jewelry

two people holding hands wearing matching friendship bracelets colors brown, white, black, gold.

Friendship bracelets are a fun tradition of creating handmade jewelry to give to your best friend! The patterns can range from very simple to complex art. Below are some ideas for all ages and abilities. 

Activities:

  • Learn how to make a friendship bracelet using one of the resources below. Take a photo of your creation and share it with us by using the #howdoyou62 hashtag.
  • Upgrade a pattern by adding beads, charms, or other decorations. Try a complex pattern that requires 4 or more colors. Or design your own pattern and share it with us. 
  • Create a friendship bracelet using supplies found around the house. Try using something different like floss, ribbons, or yarn. Decorate your bracelet with pop can tabs,  feathers, beads, corks, or lids. 
  • Mail your friendship bracelet with a handwritten letter to someone outside your house. It could be a family member, friend, or neighbor. 

Resources:

  •  Hoopla has a variety of ebooks including many crafting how-to books.  Check out this booklist for more ideas. 
  • Creativebug has many video craft tutorials including this Five-Strand Braid bracelet. Requires CPL card number to log in. 
  • Craft Jam: a crafting company that has a great step by step instructions with photographs. This tutorial teaches you how to make the alternating half hitch, 5-strand braid, and diagonal friendship bracelets.
  • Youtube: has a variety of great craft tutorial videos. I recommend this one by DIYholic that teaches the spiral, chevron, loom, and fishtail friendship bracelets. 
  • Braceletbookis a great resource if you want to try complex patterns. Check out this Ombre Stripe pattern. 

 

Photo by Nasim Keshmiri on Unsplash​

 

 

Head back to the 62 Days of Summer home page for more ways to participate in the summer program!

Jewelry Making For Kids

Get Hands On this summer with different styles of jewelry making. These books will help you get started making fun and pretty necklaces, bracelets, and more.

Jewelry making for fun! by Robin Koontz

Jazzy jewelry by Dawn Brend ... [et al.]

Junk drawer jewelry by written by Rachel Di Salle and Ellen Warwick; illustrated by Jane Kurisu

Tween friends: jewelry & accessories by Jill Williams Grover

Dangles and bangles: 25 funky accessories to make and wear by Sherri Haab and Michelle Haab; with illustrations by Barbara Pollack

Miller's Costume Jewelry

Miller's costume jewelry by Judith Miller — This book is a guide to costume jewelry, with basic information about the evolution of costume jewelry throughout history as well as a visual guide to pieces by various designers. Throughout the guide, there are sidebars that highlight the jewelry worn by famous people, including actresses, first ladies, and others.

Creating Glamorous Jewelry

Creating glamorous jewelry with Swarovski elements: classic Hollywood designs with crystal beads and stones by Jean Campbell — The idea of making jewelry seems easy enough, but so often the product is something that screams "I made it myself!" and for some events, you want jewelry that doesn't make such a loud statement. The projects in this book are all inspired by famous actresses' jewelry, including earrings worn by my personal fave, Audrey Hepburn, in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Subscribe to RSS - jewelry