Have you ever been walking through a craft store and found something that made you do a double take? Well, this happened to me at Michael’s the other day. Here’s the little gem that got my attention.
I love how the pandora bracelet is like the modern day “charm bracelet”. The beads are simply gorgeous and make each bracelet a customized work of art. Well, these little goodies that I found at Michael’s allows us to truly make customized beads….creating a truly special piece of jewelry.
I already made a “living flower arrangement” for my mom (you can see it HERE) but these “custom bead cores” gave me an idea. I decided to make my mom a “Grandmother” bracelet. She has 5 grandchildren (3 boys and 2 girls) and I thought I’d make a bead to represent each of them. Here’s how it turned out!
The blue beads are for the boys (duh, you say) while the golden beads are for the girls. I then stamped each one with the corresponding birth year. What do you think? It’s super easy and once you gather your supplies. You can make one in about an hour! Here’s how I made mine.
DIY Pandora Style Mother’s Day Bracelet
Supplies:
Custom Bead Cores
Polymer Clay
Spacer Beads
Pandora style bracelet
Stamps for dates
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 275 degrees F.
Pinch off pieces of clay and roll into “pea” shapes. I put my Pandora Key Chain (see how I made it HERE) next to my clay pieces for reference.
Next, flatten your clay pieces out (but not too much)
Place one of your “bead core pieces” into the clay piece. I used a tooth pick to mark where the core is so I could be sure to match up a second core piece on the reverse side. I then used the tooth pick to remove the clay from the center of the bead.
Here are the beads with the cores in place.
Next, using a stamp (I used some metal stamps), put the birth year onto your bead(s). Once the beads are stamped, put them on a cookie sheet and bake in your pre-heated oven for 15 minutes.
Remove your beads from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Then, take a VERY small amount of contrasting (color) clay and press it into the imprinted area. (shown below). Then, using your finger, wipe away the excess so that the numbers are “filled” and the background is “clean”. Bake for an additional 10 minutes in your 275 Degree F oven.
Remove your beads from the oven and allow to cool completely. Next string your beads and spacers onto your bracelet.
Here’s how the beads look strung onto your bracelet.
And here it is hanging off a clay flower pot.
This was so easy to do. I can’t wait to try making additional customized clay “pandora” beads!
4 You
Brigitte Peetermans
Nice mother day bracelet!
Or another option for mother’s day.
Want to please yourself?
Try to win the present of my giveaway:
http://homeiswherethedachshundis.blogspot.be
Renaissance Women
What a great idea! I love the Pandora style bracelets and this is a great way to make a personalized one! Thanks for the tutorial.
Visiting here from Friendship Friday. Have a good weekend!
~ Cassandra from Renaissance Women
Anne @ Domesblissity
Who would’ve thought Marilyn. You’re so clever. Thanks for linking up to Thriving on Thursdays.
Anne xx
Kirsten Thompson
Awesome tutorial! What a great gift – I had no idea you could make Pandora-style beads and bracelets
Kristy
So pretty! And you made it look so easy too!
Kadie
These turned out AWESOME! I love that you put the dates of the grandkids on the beads. I had no idea about the bead cores!
sue
I loved these bracelets and would definitely like to feature this post as one of our top 5 next Sat. We’ll also pin this to our Pinterest Board. Thank you so much for linking up with us this past Sat at One Sharendipity Place!
Sue @ thet2wome.com
Kara @ Petals to Picots Crochet
What a nice idea! They came out great too
Adrianne at Happy Hour Projects
Marilyn, how did I miss this – it’s awesome!! Great tutorial and what a cool idea for making truly personalized beads!
Kim~madeinaday
Wow great job making those beads, I had no idea they sold those bead centers. Thanks for linking up last week on Made in a Day!
Kim
Diana - FreeStyleMama
Brilliant. PINNED!
Diana - FreeStyleMama
Congratulations! This post is featured over at Diana Rambles today and has been pinned in the Featured at Diana Rambles board at Pinterest. Please grab a featured button off my sidebar or via the link under the features. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea!
Carrie
What a great idea!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Charlene@APinchofJoy
What a great idea! Love Pandora bracelets and a very special handmade charm like this is so perfect! Pinned. thanks so much for sharing on busy Monday
Betsy @ Romance on a dime
So lovely! This is a great idea! Thanks for linking up at Romance on a dime!!
Edilberto Durano
Easier said than done, but well worth the effort. Thank you for sharing this wonderful DIY idea.
Ed of LilyBrookeJewelry.com
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Wow, it really beautiful we make design i don’t believe it! really awesome idea thanks for shearing! cheap wristbands
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