DIY: Easy Bracelets

The rain returned today, so after a few hours running errands outside in the gloom I decided some crafting time was in order. A very simple project caught my eye yesterday while browsing through Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts that I checked out of the library: chain bracelets (at page 165 of the book for any of you out there who may have a copy). These bracelets are ever so easy and require only a few materials:

- Chain: You can find all different styles of fashion jewelry-quality chain at your local craft store or bead shops typically carry a wide variety as well, including sterling and gold-filled chain. Look for chunkier chain that is at least 1/2 inch wide. You'll need about 2 to 4 inches depending on how far you'd like the chain to go around your wrist.

- Ribbon: Grosgrain is probably best for this project as satin ribbon can be slippery and may not stay securely tied on your wrist. Get ribbon that is at least as wide as the chain you selected. Martha's version in the book uses chain and ribbon that are the same width. For my version, I used 1/2 inch chain and 1 inch ribbon because that was what I had lying around. I used a little less than 2 feet.

- Clear Nail polish: or you can buy Fray Check if you prefer, but nail polish works well and you probably have one in your makeup bag already.


1. Wrap the chain around your wrist and cut it to your preferred length with a wire-cutter or heavy scissors. If you buy the chain at a bead shop, size it to your wrist there and have the salesperson cut it for you - that will save you some trouble if you don't have a wire-cutter. The length is completely up to you, I liked having the chain go almost all the way around my wrist, but you may like the look of just 2 inches or so along the top of your wrist.

2. Wrap ribbon around your wrist and tie in a bow - trim the excess and coat the edges with nail polish to avoid fraying. This is where having a crafting partner comes in handy as it's kind of hard to tie a bow on your own wrist!

3. Thread the end loop on each end of the chain through the ribbon.

4. Adjust as you like it. You're done!


There are all sorts of easy variations on this project. If you are a sewer, you can add a little snap or piece of velcro at the ends of the ribbon to save you the trouble of tying a bow each time you wear the bracelet. The Martha book shows chain with ribbon just at the ends as a clasp for the bracelet as well as chain belts with ribbon woven in and out through the chain and tied in a bow to close. I was also thinking of a long chain with ribbon woven in and out and worn as a necklace (very J Crew I think??).