate the thread into three sections and begin braiding. Try to keep the braiding tight at the start to make sure that the braid is consistent. Continue braiding until the braid is long enough to wrap halfway around your wrist.
3: Once the braid is long enough, secure the end with a knot.
4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other side of the bracelet.
5: Open each jump ring and carefully slide it into the knot at each end of the bracelet.
6: Slide the lobster clasp onto one jump ring and secure them both closed using your flat nose pliers.
7: Once the clasp has been secured, begin braiding again starting from the end knot. Braid for approximately 1.5cm (0.6 inches) and then secure again with a knot.
8: Trim the excess cotton thread using the scissors.
9: Once the ends have been trimmed your bracelet is complete!
Click here to buy this yellow braided beauty!
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Hoops, Loops and a Whole Lotta Wow! How to Make Statement Hoop Earrings
I’ve already shown you how to make hoop earrings using some pre-made findings, so now it’s time to show you how to make some dangly hoop earrings that really make an impact! Using some memory wire and some chain you’ll be able to create your very own stunning statement hoop earrings.
You will need the following tools and materials to make these earrings:
1: Pliers. To make these earrings you will need to use some round nose pliers, flat nose pliers and cutting pliers.
2: Memory wire.
3: Four Jump Rings.
4: Two short pieces of chain to connect the hoops to the earring findings.
5: Two earring hooks.
6: Beads of your choice. For this design I used some green dyed quartz and some dark glass seed beads.
The Steps:
1: Cut two pieces of memory wire using the cutting pliers so that the ends touch with no overlap.
2: Use the round nose pliers to create a loop at one end of the wire. Repeat for both pieces.
3: Once each loop has been formed, begin adding beads in your desired pattern.
4: Once beading has been completed, create a loop at the other end of the wire to secure the beads in place. Repeat this step for both pieces.
5: Attach a piece of chain to both sides of the hoop using the jump rings.
6: Find the center of the chain and attached an earring hook to complete each earring. Secure the earring hook in place by closing it with some pliers.
7: Now your earrings are complete! Take them out for a spin and show off your DIY creations.
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How to Measure Your Ring Size So You Can Make Sure Those Sparkler’s Fit Perfectly.
There are many complicated ways to measure your fingers for DIY ring making, but when you are just working on rings for yourself, these simple methods will do the trick!
Method 1.
All you need for this measuring method is a soft measuring tape and your hands!
Wrap the measuring tape snugly around your chosen finger, make a note of the length by looking at where the end meets the tape again.
You can then use this measurement to cut your ring wire to length. When you cut your wire, make sure you add a little extra to account for the thickness of both the wire and the beads you are using. This is more important when using thicker gauge wire.
Method 2.
This method is a little more involved but comes in handy when you don’t have a flexible measuring tape available. For this method you will need some scrap paper, some scissors and a pen.
Step 1:
Using the scissors, cut a thin strip of paper that will be long enough to wrap around your finger.
Step 2:
Wrap the piece of paper around your chosen finger, folding at the point where the end meets the paper again.
Step 3:
Mark the fold using the pen.
Step 4:
You can check the length using a ruler or cut your ring wire against the paper. You will need to make sure you add a little extra length to your wire to account for the thickness of your beads and wire.
And there you have it, two easy methods for measuring your ring size!
If you want to be more accurate here are some ring measurement tools:
This tutorial contains affiliate links.
