Graduation Gift Idea: DIY Charm Bracelet
A DIY charm bracelet is a graduation gift that will always stand out from the rest.
And one of the best parts?
This is something you can easily do as a last minute gift but still customize it so that it’s specific to the graduate.
What are Some Fun DIY Graduation Gift Ideas?
Whether it’s graduating from high school or college, there are a variety of DIY graduation gifts that you can make.
As you might expect, some projects take longer than others.
Here are some fun handmade gift ideas to get you started:
- make a t-shirt quilt (in any size) – upcycle thrifted t-shirts or use t-shirts that are relevant or sentimental to the gift recipient.
- sew up a pillowcase – look for fabrics novelty fabrics that align with the recipients interests or a college-specific fabric.
- craft a silicone wristlet key chain – make a wristlet keychain using school colors.
- make an eco-friendly candy wrapper zipper pouch – upcycle wrappers from the graduate’s favorite candy to make a zipper pouch and fill it with a gift card or two.
Two Ways To Customize DIY Charm Bracelets
I have provided two DIY custom bracelet options below depending on materials, experience level, and time constraints,
You’ll need the following materials (if you don’t have them already):
- Curb chain for the add-a-charm style charm bracelet
- Bangle bracelet blank(s) for the bangle style bracelet
- Graduation-inspired charms
- Lobster clasp and tab
- Head pins
- Jump rings
Please note: All of the above links are affiliate links, so as an Amazon affiliate, I may receive a small commission if you buy something using one of the links.
Tutorial: Make A Custom Charm Bracelet With Curb Chain
Easy DIY Charm Bracelet
It's easy to make this custom DIY charm bracelet in 30 minutes or less if you need a last-minute graduation gift.
Materials
- Curb chain
- Lobster clasp with tab
- Graduation-inspired charms
- Letter charm (first letter of recipient first name)
- 4 colorful beads of choice
- Jump rings (6mm and 7mm)
- Head pins
Tools
- Set of jewelry pliers
Instructions
- Gather materials and tools. For this exact design, you need four graduation-inspired charms, four beads, and one letter charm. You can, of course, add or subtract charms depending on your design goals.
These graduation charms come as a bulk set and are linked below. 
- Cut a 7" length of curb chain..
- Use two 6mm jump rings to add the lobster clasp and clasp tab to each end of the curb chain.
- Layout the graduation charms to see which sequence you like bes.t
- Add your beads to the layout.
- Attach a jump ring to your center charm and add the charm to the center point of the chain.
- Repeat the process to add the remaining graduation-inspired charms to the chain based on your layout.
- Create a bead charm by placing a head pin through the bead's hole and closing the head pin.
- Attach a jump ring to the bead charm..
- Add the bead to the chain.
- Repeat the process with the remaining beads to finish the bracelet.
Notes
- The sequence of when you attach jump rings and how you add the charms and beads is more personal preference than anything. Some makers prefer to add all of the jump rings at once and then layout their design.
- This bracelet tutorial leaves space in the design or people to add additional charms over the years if they want. If you want a fuller look to the charm bracelet, you'll need more charms and beads and the space between them will be just a link or two of the curb chain.
Recommended Products
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JIALEEY 50 PCS Graduation Charm Collection, Graduate Hat Cap Back to School Compass Pen Charms Pendants DIY for Jewelry Making and Crafting -
MUZHUPGUZ 4 Pack Jewelry Making Pliers Tools Set, Jewelry Pliers with Needle Nose Pliers, Round Nose Pliers, Bent Nose Pliers, Wire Jewelry Pliers for Jewelry Craft Making Repair Supplies -
Anezus 1200PCS Jump Rings for Jewelry Making Kit, Jump Rings and Necklace Clasps with Jump Ring Pliers Tools for Jewelry Making Supplies and Necklace Repair (Silver) -
Chenkou Craft 700pcs Assorted of 7 Sizes Mix Flat Head Pins for Jewelry Making (Silver, Mix)
Video Tutorial: DIY Curb Chain Charm Bracelet
DIY Alternative: Create A Custom Bangle With School Colors
If you don’t typically work with curb chain, but do have experience creating charms with headpins, a custom bangle is another charm bracelet option.
You can also purchase charms that just need a jump ring to be added to the bracelet.
The DIY bangle bracelet video tutorial below focuses on how to make a mother’s day gift, but the concept can easily be applied to a graduation gift.
Instead of a birthstone bangle bracelet, why not do an ombre theme with the graduate’s favorite colors, or something for game day using school colors?
Congratulations Graduates!
High school and college graduations are a milestone that should be celebrated.
And while dorm essentials or clothing are an option, along with the practical gifts, a personalized charm bracelet is something that is super special to mark this important occasion.
