Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Snap Swivel Bracelet

I know, I know, What's a snap swivel you ask. I had no idea that's what these little brass things were called. They are used on a fishing line and you can buy them in the sporting goods section of any store...and they're cheap.
I used to make these bracelets in the 80's. They were all the rage with high school kids. I like wearing them in multiples, and whats really nice, is that because they're made of brass, you can shower in them, swim in them and leave them on forever, and they still look good.

These are the swivel snaps; they come in different sizes. I'm using a size 5 which is the largest I could find. (It photographs better.)

swivel1

Here is what the snap looks like.

swivel2

Open the back of the snap just like a safety pin.

swivel3

Hook it to the ring part of another snap. You can make a bracelet just by hooking a bunch of snaps together, but I like to add seed beads.


swivel4

Here I've added seed beads and closed the snap.

swivel5

Continue until you get a bracelet that fits around your wrist. Pretty isn't it?

swivel6

I decided to take it a step further and add some larger beads.

swivel7

The end product looked like this. (I hadn't attached all the large beads yet, but my light was fading.)

swivel8

You can use the snap as your bracelet closure, but you'll probably need someones help closing it. I would suggest adding a regular clasp to make things easier on yourself.

8 comments:

kari d. said...

Oh my gosh! I loved these bracelets in the 80s!! I added bead like you did and had them in every color combo imaginable. I also added letter beads and hung them off the bracelet. Oh for cute! Thanks for bringing back the memories! I'm going to make one with my daughter!

Jessica said...

Very cool! I think I remember you wearing these... :)

Unknown said...

cool addition of hanging beads! i have seen kids wear these, but no hanging beads.

The Kate P. said...

I just went out and bought these to make a bracelet and made a sad discovery - all of the brands of the snap swivels at my local Walmart contain lead! Be careful!

Beth said...

I had completely forgotten about these. So fun!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

You have a great artist in yourself. You have made a really awesome looking bracelets. Thank you for sharing a very valuable information to us. I will definitely to create for me as i'm not much creative I know it will not look as cool as you had created. I'll sure update this kind of stuff in my collection soon so you can even earn money for your creativity.

Tina Cromwell said...

Oh, I knew, I knew this post won't me disheartened. Yeah, this was totally a pretty loving read and tour surely. The nap swivel bracelet ideas and different size you mentioned in this post was too much interesting and of course adorable. Indeed looks like a safety pin but attractive. I appreciate your great job. Though I was looking for skull jewelry items online, I was completely charmed with what knowledgeable gift you have delivered to us.