Golden Raspberry

Kumihimo Bracelet

 

 

 

 

While on Thanksgiving vacation on Cape Cod last week, I made 3 new Kumihimo Bracelets. Two are similar to others I've made and one is quite different. I'm featuring the different one this week. (Actually, I haven't really finished the other two.  My reason for the feature - is because this bracelet is different, and I'm sticking to it!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may recognize it as the bracelet I showed under construction last week.

 

 

 

 

 

However, I was able to get a better picture of the lovely colors at home and show the hammered Antique Brass toggle clasp I found for the finish. Though nothing is like seeing it in person.

 

 

The other two should be finished next week. In the mean time you can see more information by clicking on the pictures or clicking here: Golden Raspberry bracelet and go to my website.

 

 

(Always remember you can email me anytime, if your prefer)

 

Until my Friday Special and next week,

 

 

Bev

Rusticana Bracelet

Rusticana Bracelet

  What's in a name?

 

 

I've mentioned before that I have trouble naming my pieces. Lately, some names have just been "popping" in my head,  for no specific reason, it seems.

 

I've had a run on my 3 row Leather bracelets lately (nice problem, no?) So, I've been busy making more. A couple of the variations are only one or two of a kind as I no longer have more of the beads to make them.

 

 

So, planning to make a new version,  I scouted out one of my favorite bead stores. (pflora beads) and found some great Fire Polish beads in a Dark Bronze color. To go with the Brown Greek leather and Dark Bronze beads, I chose some Smokey Topaz seed beads. (You can see the results in the picture)

 

Now, for some reason, the name "Rusticana" came into my mind for a name for the bracelet. No reason that I can think of. So, I did a Google search to see if I could place the music or something that might explain what made me think of the name. I didn't find anything  but I found a great video of  "Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo".

 

I also found that some of the Cavalleria Rusticana opera music was in the various Godfather movies. Now, since I have never seen any Godfather movies that was not where the idea came from. (Just as an aside - I haven't seen ET either)

 

 

Click on the picture at the right  to listen to a You Tube Video of "Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo"

 

It is very nice. Always learning something new. Sometime, I'll figure out where the idea came from. Anyhow, I do like it for the name of the bracelet.

 

 

You can see the new bracelet on my website: Rusticana Bracelet

 

Do you have any more information on the name "Rusticana"? Is it a good name for this bracelet? or any other suggestions? I'm always open to suggestions. Email me at info@ringbyringdesigns.com or bevcarlson@comcast.net

 

Until next week,

 

Bev

 

website: http://ringbyringdesigns.com

Email: info@ringbyringdesigns.com

or         bevcarlson@comcast.net

 

Also find Ring by Ring Designs on Facebook   http://facebook.com/ringbyring

and Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/ringbyring

Making a new Bracelet, Funny Story

Our family has one of those "family jokes" most people have. I was quite young when it happened so I don't remember the specifics but most of it.

The first part of the story is the name of the store where it occurred.  Weed and Company. Anyhow, my Grandfather went into Weed's to purchase something (part of what I do not remember). He saw just one on the shelf and took it over to buy it. He was then told (and this is the funny part) he could not buy it.
"Why?" my Grandfather asked. The reply: "Because we wouldn't have any left in stock"

Well, it isn't a thigh slapper story but you have to admit it is funny.

I was reminded of the story today when I started making a new bracelet today. (The one half way finished in the above picture). I was fortunate to sell four last week and this was one of the replacements. I was making the first section which determines the length. I do have a list of materials for the bracelet. Twenty-six 6 mm beads. Now that sounds like enough information but 6 mm beads do vary in actual length. Enough so that if you have 26 beads the total length can be significant.

Usually, I have one on hand to use as a guide for the length. But remember, I told you I had sold 4 last week. Yikes, my total inventory. Now what? I had sold the last one in stock!  Oh, no!

Well, fortunately, as you can see by the picture, I found one to use as a measure. It is mine. I had forgotten about it.

