Knit Your Life: DIY Anthropologie Bracelet

Ok, so confession time: no matter how absurdly expensive Anthropologie is I can't help but lust over their clothes and accessories, and during moments of weakness have bought ~~idiotically expensive~~ over-my-budget items. One of the items currently on my lust-list is the "Beaded Wrap Bracelet", and while trying to reason with myself why I didn't need it (it's $38!!) I realized I could easily make it myself.

Original bracelet at Anthropologie-- $38

I recently downloaded the "JoAnn App" (for Joann Fabrics & Crafts) and had immediate access to tons of great coupons, like the "40% off a single item" coupon. With my iPhone in hand and ~~desperate not to go broke from Anthro~~ determined to make a bracelet even better than the above one for a fraction of the price, I went to JoAnn and purchased a few different items.

(From left to right) Beader's Paradise in "Cyrstal", "White Pearl",
"Caramel Creme", Jewelry Designer 8mm in "White", and 30 yds of Craft Designer
Copper Wire in "Brown Wire" (26 gauge)

The copper wires came in over 30 colors but I chose to get one similar to the brown rope in the original bracelet. I chose wire instead of rope/string because all of the beads I picked had really small openings and was afraid anything wider than a thin wire wouldn't fit.

Here's the final product, I'm super happy with it (and so is my wallet!)!!

Pretty similar, right?!

I spent a total of $9.85 on the supplies and the bracelet only used around 40% bringing me to a grand total of $3.94 (WOOO!!) . To make this bracelet, I cut 45" of wire and then strung the beads along as I wished. Every once in a while I would wrap the wire around a bead to create spacing and add a cool looped look (as seen at on the top row of big pearls above).

One thing I really liked about the Anthro bracelet was it was adjustable and could be unwound which meant easy taking on/off. I did the same with this bracelet, securing a large pearl to both ends. To put the bracelet on, simply wind around your wrist and then wrap the two ends around the bulk of the bracelet (what's awesome about the wire is that it will hold secure without having to tie knots but can still be easily undone when you want).

The two ends of the bracelet

Overall I'm really pleased with this bracelet, not only did it come out as a really cute accessory, but I spent $3.94 on it-- a 89.6% savings compared to the $38 Anthropologie version!!!