Evil Eye Friendship Bracelets

These mini evil eye friendship bracelets are just the bomb.com. I always am wondering what to do with all my seed beads -- I'm not patient enough to embark on an intense woven piece, so these little charms are perfect for those who want just a taste of bead weaving.



What's awesome about these is that you can make them in a rainbow of colors, and they come together really quick. They are a new take on the old friendship bracelet pattern, and the hint of Swarovski crystal in the center dresses them up a bit. Always good.



You'll finish these string bracelets with a macrame sliding knot clasp, so they can be taken on and off, unlike those embroidery floss knotted ones. They are super lightweight and great for layering with other pieces. They give that minimal-bohemian chicness to any outfit, and the bright neon colors will definitely catch eyes!



I've got the full pattern for these beauties below, so let's get started!



Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are colorful seed beads (I used size 11), .8mm nylon knotting cord, 4mm Swarovski bicones, 6mm glass rounds (some pretty ones here and here), 4mm jump rings, 28g silver wire, scissors and wire cutters. You will also need superglue to glue the knots.



Step 2: Cut about 1.5 feet of wire. Thread on a jumpring, and then 3 seed beads. Take the righthand side of wire and thread back through the last 2 seed beads you strung on the left side, from top to bottom. Pull tight to hold. Thread on 3 seed beads to the lefthand wire, and again, thread the righthand wire back through the beads, from top to bottom. Pull tight again. They should stack upon another.



Step 3: Repeat this technique. On the next layer, thread on 5 seed beads. Then 7 seed beads. Now, to form the middle of the eye, thread on 4 seed beads, 1 accent seed bead (in a different contrasting color, one that matches the 4mm crystal you want to use) and then 4 more seed beads.

For the next layer, 2 seed beads, 2 accents, 1 crystal, 2 accents, and 2 seed beads. After that layer, reverse the order of layers, to close the rest of the eye. Look at the picture above for help!



Step 4: Close the eye. After you have made a 2 bead layer, thread on a jumpring and a seed bead. Thread back through the seed bead and jumpring, then twist the wire and cut to close. Bend this wire closure to the back and bend flush so it doesn't poke.

Cut two 2' pieces of knotting cord. Tie each to a side of the eye, and secure with overhand knots.



Step 5: To finish, cut an 8" piece of knotting cord and tie a small square knot sinnet (about 3 knots), grouping all threads together. Don't tie these knots too tight here, as this will be your sliding knot.

Cut the ends of this thread flush, and then either thread burn them or superglue. If you superglue, be very careful to not catch any of the middle strands in the glued part, or they won't move!

Simply tie off the ends and use your 6mm glass beads as accents. It helps to measure this bracelet over your wrist and find the exact length you need to leave the string, so that it isn't too big or small.

Repeat these steps over and over again to make many more!



Like I said, these come together quick - I made six of these in an hour. If you are a beginner, the first bracelet will take you longer. But once you get the hang of the pattern, you'll be able to whip 'em up! These also make great birthday or holiday gifts, and you could even add charms to the jump rings to personalize even more.



I think these would also look amazing if you used metallic seed beads, like silver and gold - it would definitely give them a totally upscale look. You could also switch out the middle crystal for a 4mm gemstone bead. Use gemstones like rose quartz, adventurine, fluorite or amethyst to give your bracelets extra mystical power!



If you make any of these for yourself and your BFFs, post the final pics to Instagram and tag me @quietlioncreations - I'll repost you!

COPYRIGHT

Because I take all photos for my blog, the images within this post are all copyright Allison Beth Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations. If you'd like permission to use a photo, email me at allison@quietlioncreations.com

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Mini Monogram Bracelets- "Handmade Holiday" Project 003

These are my third installment in my "Handmade Holiday" initiative. These are just so dainty and cute! My Mini Monogram Bracelets are perfect for giving to your BFFs around the holidays! These are so simple to make, and cost a minimal amount of money to get them going. Plus, no hard techniques are used in the tutorial, and they come together in five minutes! Seriously, I timed myself. The longest time will be waiting for the paint on the alphabet beads to dry!

The mix between the cute alphabet beads and more modern open circle bead frames, with the addition of a small crystal dangle all make for a customized accessory, great for wearing every day! I chose to use gunmetal chain/findings here because it contrasts the white alphabet beads and is a little more modern than a gold would have been! If you or your BFF (or whoever else you are making this for) doesn't fancy gunmetal, you can definitely change out the metal color!

I used Crystazzi crystals here for the gemstone/birthstone drops; if you don't know what gemstones go with each month, look here. The addition of this birthstone drop adds both sparkle and shine, and makes this a truly unique piece!

