I tried to rework the Modern Loom-work Bracelet to double the size and it came out well… except that I decided to use black Beadalon wire (nylon-coated stainless steel) 7-strand for the warps and although it gives the bracelet an ideal structure (unlike regular beading wire which can easily kink), WOW, you can really see the warps in between the bead rows since it is so thick. Overall, I’m going to scratch that technique.
I was itching to weave a bracelet based on a Native American rug I saw in an art gallery book so I sketched out a modified version of it and then went to work. Mid-bracelet I decided that I didn’t like my sketch and decided to change it up a bit. Then I wasn’t sure whether I liked red-based or blue-based stripes better so I gave it both. I think it would work better with one stripe motif, red or blue but not both, and will make the appropriate changes for next time. I used regular white beading thread for the warps and weft and decided to try a tube clasp. Good choice. I LOVE the tube clasp because it is a really easy way to join together the ends of a multi-strand bracelet and then attach the finished product to your wrist (unlike a barrel clasp or a lobster claw which can be a very frustrating apparatus).
But of course math got the best of me again and I didn’t account that the tube clasp takes up about a half to a third as much room as a regular clasp so my bracelet came out too short. Believe me, I tried and tried to smush my wrist into it but it just wasn’t having it. My sister was all to eager, though, to take the bracelet off of my hands. So, I suppose in the spirit of sisterly affection, I’ll send her this one since she had such nice things to say about the Fret Board Bracelet and even gave it a marvelous debut out on the town. I’m going to affix some crimp covers before I send it to her though, assuming they work appropriately with the design once they arrive.
For this bracelet I used:
- 11/0 opaque seed beads
- Regular white beading thread
- Sterling silver crimp beads
- Stainless steel tube clasp
