Neon POP - Tropical Punch Bracelets

ROYGBIV at its best here - mixed with chunky chain and gems. Cousin Corporation's new Neon Pop line is hard to miss; filled with insane color and major wow factor, these jewelry components are a must-buy. I'll be using all products from this line I'm my tutorials below. You've got a two-for-one here, a simple macrame bracelet (dressed up with a gem focal connector) and a luxe braided chain bracelet. You can wear these together or separately for different looks.



I was inspired by the tropical spectrum of color within the components. I decided to go all out and mix Cousin's rainbow satin cord with their gold chain panel, and add their tassels for a slightly bohemian vibe (which don't most of my tutorials have?!).



This chunky bracelet incorporates a technique similar to my Woven Chain Bracelets, wherein cord is would around the open links in cable chain. I'll be catching the rhinestone chain within these wraps to add more color and another dimension.

This macrame bracelet is quick and simple, but I'll show you exactly how to knot it, for beginners. Adding on an adjustable knot clasp also makes it easy to wear.

Let's begin.ivider

 

Step 1: Gather materials.  I've linked you up, so if you want to buy online it's easy- or shop any AC Moore store!
I am using:
Neon POP - Multicolor rhinestone chain (SKU #30214576), Gold chain with rhinestones (SKU #30214512), pink tassels (SKU #30214561), rainbow satin cord (SKU #30214581), and orange gem connector (SKU #30214524). You will also need pliers, jump rings and scissors.



To begin making the chain bracelet, lay your colored rhinestone chain over the open cable links of the gold rhinestone chain. (Leave a good 3" or so excess at the top of the bracelet, so we can knot later.) Cut a 2 foot length of satin cord. Bring the end of the cord from the back (or underneath, table), through the top link towards the front (aka you). Catching the last colored rhinestone, bring the cord towards the right, behind the golden chain, then up through the second link. Pull tight, and your last rhinestone should be secured on top of the chain panel. Repeat again, pulling towards the right (catching the rhinestone within), down through the loop then back up through the next one. Keep repeating.



This is how is should be looking. Keep on until you reach the end of the chain panel. Cut the excess rhinestones off. Tie knots at both ends of the cord, and burn with a thread burner (or be lazy like me and use a metal knife and gas stove flame) to secure.



Add your tassels evenly on the loops of the satin cord with jump rings. The clasp on the gold chain panel is already attached - no-fuss!



To begin the macrame bracelet, cut about 1.5 feet of satin cord, threading through the loop in the connector and making sure it falls at the middle of this piece of cord. Now, cut a 2' piece and tie on right after the connector's loop, grouping the two strings. Take your righthand cord, threading over the middle strings. Take your lefthand cord, threading below the middle strings and up above the righthand string. Look at the picture for tips! Pull this knot evenly tight.



You've made your first square knot. Now, reverse directions for the next knot. Take lefthand string and thread above middle strings, then righthand string below middles and up, over lefthand string. Pull tight (arrows show direction). Pull evenly. Repeat this, reversing which string you bring above the middle each time to create a flat panel of square knots. Do this to the other side of the connector. To make the adjustable clasp, simply take the two inner cords from each side (the ones you've been knotting around, circled in white on the picture) and with another short piece of cord, knot about 10 knots or so around these four strings, grouping them together. To secure ends, cut off all excess (except these four inner strings, leave them long for now) and burn again to melt and seal. You can then knot on beads to these inner strings to finish.





All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations. DO NOT POST OR REUSE without linking and crediting me.

Sparkle Strands Bracelets

I'm on a crystal kick.

I had some Cousin brand crystals and wanted to make yet another super-sparkly accessory out of them. If you want an equally sparkly bracelet to match your Crystal Amulet necklace from my last tutorial, these are super quick to whip up. The best part is that you can make them in any color scheme you want, and they require no intense skills to finish. 

All these bracelets consist of is multiple stretch-cord strands grouped together with another strand. I loved the cool electroplated rainbow finish of the Cousin crystals in the bronze-colored bracelet, so I paired those beads with silver and caramel-colored crystals to make a cool, eclectic scheme. I was inspired by the blues and aquamarine tones to make the other bracelet, offsetting the lightness of the colors by black and deep blue crystals.

I've also included Crystazzi crystals, which give that rich color. You can also add pearls or glass beads if you want a difference in texture and material!

Be sure to follow Cousin brand on:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Let's get started!

Step 1: Gather materials.

All that's needed are:

-Crystals. For the bronze bracelet I used a variety of Cousin brand crystals, including the 4mm bronze bicones. Also, I used these cool electroplated crystals from Cousin which were more helix-shaped. 

-Stretch cord. I am using .5mm Cousin brand stretch cord here, you can find this on Amazon and in craft stores.

-Flatnose pliers, mine are again from Cousin.

For the blue bracelet, I used a blue crystal scheme including these Cousin Crystazzi 6mm Capri blue bicones, Vitrail bicones (that cool multicolor coating), 4mm Deep blue bicones by Cousin, and 6mm light sapphire Cousin Jewelry basic crystals.

To make the first bracelet, simply cut a piece of your stretch cord that is 1.5 times the length of your wrist. Simply add your selected crystals and bead until the bracelet is as long as you need it. Add on a crimp bead, and thread the other side of cord back through the crimp, and crimp shut. Cut off the excess.

