My latest obsession

Have you ever made a wrap bracelet? I know the trend has been around for a while. I hope I'm not so late joining in that no one is wearing them anymore… But now that I've found them, I've fallen in love and will probably wear the ones I've made way, way, way past the time of them being in style.  

For one thing, they are comfy to wear, not to mention how easy they are to fasten. Bracelets often get put away in drawers for years if I can't hook them without assistance.

Inspiration hit at the Gem and Mineral show in Kansas City.  I thought I'd try to make a few bracelets, after seeing the beautiful beads there.  

The prices are pretty good there and the dealer was giving me another 20% off the sale price, so I might have gotten a teensy bit carried away…

Trouble is, I'd never attempted to string beads before, but that didn't stop me from spending $250 on semi precious beads to teach myself how to do it.

On second thought, I realized this might not have been my smartest move.  These were harder to make than I had hoped they might be. They look pretty simple.  But when I started in, it felt more like sewing than making jewelry and I'm not much of a sewer. Needles and thread have been my sworn enemies.

Mine started out a little wonky.

After more than a week of obsessing, and having beads spread out on my dining room table, I think I figured out a few tricks. 

The most important thing I discovered was to use a heavier leather cord than the one I started with. The one pictured is ideal. My thinner one broke.

Also, a heavier silk, in 2 meters, not 4 is soooo much easier than the longer pieces. I had no idea which to use when I started, so I went with the one that felt like it was miles and miles of dratted tangles.  

A pair of pliers came in handy for tightening the thread, yet I was still getting some beads that bulged away from the cords. I read that you can use a dot of beading glue on the strings to hold them in place. That helped too.

Mine are far from perfect, but the beads and colors themselves are so pretty, that helps hide my flaws.

One reason why I've so totally immersed myself in making these wraps is that I've been doing it in the kitchen instead of out in the studio.  It has felt like a break from work, I've enjoyed having a home base right there in the house instead of heading next door.  The piles of beads are always right there, tempting me to sit down and dabble with a new design.

Sugarwings had "forgotten" that she had homework until the last two days of spring break, and I sat and made bracelets for hours as she finished up her own work.  She designed a bracelet for me to make for her to wear, although I don't really know if they are kid proof or not.

 I made an onyx one for Ryan and he wore it to work at the warehouse last night. I told him not to be so trusting of my skills, that it might not hold up to loading trucks.

The possibilities are endless with the designs. Especially if you have gone overboard at the bead show.

Each time I finish one, I can't help thinking about who to make one for next and what colors I'll get to use. 

This is one I've made for myself, it has vintage, glass buttons woven into the pattern.  

Of course, it is my fave because it is the one I just finished.  The latest one I make is always the one I love most, until I make another, that is.

For this one, I was able to make it longer, so that I could get three wraparounds instead of just two like the previous ones.

Most have already been given away, some I didn't even get photos of, I was so excited about them as I finished I couldn't wait to take them to their new owner.  Of course, now I'm thinking I shouldn't have given away some wonky ones, I should've remade them.

Well, my pile of beads doesn't really even look like there is much of a dent it in yet.  So, back to work.