I tool the same color paint of the gemstone and used it to paint the alphabet bead's letter. You can use either nailpolish here or acrylic metallic paint. Adding this bit of color ties the beads together!

To style these, pair them with a casual oversize tee, baggy boyfriend jeans and cheetah sneaks. For warmth, add an oversize bright scarf. This look is great for running errands or meeting up with your friends!

*Outfit Credits: jeans and scarf from Generation Bliss, sneakers from Keds.*

These take less than 5 minutes apiece to make, and they are insanely easy to put together. The open circle beads I bought are from Cousin, and they come on a pack with open square beads as well. You can use the square beads (which fit 2 alphabet beads inside) to make bracelets that say BF for best friends if you want as well! Add a small heart charm dangle, and you've got stylish accessories for you and your friends.The possibilities are endless.

Are we ready to go?!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are white alphabet beads (mine from Cousin), Open circle beads (mine from Cousin), gunmetal headpins, clasps and chain, and then metallic acrylic paint or nail polish.

Have on hand wire cutters and round nose pliers.

Click here for a printable shopping list!

These materials can be found at Michaels, JoAnn, AC Moore stores or even Walmart!

Step 2: Decide what initial and what birthstone you will need. For this bracelet, I'm doing a topaz gemstone with an A, so I'm gonna need gold paint to match the topaz.

Take your gold paint and paint a small amount into the indentation of the letter, and then gently wipe off the paint not in the indentation. You can use a small rag or just your finger. The gold should be left in the A. Repeat on the other side. Let the bead dry for a couple minutes, then repeat again so that the black is completely covered by gold.

Step 3: Take your headpin and cut off the metal end; create a small loop, and attach to a piece of chain that is the length of your wrist. Thread through the hole on the frame bead, then through the alphabet bead, then through the other side.

Step 4: Bend the wire at a right angle, then create a finishing loop. Attach the other side of your chain to this loop.

Step 5: Find the center link of your chain, and undo it; add a jumpring to this link, then a jumpring and clasp to the other side of your chain. To finish, add your gemstone crystal to a headpin, then cut, loop and attach to the loop on the side of the frame.  

Cute and unique.

Elegant too. These mix playful and chic! I'm sure all of your friends will want some!

All images copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not use/post this tutorial or pics without crediting me!

Chan Luu Single Wrap Macrame Bracelet

Chan Luu bracelets are just so cool! What's great about them is that they use simple macrame techniques to produce different results, this time with the addition of beads! This tutorial adds on to my previous Square Knot Friendship Bracelets, but utilizes the beads in a different way; on the outside of the knots as opposed to the inside. What you get is a totally different result!

These would be awesome friendship bracelets!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are 3mm glass gemstone beads, cotton thread for knotting, scissors, tape, and a bead and crimp for closure.

Step 2: Start the knots.  Cut one length of your cotton thread about one and a half times the length of your wrist. Tape at the top to your table. Cut one length of cotton cord that is about four times the length of the thread you just cut; this will be your knotting thread. Start to knot, just like how we started in my Square Knot Bracelet Tutorial.

Once you have a couple of square knots, take either side of the thread and add beads to these threads. The number of beads will depend on how one you want this bracelet. Once you've added all your beads (make sure there's an even amount on each side), tie knots at the end of these threads to hold the beads on.

Now, you will do a square knot with the beads on the outside (instead of the inside like in the Square Knot Bracelet Tutorial). 

Take two beads right up to the last knot. 

Make a square knot, making sure the beads are caught in the knot and lie right on either side of the center thread. Tie one more square knot to hold the beads in place tightly.

Step 2: Continue this method.

Once you have gotten one square knot set, continue to knot in this way, until your bracelet is as long as you need. To finish, add the bead and crimp to one end, crimp to close. Make a loop with the other end (big enough so the bead fits snugly), and crimp close. This is also explained in the Square Knot Bracelet Tutorial.

You're finished! See how easy that was?

One with bead closure, one with clasp. You choose!

If you share/use/post this tutorial, please link back to me. It is much appreciated!

Frieda and Nellie Friendship Ring

These are my kind of friendship bracelets; they've got major sparkle! I love how Frieda and Nellie incorporate gems into their designs, which adds another dimension to these bracelets; it instantly makes them more elegant!

I knew I could make a tutorial for these. However, I didn't want to spend hours knotting to make a bracelet, so I made a ring! What's great about making rings is that they come together way quicker than a bracelet, which means you have time to make more!

The contrast between the soft cotton thread and shiny gem is sure to catch eyes! All of your friends will want one.

