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        Glass Gem Bracelet

        Learn how to turn decorative glass scatter gems into a chunky, funky bracelet. There's no drilling or cutting involved -- just some easy soldering techniques, making this a great project for beginning glass crafters.

        More in Decorating

        glass gems used for easy to make jewelry

        Materials and Tools:

        decorative glass scatter gems (used in floral or candle arrangements)
        rubbing alcohol
        vise
        soldering iron
        flux
        solder
        foil tape
        split rings
        jump rings
        bracelet clasp
        decorative wire (optional)

        Steps:

        1. Thoroughly clean the glass gems with alcohol and let dry; the gems must be clean for the foil tape to stick properly. Wrap foil tape around the widest part of each gem and burnish to make sure it's completely stuck down. The tape is available where glass-craft supplies are sold and comes in a variety of sizes and designs.

        2. Put a gem in a vise to hold it steady, paint flux on the foil tape and solder a split ring to the foil tape. Flux and solder a split ring on the other side of the gem, directly opposite the first ring. Repeat the process for all of the gems.

        3. Run a bead of solder around the tape on each gem to give it a finished look. You also can solder decorative wire to the tape and curl it over the gems.

        4. Use jump rings to connect the gems together until your bracelet is the desired length. Then, use jump rings to add the bracelet clasp. Once your piece is complete, solder the jump rings closed for extra strength.

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