DIY Braided Clay Bracelet

Step 1: What You Will Need

What you will need:

Polymer clay
Razor blade

Step 2: Soften Up Clay

Knead the clay with your hands to soften it up.

Step 3: Roll Three Tubes

Using the palm of your hand roll out three long tubes.

Step 4: Begin Braiding

Mash the top of the tubes together and begin braiding.

Step 5: Adjust Length

Using your own wrist as a guide determine how long you want to make your bracelet. Use the razor blade to slice off the remainder.

Step 6: Connect Ends

Connect the two ends and gently mash ( I cant think of a better word so mash it is) the two ends together.

Bake for 25 minutes at 245 degrees.

Step 7: All Baked and Ready to Wear

You can make as many as you want. 

Comments

[Penolopy Bulnick]

These are so lovely!

[Terrylj3]

I can't keep the snake width equal all the way through

[DawnS49]

Try to use a rolling pin or your wrist to smooth out any fat ends. I had to do this once when making a coiled pot for an art class

[okapimaster]

Could you fishtail braid for this? Im thinking of doung it for a art final next semester

[TheSweetTooth]

I just made one and it seem to work pretty well, thanks for the instructable!

[Akansha_luv]

Quick question, if you measured the braid so that it could wrap snugly around you wrist, and then joined the two sides, how would you put it on after it was baked and hard?

[chocolatechip]

I made some of these and all of them broke while I was wearing them.

[knam25]

Where can I buy Polyform products?

[ScottyGS]

knam25: IF you're in the US they carry it at Michael's or Joanne's or any other big craft stores. Outside the US you might try online. Just google 'sculpey' and see what comes up? Some time ago I bought some to make a Santa head and just played with it until I'd created a really life-like face and head. Surprised even myself, so kept going. It's a fun product.

[ScottyGS]

Hi Lindsay: you have MY vote, not only for the braided bracelets, but your bangles. I had thought I might enter since I also make items with polymer clay, but I think your bracelets beat my stuff hands-down. :) I'm DEFINITELY going to make a few of these--especially as Xmas gifts. Loved the turquoise bangle, and now the braided ones--since I knit they remind me of the knit stitch..perfect for my own tastes. Good luck!

[Nekolove02]

Thats SOOOOOOOOOOOOO Cute!

[Julianne fights Dragons!]

Reunite? Mush? Press together? Fuse? Letting the singles mingle? Merge? Conjoin? Interbreed?

I love this simple yet awesome designs! I have some glay which I have been dying to use so this would be a great project for me hahaha

[Nekolove02]

Interbreed!?

[nadeensafty]

Wow, that's amazing

[fxedfool]

join or blend would have worked fine :)

[mstyle183]

good luck.. they look great

[wolfe24d]

when you say the bracelets are all baked...what do you have to do to make the bracelets harden and not crack??

[suayres]

If you have properly conditioned the clay (kneaded it, so it's soft & flexible) and cured it (baked it) according to the directions on the package, it should hold up pretty well, but you can ensure flexibility and strength by also buying some of the "Sculpey Elasticlay" and kneading a small amount into the clay you're making your piece from. Also, don't make an individual "snake" thinner than 1/8". Lastly, for all kinds of helpful hints, tips, & pointers, go to www.polymerclaycentral.com --they have forums and contests, and a wonderful community.

[suayres]

Need to make a couple of corrections on my comment above (darn autocorrect, anyway!).: www.polymerclayexpress.com. And www.dickblick.com. THESE are the correct URLs, not the ones below (above?)

[lindsaykujawa]

Thank you everyone!!

You bake them for about 20 min at 275 degrees