So the last week or so I’ve been out of the swing of things because of a little pinched nerve in my back. Oh joy.
I can’t really lay around for a week and not get fidgety.
I reread the entire Harry Potter series – and watched all the movies. (I’m not the only rereader out there right??)
I stalked people on Instagram. (seriously – how addicting is that?? I just really need to know what you’re having for lunch or what your new shoes look like.)
And I definitely couldn’t go the week without crafting.
The problem was I was pretty limited in what I could do – so I needed something super easy!
I did a little online browsing and found a super simple Anthro Bracelet to knock off!
These are sweet little fabric wrapped cuffs that are decorated with a bit of bling. They come together really fast – like a half an hour.
{Though that info is NOT in the title – nor will it ever be again. Apparently when you include the time it takes you to make something in the title of the post it incites riots. Just in case you were wondering.}
Aren’t they cute??
Here’s the Anthro inspiration – it comes in at $58.
And here’s what you’ll need to make your own!
- 1 metal cuff – these came from Michael’s but you can find them on Etsy too
- Fabric for wrapping
- Pin or vintage earring or other decorative piece
- Hot Glue, E-600
Start by cutting two 2″ x 2″ pieces of your fabric. Glue the square of fabric to the end of the cuff, so half the fabric is on the cuff, and half can be wrapped to the back.
Trim any extra fabric, wrap it to the back and glue down.
Repeat for the other end of the cuff.
Cut a long strip of fabric, about 45″ x 2″. Fold one side over and glue the strip to the back of the cuff. For all the fabric glueing, I used a hot glue gun.
Start wrapping the strip around the cuff, with the folded edge covering the unfolded edge as you wrap.
Continue wrapping until you reach the other side of the cuff. Add a bit of glue under the fold each time you wrap to hold the fabric in place.
When you get to the last wrap of the cuf, fold over both sides and tuck the end of the strip under. Glue the end to the back side of the cuff.
Now glue your decorative piece in the center of the cuff. E-6000 will hold this down a little better and be less messy.
You can use a brooch, a big button, vintage clip-on earrings – anything that you want!
You will just want to clip off any metal pieces that make the piece sit up too high. You can usually use heavy duty wire clippers for that.
It’s so easy to make up cuffs for any outfit or style! I love how this pink version came together! I used a lightweight voile for the fabric and a vintage clip-on earring.
(a seriously huge clip-on earring)
These would make great presents or stocking stuffers too!
What do you think? Crazy Easy right? :)
What color combination would you make first?
Linking up at Sunday Scoop, Today’s Creative Blog, Met Monday, Tutorials & Tips Tuesday, Quilt Story, Shabby Creek Cottage, My Repurposed Life and the other fabulous parties on the party page – make sure you check them out!
aimee steckowski says
i LOVE these! i have a few cuffs that i thought about donating — they are now coming back inside for a fresh wrapped makeover! woo-hoo!!
i am glad you’re feeling better – -and yes, no more times in the title… HA! :) :)
Camille says
oooooo, these are AWESOME!!! I see stocking stuffers and birthday gifts and some for ME, even! ha I’m glad you’re feeling better. The “pinched nerve” stuff seems to be going around like a virus!
ReStitch Me says
I’m so sorry you haven’t been feeling well! These bracelets are awesome!!!! They will be perfect for Christmas presents for my daughters!
Stephanie@Henry Happened says
I actually like the knockoffs better! great job!
Connie says
Oh my goodness! I am sorry you were laid up with back problems but so glad you found a way to make these! I love them! Thank you for sharing them with us. I can’t wait to make some….ideas for different combinations just flooding my little mind lol.
Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe says
So cute, Bev! I’m glad you were able to keep busy while your back was bothering. I hope you’re getting back up to 100%! I think I definitely need to make some of these bracelets for stocking stuffers this year. I know some of my family members would love them!!
ps. I’m definitely a rereader of books series. I space a couple of years between readers so I don’t remember all the little details. ;)
Lori says
Wow! Every time you knock off an anthro piece I think yours look better than the original. You did it again. The pink version is my favorite.
nest of posies says
these are awesome!
not that you asked for my opinion on this, but i swear you should join nester’s 31 days & blog about DIY jewelry. you could write an ebook, BEV!!!
xo
kellie
Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon says
love love!!!!!! and I agree with kellie above!!! :) Bonnie
Amanda says
I completely agree with Lori. Your versions are WAY cuter than the Anthro originals. Hard to believe people would pay the outrageous prices for pieces that aren’t as cute!
Judy Clark says
Bev – Sorry you’ve been down. Love the bracelets. Really cute and look fairly easy. Thanks for the instructions.
Judy
Carla says
I have been reading all the post/comments on these bracelets and it seems that most everyone agrees with me that the “knock-offs’ are BETTER than Anthro originals. Thanks for sharing this with us and hope that you are feeling better.
Debi @ Adorned From Above says
I love your bracelets. You did a great job.
