Thursday, May 31, 2012

Cuffed!

I have to admit to being a bit of an art slut.  As soon as I see an interesting project, I just have to go for it.  That's what happened recently when I saw my friend Teri's beaded cuff bracelet.  As soon as I got home I started ordering supplies.  They all arrived this week and I got to beading.  I didn't have to order any seed beads as I already have a stash of those.  Big surprise.  But I did get to spend a pleasant hour or two choosing some cabachons.  I ordered the brass bracelet blank, the material you actually do the beading on, the lining, the thread and the needles HERE.  They also have some very clear written directions, which were very helpful.  I got the cabachons HERE.

Teri was working from a book by Sherry Serafini, which, believe it or not, I do not own, but between seeing Teri's bracelet in person and reading some directions online I got the general idea. 






This is NOT difficult, but it is time consuming, and working with small beads and a very thin needle requires good lighting, so there was no 2:00am beading going on.  I'd work on it for an hour or so, go off to do something else, then pick it up again when I felt like it. 

You know I like to share my observations, so if this is something you'd like to try, I do have some thoughts that might help you.

You can't have too many needles and you MUST have a needle threader.  Working with these seed beads requires a #12 needle, which is very thin, very sharp, and easily bent.  I ordered a pack of 6 needles and went through 4 of them.

To have a really finished looking piece on the underside, I see now that having the lining (I used ultra suede) and the thread color match would have been much better.  But when I placed my order, the black ultrasuede I really wanted was out of stock, and being impatient (and an art slut) I just ordered what they had, which was grey.  I'd just as soon not have those black stitches visible, but it's hardly the end of the world. 

I have plenty of bracelet blanks so this won't be my last bracelet, but right now I'm thinking of ways to use this technique to make some bold dangly earrings.  Stay tuned.....

17 comments:

Vic said...

Beautiful bracelet!

Susan McHenry said...

gasp!!! I want to play!

Susan McHenry said...

gasp!!! I want to play!

craftyM said...

Just gorgeous, Eileen.... looks like so much fun!!!

Sue Young said...

Beautiful,,,,,
Perhaps in the Keys.....

Elena said...

It came out awesome Rileen! I will get with you about this because you know I HAVE to do this!

Anonymous said...

Oh that is BEAUTIFUL Eileen!!!! Absolutely WONDERFUL job!!!

Monica said...

I made a that bracelet and bought a ton of cabochons then I beaded them. Eileen the best beading thread is Fireline in black or white, found in fishing stores or male relatives tackle boxes. No one sees the reverse side so make lots more.

nancyquilt said...

love the bracelet...must have one of my own...need to go, have to bead!!
Beautiful ;}}}

Elaine A said...

Eileen -

GORGEOUS! What a really beautiful piece and what a great job constructing it (who cares about black thread)!

Elaine Allen

Dorothy said...

Stunning!!!!!

Patzee said...

What a beauty! I have just ordered a bunch of supplies. This is a must-do project for me. Thanks so much for sharing the photos and supply links.

Alicia B said...

Absolutely Amazing piece of ART work Eileen!!! *Hugs*

LaStamper said...

Eileen - you have once again outdone yourself. Well done! Love it.

Unknown said...

This is just gorgeous Eileen! You'll have to wear it to the art retreat in July so I can see it in person!

teri said...

I love the colors you used -- it looks funky and fine, just like you!

I'm debating -earrings or a necklace .

Lori said...

You slut you! lol...you crack me up. This is gorgeous, and it's so YOU! Love it!