Erin Prais-Hintz chose a challenging brights palette for the June Pretty Palettes Challenge. These summer-worthy colors speak to days on the beach, surfboards, sun, and colorful dresses.
Funky Fringe Bracelets
The great thing about bangle bracelets is that they can fit a range of wrist sizes. That means that make great gifts or items to sell at craft shows. I really like how these bangle forms by Bead Landing open and close with the hook and loop closure, so you don't have to worry about squeezing them over your hands.
Stacked bracelets, especially with a boho vibe, are very popular this summer, so you'll probably want to make more than one. I ended up making two: one with yellow and light green beads on teal hemp cord; the other with magenta and light blue beads on orange hemp cord. The first one uses a simple repeating pattern of three beads (yellow/green/yellow and green/yellow/green); the second one makes a subtle chevron pattern with four beads in each strand.
Super Easy Knotting Technique
If you can tie a simple overhand knot and use a pair of scissors, you can make these bracelets:
- Tie a short length of cord (about 3 1/2") over the bangle using an overhand knot.
- String your beads.
- Tie an overhand knot.
- Trim the cord.
- Repeat as many times as you like.
Tips:
- It's tempting to use shorter lengths of cord, but if the cord ends are too short, you'll find it difficult to tie a knot. Also, if the cord ends fray while stringing, it's sometimes necessary to snip off the ends to make it easier to string. If your cord is too short, you won't be able to do that!
- The ends of the cords will fray over time. I think this adds to the organic, bohemian feel of the bracelets, but if it bothers you, you can use something like FrayCheck or fabric glue on the ends of the cords.
These would make a great project for tweens and teens or for anyone who wants a simple project. I found this a relaxing project to do in front of the TV as it doesn't take too much concentration after you get going with your pattern.
Creating On the Cheap
I must have been channeling Erin Strother and her cheap-and-chic Design on a Dime jewelry when I visited Michaels to shop this month. These fun bracelets use just three materials:
- colorful size 6 glass seed beads (the same ones that Erin Prais-Hintz chose)
- hemp cord
- rhodium-plated bangle bracelet forms
You can buy all the materials for three bracelets for under $15 if you pay full price. That's $5 per bracelet! If you have coupons or shop the sales, you will pay even less. Plus, you will definitely have hemp cord and beads left over for future jewelry projects.
One More Design Idea
This package of beads contains red, white, and blue beads, so you could easily make a version to wear for your Fourth of July picnic! That's what I'll plan to do with the last bracelet form in the package.
Hope you're having a wonderful summer!