It's getting to be that time of year. You know what I
mean. The Holidays are upon us, whether we are ready or not.
My second biggest list of gift recipients are my coworkers. Last year, I did pearl and crystal earrings. This year, I'm making memory wire, silver, pearl and crystal bracelets to
match. Nothing says "winter holidays" like snowy white pearls and
glittering Swarovski crystal accented with silver.
And I'm doing them on memory wire. This is a great product for this type of project; one where you are making multiple copies of the same
pattern but for many different size wrists. Memory wire creates an adjustable, casual, yet chic looking bracelet. There is also Memory Wire for chokers, but I have found it to be somewhat less versatile in sizing than the bracelet material.
Here's what you need to make your own Winter Holidays Bracelet:
Memory Wire, approximately 9 inches
40 3 mm clear crystals
27 white freshwater pearls, approx. 5 mm
14 head pins
38 2 mm round silver beads
Round Nose Pliers
Chainnose pliers
Flat steel file or burr cup
Bead Reamer
1. Start by smoothing the cut ends of the memory wire with either the burr cup or the flat steel file. This makes adding the pearls a bit easier. Loop one end of the wire around to make a closed loop. This wire is hard, so it may take several turns to get the end looped.
2. Add pearls, silver crystals and dangles in this order: crystal, pearl, crystal, silver, dangle, silver, crystal, pearl. Make the dangles on a head pin using a wrapped loop.
3. Repeat until you come to the end of your wire, or until you reach the length desired.
4. Repeat the end loop at the other end, making sure that the beads on the wire are all pushed over and there are no gaps between them.
5. Add a dangle to the loop at each end (not shown in picture). If you wish, you can embellish it further by adding two or more dangles to the ends.
Tips for working with Memory Wire:
Hold it firmly while adding beads to it. It is a very tough wire, with a lot of spring. It has been known to shoot beads across the room!
Use a pair of cutters for heavy wire when cutting Memory Wire. I have dented up a pair or two of clippers with it, it is that hard.
Memory wire can be stretched out, just bend it flat along the length with your fingers. It should relax and bend out
some for a looser fit on your wrist.
Make lots of different kinds of Memory Wire bracelets. You can use any type of bead with it, and the more you make, the easier it becomes! Have fun!
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