Debi @ Adorned From Above
Stephanie S. says
You go girl. Another wonderful tutorial. I just made myself a really neat necklace. Once I get the pics up, I will send a link. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos says
Your bracelets are adorable! Very cute and much much cheaper than Anthro!
Thanks for sharing!…..I just might have to make myself one, or two! :)
Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos
Tracey @ My-CreativiT says
Bev – I hope you feel better! I LOVE these bracelets and I have to say I like your version better!
Emi says
Wow, these are super cute!!! I’m so glad I didn’t give my old (and sad) cuffs away :) Hope you’re feeling much better now *sending hugs*
[email protected] says
Like yours waaaay better!
Randi - Dukes and Duchesses says
So pretty! I have a bag of old jewelry and this would be the perfect thing to make. Thanks for sharing!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
(Gasping) Love!! I love anything shiny and sparkly. :)
Lori @ EclecticMamma says
Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I featured your post on Sugar Bee Crafts! :-)
Jenn/Rook No. 17 says
Love them both, but especially smitten with the pink one!
Stacey says
These are gorgeous! Better than the original IMHO. I found you through Sugar Bee Crafts. What I find most impressive is that you did this all while dealing with a pinched nerve! I know all about that and you are wonder woman! Thanks so much for sharing (and inspiring).
holly lefevre says
Ha…I LOVE this. I just bought a bunch of supplies for a bracelet project…but might have to swing by for a cuff to make this too.
Meg/Brassy Apple says
cuff bracelets are some of my favs!!!! :) great job again! what do the metal cuffs at michaels cost?
Katie says
Oh Wow! I love these! They look fantastic! I would love for you to share these on my Linky Party Blog Stalking Thursday. http://www.theartsygirlconnection.com/2012/10/pininspirational-thursday-linky-party.html
Bobi Jensen says
Wow…yours are way cuter than the anthro one! I’m inspired!
Bobi
http://onedailymoneytip.blogspot.com
truebluemeandyou says
Absolutely love how these are so much easier to make than they look! Until I read through your entire post I thought the fabric was going to be pleated in some way. I posted the top photo with a link back to your blog on Trueblue.
Tanya says
These look gorgeous. Well done.
xx Tanya
http://aciddreamsandsugarhighs.blogspot.com/
Nichi - The Mandatory Mooch says
These look wonderful. I would love for you to share at my linky party Tasty Thursdays going on right now. Thanks, Nichi
http://mandatorymooch.blogspot.com/2012/10/tasty-thursdays-11.html
bj says
This is sooo cute. You did a great job.
karen@somewhatquirky says
These are wonderful! You’ve inspired me to make one for myself! I love that pink one – it’s just perfect!
Amy @ Positively Splendid says
Oh my gracious, Bev!! These are lovely!
The Answer Is Chocolate says
Hi Bev, just wanted to let you know I featured these as part of my link party wrap up today. As always, so gorgeous!
judy h. says
I’d take your version any day over Anthro’s. Yours is a more interesting shape and looks far more like a $58.00 bracelet!
Beckie says
I love Anthro stuff but not the price :) Thanks for this super amazing knock off tutorial. Love it! I’ll have it up on my FB!
Donna G- cleverblonde says
Oh wow you are just so clever it’s crazy. Love love love
gio says
I love both, very inspiring! Thanks for sharing
MaidMirawyn says
I found you through your Flickr group, and I am thrilled about your tutorials! I adore Antropologie, too, and am likewise limited by their prices. (Though I found a couple of hats in the clearance room on my last visit . . .)
I have a whole cigar box full of broken costume jewelry I’ve picked up here and there. I know there’s one or two pieces that would be perfect for something like this! I’ll have to pilfer my fabric and ribbon scraps for likely wrapping material.
Thanks for the inspiration. :)
Sarah McKenna says
All of your jewelry tutorials are so fab! Anthro is my fav. Keep it up!
Cinnamon Sangria says
I finally made this bracelet! I love it! Thank you for the idea and tutorial.
http://www.cinnamonsangria.blogspot.com/2013/03/craft-exchange.html
Victoria says
I love your Anthro knockoffs. I like you versions far better than the originals. Truly. Great Job!
Gerry Parsons says
I am spending my Sunday afternoon printing the directions to your wonderful tutorials. I love to putter at crafts, and am so delighted to find a site not only with instructions but also INSPIRATION!!!
gksweetmimi says
Your knockoffs are so much more then that original dull piece. I would never spend on the original it does not Have the Pop facter or blink that yours does. Thanks for sharing. Beaded with daughter in the past. Now looking to start again and need inspiration.
Jody Todd says
Honestly I do believe yours turned out even prettier! I think I just might try these..I have some old rhinestone vintage brooches. Now all I need is to find them! And a cuff…
kerrie says
I found these while searching necklaces, but I am so glad I found them!
While you were out of your normal crafting mode back when you made these, I am now with shoulder surgery.
I can do these with one arm!!!
These are so very cool!!
Thanks for sharing your crafting!
Carla says
Thank you for posting these instructions and like everyone else says, it’s true! Yours are so much prettier than Anthropoligie’s. You are so creative.