How to make a Steampunk style socket set bracelet

post from Craftside on 18 March 2010 08:50:00 AM. © Craftside

Making something out of something completely unrelated is positively a blast! Steampunk-Style Jewelry really gets your creative juices flowing for turning industrial and mechanical stuff into jewelry.

I love sets and groups of things and after flipping through Steampunk-Style Jewelry I got to thinking about one of my favorite sets of things-socket sets- and after confirming that they were hollow I thought they would make cool industrial beads. I went to the 99 cents store and got a set. After playing around with them I realized if I got 2 sets I would have enough to make a full bracelet with the smooth cylinder shaped ones. The smaller ones have an odd shape that didn't work for this particular bracelet but I will definitely work them into another piece. So I had to go back for a second set...another whopping 99 more cents, well with tax I was up to $2.20.

It took a length of small chain about 30 inches long for my wrist (pretty small).

I linked the loop end of my clasp to the fold end of the chain with 2 jump rings because this is a pretty heavy piece.

Then I threaded each end of the chain through each socket from opposite sides.

I started with the smallest working to the largest and then back down to the smallest.

Then I linked the clasp to the ends of the chain with 2 jump rings.

You want some inspiration too? Well, grab yourself a copy of:

Steampunk-Style Jewelry
Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings
By
Jean Campbell

This how-to jewelry-making book features the work of an array of invited jewelry designers influenced by the growing Steampunk trend. In Steampunk circles, jewelry-makers are often master metalsmiths who combine found objects with fine metals to create elaborate pieces. In Steampunk-Style Jewelry, the projects focus on "no fire" techniques -- like simple stringing, wirework, hammering, stamping, gluing, stitching, and off-loom beadwork -- so that even a beginner can create pieces in the style.

Each project provides a complete materials and tools list, step-by-step instructions, and clear illustrations. Steampunk-Style Jewelry offers a broad overview of a growing design trend that is part of the literary, industrial design, fashion, and popular culture scene. You will learn about the art movement through the many photographic sidebars that explore the many aspects of the trend.

Jean Campbell is a freelance craft editor and author. She is the founding editor of Interweave?s Beadwork magazine and has written and edited more than 40 books, most recently including CPi?s Beadwork Inspired by Art: Impressionist Jewelry and Accessories and Beadwork Inspired by Art: Art Nouveau Jewelry and Accessories. Other recent books include The New Beader's Companion, Getting Started Stringing Beads, Beaded Weddings, The Art of Beaded Beads, Beadwork Creates Jewelry, and Beading with Crystals. Jean has a widely followed weekly blog on Interweave?s Beading Daily, and has appeared on the DIY Jewelry Making show, The Shay Pendray Show, and PBS' Beads, Baubles, and Jewels where she gives how-to instructions, provides inspiration, and offers crafting advice.