Sandal season is in full swing, which means it's time to flaunt those ankles. What better way than to combine ribbon and charms for an earthy, East Village bohemian look? My best tip for this project is to work under good lighting because you will be stitching small jump rings to a thin piece of velvet ribbon. It's worth the detailed effort: The end result is a colorful, dangly anklet that is all about movement and sass!

Supplies
Thin velvet ribbon
Small charms, faux coins, beads, etc.
Assorted multicolored beads
1 package of small jump rings
Embroidery thread (same color as ribbon), needle
1 medium jump ring
Bracelet clasp
Needle-nose pliers

Directions: Measure your ankle, add 1 inch to the number and cut a piece of ribbon to that size. Find the middle of the ribbon and attach a small jump ring to it by hand-stitching it on with the embroidery thread and needle. Add jump rings to the left and then to the right so you have a row of jump rings sewn onto the ribbon. Using the needle-nose pliers, open each jump ring and attach a charm.

If you want to add beads, put them on head pins and attach to jump rings. Close each jump ring so charms will not come off. On each end of the ribbon, add a medium jump ring by feeding the ribbon through and sewing the end. Add clasp.

Variation: Use different kinds of ribbons to vary looks. Make a choker or wrist bracelet to match. You can sew the charms right to the ribbon, but they won't dangle as much.


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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: jewelry, summer/4th of July, wearable art