Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Friendship Bracelet Part 2: Embellishment



Embellishing your friendship Bracelet!



My last DIY post was all about how to make a friendship bracelet. You can find that post here.

So today I'm embellishing my friendship bracelet. I'm adding a gold chain around the outside edge as well as add a clasp so I can easily take it on and off (really hate wearing friendship bracelets in the shower. They get all gross and stretch out).

So here's how I did it!




First: The Supplies



- White thread and needle
Gold Chain
- Jump rings (small and large)
- Lobster Clasp
- Flat Nose Pliers
- Bracelet made with this tutorial 
       *Note: You want to make bracelet about 1 inch shorter than you want your finished bracelet to be            because the clasp adds about an 1 inch.

 Second: Add the Chain

First cut the excess strings on each end. I like to leave a short little pom pom to prevent the bracelet from untying as you wear it.

 Starting at one end insert the needle into the top of the knot.


Thread the first link of the chain onto the inserted needle. Then tie a knot with the thread around the first link in the chain.

Next insert the needle into a "bump" in the bracelet and pull through. 
(this photo is from further along in the bracelet, but it is the same process and it's easier to see here)

Then insert the needle into both the link of the chain and the "bump" in the bracelet and pull so that the thread is sewing the chain to the bracelet.

I found it easiest to go every other link in the chain since the white thread was pretty visible.

 Continue these two steps (first just the "bump" then the "bump and the chain") all the way around the bracelet until you meet up with the beginning of the chain.

Now you will need to remove the excess chain. To do this I just opened the rings of the chain with pliers. Mine was a double ring chain so I had to open and remove each ring separately.

Next Open one of the small jump rings and close it around the two unconnected ends of the chain. 

Third: Add the Clasp


Starting on one end of the bracelet, open up the large jump ring and close it around the link of the chain that is the most central at the top. 

 This will be the ring that the lobster clasp will close around.

 On the other end of the bracelet open a jump ring and use it to connect the lobster clasp to the link of the chain that is closest to the top.


Fourth: Take your new Embellished Summer Friendship Bracelet out on the town!






Till next time!

Allie




Thursday, June 5, 2014

My Summer Bucket List



SUMMER BUCKET LIST

So I'm very big on to do lists so here's mine for this summer!


As an Austinite:

     1. Watering hole - Barton Springs or Hamilton Pool
     2. Walk to the top of Mount Bonnell (last time it rained)
     3. Tube the Guadalupe River
     4. Picnic on the Green Belt
     5. Cheese Class at Antonelli's Cheese Shop
     6. Brewery Tour
     7. Adopt a Pet!!
1. 
Photo Source 

2. 


3.       4. 
                                             Photo Source  

As a Crafter:

1. A Painting
2. Monogrammed Coasters
3. Jean shorts with lace  
4. Chalk paint serving tray

(don't worry photos to come!!)

As a Reader:

1. State of Wonder  by  Ann Patchett
2. How to Steal Like an Artist  by  Austin Kleon
3. The Omnivore's Dilemma  by  Michael Pollan

Photo Credit
Photo Credit


Photo Credit















I'll keep you posted as I check them off the list!


Till next time.
Allie