How to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Safety pin bracelets are chic and fashionable accessories that are fun and easy to make. The basic ones look like cuffs and are the easiest to do. If you want to try something different, however, you could make a delicate, chain-like bracelet instead, or even a fashion-statement cuff with fabric and a brooch!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Making a Basic Safety Pin Bracelet

PDF download Download Article
  1. Leave enough space on the top of the pin so that you can close it. You can use any color of seed bead you want, but avoid using ones that are too small, or you won't fit them onto the pin. A size "10/0" would be ideal. [1]
    • This design will create a thick cuff-like bracelet that is covered with seed beads.
    • For a wider bracelet, use 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) safety pins. For a narrower bracelet, use ¾-inch (1.91-centimeter) safety pins. [2]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    The clasp has a gap in it, which is what allows you to open and close the pin. You will need to pinch this gap shut so that you can't open the pin any more. If you can still push the safety pin open, you need to pinch the clasp tighter.
    • For extra security, add a drop of glue into the clasp before you close the pin. Super glue would work the best. [3]
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    You need enough safety pins to cover your wrist. Plan on using about 50 pins for a child's bracelet, and 75 pins for an adult's bracelet. You can use all the same color of beads, or you can experiment with different colors and patterns.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Each elastic should be twice the size of your wrist. Black or white elastic will work the best for this, but you can also use the clear kind instead. Choose a thicker elastic, about 0.7mm, to ensure that the bracelet will be sturdy enough. [4]
    • Tie a knot in the bottom of each elastic. This will keep the pins from falling off while you string them. [5]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Slide the elastic through the top hole of your first pin. Next, slide the elastic through the bottom hole of your next pin. Keep going, alternating the pins, until you've used them all. Make sure that the beads on the pins are all facing forward.
    • The last pin should be upside down. If the last pin is right-side-up, take it off.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    At this point, it would be a good idea to test the bracelet. Wrap the bracelet around your wrist; you should have enough pins on there to cover it without stretching the elastic. Remove or add pins as needed.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Tie the top two elastics together in a tight, square knot. Repeat the process for the bottom elastics. You need to tie the elastics tight enough so that the first and last pins touch, but no so much that they stretch.
  8. Trim the elastic down to about 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters). Tuck each end back through the holes on the pins. Secure the knot with a drop of glue, then let the glue dry. [6]
    • You can also trim the ends of the elastic close to the knot, then heat-seal them with a lighter. [7]
    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Making a Delicate Safety Pin Bracelet

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Open a safety pin, then bend the needle back until the pin is almost straight. Use pliers to open up the coiled hinge. The space needs to be wide enough for a seed bead. [8]
    • This deign will create a delicate chain of beaded safety pins joined together with jump rings.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Slip the beads one at a time onto the pin. Loop them around the opened hinge and onto the back wire. Keep going until the back wire is filled. [9]
    • Use larger seed beads for this. A size 10/0 would work great. Anything smaller may not fit onto the pin.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Place the ends of the pliers over the hinge, then squeeze them to close the hinge. This will trap the beads on the back of the pin.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Leave enough space at the tip of the pin so that you can still close it.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    When you close the pin, you'll notice that there's a gap in the clasp. This allows the pin to open and close. Pin that gap shut with pliers so that the pin can't pop open.
    • Add a drop of super glue into the clasp for extra security.
  6. You need enough pins so that they can wrap around your wrist when placed end-to-end.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Pull apart a jump ring, then slide it through the top and bottom holes of two safety pins. Close the jump ring. Use this method to connect all of the safety pins in a chain. [10]
    • Pull the two ends of the jump ring past each other when opening it, not away.
    • Push the two ends of the jump ring towards each other when closing it.
    • If there is a gap in the jump ring after you close it, you can pinch it shut with pliers.
  8. Find a necklace clasp, then connect it to the top and bottom holes of the safety pins using jump rings.
    9. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Making a Fashion Safety Pin Bracelet

