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.

I'm glad to report that my sister found her missing bracelet, which features a button from my grandmother's extensive button collection. I just love this bracelet. I want one exactly like it!

decisions re: ruby swarovski crystals continued

Again, here you can see two designs together in the first photo. The second two are close ups of slight variations. I used clear crystals rather than the pale blue ones in the bottom photo.

What I suspect will be my next experiment: varying the pattern so that the red is the dominant colour most of the time with the occasional block of the smaller, lighter crystals. Or, I could try using larger clear crystals.

decisions, decisions. ruby swarovski crystals.

I tend to experiment before making design decisions, and a cousin of mine is commissioning this bracelet, so I want to get it right. The one pattern contains more silver beads, which brightens up the red a little. But the beads fit more closely together without all the silver. I should note here that the beads (especially the small ones with the AB coating) are more sparkly in person. I've used a pale blue which blends in a little more than the clear sparkly beads (which I've also tried. Another decision in the making.)

experimental beading - crystals

My aunt happened upon a bead store and bought me a bunch of crystal beads, so I've been experimenting with them. Thanks aunt Lib! I love these colours, and I do like this design with the larger crystals (as opposed to the 4mm ones I've previously used.)

unfinished business

When I finish it, this bracelet will be a Christmas present for my grandma whom I didn't get to see over the holidays. I went to a beading store yesterday in hopes of finding enough beads to finish it, but I'm out of luck until the next shipment arrives. This will be one late Christmas present!

pastel beaded bangle

I made this for my Aunt Anne for Christmas. The colours are reminiscent of spring, which seems a long time away at the moment.