Make a simple necklace or bracelet

There is noting quite so satisfying as wearing a piece of jewelry you made yourself and then having someone ask you where you got it.

Let me show you how to make a very basic yet very cool looking necklace or bracelet.

Next, the five simple steps.




Materials:
• Leather cord or imitation leather cord
• Beads

Tools:
• Scissors

Time:
a few minutes

Steps:

1. First select your leather cord. You will find several different thickness and colors available at your local hobby store.
2. Once you have chosen your cord it's time to choose your beads. When you are selecting your beads choose colors that will look nice with the color of cord you have chosen. Also, make sure that the holes in your beads are big enough for your cord to easily fit through without being able to slip over any knots you will tie.
3. It is now time to decide, are you making a necklace or a bracelet? For a necklace make sure that you measure enough cord to fit easily over your head then add about four inches for slack and knots, or more if you want a longer necklace. Just remember you need to be able to slip the necklace over your head so be sure you have at least enough to so plus 4 inches. For a bracelet you need enough to fit around your wrist or ankle twice plus one inch. Once you have measured off the amount of cord you will need, cut it with the scissors.
4. Next string your beads. For a bracelet only string enough to cover half of your wrist. For a necklace string no more than three inches worth of beads. Make sure the beads are centered on the cord and tie a single knot at each end of your beads as tight against the beads as you can. Pull tight but not too tight or you'll break the cord.
5. To finish off your piece you will need to overlap the ends of your cord and tie a fisherman's knot. To do so, tie each end of the cord in a simple knot around the cord fairly close to the ends. Tie tightly but not so tightly as to break the cord. If you have too much cord to tighten your bracelet enough simply cut off just enough to let you do so.

Now you are finished! You can slide the knots up and down the cord to adjust the length of your necklace or the tightness of your bracelet.

This is a simple enough project that it can be done with kids. Younger kids can help choose colors and string beads while slightly older kids can do the entire thing themselves with little to no help.

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