Are you looking for ideas to jazz up your chain work? Sometimes all it takes is to use more than one strand. I just love this gorgeous (and clever) design and tutorial from Ornamentea.


It's called the "How do I love thee bracelet.." - perfect for Valentine's Day. There are red heart charms and numbers for the inspiration came from Elizabeth Barret Browning's famous love poem (#43) among her collection of Sonnets from the Portuguese.


"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."

Elizabeth (1806-1861), an accomplished poet herself was literally swept off her invalid couch when the English poet Robert Browning , six years her junior, won her heart. "My little Portuguese" was his affectionate pet name for her and hence the title of her celebrated poetry collection.

 Interrupted chains
There is nothing wrong with using plain chains but if you add short wrapped bead sections, all of a sudden, the necklace or bracelet design become more interesting. Check out the tutorial by A Bead Store to see how it is done.

Braiding chains
Here is a novel idea from Stilldottie - braid your chains! Her multi-colored and multi-stranded necklace tutorial is so easy to do! Clever!

Looping chains
I wrote about this particular tutorial before. Beads Unlimited's elegant crystal and chain tutorial makes for a lovely vision in loops, crystals and tassels.

Body chains
Ever since I came across totally awesome body chain jewelry by  Bliss Lau and Litter SF, I've been keeping my eye out for body harness jewelry tutorials. This how to is by Carlyjcais on Cut Out and Keep.

Did you know the concept of body chains is not new?  Check out my past post on archaeological jewelry for a 5th century Britain version - it was a body chain probably for a girl or a petite woman. 

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
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