DIY 2 Strand Bracelet with Swarovski Crystals

Happy New Year! I decided to start 2014 as I mean to continue, using up my crafting supplies and not buying any more for a while!

This year is going to be a hard one financially. I chose not to go back to work after I had Big E but it means I have not been working for 8 years now and that, along with renovating our house, means that our savings are taking a beating! This year I plan to make as many birthday presents using stash crafty things as possible as I have a craft room full of stuff that I have got as birthday and Christmas pressies, or for free, for the last 8 years and I need to use it up!

I had the urge to make something last night (anyone else get those urges?!) so I pulled out my jewellery making stuff and got to work.

 

Using a cracker bracelet for the findings, a glass hearts bracelet that my in-laws brought back from Italy ages ago (and the gold beads between the hearts were cheap and loosing their gold covering) and some left over Swarovski crystals and pearls, I strung 2 new bracelets. I then used the toggle closure and jump rings from the cracker bracelet and put it all together.

I was going to use the chain from the cracker with ribbon threaded through but it looked rubbish when I put it together so scrapped that idea. Also, I used nylon beading thread because that is what I have but it would have been better with beading wire, the bracelets look like they are magically attached to the jump rings with the thread!

I don't wear bracelets often so this may end up as a gift, I am tempted to keep it though!

Linking to some of these fab linky parties!