Giveaway and Tutorial: "Beautiful Bracelets by Hand"

Hello! Things have been quiet around here as I spent the Thanksgiving holiday relaxing and shopping with my family, so there hasn't been much crafting! But, I was recently sent a copy of Beautiful Bracelets by Hand:Seventy Five One-Of-a-Kind Baubles, Bangles, and Other Wrist Adornments You Can Make at Home by Jade Gedeon, and wow-- is it gorgeous! Filled to the brim with DIY bracelet tutorials, the book is also full of useful information about DIY basics and supplies. I also loved that the projects range in complexity-- from the extra simple to let's-bust-out-the-power-tools.

As someone who loves working with vintage materials or reworking different kinds of jewelry components (like this DIY bracelet project or this necklace), I was especially drawn to her entire chapter devoted to "Bits Pieces," those gorgeous materials you collect like a magpie to eventually use one day, like buttons, brooches, and buckles. I was invited to share a tutorial from the book, and think this Crystal Clear Bracelet, from that chapter, made from chandelier crystals would be the perfect piece of holiday sparkle. (Want a matching necklace? Check out this DIY crystal necklace!)

Crystal Clear Bracelet, from Beautiful Bracelets by Hand:Seventy Five One-Of-a-Kind Baubles, Bangles, and Other Wrist Adornments You Can Make at Home by Jade Gedeon
Chandelier crystals do a beautiful job of refracting light—as they’re meant to, of course. This bracelet will infuse your look with a spark of razzle-dazzle and a cool vintage vibe. Look for crystals that still have their head pins intact. Choose a clasp size that best coordinates with the scale of your crystals. You will need more jump rings if using smaller crystals.
Tools and Materials: •5"–6" (12.7–15.2 cm) length of chandelier crystals (ours are 1" (2.5 cm) across) • Three 10mm round jump rings, 16–18 gauge • Seven 6mm round jump rings, 16–18 gauge • One lobster clasp (ours is 25mm long) • Head pins (optional) • Wire snips • Chain-nose pliers • Flat-nose pliers • Round-nose pliers

Using the round-nose pliers, grasp the end of a head pin wire and roll it around the plier nose to form a closed loop. If the pins are excessively long, you may need to trim them.

Begin linking your crystals with the 6mm jump rings. Be sure to keep everything parallel.

When all the crystals are linked, attach the clasp to one end with two 6mm jump rings.

Attach the three 10mm jump rings to each other and then attach to the other end of the bracelet with a 6mm jump ring.

This is what it should look like on the back.

Shine on!
As a holiday gift to you Thanks, I Made It readers, you can win a copy of Beautiful Bracelets by Hand! Simply leave a comment below by December 10, 2014, and one (1) random winner will be chosen. Sorry, my lovely international friends, the contest is only open to readers in the US and Canada. Don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you, if you win!