spiral beaded bracelet in fuschia

I experimented with the spiral rope stitch to the point at which it has become something else. The basics of the stitch are the same, but I've changed the number and size of the beads in the spiral. I've also introduced an additional spiral of small silver beads which underly the larger beads, giving the bracelet more sparkle and shape.

A series of spiral rope bracelets to be worn separately or together. The first picture was taken with a flash, which changes the colour considerably.

Ruby Swarovski bracelet

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I did finally settle on a pattern for the ruby Swarovski bracelet. I'm going to make a matching necklace with smaller bicones, but I've had difficulty finding the beads. I went to two beading stores in two different cities, and neither of them carry that colour in that particular size crystal. As usual, the first store was also out of my favourite clasp (which I need for the necklace). I ordered the beads from store #2 and also stocked up on clasps, but I am beginning to wonder if it would be easier to order beading supplies online!

I'm disappointed with this photo, but I love this bracelet. My aunt Libby originally wanted me to make her a sapphire and clear crystal bracelet like the one below, but she quickly changed her mind when she saw my post on experimental beading. I made a second bracelet for my mom, and I plan to make one for myself one of these days.

swarovski tennis bracelet - sapphire #2

One of my aunts commissioned this bracelet after seeing the first one I made for my mom. I made a few design changes. (As you can see, I eliminated the silver beaded loop next to the clasp and used fewer but better quality silver beads.)

spiral rope - turquoise, black, silver

A spiral rope chain designed for my grandmother. I like making these bracelets without a clasp; the trick is to make them the right size.

beaded bangle in turquoise, gold, ruby

I'm resuming beading and blogging after a long break. I did finally finish this bracelet for my grandmother this spring (it took awhile for my local beading store to get the beads back in stock!) I started with a basic spiral rope pattern and experimented using different sizes and patterns.