Any jewellers/beaders out there?

[growingthings]

I have just been advised that my daughter and myself should wear medical alert bracelets as we both have a genetic syndrome and associated heart problems

the trouble is although the kids ones are nice enough, and there is the odd design that takes my fancy, they are a) expensive and b) a bit too 'nice' IYSWIM

I'm a handy girl and was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of what I would need to create a bracelet of my own, I would get the tag engraved and that would be at the heart (pardon the pun ) of the design, but I'd love to do something like a funky charm bracelet as I have quite a collection of beads buttons and bits already

Can anyone let me know if I can buy small quantities of the things I need? Or would anyone be willing to do a swop for them?

If I'm gonna have to wear this thing every day I want something that I really like and that my little girl will want to keep on and not stuff down the back of the sofa when she thinks no one is looking

If anyone can point me in the right direction then I would be eternally grateful

Lorna x

[Gem]

Hi, I do a bit of jewellry making so can help. My explaining skills are rubbish though so feel free to respond with a 'huh?' at any point that doesn't make sense.

Presumably it will have to be fairly tough to last for a while.. Are you looking at something made of chain link or perhaps wire?..

Are you allergic to any cheap metals?

If it were me I would get some thin-medium sized wire, you can get a range of colours, some crimps and have a bit of a practice until I came up with something I liked (you can get whole rolls of wire (3-4ft worth) for a couple of squids) and you can braid/wrap the wire in anyway you want, attaching beads as you go along. Wish I had a digi camera then I could show you some of the bits I have made, will try and borrow one to illustrate..

To finish you can get a variety of clasps. I like the hook and loop design as easier to get on and off, you then thread on a crimp (or 3 to make it extra secure!) to one end, thread the wire through the loop or hook and then thread back through the crimp. Crush the crimps with small pliers as close to the loop as you can and cut off the excess wire. Do the same on the other end though be sure the crimps are squished and creating a stable join as there will be more pressure on the join at this point. Again, cut off excess wire and there you have it..

When attaching beads you can either thread them directly onto the wire or use jewelry pins. Thread the bead onto the jewelry pin then make a loop from the excess wire as close to the bead as you can. Squeeze the part of the loop that overlaps with pliers to make it secure then cut off the excess wire. The loops can then be threaded onto the wrist band to create a more jangley look..

Hope thats helpful?? If you are interested in using other materials eg hemp or thread then let me know, I can help with that too ;)

[Gem]

For the little 'un maybe something like this would be best..

http://www.lockbuddy.com/images/748px-F ... _forms.jpg

It takes a bit of practice to make them look nice but it really is just knotting so quite easy to make.. I make these and give them out to friends on request and they are pretty when you get the hang of the patterns and what not. The v shape pattern is one of the easiest to do..

All you need is embroidery silk in various colours and a guide.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I1lM8PCRME

[growingthings]

Thanks gem, I understood your instructions perfectly!

I'd forgotten all about the 'friendship' type bracelets I used to make them when I was a teen, I have ordered the tags for us both now, and for my daughter it will either be a fabric one, or on a simple elasticated beaded bracelet - she loves girly jewellery so I don't think that she'll need too much encouragement to keep it on, and her medic tag is a pink star which will go down a treat. I've decided that if she gets on with them quite well, I'll make her two or three so that she has more choice, and hopefully won't tire of wearing the same thing all the time.

I'm thinking for myself along the lines of a charm bracelet, so probably something out of chain link, with bits and pieces attached with jewellery pins - its the name of things that I didn't know. We have a very nice bead shop in Norwich, I'm going to treat myself to a visit there and now that I know the names of what I need, hopefully I'll come up with something that I'll like wearing.

I found a medic charm bracelet that I could buy but it was £20 without any charms (apart from the medic tag) and then it was £2-50 for each charm, a bit out of my price range I'm afraid. Just like my daughter I think that I would be half inclined to not wear it if I didn't like the look of it - which would be silly but there you go

Once again thanks

Once again this place comes up trumps for accessing the knowledge of others - your never alone with ISH eh?!!

[Gem]

Thats exactly what I love about this site too!

Glad to be of help

Gem

[Thomzo]

What a lovely project. I've always found the owners of the small independent craft shops to be really helpful when you want to do a project like this. I'm sure if you ask, they'll point you in the right direction.

Does it have to be a bracelet? I realise that it's probably best for your daughter but could yours be a necklace? You could just thread it onto a leather thong or a piece of ribbon and tie it. As and when you find beads or charms that you like, you can add them on, changing them when you feel like it.

Enjoy your project.

Zoe

[growingthings]

I'm more inclined to wear a bracelet as necklaces seem to take a pounding from my youngest daughter who finds them endlessly fascinating to the point of snapping them!

For some reason she seems to leave whatevers on my wrist alone - purely a practicality thing!

I'm really looking forward to making them to, it is to date about the lightest thing that I have had to do in regards to being told that mine and my daughters hearts are to put it simply a bit rubbish! As you can see we have mixed feelings about the whole affair, but at least now we know and I'm not going to drop dead mysteriously in middle adult hood, which would have been highly likely had it not been picked up!

I'll have to post some pics when I get them made - it should be a project that I finish because we really need them

Cheers again
Lorna x