DIY Network

Chain Ankle Bracelet Drape your ankle in funky, chunky chain. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-311

Chunky chains make a great ankle bangle.

Bracelets don't just go on your wrist – bangles on ankles can be a great fashion statement as well.

Michele Beschen's idea of the perfect ankle bracelet isn't one of those dainty, thread-thin chains – she likes to B. Original with something a little chunkier. In this project, Michele Beschen shows how to let your creativity run free with a hefty ankle bracelet build around a small-dog collar. She dresses up this chrome chain to create a unique look you'll love – and love making.

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Chain Ankle Bracelet

Materials:

small dog collar chain
fabric tape measure
pliers
ribbon, leather, embroidery floss
charm bracelet blanks
old necklaces, outdated bracelets

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Michele Beschen starts her ankle bracelet with a small-dog chain collar. These collars are very inexpensive and work in all sorts of projects.

• Measure your ankle to determine the correct length for the ankle bracelet. Use pliers to cut the collar to the right length.

• Embellish away! Embroidery floss, ribbon, leather, necklaces, beads...the choices are yours.

• Michele Beschen suggests starting the embellishment extravaganza by weaving ribbon in and out of the chain links (figure A). Tie it off at each end of the chain, trim the ribbon and dab fray-check on the cut ends.

• Keep embroidery floss loose when embellishing the ankle bracelet. Add knots and beads at intervals, tying a knot on either side of each bead (figure B).

• Periodically lay out the ankle bracelet to make sure the embellishments hang the way you want.

• Michele Beschen also likes to add some more delicate chains to her chunky dog chain. Clasp an old necklace to one end of the chain, then tie it to the chain at intervals with jump rings. She also likes to use inexpensive charm bracelet chains.

• To tie it all together, use a large lobster clasp with a swivel (figure C). Attach the clasp with a large jump ring; solder the ring closed or use contact cement so the weight of the bracelet doesn't pull it apart.

• Tidy up any loose ends, and you have an ankle bracelet that's sure to be noticed!