Plaited Jewellery with Silicone Cord, Jewellery Chain and Beads

A plaited bracelet and necklace from silicone cord, metal jewellery chains and drop beads threaded onto a piece of copper wire.

1. A bracelet with a braided fastening: Cut three 25-30cm long pieces of silicone cord, depending on the circumference of the wrist. Also cut a piece of bead chain same length as the silicone cords and a piece of macramé cord measuring approx. 40cm.

Place the four cords side by side (with the piece of bead chain close to the middle silicone cord). Also place the slightly longer piece of macramé cord in the middle.

2. Twist the piece of macramé cord which is placed the same length as the other four equally long cords four to six times tightly around the mentioned four cords – from left to right.

3. Thread the long end of the macramé cord onto a darning needle and secure the end by fastening it underneath the four to six twists made onto the other four cords.

4. Now plait with the three pieces of silicone cord, letting the piece of bead chain following one of the silicone cords.

5. When the plait is finished, secure the plait with the macramé cord, by twisting it around this end four to six times and secure following the same procedure as under point No. 3. Assemble the two ends of the macramé cord and place them parallel. Cut a new piece of macramé cord and make a braiding.

6. Trim the ends of the braided section and melt the ends with the flame from an ordinary lighter. Tie a knot onto the ends, secure the knots and secure them by melting them.

7. A necklace with a swivel clasp: Thread black rocaille seed beads onto a piece of copper wire measuring approx. 55cm and clear drop beads onto another piece of copper wire of the same length. Fasten with a knot.

8. Cut two 50cm long pieces of silicone cord and an approx. 75cm long piece of jewellery chain. Keep the cords and chains together with a piece of masking tape as illustrated. Use the same procedure as the one described under point No. 2 and 3.

Please note that the  macramé cord which must be secured before and after the plaiting, should not be more than approx. 20cm long.

9. Plait following the same procedure as the one used for making the bracelet (see point No. 4).

10. Use a pair of pliers for opening the chain. Attach a swivel clasp to the open link of the chain.

A Bracelet made from Leather Cords with Silicone Stop Rings

This leather bracelet is made from 2mm thick leather cords, using silicone rings to assemble the cords to form a pattern and then fastened with a crystal button.

1. Cut three pieces of 2mm leather cords in the following lengths: 95, 65 and 50cm. Double over the longest piece of leather cord, making it four pieces of leather cord at one end of the bracelet. A loop is created in the opposite end by double folding; i.e. this end consists of a loop and two cord ends.

2. At the end with a loop, twist the piece of leather cord which is 15cm longer than the three other pieces, four or five times around these from left to right. Pull the end through the loop and tighten.

3. You may dab a blob of glue inside the knot to secure it. Cut off the two ends.

4. Pick up the silicone stop rings individually with either nose pliers or long chain nose pliers.

5. Open the pliers and place the silicone stop ring over the two cords which you want to assemble.

6. Continue the plaiting by placing a silicone stop ring over two alternate cords. The pattern shown is made as follows:

1 and 2 + a silicone stop ring,

2 and 3 + a silicone stop ring,

3 and 4 + a silicone stop ring.

7. Thread a crystal button onto one of the four cords.

8. Tie the outer two cords together in a knot underneath the two middle cords.

9. Use the same outer cords to tie another knot over the two middle knots. Secure this double knot with a blob of glue. Cut off the two cord ends in each side. Shorten the two middle cords to 1.5cm.

Another variant

Another variant

Plastic Eggs with Napkin Decoupage

These plastic eggs have been painted with craft paint and then decoupaged with napkins and decorated with feathers.

1. Paint the egg with craft paint.

2. When the paint is dry, glue small pieces of napkin onto the egg using decoupage lacquer. NB! For a shiny egg apply several coats of decoupage lacquer on top of the napkin.

3. Glue a feather inside a wooden bead.

4. Cut off the excess end of the feather.

5. Glue the bead with the feather onto the pointed end of the egg.

6. Insert a metal hanger in the other (rounded) end of the egg.