Gail Nettles

Archive for the ‘Hand Beaded Bracelets’ Category

Here's the freeform peyote stitch bracelet I've been working on -- finally! This will be a "drive-by" post, but I wanted to get the beaded bracelet photo up since I have been talking about it all week!

"Mermaid's Garden" Freeform Peyote Bracelet

OK, so what's in it? Glad you asked!  I used the following in this bracelet:

• Size 8 and size 11 seed beads, in shades of blues and greens
• Abalone Beads (2)
• Baroque Pearls (3)
• Sterling Silver Beads (a few)
• Mother of Pearl Button
• Lots and Lots of Crystal Fireline

I always find the clasps the hardest part of the bracelet, because with freeform, I don't want the clasp to scream, "here I am!".  So I tend to minimize them, and let the bracelet itself take center stage.

Well, this was my warm-up.  I was looking through my bookcase last night and found my book on coraling -- forgot I even had it!  It's organic-looking, so right up my alley.

I also, in the process of rummaging around, found more of my lampwork -- I guess I still have some I can play with!  And the focal I found is a beauty, if I say so myself.

Well, I said this post would be short; goodnight, sweet dreams and see you tomorrow!

A hand beaded bracelet is fun to make (or at least I think so).  This kind in the photo takes me about 2.5 hours, start to finish, due to the number of strands I use (I like more substantial bracelets in general).

Hand Beaded Bracelet, Sterling and Turquoise (Click to Enlarge)

 

I think I used either 8 or 10 strands for this bracelet, strung with a mixture of seed beads (size 15, 11 and 8), sterling silver, turquoise and quartz crystal.  The finish is sterling silver cones and a lobster-claw clasp.

OK, I started out making this bracelet for myself, but now I'm not quite sure what to do with it.  Why?  Because I made it a little too long (argh).  Since I've lost weight, I'm tending to make the bracelets at my old wrist size -- haven't gotten used to the new one yet.

So I'm thinking that if I add another strand or two and braid them in, I can make the bracelet a bit shorter, by maybe half an inch.  That would be just about enough for a nice fit (slightly loose).

(Of course if anyone wants to buy it and give it a home, let me know before I decide what to do with it.) 

I don't in general do a lot of seed beading in strand form, but every so often I like to make bracelets like this.  It's just something different that you won't find in a store.  It's also in my signature organic style, which I can't seem to get away from (even my peyote bracelets end up with an organic look and feel).

Anyway, catch up with you again later!  Oh, and feel free to leave me a comment -- always enjoy hearing from you folks.