After random bio-stalking on theknot, I thought it would be a neat and fun idea to make my bridesmaids pearl bracelets that they could wear again. I checked at Wal-Mart, Target, and even the dollar store before deciding that it was actually cheaper for me to make these bracelets instead of just buying them.
The idea in my head is two strands of pearls on a bracelet with a purple bow to include one of my wedding colors. The bow could be easily removed so the girls could wear them again.
This sounds simple enough, right? Buy some pearl beads, string, clasps, ribbon and you're good to go. ...Yeah, not really. This is prooving to me more of a difficult task that I imagined.
Round 1 - I stood in the craft section of Wal-Mart for about 30 minutes. I picked up two sets of pearl beads, 64 in each pack, a spool of stretchy string, a packet of clasps and some sage green ribbon. (That was the initial color idea.) I go home, all excited and start stringing the beads onto the string. Or tried, I should say. Apparently, the majority of the beads didn't have holes poked through on both sides of the bead, or if it did, it wasn't something that the flimsy stretch ribbon would go through. About halfway through I also realized that I only had 1 end of the clasp and nothing to hook to it. I decided to finish the bracelet anyway, using two claw clasps attached to each other. It actually wasn't bad, but the clasps made it look cheap and it was a real nightmare trying to tie the string onto them.
Faithful to the DIY board on theknot, I posted to find out what to do. Crimping beads was the overall response.
Round 2 - I stopped at AC Moore one day when they had a huge sale going on. I picked up 660 pearl beads, purple ribbon, non-stretchy string, a better set of clasps and the opposite hook, and crimping beads. The following weekend I get everything out and start planning attempt 2 of the bracelet. I can't find the crimping beads anywhere. They weren't in the bag, so I searched my car in case they fell out. Nope. So I look at the receipt. There are no crimping beads on the receipt. Apparently, while I was juggling all of the crap in my arms, I managed to drop the one thing that I had really come for. So, lets just say the bracelet didn't turn out. Sigh!
Stamps
During that last trip to AC Moore, they had buy 1 stamp, get 1 free. I had already learned that wooden rubber stamps are pretty hard to use on my invite mock-ups because I couldn't see where I was placing the stamp. Enter the lovely world of clear stamps! Of course, being as decisive as I am, I stared at the stamps for a good 20 minutes before finally deciding on what I wanted.
After my bracelet debacle, I decided, hell, lets try the rubber stamps. It didn't turn out so well. The stamp instantly got gooey with ink and appeared to smear over parts of the stamp where I didn't want ink. So I stamp the paper and ironically, it looks like I hardly touched the stamp to the ink. It was all splotchy and missing ink in spots. Already peeved about my bracelet issue, I said "EFF it" and threw everything back into the bin-o-wedding stuff.
The Results
Basically, I just wanted to share that not all DIY ideas are genius or right for everyone. Just because it might save you money doesn't mean its not going to cause a headache. I'm not giving up just yet, I mean, I still have a little under 13 months until the wedding.
Maybe I just need more practice with the rubber stamps. Maybe there is some awesome knottie out there reading my post on the DIY board who has the fool-proof response for it. Or maybe, I should just give up on being a perfectionist and not really care if the wooden stamp is 1 centimeter different on each invite. Its not like anyone is going to look at more than one invite at a time.
And maybe the 3rd time will be the charm for the bracelets. Who knows, but I have faith I'll get it right eventually. So, whenever that fateful day happens, I'll be sure to post directions and pictures to guide you through the process.
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