Sunday, March 16, 2014

Wrist Candy: Denim Seam Bracelets

How fun are these? (A: Very fun, to make and wear.)
They are, of course, jeans seams, embellished with a lot of things: Embroidery thread, leather, vintage watch face, vintage buttons....

This shows all five before a final round of embellishments. Below you'll see I added a bit more to some.

1. Cross stitch with colorful thread (sorry that's hard to see), leather wrapped and glued ends, hook and loop twisted from wire.

2. Vintage brass/gold metal buttons, new chain attached at ends and in center, hook and loop from twisted wire at the ends.

3. Scrap leather wrapped ends (from a cut up old leather jacket), vintage watch face, wire hook and loop.

4. Vintage rhinestone buttons over a broken rhinestone necklace. Toggle and lobster clasp with ribbon ends. I used ribbon crimp ends on either side and they worked well for me, but you've got to get the height of the crimp ends just right.

5. Vintage silver-colored metal buttons, new chain, lobster clasp and jump ring at ends.

Other than stabbing myself multiple times with large, sharp needles (this activity is not for the thin-of-blood), making these is seriously satisfying. You should know a little about opening and closing jump rings and attaching findings (so you need a couple of jewelry pliers). Use an extra strong thread, like button and carpet thread or some other version of "heavy." If you want to form your own wire hook and loop, practice with scrap wire. After making the first several by bending wire (not particularly expertly), I vowed to make future bracelets using jump rings and clasps - I think they'll last longer, and stay on better. 

UPDATE, 5-24-14: You can make matching rings, too! Go to http://gefiltequilt.blogspot.com/2014/05/denim-rings-upcycling-tiny-bits-of-jeans.html

Above all, have fun! (And send me links to what you make!)

9 comments:

  1. These are adorable! And are you the hand/arm model? These hands are so young!

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    1. I'm not saying who the hand arm model is. We are Anonymous.

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  2. Very fun, not too serious, Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Cathy, I love these and you have definitely given me some ideas since I am always looking to make fun, funky jewelry for our hot, hot summers and spring and fall, that doesn't weigh much and can be washed easily. Have you thought about using the jean waistband "buttons" for embellishments? I cut off the waistband holding the "button" and My husband shaves off the back and drills holes in them so they can be earrings or stitched down. Maggie Winfield

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    1. Maggie, what a great idea! I can never figure out what to do with those waistband shank button things - never thought of drilling a hole in them! I need to work on my drilling skills! Thanks for the suggestion!

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  4. You are amazing.. Theses are wonderful!!

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  5. You are amazing... I love these!!

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  6. Thanks, Laura, glad you enjoyed them!

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