Kashmira's Anklet Blog Hop Reveal!

In the middle of working on my niece's wedding jewelry and trying to keep up with my store too, I told myself, "NO BLOG HOPS!"   But then one came along that I just couldn't refuse.    Couldn't refuse because my friend Kashmira Patel of the blog, "Sadafulee, ...Always in Bloom" and the Etsy store, "Sadafulee,"  was hosting her very first blog hop, and because it was so unusual, it seemed "doable," and sounded like so much fun, I just couldn't resist!  What was it?  

I had never made an ankle bracelet before!   There were some helpful suggestions but no hard-fast rules on this one, so I jumped in!   

My first thought was to do something akin to a charm bracelet, but Kashmira suggested we consider mediums other than chain, so I gave that some thought.   I didn't take a huge leap, but a mini-one....

I decided to use some brass chain with a silver ox finish, and to string some sections of multicolored beads.  They are mostly glass seedbeads of various colors with a slightly larger carnelian bead in the center of each string.  To add a bit of interest, I added some colorful aluminum jump rings I've had a long time and seldom use.  I thought they added a touch of visual interest!

Here are a couple of the beaded sections:

They are strung on multi-flex wire, crimped, and covered with 5mm sterling silver plated crimp covers.  I find that size crimp cover easy to work with and the SS adds some shine to go with the colors.

Below you see the beaded sections attached to the short sections of chain.  Each chain section has only 3 links, except for the the longer end section, which makes the length adjustable.  

I made the clasp myself, but those cool textured jump rings are from Cindy Kovar's Etsy store, "Captured Moments" (better known for her pottery cuffs, focals, and beads)! 

Linda from DD from Scratch on Etsy sent me a few of these small silver bells as a gift with my recent order.  As soon as I saw them, I knew I had the perfect use for them! 

I attached them to the centers of the chain pieces and to the end of the anklet.   They add some flair and a bit of jingle as you walk! 

So mine is a simple anklet.   I like the colors, the whimsy, the brightness of it.   I think it would be light-weight and comfortable to wear.   It has a look "just plain fun" about it that appeals to me.    

That said, I suspect I've made my first ankle bracelet a bit too large for most people.  The extender means it can fit an even larger size, but doesn't help make it fit a smaller size ankle.  (A slight design flaw caused by a mathematical miscalculation.)   I'm thinking I might add another section or two and make a wrap around bracelet or see how it would hang as a necklace, sans bells....   ;-)

No matter what, I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this blog hop and thank Kashmira for hosting it!   It gave all of us a chance to try something new!   To see more anklets, please visit these other designers' blogs:

Name	Blog
Kashmira Patel	http://sadafulee.blogspot.com  <--Blog Host!
Kaushambi Shah	Will post on Kashmira's blog
Jean Wells	http://jeanawells.blogspot.com/
Mischelle Fanucchi	http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Shellie Grindie	http://www.creativeeclectica.com/
Ginger Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/
Monique U	http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Cynthia Machata	http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com
Susan	http://libellulajewelry.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson	http://www.kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/
Mimi Gardner	http://othercuriosities.blogspot.com/
Anindita Basu	http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/
Rita (Toltec Jewels)	http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/
Gina Hockett	http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Tammie Everly	http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/
Ema Kilroy	http://www.emakdesigns.com/blog
Emma Todd	http://www.apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com/
K Morgan	www.TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson	http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/   <--YOU ARE HERE!
Cheri Reed	http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Rochelle Brisson	http://acreativechelle.blogspot.com/
Michelle Buettner	http://www.misheldesigns.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriff	http://www.skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Weiss	http://uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com/
Shelley Graham Turner	http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/
Lynda Carson Roxanne Mendoza Dagi	http://freshbakeddesigns.wordpress.com/ http://roxidesigns.blogspot.com/ http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com/

Thank you for visiting!   Hope you have a great weekend!

~Sharyl

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