Military Memories Charm Bracelet Free Tutorial

Do you have someone special in the military? If so here is an idea for a wonderful and meaningful gift and one they can add to throughout their military career. You will need:
A variety of charms,
6 inches or so of chain
oval jumprings (20 gauge open/unsoldered)
pearls, gems, beads of your choosing
headpins
The first thing I did was think of my daughter, her passions, and funny or meaningful times in her life. She took ballet, she loves horseback riding and so on. The main focus though was on her military career.
Where did it start? Where has she been?
First let me say that most of the charms are sterling silver as is the base chain. I found everything I needed at Artbeads.com; the selection of charms is astounding and the prices are great. I will highlight each item with a link for you. They also have a learning center.
The first charm I selected was the USN charm and I chose this one because she has a tattoo on her back with the anchor and of course, the daughter charm. They have other, more delicate military charms as well. She began with Boot Camp so I got the Illinois State charm, then A school was in Florida so I had to have that one. I live in Maine so I got that one and so on for every place she has been so far. I also chose an opal because it is her birthstone. She loves the leaves in the Fall so I got her some vintage Lucite leaves. They are pink but I wanted to stay with a theme. What woman does not love pearls? Right, so I put those in as well.
When I do charm bracelets I really like the oval jump rings because the stress is not on the opening.
You have gathered the items for your bracelet, now what?
If you need to put any beads on headpins now is the time. I prefer a wire wrap as opposed to a loop because it makes it so much more secure. You will want to do this if you use sterling or gold for certain! Video tutorials are available.
Cut your chain…make sure you subtract the clasp from the total. For instance if you are making a 6 inch bracelet and your clasp is an inch you only want the chain to be 5 inches. Lay out your chain and begin putting the charms on the table where you want them to go, don’t attach them just yet. After you get that all sorted out begin by putting on the clasp. I put 2 jumprings on here just for added strength. When you open your jump rings make sure you do so by twisting and not pulling apart. If you pull it you will never get a clean join again! Hold your jumprings with 2 pair of pliers. Twist one towards you and one away from you just enough to allow the chain to fit There are great tutorials all over the Internet so I won’t go into all that. Attach it to your bracelet and twist back. Put all your charms on leaving space for new charms that she will acquire later. Not only is this a lovely and meaningful gift but you can send charms to have put on later. There are a couple of fun charms, a cowboy boot (she learned line dancing recently) a high heel shoe for my little shoe queen. The guys that did her home of record move even made comments on the amount of shoes!
Please send me photos!

Gift Certificates

Gift certificates are wonderful things!
I am a mother of 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren and sometimes with my busy life things can get away from me, even important things. Birthdays and yes, even Christmas sneaks up on me. I know what I want to get and go to the store only to find they have run out!
With the older kids and my siblings and friends there are times when I am not sure what to get them, color, style fit, etc…. There are also the last minute parties when I want to pick up a little hostess gift but I am stretched for time. These are some of the times where those gift cards and instant on line gift certificates come in really handy. I can print one off at home, pick up a card on the way and Voila! I have a wonderful gift in hand immediately.
Divella Delights now offers gift certificates! You can print them or e-mail them. The transactions are through Paypal so everything is secure. We carry beautiful one of a kind gemstone and beaded jewelry, crochet and knitted hats and bags, vases, ornaments, bead crochet jewelry, and candleholders all handcrafted and created by my husband and I in our smoke free home studio in Maine.
There are styles for the young and old, conservative pieces and gifts for those with a little wild streak. We make special occasion plaques and clocks that are suitable for military, retirement, graduation or any time you want something personalized for a special occasion or to mark a milestone. We even have items for men, babies and children. I take special orders and am happy to work with anyone to make him or her something uniquely theirs.
Here is a list of occasions gift certificates from Divella Delights can really come in handy:
Birthdays
Anniversaries
Hostess gifts
Graduation
Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
Retirement
Wedding
New home
Baby shower
Military service and the list goes on.

Stop by Divella Delights and see what we have to offer. You can purchase a gift certificate on any page by clicking on the little symbol located on the top right side of any page.
There is no excuse to be caught by Father Time again!
　
　
　

