Make your own funky jewellery!

1.To begin, take about four strands — plus some heavy thread to give the bracelet texture — and measure them so each is about a yard in length. Go back and forth, folding the thread over itself five or six times to get the right thickness, and then cut. Snip ends as you go along to avoid lumps.









2.Use any project board or cork board and pin down the end of the bracelet. Take one end, hold taught, and begin braiding. I usually make my bracelets between five and six inches long, and leave a little spray at the end








3.When you're done with the braid, go back and bundle the ends again, tying them in a knot with another batch of same-colored threads. Venessa wraps it once, twice maybe three times to make sure it is really secure, and then knot it. Use the fray at the ends as a marker, and packing or scotch tape to help you create a clean edge.

4.Next, we're going to attach the braid to a large piece of chain, which you can find at any craft store. Since we're using a really big chain, you can use a fat needle for the threading — it's a lot easier. You're going to use the same colors of thread you used for the braid to attach the two pieces.
Pro tip: If you use multiple threads, use wax to control them and help keep them together. Venessa uses beeswax, but she also recommends surf wax or candle wax.




5.Go through the first loop of the chain three or four times — at the end of the day, these are delicate bracelets, so you need make sure the first loop is super-secure. Then, go in and out, in and out. Move on to the next link, and into the braid, and then repeat. Go through the link, and then through the back of the braid. Through the link, and then through the back of the braid...










6.While sewing through the braid, you want to get as close to the links as possible. Try not to get too far past the middle of the braid because you'll get some unevenness — I'd recommend sewing about 1/4 into the braid away from the chain.












7.While you still have your needle threaded at the end, make a tight knot by sewing through it, and through it again, so as to create a secure end.

8.To make a closure, you'll need a jump ring, a larger sized jump ring, and a lobster claw

9.Use needle-nose pliers to open the jump rings. Then, put one on each end of the chain. To close the jump rings, check that they're flush against each other

10.If you like, you can use an extension. It gives you an additional inch of space, and comes in all different color chains at craft stores. Venessa adds a little charm at the end, and that's it!

11.Next, prepare your charms — it makes the process go a little faster.