Sea Glass Watch Band Bracelet
By Judi Kauffman
Hello, everyone! It’s Judi Kauffman, back as today’s guest designer for the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog. My project: A super simple bracelet that uses the largest Jewelry Dies 1 – Sea Glass shape for the focal elements and a 3/8” wide glittered watch band as the base layer.
Here are some ways to customize the project for your taste and wardrobe:
*Switch to a different color combination for the Shimmer Sheetz and alcohol inks
*Pick another embossing folder or use four different folders
*Use a plain watch band rather than a glittered band
*Substitute ribbon or a piece of colorful elastic instead of the watch band
*Make a belt or choker necklace instead of a bracelet
Instructions –
- Layer two 4” x 5” pieces of Black Iridescent Shimmer Sheetz with Transparent Double-Sided Adhesive in between.
- Use an ink applicator tool to dapple one or two alcohol inks and one metallic color on one side of the double-layered Shimmer Sheetz. Allow some of the Black Iridescent color to remain visible. Shown: Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink in Clover, Metallic Mixatives in Gold.
- Die cut four large Sea Glass shapes from the layered Shimmer Sheetz. TIP: Cut a couple of extras to use for post-back or dangling earrings. (The Jewelry Dies 1 – Sea Glass set includes four shapes in two sizes, small and large. Use the larger size in the set. Refer to project photos.)
REMINDER: You MUST use the Metal Adaptor Plate to die cut Shimmer Sheetz. Place the following inside your machine’s standard cutting plate sandwich in this order – Metal Adaptor Plate, Shimmer Sheetz with ink-altered side FACE UP, die template with cutting side facing DOWN.
- Emboss the four shapes with an allover pattern embossing folder. Allow the pattern to occur at random OR control the placement of the pattern by placing the shapes into the folder one at a time to emboss. Note that each of the four shapes has a flower centered on it. Folder shown: Bouquet.
- Using a craft knife, straight edge and cutting mat, carefully cut two narrow rectangular slits in each embossed shape as shown above.
TIP: Slits are about half an inch long, 1/16” wide, and are parallel to each other – sized so that the watch band will fit through the openings. Slits are a tight fit so the shapes won’t budge once they’ve been slid into position. Take care not to make the slits bigger than needed!
- With the ink-altered side facing up, space the Shimmer Sheetz shapes along the watch band, allowing each shape to curve just slightly for maximum impact. Alternate the orientation of the shapes so they are dancing and slightly askew, rather than having them all face in the same direction. Option: Orient all shapes in the same direction so they match in a more precise manner.
Supplies –
Elizabeth Craft Designs
954 Jewelry Dies 1 – Sea Glass
Shimmer Sheetz in color of choice (Shown: SS 0101 Black Iridescent)
Embossing folder in pattern of choice (Shown: E121 Bouquet)
Transparent Double-Sided Adhesive
Other
Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink in Clover, Metallic Mixatives in Gold
Ink applicator
Craft knife
Straight edge
Cutting mat
3/8” watch band*
(*Pre-glittered bands can often be found in the bead and jewelry supply aisle of a craft store – this one was pre-glittered, designed to hold slide-on charms.)