Armed Forces Day

For those who do so much for all of us...Thank you for your service, past and present! Please enjoy 50% off your entire order this weekend if you serve in the military. E-mail me your rank and I will give you the password! http://www.divelladelights.com

Show Your Support

Show your support for our men and women of the Armed Forces regardless of your political affiliation. Though some may not agree with the conflicts we are or will be engaged in we all support the men and women who give their service to this country. The mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles and all the other loved ones and friends in the US Armed Forces appreciate our support more than you know.
The lampwork beads are handmade, artisan created by http://generationslampwork.etsy.com/ and they can be done in any color as can the beaded part. currently I have black, white and green with the yellow ribbons.
20% of all sales for these yellow ribbon bracelets will be donated to Operation Homefront. More information on this charity can be found at http://www.charitynavigator.org/
While our troops will not be overlooked, these crocheted bracelets were meant to be forgotten! Roll them on and forget about them. Great for summer fun, these bracelets are made with heavy-duty nylon cord and seed beads hand picked and purchased locally to ensure high quality. If you get them wet just rinse with clear water and let air dry. If your bracelet is a little too big or a tad too small just wet and wear it. I have slept, showered and played in mine for 2 years now and it still looks like new. My grandmother said it was the only piece of jewelry she could sleep in.

Handmade Hardwood Clocks

Divella Delights is proud to announce the addition of handmade hardwood clocks and Commemorative Plaques by David Jacques.
David takes great care in the workmanship of his clocks and Commemorative plaques. He has been hard at work for the past 2 years perfecting his scroll saw art and finding his niche. Many hours are spent in his home shop in Waterville, Maine cutting, sanding, buffing, and sanding some more.
David was in the US Air Force for 10 years and has worked at the VA in Maine for almost that long. After raising his 2 children literally on his own since they were 2 and 4,David has allowed himself the luxury of a hobby that has developed into quite an art.
The commemorative plaques are done by special order as they are personalized and they too can be made into clocks. He has done several commissioned pieces for some of his fellow Veterans that honor their time in service. He has also done some plaques for anniversaries and graduations or you can have your favorite sports team. These are really a special gift, especially for someone who has everything.
David has developed a passion for miniature clocks and I just love them. They are just perfect for your desk, shelf, dresser or bookcase and make a lovely gift for your favorite teacher, boss, admin or college student. Most of them measure around 6 inches high and 3.5 to about 6 inches wide.
He uses only fine hardwoods (unless requested) and pays close attention to every detail.
His work can be seen, ordered and/or purchased at www.divelladelights.com

It's all about wood

Born and raised in Millinocket, Maine David went into the Air Force when he was fresh out of high school and remained there for 10 years. When he got out of the Armed Services David came back to Maine to raise his 2 children who are now grown and gone. Finding spare time on his hands and seeing his wife immersed in her passion he decided he needed one of his own. He tried his hand at a few mediums and found scroll saw art to be his newly found passion. Working at the VA by day he spends his evenings in his home shop creating! He came up with the military commemorative plaque and has been commissioned to do several for fellow Veterans. Wanting to give his daughter something special and hand made for her graduation he made her the clock in the photo which he now takes orders for as well. You can have pretty much any theme you want as long as it is "clean". He uses a variety of hardwood and pine in his designs, different routing edges, etc...It just depends on what you want. He also does some home decor; candle holders and coasters. Check him out at http://wackywood.etsy.com

NAVY MOM

Sapphire is the birthstone for September and is the crystal used in a couple of these bracelets made by Sarah. She is a U.S. Coast Guard wife so these creations have deep meaning for her. They caught my eye because my daughter has just joined the Navy and will be leaving for boot camp soon.

Sarah is happy to do custom orders and special requests for any branch of service, birthday or other special occasion. What a beautiful gift to give, especially to someone who might have a birthday coming up or has a loved one away this Holiday season. They are very affordable at $25.00 each. Ideas are plentiful in creating your own special bracelet. Stop by http://www.LuckyStarsJewelry.etsy.com and see some of her designs or you can contact her there and have her create a very distinct piece for you alone.