Homemade sterling bracelet -- Help, Camille or others!

[jujubnme]

My mom's 70th birthday is coming up, and I'd really like to make a mother's/grandmother's bracelet for her with all the "birthstones" of her children and grandchildren... like this (http://www.crystalcavedesign.com/images/Bracelets/adopt-is-love-2006.jpg) one. I remember Camille posting about the beautiful bracelet she made with Gavin's name on it, and she linked to http://www.gemshow-online.com/catalog.htm ... I've never done this before. What kind of bead wire should I use? Are there any other tools I need? Are there any websites with helpful hints and how-tos? I'm kind of behind on getting going on this and would appreciate any advice I can find. Thanks! :heart

[cklewis]

www.beadshop.com has more info. i used beading wire. the rondelles on that site are pretty too.

c

[cklewis]

Okay -- I'm back. Mr. Fussy McGassyPants is finally at rest! :phew ANd I can answer better.

You can do birthstone rondelles like this: http://www.beadshop.com/Beads-Crystal-2725-S.aspx They are very delicate and pretty. I ordered the 8mm for a watch "band," and they were small and subtle, but sparkly. THe *problem* is that the colors are pretty limited. :(

Click on the link in my siggie for my blog (on my name). See that pic? Those "birthstone" charms are frighteningly easy to make!! :grin See the ones with the fancier silver bottoms to them? I made those myself.

You take a head pin like this: http://www.beadshop.com/Components-Pins-643-4.aspx (I bought mine at Hobby Lobby, but these are similar).

And a crystal like this: http://www.beadshop.com/Beads-Crystal-CX5301.aspx

Or this: http://www.beadshop.com/Beads-Crystal-CX5601.aspx (I used 8mm.)

Thread the head pin through the crystal and bend into a little hook around a jump ring (http://www.beadshop.com/shoponline/components/jumprings/jumprings.aspx) I also bought mine at Hobby Lobby.

And you're done. And it's really sparkly. You could also "thread" them. :yes Like this http://www.beadshop.com/DesignIdeas-Braceletideas-crystal.aspx . Isn't that just beautiful?

Anyway, if you use the crystals, you have lots of variety in colors.

Hope that helps. You can often pick those things up at HObby Lobby and usually can get them in smaller amounts. THe disadvantage is that they don't have the variety there either.

Oh, and don't forget the threading stuff: http://www.beadshop.com/shoponline/chainwire/chainwire.aspx (I sometimes use beading elastic. Or just metal threading stuff. I've never used the sterling.). Crimp ends (http://www.beadshop.com/shoponline/components/crimpends/crimpends.aspx). And a clasp (http://www.beadshop.com/shoponline/clasps/clasps.aspx)

Gemstore has a lot of this stuff too. I was just in beadshop.com at the time.

Again -- hope that's what you meant. :shifty

C

[jujubnme]

Thank you so much for all the information. :heart That's exactly what I was looking for! However... since I made the decision to do this in the 11th hour, and have a ton of other things on my plate, I decided to chicken out and just order a custom-made one. I'm bookmarking the sites, though, 'cause I'd really like to try this one day. Maybe this will be my gift for all my sisters this Christmas. :think Thanks again!

[QuiltinGramma]

mmmmm....very interesting!
:popcorn
:heart