It really isn't that critical since people have different sized wrists. But why spoil a good story with the lack of a few facts??  - Another "family joke"

Bev

http://ringbyringdesigns.com

Frog Leather Bracelet Part 2

Frog Leather Bracelet

  I promised more in a previous post about my new Frog Leather Bracelet. And here it is.

"Frog" is a one row leather bracelet. The clasp is a cutest green frog button. Smoke topaz oval glass beads are encased in medium brown leather. The bracelet is 7 1/2 inches long.




 

 

Now the frog is an interesting item in a bracelet. I found him/her? at a bead show. Several of the vendors had pretty buttons that work well in the leather bracelets I've been making lately.  The thing I'm wondering is

 

"Do you want a frog on your wrist?"

 

I'm sure if you have had any contact with young boys, you know about frogs and insects. They way they relate to them varies a great deal. This fact was brought home to me this morning when my Grandson came in from outside to tell Grandpa that there is a big bug outside on the rock in front of our house. Grandpa and Grandson went outside to see this big bug. Grandpa took his work shoe with him.  (He had his slippers on)  Soon they came back in. Mission accomplished. We (his Mother and I) got a graphic description of the activity of the demise of the big bug. In Technicolor!

 

"It was yellow ......"  I'll spare you the details. Actually, I have put them out of my mind..

My Daughter explained that her older son would not have reacted that way. It would have said:  "Eeew"  (or how ever you spell that word). The two, brothers that they are, react very differently to the same situation.

 

All of this reminded me of the frog in my latest bracelet. So, would you wear a "cute frog" on your wrist? Know someone who would? I do, but still wonder. Would love to hear your comments on the "Frog Leather Bracelet"

 

The  Frog Leather Bracelet is available on our website.

 

Bev

 

website: http://ringbyringdesigns.com

 

Email: info@ringbyringdesigns.com

Frog Leather Bracelet

I'll have more on this new bracelet later but couldn't wait to at least put up a picture.

 
"Frog" is a one row leather bracelet. The clasp is a cutest green frog. Smoke topaz oval glass beads are encased in medium brown leather. 7 1/2 inches long.





If you are interested, he is available on my website.

More later.

Bev

A little housekeeping announcement:  When I changed my URL to RingbyRing (instead of Bevsjewelry) in this blog, I lost the links to my old posts in the  "You might also like"  lists below.  You can still see them all but you need to change letters "bevsjewelry" to read "ringbyring" in the address line of your browser.

Better than loosing them all, I guess.

New PMC Chain Maille bracelet

One of the first things I made in my PMC class last Saturday at Not Simply Beads in Plymouth, MA, was some charms. The size makes a good starting piece and since they are small, do not use up too much of the relatively expensive silver clay. A good thing for a beginning project.

I made these four little "flowers" and added them to a simple 2 x 2 Chain Maille bracelet. As with the heart I showed yesterday, the first thing I did was add texture. Nichole has drawers of interesting things to give the clay texture. With these four I used four different designs for texture.




They don't look much different but they are. The big thing I noticed with the charms was that my wrist is not allowing me to put as much pressure on mixing the clay as required to make it smooth. It has to be smooth to start with or everything else is not smooth. I didn't notice it until I looked very closely after the charms were fired and cleaned up. My instructor kneaded the heart piece when I asked her how to make it look smooth. Now I have a new PT move to practice to improve the strength of my hand. More fun than squeezing a ball. At least I learned how to make improvements.

Here is another view of the charm bracelet.




Tonight I took an old deck of cards and made some packs to use for varying the thickness of the clay when rolled. It is the same method as used in polymer clay to make a uniform thickness in clay. I now have 2 packs each of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 cards. Now, I need to gather some more items for my newest jewelry making addiction and make more before I forget all that I've learned.

It is nice have something new to combine with my other favorite, Chain Maille.

B


www.bevsjewelry.com and www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com

New Chain Maille Bracelet

I usually have trouble coming up with names for my pieces but for this one I had a name before I made the bracelet. I found a nice strand of green hearts at the Innovative Bead Show I went to last Saturday. Usually hearts have the hole drilled vertically. These had the hole at the top and side to side. I have found a lot of beads that are similar and the holes are drilled in a sloppy manner. At least they seem so to me. These holes were drilled such that the hole came in from the back and out the front making the string have the hearts overlapping. That, I don't think is the way it was intended. The holes should go straight across the top of the heart. However, in this case the results was very intriguing. The nestled one on top of the other.

