I know, I know. I should have put this post up a long time ago. After all, these book charms are rocking and anyone who goes through all that trouble to make them should also get plenty of ways to use them. These bracelets are the most popular item I’ve yet given to readers.
Super short version for those who just like to roll their own way: Make Book Charms, Buy Findings, Weave Bracelet (video), put on clasp. Done!
Not enough? Okay, get ready for the verbose version. You asked for it.
Supply List
- Hemp Cord 20# I prefer Hemptique, but most craft hemp cording will work. Check for quality! All hemp has uneven spots, but some are worse than others. You want a hemp that is between 0.5 and 1.0 mm for most of it’s length. Hemptique has tons of colors, just search for more.
- Findings including clasps, open jump rings (twisted version), fold-over cord ends
- Book Charms with eye rings in them
- Beads (can use seed beads, but better to use larger ones like Dyna-Mites #6, which are more consistently manufactured. That way you can get it over the hemp cords, which are sometimes uneven)
- Supplies including E-600 (clear), tools, paper clamps, cutting mat or clipboard, pencil,
- NOTE: For Amazon, I’ve used my affiliate link, which might get me a few cents on the dollar for orders there. For Fire Mountain Gems, I’ve used direct links with no affiliate. Whichever is cheaper and/or better quality is what I’ve linked to.
First, watch this video! We’re going to deviate in terms of materials and such, but this is pretty much how you’re going to do it.
Second, set yourself up for success! Using jewelry pliers (you did get those when you were making the bookmarks, right?), go ahead and attach the jumprings to the eye of your book charm and make another eye at the other end, attaching a jumpring there. Having these done will save you time. Use a cutting mat instead of a clipboard. There was too much slippage on the clipboard and the cutting mat flexes, which is good. Decide on your beads before you start and have them ready. I use six to ten pairs of beads per bracelet, six for shorter than 7.5 inch, eight or ten for everything else.
Next, let’s do this! Cut your lengths of hemp. The 24 inch hemp will give you a good length, but add a couple of inches if you use a cutting mat so you can wrap the ends over the edges and clamp it securely. Cut your 60 inch length and begin like in the video. When you get a an inch or so in, add your first two beads, then close that and do two to three more knots, then the next. You want the book charm finding to straddle the middle, so measure carefully.
Add your bookcharm to the stationary cord (natural color in photo) by undoing your clasp and sliding it on snugly. Then do enough knots to cover that distance, then slide on the other end either onto the stationary lines or your weaving lines, depending on your level of comfort. Then continue to do knots and beads until you reach your terminus. Your terminus should be at 6.5 inches (or a hair over) of knotted bracelet. Standard bracelets are about 7.5 inches, and the clasp and ends will take up about an inch.
At the end, be sure to knot well. I do a double knot by loosening my clamp and knotting the stationary cords (natural color in photo) with the weaving cords, one each. Once that’s done, remove the bracelet and clamp one of the cord ends around each end (making sure you put E6000 inside each clamp first!). Cut the cord ends ONLY when you have a good clamp and the glue is dry. Attach your clasp via jumprings to the cord ends and you’re done!
