Day of the Dead Bracelet

[DawninCal]

A dear friend and former co-worker is retiring from her job as Spanish teacher at my former place of employment. I had a feeling this day was coming and started planning ahead months ago. Because of her heritage, she values Mexican culture very much and Day of the Dead is an especially important holiday for her - I kept this in mind while thinking about her retirement gift.

First I searched for Day of the Dead components on Etsy and fell in love with a fabulous hand crafted copper toggle clasp so I bought it and designed the bracelet around the clasp which I'll show you in a bit - adding suspense, you see.

I made these hammered copper links and the sterling silver jump rings:



After putting the links together, I attached them to the amazing clasp and added a copper key charm and a safety chain. The chain just happens to fit the Day of the Dead theme nicely.



Note that the toggle is a bone (love that attention to detail):



While I'm pleased with how the copper links look as a bracelet, I designed it so that the clasp will be worn on top of the wrist as a focal:



I'm giving it to her tomorrow along with a charm bracelet that I'll post in a separate thread - hope she likes it!

Thanks for looking!



Dawn

[caeterle]

That is absolutely fabulous, Dawn!! All components go so well together and that clasp really deserves to be a focal wow. I don't know why she wouldn't love that.

[violetmoonnl]

wow, that is a monster of a clasp ........



But I do love it!!

[DawninCal]

Thank you so much, both of you!

Cat, she loves big bold jewelry, so I'm hoping this will be a hit.

Carina, you are right - that clasp is huge! I've never seen anything quite like it and there was no doubt in my mind that it had to be the star of the show.



Dawn

[Sophy]

Awesome job, Dawn. I love how you matched the feel of the chain to the clasp. Your friend is a lucky gal.

[Michele]

What a fabulous clasp. Your wirework complements it beautifully.

[gbobmi]

Beautiful, Dawn! I love the components, especially the clasp. I'm sure your friend will love and cherish it for many years to come.

[DawninCal]

Thank you, ladies! Your kind words are much appreciated.

I'll know in a few hours how it goes over!



Dawn

[Loki]

Awesome!

[DawninCal]

Thanks!



Dawn

[Irith-Rita]

I know that if I recieved a gift like this I would love it a lot! I admire the art and the feeling invested in this bracelet! It is what Cat calls - a WOWZER!

[Claudia]

That's so cool. I'd love to see a picture of it on a wrist.

[DawninCal]

Thank you so much for your sweet words, Irith and Claudia!

Friend loved it and wore it when we went out for dinner and a talent show last night. It was a little too big, so I removed one of the copper links and added an extra jump ring at the clasp. I think it will fit her perfectly now and will give it back to her next week.

She didn't want to give it back, but it was either that or have it slide around on her wrist and it's supposed to fit snuggly.

Claudia, I'll take photos of it on my wrist later and post it here. Please forgive my wrinkly hands!

Glad to have you join in - welcome to JAC!



Dawn

[Claudia]

Glad to be back. Too long of a story why I was absent, but I'm back.

[gbobmi]

Glad to see you back, Claudia!

Dawn, I'm glad your friend loved the bracelet! Much as we all love these things, it's always a relief when the recipient reacts positively. I'm sure you would have had people standing in line for it if she hadn't liked it!