This lovely bracelet utilizes black mini dominoes as a the main element, images embossed in gold and then "glazed", all strung on a sturdy elastic cord that is hand knotted. 

 

The stamp set for this project is "True Friend:, which is on page 18 in the 2007 Holiday Mini Catalog. 

 

To start your bracelet, you will need 6 mini-dominoes.  Large ones will also work; you'll only need 5 of those for an adult-sized wrist.  I got my mini-dominoes from SkyBluePink, one of my favorite collage-and -all-around crafting supply sources.  If you can't find black, certainly ivory will work.  (If you still want a black background, you can use black acrylic paint on the dominoes before you stamp your images.)  You will need to drill the holes through the sides of your game pieces.  If you are handy, set up your drill press with a 1/16" drill bit indicated for use with plastic or ceramic.  You will want to use a clamp to hold your domino in place while you drill, since it is so small.  I have a VERY handy  friend who created a "fixture" for me (in mechanical engineering parlance!) to hold the domino while I drilled. The centers of the holes are about 7/32" from the end of the domino.  I found it easiest to drill each hole halfway through, then to flip the domino and finish drilling from the other side.

 

Once drilled, you need to sand the surface just a bit to give it some "tooth" so the ink will stay put.  I used the sanding blocks from Stampin' Up! since they are so easy to hold.  Gently sand the top (without dots) and the sides until they are no longer shiny.

 

Stamping images on these litte surfaces is best done upside down.  What?!?  This means that you place the domino on the rubber, instead of the other way around.  First, decide which portion of your image you want to use.  A fun way to do this is to cut a little window out of cardstock that is the size of the domino.  Then hold that window over the image of your stamp, and move it around until you see a pattern that you like through the window.  You will be amazed at how different things look when you view isolated bits like this!  In fact, a friend of mine, after seeing the domino bracelet in person, commented that she never would have guessed the stamp set that I used.

 

When you have decided on your image, ink your stamp wth Gold Encore Pigment Ink and lay it on your surface, rubber side up.   Gently place the domino on the desired portion of the image.  Be careful not to let the domino slide around, though!  Press straight down, and lift straight up.  If you do have a blurry image, the beauty of the plastic surface is that you can simply wipe off the ink and start again!  I love that!!  Once you have stamped your image, used gold embossing powder, and heat with the Heat Tool just as you would on paper.  Decorate all six of your dominoes in the same way. 

 

I then used my favorite tool, the Krylon Gold Leafing pen, to apply gold to the sides of each piece.  You can also allow a little bit to wrap over the top of domino, giving a little "frame" of gold, if you like.  Once this is dry, gently apply Crystal Effects to the top of each domino.  The best approach for this is to outline the domino, and then fill in the center.  The Crystal Effects has enough surface tension so it won't easily overflow the edges- unless you really over do it.  Allow the Crystal Effects to dry to a hard, shiny finish.  This will take a few hours- so you might want to plan leaving it overnight to dry.

 

In the meantime, you can be selecting the beads that you want to use between each domino.  I have two favorite sources: Fire Mountain Gems, and Soft Flex.  There are many, many other sources of beautiful beads on the internet, and you can generally find quite an assortment at your local craft store as well.  My bracelet uses black and gold rondelles, alternating, for a total length of 5/8" between each domino.  The beads you choose will affect the total lenght of your bracelet, so keep that in mind as you are designing your layout.

 

The best material I've found for stringing these bracelets is 1 mm diameter Stretch Magic, from Soft Flex.  It is a super strong, super stretchy elastic that does not seem to rot over time.  You also finish it off by simply tying a square knot and pulling it REALLY REALLY tight, then cutting the ends close.  I have not yet had a bracelet break, at the knot or anywhere else.  It's really cool stuff.  I cut two pieces of black Stretch Magic, each about a foot long to work with.  Lay out your dominoes in the order that you want, and start stringing your dominoes and your beads.  It's easiest to manage if you string the top and the bottom holes at the same time.  Once everything is strung, hold the ends together tightly with one hand, and test that you can get it onto your wrist.   If it feels too tight, or you think it has to stretch too much to put it on, adjust the size by adding some beads.  Similarly, if it is too loose, adjust your design and remove some beads.

 

Once you are satisfied, tie the ends together in a square knot.  It really is important that it is a square knot.  If you tie a Granny knot, it will never tie as tight and will have a chance of coming untied.  Pull the two ends REALLY tight- to the point where you are afraid you will break the elastic.  (I haven't been able to break it- at least not yet!)  The use a pair of fine-tipped scissors to trim the ends close to the knot.  I know that it is exposed, but believe me, you will never notice the knots.

 

Now slip on your bracelet and admire your new piece of wearable art!! 

 

Rest assured that when you order kit from me, you are not left high and dry!  With it comes step-by-step instructions, complete with photos, and you can feel free to contact me at any time if you have trouble with your order, or need a reminder on how to use something.  I want you to have fun, so I will work hard to guarantee your satisfaction!

 

To complete your project you may want to purchase an optional Krylon Gold Leafing Pen, available at most craft stores.

 

You can purchase the stamp set and any or all supplies by going to my Stampin' Up! website and ordering online.  The details are below.  You will receive you order 7-10 days from when you place it. 

 

Pre-drilled mini dominoes, and all other jewelry materials can be purchased from Sara Jane's Studio using the "Add to Cart" button, below. 

 

Includes 6 pre-drilled, black mini-dominoes, gold and black beads for a 7" bracelet, and 2- 12" lengths of black Stretch Magic.

 

Order all of the jewelry materials using the "Add to Cart" button above.  Then go to www.SaraMcKenzie.StampinUP.net and click on the SHOP NOW button in the upper right corner.  You can place your order there.  Here is what you will need:

 

110378 True Friend stamp set  $22.95

101017  Gold Encore ink pad  $8.95

109129  Gold Emboss powder $4.75

101055 Crystal Effects  $6.25

 

 

100005 Heat Tool  $26.95

103083 Embossing Buddy  $4.95

102197  Powder Pals  $19.95

103301  Sanding Blocks  $3.50

 

 

Contact me at Sara@SaraJanesStudio.com if you would like to discuss alternative color combinations.

 

Cost:  $24.95 (tax added at check-out)

 

 

$48.00

10 cards & envelopes

 

 

 

$42.00

10 cards & envelopes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$45.00

10 cards & envelopes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$19.95

10 cards & envelopes 

(You will need to mount your own photos.)

 

The October winner was Donna A of Ashland.  Thanks to those of you who did not win- please keep trying!  You can forward my newsletters as many times as you want.  Every month is a new drawing!