Ribbon Wrapped Bracelet tips

by Judy Larson

On a recent Florida trip to visit family, I saw many young people wearing vacation mementos on ribbon wound around their wrists. Most ribbon ends were tied in a knot, making them almost impossible to remove. There is nothing wrong with that, but I knew the girls in my family would like to be able to change out the ribbon colors. A bow could easily untie and a clasp meant the wraps had to be the perfect length for each wrist. My solution might work for you.

Instructions

Materials: Focal Element and 40-48 inches of ½ inch wide silk ribbon with or without finished edges (vary the ribbon length to suit you)

A quick internet search will bring up a multitude of sites featuring beautiful silk ribbons if they are not available at your local craft or hobby store.
Focal Element and 40-48 inches of ½ inch wide silk ribbon with or without finished edges (vary the ribbon length to suit you)

A quick internet search will bring up a multitude of sites featuring beautiful silk ribbons if they are not available at your local craft or hobby store.

Directions: Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the space you are working in.

Start with a focal. It could be charms grouped together on a ring, a bead link, a gemstone donut, etc. I chose to make my own focal using scrap Argentium sheet metal following the directions in the Argentium Silver Scrap Chain tutorial. After using coins as templates, scraps were layered, melted, and manipulated until the desired thickness and look was achieved. Then shells and ball accents were soldered inside each circle. They were so fun that another was made using a quarter as a template. Liver of Sulfur patina was added to that ring.

Judy Larson's Ribbon Wrapped Bracelet tips - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, ribbon wrapped bracelet tips

If the focal elements are circular like mine or have loops or openings at either end, fold the ribbon in half and make a lark's head knot on one side.

If the focal elements are charms, secure the charm/charms together with a larks's head knot or slip them on the ribbon and tie them at the center of the ribbon. Wrap the ribbons around the wrist in opposite directions. End the ribbons as in Steps 5-6

Place the focal on top of the wrist. Wrap one ribbon under wrist to the opposite side. Wrap the ribbon twice around the focal element opposite the lark's head. Pull the ribbon end until it is comfortably tight on the wrist.

Wrap the ribbons in opposite directions, ending under the wrist.

Tie the ribbon ends together only once. Twist the ends tightly (the ends were pinned because both hands were needed for the photo). Tuck the twisted ends under the ribbon wraps. Pull ribbon over the twisted ends if needed. This is secure enough to last for the day.

Adjust the ribbon wraps on the front of the bracelet.

Materials

22 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H19-22SM6

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
Price: $53.83
Gold Club Price: $40.37

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Tools

Basic Soldering Kit

G15-4

G15-4
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $58.95
Gold Club Price: $44.21

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Category: Design
Technique(s): Design

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

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