As a Designer I have the opportunity to review new products, this week it is Cousin's exciting new very cool Slide-Bracelet program available at Jo-Ann stores. The program consists of high quality leather bracelets and stylish components to "slide" on. Once the bracelet is cut to size, the clasp pieces are glued to either end.

Cousins sent a package with several pieces to work with, I loved the flower slide with the center gem sparkle. What goes well with sparkle for this girl is a ruffle or two. I had dyed Organza ribbon with Rit Tan Dye and used this to create a ruffly center for my Slide-Bracelet.

You will need:
Bicast Leather Strap 34740058
Metal Slide 34740012
Metal Clasp 3470005
E-6000 Adhesive
12" Organza ribbon (I used Rit Tan Dye or use ribbon color of choice)
Needle and thread, Jewelry Cutters, Scissors

1. Sew a running stitch along one end of ribbon. Pull tight and tie ends leaving a small opening in center.
2. Insert over back end of Flower Slide.

3. Following the excellent Cousin video to assemble the Slide-Bracelet, measure and cut to desired length. YouTube how-to video

4. Insert slides on bracelet and stoppers. Glue clasps to either end, let dry. Wear!

I do not make jewelry, so my skill set going into this is minimum compared to the other designers involved in the DCC Blog Hop for Cousin, click on the button in the sidebar to see what they created. I found the Slide-Bracelet components high quality and very user friendly. The Slide icons are designed beautifully in metals. The clasps co-ordinate and in just a few minutes you can create a lovely bracelet to enjoy and wear! Well done Cousin! Like their products, like them on FaceBook!
https://www.facebook.com/CousinCorp/app_137541772984354

One of the very cool aspects of being a designer is the opportunity to try new products. I am not a jewelry designer but when asked to participate in a blog hop featuring the new line of Dazzle-it jewelry tools, stringing materials, beads , chains and containers I said yes. Besides with snow still on the ground here and there how could I not resist a hop with the theme "Summer Love"!

My package of goodies contained vibrant beads in fiesta colors designed by the amazing Fernando daSilva! As soon as I saw the bright peace symbol beads and hemp the colors were a perfect pairing with the Daydream Inspirations collection from National Nonwovens.

I cut three 1/2" x 10" strips of felt, braided them together and placed pins to hold it at either end. I chose the lime green hemp, threaded it on an embroidery needle, knotted it and stitched through braided end adding a round bead. Continuing to sew through center of bracelet with a simple running stitch in and out adding a peace bead on the up stitch.

At the opposite end I made a loop with the hemp, knotted it off and my bracelet was finished. So comfortable and soft to wear and it will go with several of my summer dresses! If and when summer decides to appear! Enjoy the hop, from the simple to the sophisticated this affordable, attractive line will appeal to anyone who enjoys the art of jewelry making. I am already planning a pendant to go with my bracelet from the remaining beads I was sent!

It is the first Monday of the month and time for the DCC Designer Craft Connection Blog Hop! We are thinking spring, spring flowers and the challenge to use items we find around the house. Well as professional designers we have a lot of items around the house to design with! 

Being a sewer one thing we always have are lots of scraps. I first designed these flowers for the PBS show Creative Living with Sheryl Borden. I used circles of fabric and felt sewn together beginning with a 6" circle and cutting each circle 1" smaller. Sew center and fringe edges. Add a button to center and glue a piece of wire to back.

The vase was a dollar store item I had and I freshened up with a coat of paint, buttons and rick-rack trim!

Step into spring, stop and smell the flowers along the way with the DCC blog hop! (button in sidebar!)