DIY Network

Homemade Pearl and Pendant Bracelet

Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza, cohosts of Creative Juice, show how easy it is to fashion a pearl bracelet.

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Create a bracelet for that special friend with a collage pendant that can be customized for any occasion.

Bracelet with collage pendant is as fun to make as give

By Cathie Filian and Steve Piancenza

Got a friend you want to send a loving message to? How about creating a bracelet with a collage pendant that can be customized for any occasion. These bracelets make wonderful bridesmaids gifts, beautiful birthdays presents and grand graduation gifts.

Designing the pendant can be as much fun as giving the bracelet. Think of the pendant as a mini piece of art. The instructions are simple. It is your imagination and creativity that will make it special. Grab some old magazines, a few sprinkles of glitter and get creative, get inspired ... and get crafting.

Materials:

pendant tray blank (available at www.paperstudio.com)
scrapbook paper
old magazines
ultra-fine glitter
small rhinestone
glue stick
diamond glaze: Judi-Kins
fifteen 12 mm pearls
elastic cording
jump-ring
round-nose pliers
scissors

Steps:

1. Thread the pearls onto the elastic cord and tie off with a secure double knot. You could also use a jump-ring to attach the pendant to a bracelet you already own.

2. Designing the pendant: This is the fun part. Begin by cutting a piece of scrapbook paper so that it will cover the bottom/back of the pendant tray. Glue-stick the paper to the bottom of the pendant tray.

3. Next, cut fun shapes from additional scrapbook papers. Shapes like hearts, flowers and leaves work well. Remember that the shapes need to be small enough to fit in the pendant tray.

4. Rummage through old magazines to find cute words like "love," "hope," "smile" and "kiss. Cut them out in a "ransom-note" style. Position the cutouts in the pendant tray in your desired pattern, and glue-stick them in place.

5. Add a touch of sparkle by gluing on a small rhinestone and sprinkling a bit of ultra-fine glitter in the pendant tray. Allow to dry.

6. To add the glassy finis, apply Diamond Glaze in one continuous stroke, covering all the papers and glitter until you have reached the sides and top of the pendant tray. This will appear foggy but will dry crystal clear. Allow to dry on a flat surface for at least 24 hours.

7. Once dry, attach the pendant to the bracelet with pliers and a jump-ring.

(Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza cohost Creative Juice. For more information log on to www.cathiefilian.com.)

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