Making Christmas Bracelets

It's easy to appreciate the cheer of the holidays when you're wearing a special Christmas bracelet. Bracelets are great to receive and perfect for gift giving. In this article, we'll teach you and your kids how to make special Christmas bracelets that make great presents.

Jingle Bells is a Christmas craft that kids can make themselves,
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells

This is a simple holiday project that most school-age children can do themselves. With a minimum of materials and just a small investment of time, your kids will be sporting a colorful, festive look. Also, the bells will let you know if they are sneaking into the Christmas packages ahead of time.

You'll Need:
  • 12 inches red grosgrain ribbon, 3/8 inch wide
  • 4 jingle bells, 18mm each
  • 11 green barrel-shaped pony beads
  • 8 inches gold elastic cord
  • Scissors
  • Anti-fraying glue
To Make Jingle Bells Bracelets:
  1. Thread 12 inches of red ribbon and 8 inches of gold cord through the jingle bell, centering each.

  2. Thread 11 pony beads onto each side of the jingle bell on the gold cord. Pull the ends of the gold cord and tie in a square knot.

    Pull the ends of the cord to tie in a square knot.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Pull the ends of the cord
    to tie in a square knot.

  3. Trim the ends and apply anti-fraying glue. Hide the knot inside the beads.

  4. Tie the ribbon into a bow. Trim the ends diagonally and apply anti-fraying glue to the cut edges.

    Tie ribbon into a bow.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Hide knot inside beads.
    Then, trim ends diagnolly.

Frosty Friends is a beautiful snowman-themed Christmas bracelet.
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Frosty Friends

Frosty Friends

These beaded buddies will add sparkle to your arms.

You'll Need:
  • Flat circular ceramic beads
  • Acrylic paint: assorted colors
  • Paintbrush
  • Fine-tipped colored permanent markers
  • Ultrafine glitter
  • Sealer
  • Wire
  • Assorted small beads
  • Clear craft glue
  • Scissors
  • Ribbon scraps, 1/4 inch wide
To Make Frosty Friends Bracelets:
  1. Paint 3 flat beads with white acrylic paint; let dry. Add eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons with assorted colors of paint; let dry. Dot mouth with marker. Let dry.

  2. Mix ultrafine glitter with sealer, and brush mixture over 1 side of each bead. Let dry.

  3. String 5 inches of assorted beads onto 9 inches of thin wire. Bend wire into a loop, placing beads in middle of wire, and slide a bead on both wires to secure loop. String on snowman beads in order: head, body, bottom. Place glue between snowman beads. Add another decorative bead below snowman, and twist wire below bead to secure. Let glue dry.

    String beads onto wire to make snowman-themed Christmas bracelet.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    String beads onto wire.

  4. Cut 5 inches of ribbon, and tie it around snowman's neck for a scarf.

Angelic Charm Bracelet is an angel-themed bracelet. This Christmas jewelry makes a great Christmas gift.
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Angelic Charm Bracelet

Angelic Charm Bracelet

You'll Need:
  • Bracelet-size memory wire
  • Wire cutters
  • Round- or needle-nose pliers
  • 2 silver jingle bells
  • 7 to 12 silver jump rings
  • Silver spacer beads
  • Green and red glass beads (various sizes and types)
  • 5 to 10 silver angel charms
To Make Angelic Charm Bracelets:
  1. Cut a piece of memory wire about 3 loops in length. Use round-nose pliers to bend an end of wire into a small circle. Add a bell on a silver jump ring to loop. Close circle with pliers.

    Close circle with pliers.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Close circle with pliers.

  2. Thread a silver spacer on wire, then thread 1 to 11/2 inches of green beads onto wire. Add another spacer and a charm on a jump ring. Add another spacer. Thread on 1 to 11/2 inches of red beads, 2 spacers, and then green beads. Continue adding beads and charms to last 1/4 inch of wire.

  3. Twist end of wire into a small loop, and add another bell on a jump ring. Close circle.

    Jewelry Tip!
    Bracelet memory wire comes in different sizes. Use whichever size you prefer to wear or give.

Gifts that come in small packages are always a big hit. Now that you know how to make Christmas jewelry, you'll have enough gift ideas to last you all season. Just remember to wrap up something sparkly for yourself.

ABOUT THE CRAFT DESIGNERS:

Santa Puzzle Pin by: Marie Lefevre
Nip in the Air Snowman Pin by: Maria Nerius
A Gaggle of Snow People Pins by: Phyllis Dunstan
"No Worry" Angel Pin by: Cindy Groom Harry and Staff
Pretty Present Pins by: Phyllis Dunstan
Hematite and Gold Tassel Necklace by: Suzann Designs
Black Facet Necklace by: Suzann Thompson
Merry Marble Necklaces by: Amy Belonio
Heavenly Angel Necklace by: Dee Dee Triplett
Jingle Bells by: Janelle Hayes
Frosty Friends by: Amy Belonio
Angelic Charm Bracelet by: Debba Haupert