ECT TV Episode 40: How to Make a Simple Anklet

The weather is warming up and I've been wearing sandals.  So I thought this was a great time to make a new anklet.If anklets aren't your thing, you can certainly use the same technique to make a bracelet instead!Here's ECT TV Episode 40:Step-by-Step Photo Anklet Tutorial:Materials and Tools:

• Chain of your choice (I used a bulky chain, but any chain you like is fine.)
• Bead (I used an oval turquoise stone)
• Charm (I used a feather charm, but you can use any you like)
• 7mm jump rings
• 4mm jump rings
• Lobster clasp
• 24 gauge half hard round wire
• Wire cutters
• Round nose pliers
• Chain noise pliers
• Bent nose pliers

Step #1Measure around your anklet and cut your chain.  The average length for an anklet is about 9 inches long if you happen to be making this for someone else.You can use wire cutters to cut your chain or usually you can open chain like jump rings, which is how I did it because my chain is bulky and I didn't want to use my wire cutters on it.Set the chain aside for now.Step #2I made my own knotted headpin.  You could use a pre-made headpin instead.Cut a piece of 24 gauge wire about 3 inches long.Step #3About a third of the way down bend the wire.Step #4Smoosh the bend together.Step #5Hold that bend in your chain nose pliers at the very end and bend up the wire as seen in the photo.Step #6Hold the bend in your chain nose pliers and start wrapping around creating a knot look.  You can do this as neat or sloppy as you like.  Continue wrapping until you get the look you like (or until you run out of wire.)Step #7Trim off the excess wire.Step #8Make sure the end of the wire is not poking out.Step #9Now we'll make a bead dangle with that headpin and bead.Slide your bead on the knotted headpin.Step #10Hold the wire slightly above the bead with round nose pliers.  Wrap the wire around the pliers.Step #11The loop will be off center.  I center it by holding the loop in chain nose pliers and straightening while I wrap the wire around once.Step #12Hold the loop in chain nose pliers and wrap.  Keep your wraps close together and straight.Step #13Trim off the excess wire.Step #14Use your chain nose pliers to make sure the end is not poking out.Step #15Returning to the chain, open a 4mm jump ring and attach the clasp to one end of the chain.If you need help opening a jump ring, click here for a quick video.Step #16Add a few 7mm jump rings to the other end of the chain for the lobster clasp to hook into.Step #17Find the middle of the chain and add the bead dangle, the charm and the chain to a jump ring.  Close the jump ring.Enjoy your new anklet!I appreciate your support!  If you would like to learn how to make jewelry and at the same time help support these free tutorials, I would love if you would check out my shop here.Sign up for my newsletter here.  You'll get a free 14 Day eCourse, Intro to Jewelry Making plus you'll get each episode of ECT TV in your inbox (with a downloadable PDF version!) when they come out!Policies and terms of use for my tutorials here.