Make Your Own ~ Sweet Flower Dreams Bracelet

Yes, I'm still making jewelry… somehow I fit it in between all the bead making (my secret: I'm working very hard on giving up sleep. ;-)! Hey, everyone needs a hobby, right? So if making beads is now my part-time job, making jewelry is the perfect hobby… or at least that's the excuse I give myself when I need to shop for more beads and components.

And more jewelry for me always means more tutorials for you!

And if you love making jewelry, then being a part of AJE comes in very handy, since not only is there always a fresh supply of tutorials, tips, studio peeks, and inspiration, there's also the Component of the Month challenges, where if you're lucky you get a chance to add some new beads to your next design. Our May CoM was hosted by Sue Kennedy and that's how this new bracelet started… inspired by her sweet chicklet beads, I went with a soft shabby and worn vintage look, I turned away from my favorite autumn tones and put down my wire… and I really enjoyed it! I hope this little tutorial inspires you too!

Supplies you'll need:
- 2 (or more) bicone czech glass beads
- 3 (or more) glass chicklet beads
- a sleepy flower garden bunny
- 0/11 seed beads (I used frosted rosaline)
- a mother of pearl button
- one 2 inch fabric covered bead cord
- lace (make sure it's narrow enough to fit through the holes on the chicklet beads)
- hemp cord (or waxed linen… just make sure it fits your seed beads)

Tools you'll need:
- scissors
- a length of 22 gauge scrap wire
- glue

Before starting to assemble this bracelet, it's a good idea to lay out your beads and cords and measure to help you visualize the finished length. My finished bracelet fits up to a 6 1/4 inch wrist—I wanted it to fit somewhat tightly and I've got rather small itty bitty wrists, so depending on the size of your wrist, you may use need to use longer lengths of lace and cord and add a few more beads. Have fun with it and make it your own!

 1. I made the button clasp first. Start by cutting a 7 inch length of lace and fold it in half.

 2. Loop the scrap wire through the folded end of the lace for easy stringing.

 3. Gently pull the lace through.

 4. Remove the wire. Using a short piece of waxed linen, pass it through the loop of lace and tie the button in place. Move the chicklet up close to the button, leaving a bit of room between to form a shank.

 5. Glue the knot and you're done with this first bracelet section!

 6. Next I made the loop for the button clasp—cut about 12 inches of cord.

 7. String enough seed beads to form a loop that easily fits over the button.

 8. Tie a knot at the end of the loop, add the bicones and bunny bead, knotting between each one. You're now finished with the second part!

 9. Cut another length of lace, this time about 12 inches long. Fold in half and put the scrap wire through the cut ends (not the folded end).

 10. Pull the lace through the first chicklet, leaving a little space at the folded end.

 11. Take the ends of the cord at the base of the bunny and tie a knot inside the loop of lace.

 12. Trim and glue the knot.

 13. Move the chicklet bead up right beneath the bunny.

 14. Tie a knot in the lace and pull the other chicklet bead up just beneath. Remove the wire.

 15. Now for the last and easy step—first double check that your bracelet will fit and make any necessary adjustments…

 16. And then knot the ends of the lace together with the ends of the fabric covered bead cord.

 17. I added one more knot beneath the last chicklet and then knotted the lace and fabric together… trim and you're done!

I hope you had fun following along!

Have a most wonderful and creative weekend!