This tutorial is a bit more tedious, but it's all about getting the knot pattern. Once you've got it, it'll get much easier!

Let's begin.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are scissors, four colors of embroidery floss, tape, and a gemstone with a setting; I got mine from a broken necklace. 

Step 2: You will need to cut two 3' lengths of each color of thread. This should be enough thread for you, I had some left over at the end. If you have a bigger ring size use a little more thread though.

Tie all the lengths together at the top with an overhand knot. Tape down.

For the sake of this tutorial, I will label threads R (red thread) G (green thread) Y (yellow thread) and B (blue thread). If you are using different colors, just assign these names to them as well to not confuse yourself!

 Arrange the threads: R, G, Y, B, 2B, 2Y, 2G, 2R.

Step 2.5: Take R, bring over G, then behind G and through that loop to the left and front (second pic). Pull tight to make a knot. Now, take R, bring over G but bring thread to the right and front (third pic). Pull tight again. It should look like the last pic, with the thread naturally ending up on the left side of G again.

Step 3: Now, you will be doing this same sequence but with 2R and 2G. Take 2R, bring over then behind 2G but bring thread to the right and front. Pull tight. Take 2R, bring over then behind 2G but bring thread to the left and front (second pic). This is the exact same thing you did in the last step, but the directions are reversed. Pull tight. You should have the last pic, with 2R naturally falling to the right of 2G. 

Step 4: Take G, bring over and then behind Y, through that loop to the left and front. Repeat.

Take 2G, bring over and behind and through the loop 2Y to the right and front. Repeat.

Take G, bring over and behind and through the loop B to the left and front. Repeat.

Take 2G, bring over and behind and through 2B to the right and front. Repeat.

Step 5: You should have something that looks like this first pic. Then, take G, bring over and behind 2G to the left and front. Repeat.

You should have one complete chevron, looking like a V-shape. See the last pic?

Step 6: Now, we will repeat steps 2.5 through 5. However, instead of knotting the G's all the way across the other threads, since the yellows are next to the outer red thread (you will NEVER knot reds across any other threads than the one next to them; they are your outlines for your ring), we will knot across the threads with yellows. Start by knotting R and 2R in the way of step 2.5, but knotting on the yellows next to them instead of greens. Continue with the steps, but use Y and 2Y in place of G and 2G. 

You will be knotting both Y's over blues first, then greens. Remember to finish the yellow chevron in the manner of Step 5. Your completed chevron should look like the first pic.

Keep repeating steps 2.5 through 5, changing out the color names as needed. Your next chevron will use the reds to outline (as always), then the blues to knot the chevron (second pic).

Then, it will be back to reds for outline and green for the chevron. 

Keep with the pattern until you are at about halfway of the length you need for the ring.

Take the two center threads (in this case, it's greens) and thread on your gem, through the bottom of the setting. Look at the last pic for reference.

Step 7: Take R, bring over and behind Y to the left and font, pull tight to make a knot. Bring R over and behind Y to the right and front, pull tight. 

Take Y, bring over and behind B then thru loop to left and front. Repeat.

Take R again, but now over and behind B to the left and font, pull tight to make a knot. Bring R over and behind B and thru loop to the right and front, pull tight. 

Take B, bring over and behind Y then thru loop to left and front. Repeat. You should have something looking like the last pic.

Step 8: Now repeat step 7, but working with 2R, 2Y and 2B. This is how the knots will go.

Take 2R, bring over and behind 2Y to the right and font, pull tight to make a knot. Bring 2R over and behind 2Y to the left and front, pull tight. 

Take 2Y, bring over and behind B then thru loop to right and front. Repeat.

Take 2R again, but now over and behind 2B to the right and font, pull tight to make a knot. Bring 2R over and behind 2B and thru loop to the left and front, pull tight. 

Take 2B, bring over and behind 2Y then thru loop to right and front. Repeat. 

Yours should look like the first pic.

Repeat steps 7 and 8 until you have long enough knotted pieces so that the gem can be encased (second pic.) 

Now, to close in the gem, continue with our original chevron knotting pattern, which starts back in Step 2.5. Remember, you may have to substitute the color names depending on what thread you end up re-beginning the chevron with, but always knot the thread to the one directly next to it.You will be back to knotting chevrons just like before, which will hold the gem in place (pic 3 and 4).

Keep with the chevron pattern till the ring is long enough to fit around your finger. Once long enough, overhand knot all threads to secure.

Step 9: Finishing. Tie both ends together, cut, and glue this knot.

The finished ring!

If you share/use/post this tutorial, please link back to me. It is much appreciated!