Helping Hands

In the past year or so since I've been  putting together these charm bracelets, I've struggled with attaching the charms one at a time with jump rings and pliers.  It's tricky, because you can't do it with the chain lying flat on a worktable, you have to hold it up, and the weight of the chain, which only gets heavier with each added charm, pulls it away from you.  I've managed, but I've always known there had to be a better way. 

Well, recently, I came across a commercial product that sells for about $12 that consists of a flat base with two upright columns about seven inches apart with hooks or clamps to hold a chain.  This way, the chain is suspended and it's much easier to attach the charms from underneath.  I intended to order one from Artbeads.com the last time I placed an order (I had a 20% off coupon), but I completely forgot.  Since I've been making so many charms lately with the intention of making a whole bunch of holiday-themed bracelets, I knew I would need something to make the process quicker and easier.  

Luckily, we had a dowel and a scrap piece of 2x4 and my husband was able to quickly put together this:

 Isn't it fabulous?  He put a nail in the top of each dowel so I can hook a link over it and suspend the chain.  It makes the whole attachment process so much faster and less aggravating!   What's more, it cost next to nothing to make, is made of all-natural, biodegradable materials, and wasn't imported from China!  Why didn't I think of this sooner?  I was able to put together 3 bracelets this weekend!  Thanks a million, honey!

It even makes a great holder for displaying the bracelets for photographing.  This one came out cute, didn't it?  Very festive, I think.  After I make a bunch, I'll do more photographing and figure out how/where to market them...