The name "Kindred Hearts" came to mind when I saw the string. So, I began thinking of a possible design. Three in a row, then what? Chain Maille, then what? I had enough rings to make the Barrel chain I recently learned and voila a new Chain Maille Bracelet.

And the name? "Kindred Hearts" Not bad if I do say so myself.

You can see it listed on my 1000Markets web site http://www.1000markets.com/products/58240


B

Barrel Chain Maille Bracelet

OK, can you tell that I've been playing with my camera again?

This is my latest Chain Maille creation. It is called the Barrel Weave. I learned the weave from instructions I purchased from www.urbanmaille.com

I really love the instructions that Aislyn from Urban Maille provides. Clear pictures, clear instructions and lots of tips. I ordered the kit thinking it was just another name for a pattern I've made before called "Orbital". Many weaves have several different names for the same pattern. Byzantine comes to mind. It is also called Bird Cage, Fool's Dilemma, Idiot's delight or Idiot's Box.

It turned out to be a different pattern. Not drastically different but different none the less. Instead of having two rings on the sides, it only has one. This allows you to use a smaller ring than the Orbital which uses double rings. Actually, it is a good lesson in aspect ratio. Aspect ratio is the ratio that compares the inside diameter (ID) and the thickness of the wire in the ring.

Getting back to playing with my camera. I was in a hurry (what else is new) to post the pictures. So, I quickly took pictures of the new Barrel bracelet. First on a black background and then on a white background. None of them came out very well. However, with Picasa my picture "fixer", I was able to make some adjustments. The one on the left is taken on a white background with a flash and obviously adjusted. Looks really fake, doesn't it? Yet you can see the detail of the bracelet. The second one is taken on a white background with out a flash. The picture looks more realistic but harder to see the details.

Next time, I'll spend more time with the set up and see if I can get a picture that is both realistic and easy to see the details.

Tomorrow, I'll show you the Orbital bracelet so you can see the difference.

If anyone is interested in a discussion or explanation of Aspect Ratio, let me know. Just remember, it will prove that you do need high school Arithmetic after you graduate.

B

Swarovski necklace and bracelet

While I really like to make silver Chain Maille, using beautiful Swarovski crystals is also fun. When I found the two hole Swarovski/marquisette components I had a challenge to use them together. Oh, the choices! This is my take on using two sizes of jet Swarovski crystals and the butterfly component.

The components are available in many different patterns but this is the one I like the best.

Next, of course, came a matching bracelet. Well, I did make an all jet bracelet, but I thought I'd show a jet and garnet. It is not easy to see the two colors in the picture.




Actually, the color combinations are many. I also like the blue sapphire color too. Emerald is good too.




Which color do you prefer?


B

Silver Bracelet

In yesterday's post I showed a necklace that I made following a suggestion from Auntie's Beads. I mentioned that I while I might use directions from somewhere, the results are hardly ever the same as the example. This necklace was, however, the same. I was trying to learn something new. Later, I'll come up with something different from the same example.

The inspiration for this bracelet looks entirely different from the finished product. Back to my usual format. The only thing in this bracelet that looks like the inspiration is the silver curved tubes.

I tried to make it like the suggestion but it did not work out, just didn't look or fit together right. So, with a little maneuvering and adding some different beads, this is the results. Not bad!

Here is another view of the same bracelet:

The black beads are hematite, one of my favorite items to use in designs. Let me know what you think.

B

I just have to add: The Citgo sign caught on fire and, finally, so did the Red Sox last night. I have to admit we went to bed thinking it was all over but they pulled it off. If the Sox have to lose to anyone I'd like to see Tampa win, however. They are a great inspiring team. Last place last year and first in their division this year. A great turn around! Even Manny couldn't keep the Dodgers in the race. OK, now you all know my opinions on baseball!