Continue making these bracelets until you have abut 5-6 strands. To group them all together, simply cut a 6" piece of stretch cord, and thread on enough crystals to go around the bracelet bunch. Add on a crimp, and crimp shut. Cut the excess off. You should have a complete bracelet!

These are great bracelets to throw on with every outfit. They add that glam factor and can be worn by themselves, or paired with other bracelets. 

The ease of these bracelets is that they are on stretch cord, so no need to try to clasp it with your other hand, which is always difficult, right?! Just be careful with the stretch cord, don't make the bracelets too tight because stretch cord sometimes has the tendency to snap if pulled tightly. Keep the bracelets a little loose and you will be all set.

All images and text copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not post/use images without linking back to me.

Grinning Geisha Bracelet

What a doll!

For this tutorial, I took inspiration from this little Geisha bead from Beadmixer.

The clean whites but pops of contrasting red/pinks and greens.

I decided to mix materials by weaving cotton and a mix of glass and porcelain beads through flat silver cable chain from Cousin.

How perfect are these porcelain flower print beads, also by Beadmixer?

I am in love with Beadmixer's selection of porcelain beads. They are all a little different and in all different colors and shapes. I knew I wanted to feature them in this design!

I love the fun, "lightness" to the design, while still using a chunky chain and larger beads. Taking hues of pink and red directly from the geisha charm, as well as the floral element makes for a perfect combo.

Usually pinks and reds are not paired together. I say why not?? Last year, fashion runways showed color blocking in a new way, with similar hues like orange/red, pink/red and a mix of blues/purples paired with each other. I am still lovin' the trend a year later. 

If you make your own, find a color combination that works for you! 

Be sure to check out the Beadmixer site, ESPECIALLY if you love to use vintage rhinestones.

You can also connect with Beadmixer through their:

Blog

Facebook Page

Pinterest 

Subscribe to their Newsletter

Are we ready? Let's get started!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are:

-6mm or 8mm glass beads (I used pink)

-Embroidery floss

-Large link flat chain- mine from Cousin-you can buy from the link or at AC Moore stores 

-Porcelain flower print beads. I used Beadmixer beads

-A large porcelain charm. Mine was a geisha charm from Beadmixer

You will also need a clasp and some jump rings, as well as pliers and headpins.

Step 2: Cut two 1.5 foot pieces of embroidery floss. 

Starting somewhere in the middle of the length of chain (you could also start at the end), thread the floss up through a link. Make sure there is about 4" of thread to the left of where you started threading, you will need to knot this later. Add on a porcelain bead, then thread down through the fourth link next to it. add on a bead, and thread up the fourth link from that chain. They should lay next to another.

Repeat this process unit you have enough porcelain beads threaded on to make your bracelet long enough for your wrist.

Take off the extra links on either side of your porcelain beads to secure the length of the bracelet. If you started at the end, only take off the long excess on the other side of your beads.

Step 3: Then, thread through the end link. Add a glass bead, and thread down two links over. Thread up through the next link. Thread on another bead, and thread down two links over. Thread up through the next link.

Keep repeating this process. It helps to lay the bracelet on your knee instead of a table because it will curve and be easier to weave with. I kept going until the pink beads reached the end of my chain.

Then, take both ends of the floss and tie in knots, incorporate the red floss from the porcelain beads. Make sure the are woven in opposite directions on the end link of chain so that the knot stays put.

Add your extender chain with jump rings to the end of the chain, and add your charms here with looped headpins. That's all there is to it!

Try out all different bead and color combos! Gold chain would look sweet with bright blue and white for a Grecian look, while copper chain would pair with turquoise and silver. 

As for the geisha charm, Beadmixer has all different colors and styles, and even has little russian doll charms and owls! They are totally unique and quirky which I love.

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial! If you make this bracelet, be sure to post on Instagram and tag @quietlioncreations!! I'll repost it!

All photos and text copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not post/use tutorial without linking back to me.

Autumn Wood Keychain Charm

This is a simple and quick tutorial for a cool keychain charm. I was inspired by the turn of fall, and these super unique wood-print acrylic beads by Cousin Corporation. I thought mixing them with other textures, but beads of the same color, would make for a nice decoration for my key fob!

This kind of has a tribal-meets-backwoods feel to it, which I like! You can really use any "bead soup" here; feel free to make a combination of beads and colors you prefer!

Just a little something extra to spice up a boring keyring!

Let's get started!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are scissors, a key ring, wood beads (I used small 5mm ones), wood print acrylic beads (I used Cousin Flat Gold Beads), hemp cord (I used Cousin Brown Cord) and gemstone beads (I used Cousin Amber Gemstones).

Step 2: Cut a 4' length of your hemp and fold in half; at the center, make a Lark's Head knot (thread the open ends through the top loop and pull tight.

Step 2: String on one wood acrylic bead and make a square knot. Add on one large wood bead, make a double square knot, and one gemstone bead (make another double square knot).

You can reference my tutorial here on how to make those double square knots.  

After your gemstone bead, add on the square acrylic wood bead. To finish, add small 5mm wood beads on each hemp string; make a knot to hold the beads on and then trim the strings.

How easy?! This pattern is great because you can mix and match the beads to suit your style. I used a mix of woodsy beads and gemstones. If brighter colors are for you, feel free to use them!

This color combo and texture combo is super cool, and is pretty gender-neutral. These are great for guys and gals, because we all have keys! Why not make them look cooler?!!

If you share/use/post this tutorial, please link back to me. It is much appreciated! All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling.