Sunday, October 10, 2010

Be bold! Bust a bracelet!

Want to see a fun way to make eight custom pendants from one bracelet?  Sure you do!  I'm talking about those two-hole-tile stretch bracelets, I hope you know the kind I mean.  Like this one:


If you are fearless and bold and own a pair of scissors, you can take these bracelets apart, and turn each tile into a terrific focal piece.

I'm sure you've seen these two-hole Mah Jongg tiles around, either made up into finished bracelets, or sold as a kit in craft stores:



You'll need a Mah Jongg tile bead, some skinny chain and a few jump rings.  Thread a bit of chain through the bottom hole, then link the ends with a jump ring.


Before closing the jump ring, add some random chain lengths to form a tassel; I fancied mine up with some charms, but that's optional.


Now take a long piece of chain, and thread it through that same bottom hole...



Then criss-cross it up and through the top hole so the two ends come out either side.



Then just add a clasp, and you're done!



Do the same tassel-and-criss-cross thing with cord, ribbon or fiber for a different look:



Here's another technique.  This didn't start as a finished bracelet, these little bone rectangles came plain.  I hand-painted a bunch of them to make the bracelet:


Then I painted two more tiles for a matching pendant.  Instead of chain - the holes were way too small for that - I threaded them on craft wire with some beads.  Like this:


I made two wrapped loops at the top, and here's how it came out:


And this is a simpler version of the same idea.  Also using wire, but without the beads:


Fun and thrifty, right?  So be brave, be brilliant, bust a bracelet.




Eight necklaces from one bracelet?   Hey, that's stocking stuffers for half your gift list right there.

19 comments:

  1. I just love your creations, the one with the blue tassel is very cool!

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  2. You hand painted them? OmG, they are absolutely fabulous!

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  3. When I saw your title, I thought this was going to be something for Breast Cancer Awareness month. LOL These are all beautiful. I especially love how you took the two tiles and put them horizontally. Really very unique and beautiful. As always, I'm super impressed.

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  4. Mich, you're sooo productive! I can't believe the sheer number of creations you come up with. And all these necklaces are wonderful (even though the blue tasseled one is my personal favorite). And my stocking stuffer list is still long(ish) since most of them are men and I don't see them falling for any of these necklaces anytime soon no matter how gorgeous they are :) (Men, right? :) If they only liked the pretty stuff we do things would go so much smoother in life :)).

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  5. This is awesome. And I'm definitely putting these together as Christmas presents for the ladies in my life! Thanks for yet another great tutorial!

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  6. now that is cool! way to bust those bracelets, Michelle! i like your fearless, unabashed way of making your beautiful jewelry pieces. they're so unexpected and lovely!

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  7. Lovely ideas, I love those bone looking beads with the blue dot - the necklace with the blue tassel is especially pretty.

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  8. I have this fantasy where I walk into your kitchen and dump my hoard of 80's jewelry on your table and then spend the next few hours watching you turn 30 year old gaudy bling into the sublime. These little necklaces are excellent, and I have a mad crush on the one with the blue tassel.

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  9. That's such a good idea! I have one of those bracelets that recently busted. :)

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  10. What a mind!!! Thanks for sharing your technique. Sometimes I just can't figure out how something was created and I love the painted tiles. This reminds me of a magazine article - "8 Different Looks from One Dress" I like this so much better. Great job.

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  11. Look at you go...Ms. Creative!!! Love how these fabulous pieces turned out! WOOOT!
    Hugs,
    ~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~

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  12. Lookin good! I know I have one of those tucked away. Now if I could just force myself out of bed to find it! Great tutorial, I think I can do it!!! jules

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  13. Ohh...Sweeti..thanks for your visit at my blog,i don't know why i did not visited your blog from many days...but its great to see you today.thanks for your smart comments....i know i didn't ignore to comment you ever but...any how...love your great ides & styles..awesome as always...keep it up!!!!

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  14. WONDERFUL!! You're so very creative! I loved your recent use of those foot sole thingies to make jewellery !! You've inspired me to try some creative jewellery making with my daughters in the next school holidays!

    Thanks so much for linking to A Round Tuit!

    Hope you have a lovely weekend!

    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  15. What a great idea - very creative! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  16. ok-this is getting a little freaky. i just "busted" a turqoise square bracelet two days ago because the stretch cord had been over-stretched and did not fit anymore. i had started to put together-just haven;t finished. these are great! love ur stuff. i think we may be soul sisters.

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  17. Your painted tiles are beautiful! Thanks for linking them up. Your creations are always welcome at the Sunday Art Therapy link party at Seeds on a Breeze, regardless if they are painted!

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  18. I was just thinking about a design like this today...but this is much better that what I had thought of :)

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  19. Recently had to restring a clearance bracelet because it was too big for my wrist. Now I know what I can do with the 3 pieces left over! Thanks for your insight.

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