DIY: Braided Charm bracelet

This DIY bracelet project was inspired by the gorgeous plait and chain friendship bracelets around in the shops at the moment. I especially like these in Urban Outfitters - Intial Bracelet and Effiel Tower Chain Bracelet . I fancied specific colours and had charms handy so decided to make some myself. 

Ingredients:

- embroidery thread (three colours)

- chain

- cord (leather/knotting)

- charms

- clasp, jump rings, flat leather crimps

Start by cutting three pieces of each embroidery thread. Put the three ends into the crimp and close. Plait the threads. I find attaching it to something non-moving using a safety pin makes it less fiddly. 

When you reach half way along the length that you would like the bracelet, add the charm to one thread. Continue plaiting until the end and finish with a crimp. 

Add a jump ring to the crimp at both ends. Cut a length of chain the same length as the plait and attach to the jump rings

Cutting the same length in cord (one or two pieces), attach leather crimps to both ends and attach to the jump rings. Finally add a clasp and chain and its ready to wear!

Crochet an Owl

The most adorable little owl I made for a birthday present. I've just started to learn how to crochet and the little owl is my second attempt at making something. Once I got over looking at the daunting instructions and the many different patterns I managed to learn a few basic stitches - chains, slip stitches, double crochet. I found the easiest way to do this was looking at youtube videos and I brought a book The Essential Handbook of Crochet Stitches . I decided the best thing would be to get on and just make something! My first project is something much simpler (It's not yet finished but I'll post it when I do!). Then I came across this lovely owl by Zoom Yummy found here. The pattern is available on etsy at a bargain cost. Great instructions - picture by picture which I think is definitely needed for a beginner!. The pattern is in American (yes american and english have different names for the stitches to make things more complicated!). Seemed easy to convert - ch (Chain Stitch) and Sl St (Slip Stitch) are the same, sc (single crochet stitch) is dc (double crochet), hdc (half double crochet stitch) is htr (half a treble). Now I'm off to make another one under request..

Yarn Wrapped Words

I love these yarn wrapped words that are around at the moment. Full of endless possibilities....jewellery, home decoration..I thought it would make a nice addition to my office cork board that needs a refresh. I choice the word 'flora' but any word that can be written in joined up handwriting would work well. Here's how my attempt went..

What's needed:

• Wire - I used some cheap general purpose gardening wire but any flexible wire such as coathanger, pipecleaners would do
• Thread - I used two coloured twine brought from a lovely craft shop in Bath indoor market. Any embroidery thread or wool would do. The brighter the more effective!
• Wire Cutters
• Glue

Start by writing out the word in joined up handwriting on paper. Bend the wire to form the word, using the handwritten word as a guide. 

Tie the thread around the wire, tucking the end underneath to start. When the  wires cross, wrap the yarn around both to hold the letters in place. 

Wrap the thread around the whole word then make a knot to secure. I carefully put a drop of glue on the ends to stop the wrapped threads becoming loose. 

Owl Bunting

My latest craft project :-) I've slowly been making owl bunting for the new office at work - in my obsession with owls! Inspiration for the owls came from a photo on 'Chocolate fishies' blog and those sold by 'Missy Mack' on etsy. Here's how I made it....

Materials:

Material -for the owl and for the tum

Thread

Felt

Buttons

Brown embroidery thread

Step One: Cutting the fabric

Make two paper templates - A) the main owl body (adding at 1 cm around the edge) and B) the smaller tummy. Pin on to material and use as a template. Each owl needs two A's and one B. 

Step Two: Adding the features 

Stitch on the tummy – about 2cm from the bottom of the owl. 

Add some eyes – I used a larger cream felt and some funky buttons.

Step Three: Sewing the Owl together 

Pin the two pieces of material together (outside facing inwards) and sew around the edge except the bottom. Now pull the owl inside out – it’s easier if the top point is cut flat and the slits made around the edges.

Step Four: Final touches

Slip stitch the bottom together. Now sew on the nose – I used brown embroidery thread. Fold over the beak and slip stitch in place (hidden )

Step Five: Make the bunting

 Thread through the cord and add all the owls! Owl bunting made!!

T-Shirt Bracelet Tutorial

I came across some lovely bracelets made from plaited t-shirts (various variations on pinterest most notably from the henryhappened.com and cutoutandkeep) so thought I'd give it a go. Once I played around with how to make them they were very easy and quick. 

Here's how I made mine...

Ingredients

• - T-shirt strips - I had some already cut up from an old necklace but if not find a jersey t-shirt you don't mind cutting up. 
• Cord (or ribbon)
• Thin bendable wire (I used 28 gauge beading wire)
• Glue

How to

• If you need to cut up the t-shirt into three strips, about 2cm/0.5-1inch wide and 30cm/12inches long. 
• Cut the cord into three 28cm/11inch pieces
• Hold the ends together, with the cord slightly higher

• Wind the wire around the ends to hold the cord and t-shirt strips together and in place
• Separate into three groups and plait

• Plait until it's the right length around your wrist. I have made mine to pull over my hand. 
• Wind wires around the ends and cut off the excess cord and t-shirt strips

• With the wire, continue winding around both ends to bind them together

• Cut a piece of fabric to cover the ends and wire.  Fold the fabric over and wrap around the ends, glue in place.

•  Leave to dry then it's ready to wear! Enjoy!