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Measure out a ring of memory wire, then cut it so that it overlaps by ¼ to ½ inch (0.64 to 1.27 centimeters). Cut a second ring off in the same manner. Make sure that you use heavy-duty wire cutters for this. [11]
    • This method will give you a statement cuff-like bracelet with fabric woven into it and a brooch on the front.
    • You can use regular wire instead. In this case, cut two pieces, each a little longer than your wrist circumference. [12]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Pinch the tip of your first wire with a pair of round-nose pliers. Wrap the wire around the pliers to make a loop, then pull it off. Repeat this step for the second wire. [13]
    • If you are using memory wire, bend the wire against the curve, not with it. [14]
    • You are only making a loop in one end of each wire, not both ends.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Use a larger seed bead, otherwise it won't fit onto the pin; a size 10/0 or so would be ideal. You can use just one color, but two would look more interesting. [15]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Use a pair if needle-nose pliers to press the clasp of the safety pin shut so that it can't pop open. For extra security, you could even put a drop of super glue into the clasp.
  5. You need enough safety pins to string onto your first wire, minus about ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters).
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Slide a safety pin onto the wire through the top hole. Slide the next one through the bottom hole. Keep going, alternating directions, until you have about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) of wire left. Make sure that the beaded side of each pin is facing forward.
    • For a more interesting bracelet, add a spacer bead between each safety pin.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    If you added spacer beads onto the first wire, make sure that you add them onto this one as well.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Use the same method as you did before. This will close the wire and prevent the safety pins from sliding off.
  9. The strips need to be about ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) wide. [16] T-shirt or jersey fabric will with the best for this, but you can use patterned cotton too. Alternatively, you can use ½-inch (1.27-centimeter) wide ribbon instead.
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Start weaving at one end of the bracelet finish at the other. Make sure that you weave between the beads, with two beads on top and two on the bottom. [17]
    • Weave back and forth across the bracelet until the space between the beads is filled.
  11. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    Once the front of the bracelet is filled, weave the fabric through the back of the bracelet. Do this a few times until the entire back is filled. [18]
  12. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Bracelet out of Safety Pins
    If you finished weaving on the same side of the bracelet as you started, you can knot the ends together, then tuck them into the bracelet to hide them. If you finished on different sides, secure the ends of the fabric to the underside of the bracelet.
    • You can secure the ends of the fabric with a needle and thread or fabric glue.
  13. You can add a necklace closure using jump rings, or you can sew on a hook and eye closure with a needle and thread. [19]
    • Skip this step if you used memory wire; the bracelet should be able to hold its curved shape on its own.
  14. You can use a brooch, cameo, or another embellishment. If you are using a brooch, you can simply pin it to the front of the bracelet. [20] If you are using a cameo or a different type of embellishment, secure it with fabric glue or an industrial-strength glue.
    15. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can you finish off the bracelet to make it more secure?
    Beth H.
    Community Answer
    If you want, you can add a dab of hot glue to the end of the tied bracelet. This will make the bracelet more secure, and you will be more comfortable that it won't slip off.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    I would like to make a bracelet so I can wear my Medic Alert charm, but I can't see how I could use the safety pin bracelet to do that. Any suggestions?
    Community Answer
    What you can do is gather all of your safety pins and line them up so you can thread your elastic through the holes at both the bottoms and tops of the safety pins separately, holding them together. About halfway through, you can just slide your Medic Alert charm over the elastic, and then carry on, so it will hang off nicely and still be visible.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Instead of tying the ends of the elastic together, tie them onto a watch face instead. You'll need to use fewer safety pins for this. [21]
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • For a fancier design, try a bugle bead, followed by 2 seed beads, and another bugle bead. [22]
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
      • Create patterns, such as hearts, by arranging the beads and pins in a specific order. [23]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      Making a Basic Safety Pin Bracelet

      • 50 to 75 safety pins
      • Size 10/0 seed beads
      • 0.7mm beading elastic
      • Scissors
      • Pliers
      • Super glue (optional)

      Making a Delicate Safety Pin Bracelet

      • Safety pins
      • Size 10/0 seed beads
      • Jump rings
      • Necklace clasp
      • Pliers
      • Super glue (optional)

      Making a Fashion Safety Pin Bracelet

      • Memory wire
      • Needle-nose pliers
      • Round-nose pliers
      • Heavy-duty wire cutters
      • 50 to 75 safety pins
      • Size 10/0 seed beads
      • Spacer beads (optional)
      • Super glue (optional)
      • Cotton or t-shirt fabric
      • Scissors
      • Brooch or cameo
      • Necklace closer (optional)


      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make String & Beaded Friendship Bracelets
      How to
      Tie Friendship Bracelets
      How to
      Make a Bra Strap Bracelet: A DIY Guide
      How to
      Make a Kandi Cuff
      How to
      Put Charms on a Pandora Bracelet
      How to
      Make Leather Bracelets
      How to
      Make a Rubber Band Bracelet
      How to
      Make a String Bracelet
      A Beginner’s Guide to Reading Friendship Bracelet Patterns
      How to
      Make Jewelry with Wire
      How to
      Make a Horse Hair Bracelet
      How to
      Add Charms to a Charm Bracelet
      How to
      Make Ankle Bracelets
      How to
      Make a Pony Bead Bracelet
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.ocregister.com/2017/06/19/how-to-make-a-safety-pin-bracelet/
      2. ↑ https://craftsbyamanda.com/safety-pin-bracelet/
      3. ↑ https://craftsbyamanda.com/safety-pin-bracelet/
      4. ↑ https://craftbits.com/project/safety-pin-bracelet/
      5. ↑ http://www.thriftyfun.com/Beaded-Safety-Pin-Bracelet.html
      6. ↑ https://craftsbyamanda.com/safety-pin-bracelet/
      7. ↑ http://www.thriftyfun.com/Beaded-Safety-Pin-Bracelet.html
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8fB9kaevno
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8fB9kaevno
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8fB9kaevno
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvarTYwMJSc
      3. ↑ https://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-safety-pin-bracelet-with-brooch/
      4. ↑ https://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-safety-pin-bracelet-with-brooch/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvarTYwMJSc
      6. ↑ https://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-safety-pin-bracelet-with-brooch/
      7. ↑ https://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-safety-pin-bracelet-with-brooch/
      8. ↑ https://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-safety-pin-bracelet-with-brooch/
      9. ↑ https://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-safety-pin-bracelet-with-brooch/
      10. ↑ https://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-safety-pin-bracelet-with-brooch/
      11. ↑ https://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-safety-pin-bracelet-with-brooch/
      12. ↑ http://www.ocregister.com/2017/06/19/how-to-make-a-safety-pin-bracelet/
      13. ↑ http://www.goodshomedesign.com/diy-safety-pin-bracelet-tutorial/
      14. ↑ http://www.goodshomedesign.com/diy-safety-pin-bracelet-tutorial/
      15. ↑ https://craftbits.com/project/safety-pin-bracelet/
      16. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH_BtPRv6xU

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 149,541 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Kathryne Young

        Jul 9, 2017

        "I purchased a safety pin bracelet at an art fair that I wanted to duplicate in another color; it was great to find ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement