Use What You Have - Valentine's Day Bracelet Project

OK, I admit it. I'm an impulse shopper and I buy more craft supplies (and other items) than I could ever possibly use. I often buy things from antique stores and estate sales thinking that I will make these things into something else. I guess that's the altered art artist coming out in me. Anyway, I have lots of wooden pieces left over from my tole painting days from back in the day. I also have 6 plastic containers full of buttons and charms. This is a great way to use up some of those crafting leftovers.

I was on a roll this weekend and made several Valentine's Day charm bracelets using items I already had at home. You can make these, too - they are fun and easy to make. The only thing that really takes any time though is waiting for your decoupaged hearts to dry in between layers of glue, paint and sealer.

Supplies:

5 or 6 wooden hearts (about 1" tall)
tacky white glue (I use Crafter's Ultimate)
small images (I printed mine from my computer)
buttons, charms and/or beads
paint
gold leafing pen
waterproof sealer
paintbrush
chain, jump rings, toggle clasp, jewelry pliers
awl or toothpick
scissors
drill

Instructions:

Using hearts as a template, trace and cut out desired images. Set images aside. Drill a hole through the top center of each heart. Make sure the hole is big enough for your jump ring to fit through. Paint the sides of the heart with 2 coats of acrylic paint. Let dry in between coats.

Glue images onto one side of the hearts. Let dry. Turn the heart over and gently push an awl or toothpick through the hole until it comes out the front side. Flip the heart back over so the plain side is showing. Glue the second set of images onto the back sides of the hearts. Let dry.

Brush waterproof sealer over one side of the hearts. Let dry. Use gold leafing pen to paint a thin frame around the image. Let dry. Brush on a second coat of sealer; let dry. Repeat process for the reverse side of the hearts.

Attach the heart charms to your bracelet with jump rings and complete the look by adding buttons, charms and/or beads to your bracelet. And, there you have it - your gorgeous, one-of-a-kind fashion piece. Enjoy!