Anne, who you may have talked with when you phone Rings & Things, had an inspired idea that I want to share.
Anne was asked by a customer: “I love bracelet blanks, but can I get some that are even bigger?” Her response was, “I think I can custom-make some!”
Bolo slides make bigger, custom bracelet blanks
Bolo slides are the ticket. Here’s a great way to multi-purpose this otherwise kind of obscure finding! Just add basemetal link findings, which we sell by the hundreds. Finish the bracelet easily with a fold-over clasp.
Anne used a very cute link with heart pattern in the right-hand bracelet here. In the left one are plain links in antique pewter, for an even more versatile base for your glass or ceramic focal pieces. Another good-looking possibility is to use rope-pattern links (shown above, but here’s a closeup):
Rope-pattern link
Hats off to Anne for her ingenuity, and for sharing this neat jewelry crafts tip with all of us!
4 Comments
What a smart way of using a not-so-common finding. And I really like how this version enables you to choose different links depending on what matches the style of the finished bracelet.
This make me start thinking what else those bolo slides could be used for…
Thanks for your feedback, Maneki – – as always I’ll be very excited to see your take on this idea 🙂
Yes, I’m tempted to add bolo slides to my ever-growing bead wishlist (the only thing longer than that list is my tool wishlist). It’s a good thing I’m used to resisting this type of temptations or I’d spend my year’s bead budget in a week….
Sorry, Maneki 🙂 , we’re adding a lot of new items in our soon-to-be-published Super Supplement…a tidal wave of temptation is coming your way across the North Atlantic!