Projects

DIY Washer Bracelet

May 28, 2012

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

Portfolio

Projects

Design

We're Chris + Julia

read more

What we're                   right now

Loving

browse the shop

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here. 

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen. 

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.

browse all

browse all

browse all

02

01

03

Popular Posts

1.

2.

3.

Top Categories

This week is a big week for me.  I am the girl’s camp director for my church and girl’s camp starts tomorrow (!!!) and goes through Saturday.  So, behind the home decor scenes I have also been brushing up on my knots, making schedules, and preparing activities and crafts for months.  One big theme for camp this year is “trust,” and this simple bracelet will be a fashionable reminder for the girls, but you can make one, too, proclaiming whatever message you want.
 

You’ll need:

1.  Metal Stampers.  I got this 1/8″ 36 piece set with letters and numbers at Hobby Lobby for about $7 with a 40% off coupon.  Score!

2.  Some sort of string, twine, hemp or leather.  This bracelet (or necklace) could be cool with a thicker strap, but I am loving this thin leather I found at Hobby Lobby.  It was around $3 for 25 yards.

3.  Metal washers.  Find ’em at Home Depot (where I picked these up) or hanging out in your garage.  For a necklace, I might go smaller, but I love these big ones for a statement bracelet.

While the whole process may seem self-explanatory (hammer the letters into the washer, tie some string  and voila!), I struggled at first.  My letters were not stamping very well even after I pounded that hammer 16 times–and that, my friends, is no exaggeration.  Luckily, Chris, my hero, stepped in and showed me that if you rock the stamper back and forth with each swing of the hammer, the letter gets pressed into the washer perfectly.

Then I just cut two lengths of leather (depending on the size of your wrist) and looped each around the washer and tied it to my wrist.  I actually love it for its looks, simplicity, cost and–most importantly–for the message.

Even though I’ll be camping the rest of the week with a herd of 12-18 year old girls (oh dear…I really am NOT a camper), I have posts lined up so a beat won’t be skipped.  And yes, those posts include the curtain and carpet reveal in the studio (you’re gonna die), as well as some other fun posts you can look forward to.

Anyone else struggling visualizing me camping?  Are you so not surprised the crafts are my favorite part about camp? What letters would you stamp in your washer?

Psst.  Through tomorrow get 20% off our Etsy shop with code Memorial20. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What do you think?

  1. Pam says:

    Really a cute idea!

  2. Linda says:

    Very beautiful

  3. Laura DeHay says:

    Thank you sooooo much for the “rocking” idea. It worked like a charm! May I ask what the surface is that is under your washer? Looks like a special board.

  4. Samantha says:

    How do you get the letters evenly spaced and perfectly wrapped around the washer?

  5. Dency says:

    Beatiful idea.!!
    Brazelate!

  6. Trudy says:

    Love the idea. What brand are. The metal stampers? Looked on line at hobby lobby and couldn’t find

  7. Cory says:

    I found that using clear (or colored) nail polish as a coating will allow girls with a metal/nickel allergy to wear them too. It forms a barrier between the metal and skin.

  8. Tay says:

    Made one for myself today that reads “Stop Pray Obey” ….absolutely love this! Will surely make more in the near future! Thanks for sharing!!

  9. Diane S. says:

    If you use copper washers they will be much easier to hammer on since copper is softer. You can also do a “cheaters patina” to darken the letters. Use a sharpie to color in the letters then wipe off the excess with rubbing alcohol.

  10. Tina says:

    That is really great looking. I also get design stamps at http://www.themysticalportal.com and eBay also has a good selection of metal stamps. I love your piece and adding some of the designs with design stamps to the lettering would be awesome. Thanks for the great idea!

  11. Kristinecmetcalf says:

    that bracelet is rad! i want those stamps! how cool. girls camp rules! you are going to have the best time. and the girls will eat you up cause you’re the coolest.

  12. meaganbriggs3 says:

    You my goshhhhh girls camppppppp!!!! Eeekeeeeekkkks! Loving that bracelet! How neat! Youre so creative girl. Those girls camp Girls are lucky to have you! Be safe! Have fun!

  13. Britni Vigil says:

    I love girls camp! And am going to make something similar to this (will probably use a thicker leather) to make bracelets for my girls. Hope you had a great time at camp and thanks for the tutorial!

all the latest

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

HI! We're Chris + Julia

read more

Load More

Reader Faves

SHop all

What We're                     Right Now

What We're                 Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop. 

Loving

looking for inspiration? 

A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

Follow Along on Instagram

Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations

@chrislovesjulia