DIY Adjustable Bangle Bracelet with Charms

DIY Adjustable Bangle Bracelet with Charms

(similar to Alex and Ani bracelets)

These adjustable bracelets are stackable, and they are designed to be collected and worn together.  Have fun creating your own designs!

You will need:

• 16 gauge wire (11-12 inches) We used Bead Smith Craft Wire.
• Charms (3 small and 1 larger) We used TierraCast charms.
• Jump rings to add charms (4)
• Wire cutters
• Needle nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Beads with large enough holes to fit over 16 ga. wire optional

  

Open a jump ring and string on one charm.

Carefully close the jump ring.

Repeat to add a jump ring to each charm.

Cut 11 inches of wire for a 7 inch bangle or 12 inches of wire for an 8 inch bangle.  Remember, the bangle is adjustable to fit over your hand.  Be careful to keep the rounded shape of the wire.  Don't bend the wire!  If necessary, re-shape the wire around a round object, like a water bottle.  The wire should overlap by about 3 inches.

Bend one side of the wire toward the other side of the wire about 12mm from the end.  Make sure that you've created a 90 degree angle.

 Use your round nose pliers to form a loop.

 String on the three smaller charms.

String the open side of the wire through the formed loop.  This will hold the three charms in place on the bangle.

 String the larger charm onto the open wire.

 Bend the wire into a 90 degree angle 12mm from the end.

 Use your round nose pliers to form the beginning of a loop.  Make sure the loop faces the other side of the wire.

 Hook the loop around the other side of the wire and press it closed.

This is the classic "Alex and Ani" style bracelet.  The wires loops can slide, making the bracelet adjustable.

Some Alex and Ani bracelets have beads rather than open wire with charms.

To make the beaded style of adjustable bangle, bead 4-5 inches of the wire.  Any beads will do, as long as they can fit on 16 gauge wire.

Follow the previous directions to form a loop in one side of the wire.  Then thread the other side of the wire through the loop.

The bangle will look like this.

String one charm onto the open wire.

Follow the previous instructions to form a second loop and close it around the other side of the wire, locking the charm in place.

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