Peppermint Stick Bauble Bracelet
Designed by Kristin Burgess

The NEW addition to the bauble series....like a breath of fresh air the combination of red and white in this piece is striking and Holiday Season appropriate for all!  Kids BEWARE...these little lovelies may look edible but they are not candy!  But, with mom's help, you will have fun adhering the peppermints to our frosted lucite cubes.   With a little basic wirework  this little treasure is as sweet as can be!







This project requires epoxying and open linking.   To learn how to form a simple open loop  please refer to the book ALL WIRED UP by, Mark Lareau offered in our book and magazine section.  The Beadin' Path also offers a Wireworks I class if you are able to make it to the store to take a class.   Preregistration is necessary and can be done online or over the phone.  Our classes are always posted online if you are looking for a fun vacation destination!  Come see our newly expanded storefront!

Step 1:

Open up the package of "peppermint stick" cabachons.  There are 6 that will need to be glued or adhered to the lucite cubes.  The E-6000 epoxy is very strong and only a small amount is needed on the back of each cab before firmly pressing each cab onto 6 cubes.  Using a small amount of epoxy ensures that glue won't escape from underneath the cabs' sides.  This bracelet measures 7 and 1/2 inches long.  The size can easily be adjusted shorter by simply cutting the chain to a shorter size.  Cut the initial 7 inches of chain leaving a double ring on both ends.   To connect the end of the chain to the toggle use the jump rings.  One on each side is needed. 

Step 2: 

Making a charm bracelet can be challenging in that there are many movable beads/parts going on.   I find it easier to add all of one bead (lets start with the white lucite) to the bracelet then add the next bead throughout and so on.  The metal headpins work great to make the lucite beads 'charm ready' and are necessary to get the lucite beads properly attached to the chain.  Add one white lucite bead to the headpin and form a medium size (half way down round nose tool) open loop.  To attach the bead with loop to the chain use the chain or flat nose pliers and carefully swing the loop to the side slightly (don't pry open as you will lose the round shape).  Thread the loop onto the chain link that is on the end (also has the jumpring and clasp attached to it) then swing the loop back into place.   Be sure your loop, that has the white lucite on it, has no gaps and is completely shut.   Adding a pinch to the seam area with the flat or chain pliers will help.  Make 13 white lucite links total then attach.   The white lucite links are attached to these on the links on the chain... link 1 (just did), link 3, link 4, link 6, link 7, link 9, link 10, link 12, link 13, link 15, link 16, link 18, and lastly link 19.

Step 3: 


Then there are the red rounds to attach and the peppermint cube components to attach.  Make six red lucite links and attach these to the vacant chain links in the bracelet.  There are 6 of these total.  When attaching alternate which side of the bracelet you attach the beads to on these vacant links.  This will help better mix/distribute the red color in the piece evenly.



Step 4:

Opposite the red lucite beads on the bracelet is where the peppermint cube components will be added.  Once these cubes and cabs have dryed (6-8 hours) they will be added on the same link but opposite side of the link that contain the red lucite beads.  When adding the cubes, make a larger loop with the headpin using the thickest part of the round nose plier.  This larger loop is necessary to compensate for the extra thickness of the cube in comparison to the other lucite beads thus affecting how the finished piece will sit on your wrist.

Step 5:

Your bracelet is now complete!  The final application would be to just to double check your work.  Going back through the piece and rechecking that every loop is closed (no gaps) on all links.  I like to add an extra pinch with the thinline/flat pliers where the "seam" of the handmade links and jump rings is.  This extra pinch adds heat and friction to the metal which hardens it a little making the possibility of anything opening up on the piece unlikely.

Note:  This same recipe can be used and or reapplyed using a lucite color palatte of your choice!  Similar sized beads will produce a similar effect.  Larger beads will make the piece seem fuller.