How to Make Bracelets: 10 Easy Tutorials
Rose is a full-time freelance writer who frequently writes about education, special education, DIY projects, food, Milwaukee, and more.
Some of my simplest jewelry designs are my best sellers.
Copyright 2011, Rose Clearfield
Whether you are an experienced jewelry maker simply looking for a quick project or you are novice searching for an approachable project, this article is for you. All of these bracelets are easy, simple designs that will come together in just a few hours or less. Almost all of the materials required for these tutorials are readily available at most craft stores.
Unless it is indicated otherwise, all of these tutorials are for personal use only. If you are interested in selling your bracelets, please contact the artists directly to obtain permission before proceeding. Thank you and happy crafting!
Mod Podge Bangles
This blog post has detailed supply lists and step by step photos and directions for all three of these bangles. Your only challenge will be deciding which one you want to create first. These bangles are a great way to use up small scraps of paper and fabric.
A tutorial on pasting paper to a wooden bangle
Industrial Chic Bracelets
Would you ever guess from looking at that photo alone that these bracelets are made from recycled soda cans? Use old scissors to cut your can, taking care not to cut yourself on the sharp edges. You can customize this look any way you like with different sized pieces of metal and different numbers of bands.
Chunky Shimmer Bangles
Alisa cut up one of those plastic foam can holders for her bangle forms. Genius! Not only are they inexpensive and light weight, but they stretch a little. Go crazy with stamping and painting and then add some paint beads at the end to finish off your bangle.
Shrinky Dinks Woven Bracelets
Jenny uses Shrinky Dinks more often than anyone else I know. The process of creating the woven panels here is a little time consuming but not difficult. Simple jump rings and chains will finish off the piece. It is very easy to adjust this bracelet up or down in length by adding or decreasing the number of squares.
Erica, used with permission
Braided Bead Bracelets
It doesn't get much more simple than a bracelet that only requires three materials. Who knew that weaving beads into a waxed linen cord braid could have such a neat aesthetic? For those of you who enjoy layering your bracelets, you can create a whole stack of these little beauties in no time to decorate your whole wrist.
Sweater Bangles
This is a great way to repurpose an old sweater. If you don't have one on hand that you want to cut up, look for one the next time you hit a thrift store. Even an old ugly sweater has a lot of potential as a bangle as long as there are some neat colors and/or patterns. This bangle does require a minimal amount of sewing, which you can complete by hand or on a sewing machine.
Erica, used with permission
Chevron Friendship Bracelets
Friendship bracelets invoke a certain childhood nostalgia for many of us. There are lots of great friendship bracelet patterns out there, but the chevron is a classic and comes together pretty easily.
This is part of a great friendship bracelet tutorial series by BeyondBracelets.
Recycled Pringles Can Bangles
This isn't a full tutorial; it's just a fun idea. If you buy Pringles, you can save one of the cans and cut it up into bangle sized pieces to decorate. Of course there are numerous possibilities for decorating these bangles. As you've seen with some of the other recycled tutorials here, it doesn't take much to completely transform the original blank bangle.
Copyright 2012, Rose Clearfield
Charm Bracelets
Mortira has a great collection of charm bracelet tutorials on her blog. Most charm bracelet designs do involve some type of wire work. In addition to using store bought charms, there are a lot fun options for making your own charms. You can make them out of beads, clay, plastic, and more.
Inkodye Summer Bangles
This design is so whimsical and fun. I love the script "carpe diem" paired with the red, but of course you can change up the color, wording, and script as you like. Inkodye is a little hard to find, but you can purchase it directly from the web site that has this tutorial. Click on the red square at the top of the post for product information.
Some of the Best Bead Stores in the Midwest
More Beading Resources
- How to Make Necklaces: 10 Easy Tutorials
Are you looking for an easy necklace tutorial? Here are 10 projects to make. - Handmade Beads: How to Make Beads Out of Clay, Paper, Plastic, and Glass: Supplies, Techniques, Tuto
This article is about how to make beads out of clay, paper, plastic, and glass. It includes an overview of supplies, techniques, tutorials and resources for paper, polymer clay, plastic, ceramic, beaded, fused glass, and lampwork glass beads. - Herringbone or Ndebele Beadweaving Technique: Versatility, Patterns, and More
This articles details the versatility of the beadweaving herringbone stitch, including possibilities for bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings. I've included lots of links for patterns (both free and for pay) and other resources.
Are you still itching to make some more bracelets? Check out these additional tutorials!
- The Scrap Shoppe: Eclectic Braided Bracelet
This bracelet is exactly the type of random project that inspired my randomcreative name. - The Answer Is Chocolate: Dollar Tree Washer Charm Bracelet Tutorial
Choose washers in several different sizes to give this bracelet more texture and depth.
Comments
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 03, 2014:
Thanks so much, pixierose!
Sandra Rose from London on December 03, 2014:
Lots of ideas here, lovely hub :)
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 12, 2012:
That's great, lemonkerdz! Have fun. :)
lemonkerdz from LIMA, PERU on November 12, 2012:
Love the sweater bangles!! Will be having a go at those! Thanks a lot.
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 13, 2012:
Thanks Simone! I agree about the braided beaded bracelets. :)
Simone Haruko Smith from San Francisco on June 13, 2012:
Wow, so many fun ideas here! You've introduced me to a bunch of styles I had never even noticed before. I especially love the braided beaded bracelets. They're so pretty!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 10, 2012:
Thank you!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 10, 2012:
Thanks Paige! Same here. Sometimes it's fun to explore a completely new medium and style like that.
Paige Ronchetti from Chicago on June 10, 2012:
Voted this up! I'm especially stoked to see the industrial bracelets because that would be SO different for me. Excellent ideas!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 10, 2012:
Terrye, there's never enough time for crafting, is there? I try to limit the types of projects that I make, but writing crafty articles has given me so many new ideas that I want to try.
unknown spy, fun!
Thanks so much, Julie! That means a lot to me. I appreciate the pin.
snowdrops, thanks!
Kelley, that's great. :)
kelleyward on June 10, 2012:
Hi Randomcreative I really like the sweater bracelet idea. Now I know what I can do with my old sweaters! Thanks! Kelley
snowdrops from The Second Star to the Right on June 10, 2012:
Very inspiring! Wow great hub!
Blurter of Indiscretions from Clinton CT on June 10, 2012:
I get so excited when I see your hubs. They are bursts of inspiration. Voted up and Pinning!
Life Under Construction from Neverland on June 10, 2012:
Nice one! Love this hub. I used to make bracelets for me and my sister. We used colored nylons, beads, and any other materials we love.
Terrye Toombs from Somewhere between Heaven and Hell without a road map. on June 09, 2012:
My pleasure! I wish I had time to do all the wonderful crafts you write about. I think I've bookmarked almost all of your hubs. :)
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 09, 2012:
Thanks so much, Terrye!
Terrye Toombs from Somewhere between Heaven and Hell without a road map. on June 09, 2012:
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these! You have such great ideas, as always! :) Voted up and more!!!
