Magnetic Jewelry Clasp

Accessorizing yourself is one of the cheapest, most convenient ways to get noticed these days. What's even better is that no two handmade designs are the same.

Handmade ankle bracelets, just like wrist bracelets, accentuate your bold fashion statement, especially when you're wearing Capri shorts, denim shorts, cargo shorts, or even a bikini. Before, ankle bracelets were only worn by women; these days, men are also joining in on the rave by handpicking their own empowering choice of ankle bracelets.

Here are some quick tips to get you started on making your own handmade ankle bracelets. Read on below:

On making ankle bracelets, you'll only need the same materials used for making wrist bracelets. As an advice, you should get your own starter kit from local flea markets, boutiques, or even from the internet if you don't have one yet. If you already have a starter kit or a toolbox - but missing out on other essential tools, like the specialized scissors, pliers, etc - you can buy them from local or online accessory stores. If your set of beads, bead tips, or clasps don't suit your taste, buy from online stores like eBay, where thousands of both local and international wholesalers flock.

These are the basic materials and tools you'll need to make either handmade wrist or ankle bracelets:

BEADS

You can choose from a variety of beads: seed beads, glass beads, bugle beads, wooden beads, bone beads, sequins, center beads, rice beads, shell beads, and a lot more. You can even throw in some authentic pearls and precious gemstones in your project, provided they have pre-drilled holes where you can slip in the wire.

BEADING CLASPS

Beading clasps that hold and fasten the ends of the anklet in place. Just like beads, clasps come in a wide variety. Examples are:

- The traditional Hook and Loop Clasp

A clasp wherein you only need to catch the hook into the ring.

- The Barrel Clasp

A simple clasp wherein the one end acts as a screw for the other end.

- The Spring Ring

Much easier to use and cheaply-priced. You just need to push back the lock for the ring to open.

- Magnetic Clasp

Priced higher than the most clasps, but effective - and the self-positioning poles make the ends easy to lock in place.

BEADING WIRE

There are many types of beading wire that can easily amend to your budget and flair for fashion. The typical wire types include: copper-plated, bronze-plated, nickel-plated, sterling silver, fine silver, gold-plated, and painted wires.

CUSHION FOR THE BEADS

For your beads not to roll over the place, you'll need a towel, or a cushion to hold them in place while you're doing the other tasks.

SCISSORS & PLIERS

Scissors are used to cut the excess wire, while the pliers are used to cut the bead tips. Don't use heavy-duty pliers. There are custom-made pliers specifically designed for making loops, crimping, gripping wire, opening/closing rings, coils, bending and shaping the wire - and of course, for cutting heavy-duty wire. Examples of essential pliers every accessorizer should at least have a few of are: round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, serrated chain nose pliers, bent chain nose pliers, flat nose pliers, side cutter pliers, crimping pliers, and memory wire cutters.

BEAD TIPS

Bead tips are used to end an array of beads. The tips are used to hide the terminating knot, which ends a sequence of beads. They also come in a wide variety, which can suit any type of beads you have.

STRAIGHT PINS

Straight pins are used to push the knot into the end of the bead tip.

There you go. We wish you a good luck on your beadmaking hobby/business. You can view our other articles for excellent advice on accessorizing and other forms of artisanship.