Make a Bracelet from Grommets

Before: Grommets

We had a box of grommets leftover from a project. Actually, there were only half of the grommets left (the washer side of the grommet)....but the parts that were left are brass and really, really pretty. Clearly, they were meant to be jewelry.

After playing with our bead board for a while arranging the washer side of the grommets into different patterns using different shaped and sized links that we made from brass wire, we decided we would make a very simple, but elegant bracelet using our 18-gauge round brass wire.

After: Bracelet by GeltDesigns

Materials
Brass grommets
18-gauge round brass wire

Tools 
Bead board
220-grit wet/dry sandpaper
Nylon jaw plier
Wire rounder
Round nose pliers
Flush cutter or a side cutter 
Steel bench block
Rawhide or plastic mallet 



Step 1
Check the grommets to be sure there are no sharp edges. Use 220-grit wet/dry sandpaper to sand away sharp edges, if needed. Wash the grommets to remove dirt, grease and grim.

Step 2

Make the links. We made links with three circles. Begin by running nylon jaw pliers along the brass wire to harden the wire and help the wire retain its shape once formed as a link. Wrap the wire around the base of your round nose pliers to make the first circle. Wrap the wire one and a half times around the base of the pliers to make a second circle. Wrap the the wire around the base a third time to make the third circle for the link. Cut the wire from the spool. Use your wire rounder to smooth the ends of the wire.



Step 3
Test the links to be sure the link will fit over the grommet and there is enough slack so the bracelet will move nicely. Repeat to create four more links (or the number needed to make the size bracelet you want).

Step 4
Make the clasp. We made the clasp so it is the same shape as the link. We used the same technique as outlines in step 2, except we left the last circle slightly open and shaped it into a hook. Test the hook to be sure it also fits over the grommet.

Grommet Bracelet by GeltDesigns

Step 5
Assemble the links, the grommets and the clasp.

Related Tutorials
How to Make Your Own Wire Wrapping Tool Kit
How to Care for Your Wire Wrapping Tools
How to Straighten Wire
How to Smooth Sharp Edges on Wire
How to Measure Wire
How to Use a Wire Gauge
How to Make Your Own Silver Bangle Bracelet
How to Store Beads 
GeltDesigns Tutorials by Topics 

Further Reading
"Making Designer Jewelry from Hardware, Gems, and Beads": Nicole Noelle Sherman; 2008.
"Hardwear: Jewelry from a Toolbox"; Hannah Rogge; 2006. 
"Making Wire Jewelry: 60 Easy Projects in Silver, Copper & Brass"; Helen Clegg, Mary Larom; 1999.

Day 26. Week 4. Jewelry from Found Objects.  $ spent: 0
Found materials: Brass grommets
New Jewelry a Day.