Add Some Sparkle to Your Holidays and Make Jewelry!

(NOTE: I was given these jewelry making products from the Oriental Trading Company. But, all opinions are my own.)

There are lots of glittering things during the Christmas holiday — lights, ornaments, candles, snow.

That is great!

However, it’s a lot more fun when the sparkle is a holiday bracelet cheerfully dangling around your wrist. Especially when it is one that you made yourself!

Some people are intimidated with the thought of making jewelry. But! Don’t be! It’s easy and doesn’t take any special skill.

Well . . . maybe it does . . . like the ability to see beads that fall on the floor . . . just saying . . .

Here is a list of things that you’ll need:

jewelry pliers
jewelry wire
crimp beads
jump rings
red beads
red and green crystal beads
assortment of Christmas beads
Christmas charms
lobster clasps

Using your wire cutting jewelry tool, cut a piece of wire that is several inches longer than the amount that you need to go around your wrist.

Put your beads in separate bowls so it’s easy to see them.

Slide a clasp onto the wire. Add a crimp bead. Thread the wire back through the crimp bead so that the clasp is in a secure loop. Using a jewelry tool, squeeze the crimp bead so it is flat. This keeps the clasp on the wire. With a jewelry tool, cut off any excess wire.

Next, select the beads you want for your bracelet. I suggest that you place them in a line on the table before you string them on the wire. That way, it’s easy to see the beads and make changes before stringing them.

When you are satisfied with the layout, string the beads on the wire.

Before you put a charm on, put it on a jump ring. Then, slide the jump ring on the wire. This lets the charm dangle freely. (I was really impressed with the charms that we got! They were very sturdy which is great for granddaughters that might be a little rough when they wear their bracelet!)

Emma used one of every style of Santa charms. She loves Santa!

Be prepared that someone might switch from making a bracelet to a necklace. Which is just fine! Sparkly necklaces are terrific, too.

When you’re ready to finish the bracelet (or necklace), slip a jump ring on the wire. Add a crimp bead and thread the end of the wire back through the bead. With a jewelry tool, squeeze the bead so that it is flat and holds tight. Cut of any excess wire that you might have.

Ta da! Your sparkly jewelry is finished! A gorgeous bracelet . . .

. . . and a gorgeous necklace.

My daughter and my sister couldn’t just sit by and watch us make jewelry. They wanted their own sparklies! So they made themselves a bracelet! Everyone had a ball!

This is a great Christmas craft that you could do with your tween or teen granddaughters. I guarantee they’ll have fun and love the jewelry that they make.

I was very pleased with my experience with the Oriental Trading Company. My order came very quickly which was really nice. And, I was impressed with the quality of the items. Everything was very high quality and I’m sure that the bracelets and necklace will last a long time.

Let the Oriental Trading Company be your headquarters for Christmas crafts, decor, candy, and party supplies.