Inspired by the rock collection I have saved from my 10 year old son, these bracelets are unique but simple in their construction. I found the double drilled rocks by Stone Me pair up beautifully with patina-ted chain, blending the rustic textures from both in subtle tones.
Supplies:
1 – 4″ Section of open link patina-ted chain in your choice of color (shown; violet large link)
1 – 1″ Hammered copper clasp with jump rings
1 – Double drilled stone from Stone Me
2 – 15 x 13 czech glass Picasso beads in violet
2 – 8mm 16 gauge antiqued copper jump rings
6 to 8″ 22 gauge antiqued copper wire
bead charm
copper head pin
Tools:
Bead board or ruler
wire cutters
round nose pliers
chain nose pliers with masking tape on the tips to help protect your patina chain
Directions:
1.) Center the double drilled stone at 3″ on a bead board. Open each of the 8mm antiqued copper jump rings and insert one into each side of the double drilled stone. Leave them open for the next step.
2.) Cut the 6″ piece of antiqued copper wire in half and use the 2 – 3″ pieces to wire wrap loops on both sides of the Picasso czech glass, so each of the 2 beads are now a connectors. Insert one end of the beads loops into the open jump rings you assembled the stone to in the first step. Close the jump rings with the stone focal and the bead connectors inside the jump so the seam is tight.
3.) Measure the patina-ted chain and find the middle link. Open the middle link and separate the 2 halves of the patina chain, set the open link aside.
4.) Open the end link on each piece of patina chain and insert that open link into the wire-wrapped loop of the connecting beads, close the link securely so the wire-wrapped loop does not come out. You should now have 6″ bracelet ready for a clasp.
5.) To finish your rock collecting bracelet, open the jump rings on your clasp and close them over the last link of your patina chain on each side of the bracelet. Add the last link to one side of the clasps jump rings and dangle a wire-wrapped bead off of it as an added charm.
You can adjust the size of this bracelet easily during construction by adding wire-wrapped beads or taking away links to make it smaller. The potential variation this style has is seemingly endless so have fun creating yours!
Much Love & respect,
Shannon LeVart
missficklemedia.com
Mandy
March 8, 2011 at 2:24 pmCool idea! I have a collection of stones/crystals that I have gathered. I would love to use them in a necklace but they aren't drilled. Any suggestion on how I could get them drilled if I don't have any of the right equipment? Thanks!
TesoriTrovati
March 8, 2011 at 5:26 pmLove these, Miss Shannon! They are so simple, yet so elementally stunning! Your chain goes with every single thing.
Enjoy the day!
Erin
CraftCrave
March 9, 2011 at 12:15 amJust a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [09 Mar 12:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
The Clay Chick
March 9, 2011 at 2:00 amVery primitive…love it!
Karen M
March 9, 2011 at 3:31 amLove this idea. I don't have a way to drill anything (at the moment anyway) so I think I'll try wire wrapping my "found" rock.
Thanks
Karen M
rosebud101
March 9, 2011 at 3:54 amEarthy and rich! I love the bracelets!
Riki Schumacher
March 9, 2011 at 5:45 amVery nice Miss Shannon! Love them. Take care, Riki
Frank Zweegers
March 10, 2011 at 3:05 pmLooks great!
My Life Under the Bus
March 12, 2011 at 2:07 pmI love that bracelet – it loks like a tiny heart!
Christine Damm
March 15, 2011 at 12:05 amGreat idea for the wonderful and quirky stones from Stone Me! The patinated chain really adds a lot!