More Anklet Fun!

I'm on a roll with anklets this weekend - two new designs to show and tell!

Super Easy Chain and Bead Anklet (30 minute project)
For this anklet, I've used some pre-made rolo chain, 20g sterling silver wire, and 6mm round peridot beads. Length is approximately 9".

Cut four lengths of chain 2" long.
Make three eye pins using the beads and wire.
Construct your anklet by attaching the eye pins to the chain.
Add a small lobster clasp and a dangle. Done!









Shining Silver Anklet
Full step by step photos will be posted on Beading Help Web, but I'll walk you through the instructions...you can put this together in less than an hour, and it will go with everything all summer long!

Materials (shown for approximately 9 1/2" anklet)
18 g 5/32" jump rings (36)
20 g 7/64" jump rings (71)
4mm sterling silver round beads with large hole (7) (Rings N Things #24-990-04)
Sterling silver flat lobster clasp (1)

This bracelet is an easy 2 in 1 chain, based on Japanese style chainmaille. A small round bead is added to the chain every five rings.

1. Open all 5/32" jump rings and close all 7/32" jump rings, using Beading Help Web's Opening and Closing Jump Rings instructions.
2. Pick up an open jump ring, and thread two closed rings on it. Close the open ring. I like to twist a piece of scrap wire (or even an old bread tie!) to the first large jump ring now…it helps me to keep track of the end of the chain, and to hold on to it.
3. Pick up an open jump ring, thread it through the closed rings you added in Step 2. Add two small closed rings to the large ring before closing it. Repeat until you have four large rings in the chain.
4. You'll be adding a bead to the fifth large ring in this pattern. The hole in the beads should be large enough to accommodate the jump ring wire and the curve of the ring (the Rings N Things product in the materials list worked perfectly for me with the 18g rings). Thread the bead on a large ring, thread the ring through the last closed small rings, and add two closed small rings. Close the large jump ring. Notice that your bead hangs to one side of the chain – this is the "bottom" of the chain. As you continue to add links to the chain, be sure your beads are on the same side of the chain, or it won't hang right when you wear it!
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you have used all jump rings and beads. You will have one additional large ring and one additional small ring at the end of the chain.
6. Remove the scrap wire or bread tie from the first ring if you added them in Step 2. Add the lobster clasp to the first large ring, with the hook of the clasp on the top side of the chain. The clasp will attach through the last small ring on the opposite end of the chain.

Labels: anklets, beads, chainmaille, free instructions, peridot, sterling silver

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 7:28 AM | 1 comments
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Faire Lady Anklet Project Now Available

Free step by step instructions for Beading Help Web's Faire Lady Anklet are now available...including photos to walk you through the construction of the chainmaille weave.

This weave is a variation on the Japanese 12 in 2 weave - I really like Japanese weaves in general because of their lacy appearance. When you are constructing a Japanese weave, it's helpful to lay out the pattern before beginning to construct, that way you can keep track of how many closed rings you need to thread on open rings.

More anklets projects this weekend!

Labels: anklets, chainmaille, free instructions, Japanese weaves

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 6:29 AM | 4 comments
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Ornament Thursday - Insectica!

Guess what?! It's time for Ornament Thursday again!


I wasn't so sure about this month's topic....according to my mother, my first full sentence was "Get this &%*$(# bug off me!" but I decided to give it a go anyway. :-)


Anklets are perfect for warmer weather, bare legs, capris, shorts or skirts. I've been making quite a few anklets lately, and this design using dragonfly beads from Michael's is quick, easy and fun!


DragonFly Anklet


Gold and silver beads make this a "go with anything" ankle bracelet! Materials listed are for 9 1/2" anklet. Be sure to measure to get a good fit.



Level: Easy






Materials
4mm gold-plated round beads (24)
6mm silver-plated round beads (12)
Sterling or pewter dragonfly beads (11)
5mm Bali daisy spacers (24)6mm Bali drum bead (1)
Crimp beads (2)
Tiny toggle clasp
Beading wire



Cut wire 10 1/2" for 9 1/2" anklet. Attach ring end of toggle to wire using one crimp bead.



String one gold-plated round bead, one daisy spacer, one silver-plated round bead, one daisy spacer, one gold-plated round bead, dragonfly bead. Repeat pattern 10 times.



After final dragonfly bead, string one gold-plated round bead, the drum bead, and the last gold-plated round bead. Attach bar end of toggle using crimp bead, and run wire back through 2-3 beads on the anklet. Tighten slightly, but not so much that the dragonfly beads don't lie flat!


Clip excess wire.

Enjoy your DragonFly Anklet, and check out the other Ornament Thursday projects, all on the topic of "Insectica"!

Linda at Make It Mine magazine Make your own dragonfly top--check out the instructions and video!
Art Bead Scene Dragonflies are all the rage, art beads & brass combine in a 1920's inspired necklace.
Humblebeads Flying to a fashionable ear near you, a free project from Humblebeads.
Katie's Beading Blog Make a fun little winged thing from a handful of wire and beads.
Savvy Crafter- See some cute as a bug pins over on Candie's blog....
Swelldesigner You'll get butterflies when you see this summer-inspired necklace with butterfly pendant
The Insects are out Insects are crawling out and about at http design this month as Helen and Michelle get clay happy with some cool designs.
Hali Chambers
fromichelle Insectica

Labels: anklets, beginning jewelry making, dragonfly, free instructions, Ornament Thursday

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 2:00 PM | 10 comments
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Anklets!

I was browsing through some chain maille web sites the other day, and decided I should make some chain maille anklets for my upcoming show.

Instructions for the Faire Lady Anklet, using green annodized niobium and sterling silver, will be posted on Beading Help Web's project page later this weekend. I started writing up instructions, but step-by-step photos are going to be a must with this project!!! This anklet is airy and light, using the Japanese weaving technique. Add some beads for sparkle!

I also made a simple European 4-in-1 anklet with purple niobium rings, and as a twist, added a single ring to the back of every fifth row. The result is hard to see in my picture, but it creates a fun, wavy design. Because this weave is a bit denser than my other anklet, it's pretty heavy. I'd probably do this again using a lighter weight metal, like bright aluminum or annodized aluminum.

With summer coming, anklets are sure to be popular!

Labels: anklets, chainmaille, free instructions

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 6:20 AM | 0 comments
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