Memory wire bracelet


Memory wire bracelets to complete your look!

If you’re fond of wearing accessories especially bangles or bracelets, you don’t have to break the bank! It is actually easy to make one for yourself. Proof of that is the bead wire bracelet tutorial that I shared here before.

But I’ve got another easy-to-make bracelet that even young kids can manage to do. My five year old daughter made one on her own with very little supervision! It kept her occupied for a long time. Her work is the colorful teddy bear + alphabet bead combo you see in the top photo. The other one was made by me using amethyst stones. If she did it, you can do it too! No doubt about it!

You will only need three things to make a funky, colorful, classy or any kind of bracelet you want. Let’s get started!

What you’ll need:
any kind of beads
pre-cut memory wire ( I had three loops. The more loops you use, the thicker your bracelet will be and the longer the time it will take to make it.)
pliers

I guess by looking at the picture below, you can already figure out how it’s done.


A very simple equation!

What to do:

But anyway, here it goes in case you prefer words than picture:
1. Create a loop towards the inside at one end of the memory wire using the pliers.
2. String the beads until you reach the other end of the memory wire. Make a loop again to secure the bracelet.
The end. (:

That was quick and easy, right? If you string pearls, you would end up with a classy bracelet. All it takes is a little creativity and patience. And you bet, it is an awesome craft activity to do with girl friends or kids! It is also a great gift to make and give to friends; it is handmade which makes it an extra special piece.

So, go ahead, grab some beads from the craft store and make your own memory wire bracelet!

Before I go, let me show you the little girl modeling her bracelet.

Proudly wearing it!

Update:
The school where my daughter goes to had an auction to raise funds for the school. They required the kids to bring handmade stuff to be auctioned off, made together by parents and the children. We chose this activity and the whole family had a blast making it! (:

DIY Felt Flower 1

I ordered 50 sheets of felt one sleepless night, each in different colors and for the past weeks, I’ve been sitting in felt heaven. Oh I love using felt in crafting and it has been a good material for creating embellishments! From flowers, to cake banners, making kids’ toys, tee-shirt appliques, etc. etc. For now, let’s tackle how to make felt flowers, one of the many variations you can do.

What you’ll need:

felt
glue gun
thread & needle
pair of scissors

What to do:

1. Cut felt into 6 same sizes of flower pieces and 1 smaller one. You can get the flower template here: http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/shapetemplates/ss/flower_template.htm.

2. Fold the each flower into a quarter and sew into another piece which will serve as the base.

3. Continue attaching the remaining 3 pieces to cover the base by sewing (or you can also use hot glue).

4. Take the last of the same sized flower, put glue in the middle and fold it into half. Then put glue again and fold to make it into a quarter. Dab glue and put in the center top.

5. Get the last small flower and repeat step 4.

And your pretty flower is ready for use!

Or you can make 2 more:

Or get really crazy and make many!

I’m not done with this felt flower-mania yet and I’m experimenting on two-tones.

Hair Clip Display Board

If you don’t know how to organize your ever-growing number of hair clips, then let me come to the rescue.  Let’s make an easy DIY hair clip display board! I made one for a bazaar back in May to display my hair clips which came out pretty nice.  


What you’ll need:

cork board (I got mine from Ikea)
fabric (from Ikea too)
thumb tacks
1 inch ribbon (printed or plain)
pair of scissors


Ooops! The ribbon isn’t in the picture!

What to do:

1. Measure the size of the cork board and add about 1.5 inches all around. That will be the size of your fabric.
2. Cut fabric (measurement refer to #1).
3. Put the fabric over the cork board, fold the fabric to the back (double fold the edges to avoid fraying) and secure with thumb tacks every 3 inches or so.
Here’s how it looked at the back:

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Bead Chain Bracelet

I needed some bright accessories to wear to match the sunny days ahead and remembered the colorful beads I bought during a rare day-out with my mother-in-law few days before Christmas last year. It was time to get my hands busy and make myself a bracelet!

What you’ll need:

colorful beads/stones
clasp
jump ring
headpins
metal chain
pliers

What to do:

1. Measure the length of the metal chain to fit your wrist.

2. Place the clasp at one end of the chain.

3. Place the jump ring at the other end of the chain.

4. Thread the bead through the headpin.

5. Insert headpin + bead  in the chain and fold headpin to close.

6. Repeat step 5, alternating the different colors/designs of beads until you’ve got enough hanging from the chain.

There you go!  Easy-peasy, right?