How does your garden grow?

Even in the heat wave we've had the past week, some of my flowers are blooming. Despite the lack of rain, I have some pretty pink roses from a bush I thought was dead. You would understand my surprise if you knew my history with gardens. I very definitely do not have a green thumb. I've often joked that the only thing I'm good at growing is children.

However, I've recently discovered that I can also "grow" chain maille flowers. I absolutely love this bracelet that I call Flower Garden. Only in chain maille would I be able to plant flowers that would grow in such nice neat rows.

How about you? Have you had success with flowers? Do you have any advice for someone who can't tell the difference between a weed and an azalea?

(If you'd like to see more views of the Flower Garden bracelet, please visit my Etsy shop).

To Toggle or Not to Toggle

When I first tried using toggles, I hated them! I didn't trust that they would hold a bracelet securely and I had trouble putting the bar through the hoop. I've since learned a lot about toggles and they are now one of my favorite clasps.

There are a couple of ways to make sure the toggle will keep your bracelet securely on your wrist. First, the bar should be twice as long as the inside of the hoop. Second, the bracelet should fit well. If it is too big, the toggle won't be secure.

Toggles can be the easiest clasp to use if you don't have anyone to help you put on your jewelry. Just make sure that any beads or chain close to the bar will fit through the hoop along with the bar. With a long bar, you won't be able to fit it through the hoop if you can't fit a little of the bracelet through with it. I often add a couple of small jump rings between the bar and the rest of the bracelet so the toggle will work properly.

Don't shy away from a toggle clasp. Make sure the bracelet is well constructed and fits properly and you shouldn't have any problem. A good toggle can even be a great design element. I've sometimes used a really cool one as a focal point in a necklace. Clasps don't always have to be hidden.