Celebrations Day of the Dead Tutorial

Celebrations Day of the Dead bracelet depicts the musical side of this holiday. The beautiful TierraCast musical charms nicely offset the Swarovski Crystal Mystic Black pearls.

Created by: Swarovski's Create Your Style Design Team

Designer Tips

Using memory wire bending pliers, roll back one end of the memory wire to create a closed loop.
Slide 50 pearls onto the memory wire.
Trim excess wire, keeping approximately 3/4" (19mm). Using memory wire bending pliers, roll back the end creating a closed loop.
Add a jump ring to each of the charms. Attach 2 charms to each end of the bracelet.
New to jewelry-making? For best way to open and close loops, see Jump Ring Hint in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).

Tool Tips

Memory wire is much harder than most jewelry wire -- that's why it keeps it's coiled shape. Use heavy-duty cutters and memory wire bending pliers, or you will break or chip your lighter-duty jewelry pliers and cutters, even if they are very high quality.
Most cutters make a V-shaped cut. Flush cutters make a flat cut, so it's less likely to snag or scratch.
Bent chain-nose pliers can make it easier to see what you're doing, when opening and closing jump rings, assembling chain, etc.. The smooth flat tips also help prevent marring or denting your jump rings and wire.

Suggested Supplies

1 pack #05-810-08-268ST Swarovski 5810 Round Pearl Beads, 8mm - Mystic Black
(or your other favorite 8mm round black beads)
1 ten-pack (use 1 piece) #44-940-61-AS TierraCast Antiqued Silver Plated Charm, Catrina
1 ten-pack (use 1 piece) #44-940-60-AS TierraCast Antiqued Silver Plated Charm, Guitarro
1 ten-pack (use 1 piece) #44-940-59-AS TierraCast Antiqued Silver Plated Charm, Calavera
1 each #49-958-67-AS TierraCast Antiqued Silver Plated Skull Charm
1 ounce (use 4 medium-small jump rings from the mix) #37-100-1 White Plated Jump Ring, Round, Assorted Sizes
1 ounce (use 2-1/2" coils) #61-177 or #61-167 Stainless Steel Memory Wire