Monday, May 21, 2012

BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO MAKE ONE...

Seeing these darling multiple wrap bracelets everywhere, starting last spring, I earmarked a page from the Internet, but went onto other (seemingly) more important things - until last week, when I actually cleaned out my "Favorites" on my computer - talk about hoarding!  From under the stacked up pile of nonsense, saved for a year because I knew I would need those pages, I unleashed a great TUTORIAL FROM "RINGS AND THINGS" (and it's like totally free - TOTALLY, Dude!)
Armed with boatloads of cash and a burning desire to learn something new (OK, I admit the cash part is a lie), I headed to my local bead store for supplies, and turned out two pretty cool pieces of arm candy, in the past two evenings.  Some among you will "honk" the orange one as being anything but garish (the beads are actually a dark amber/orange and blue combo - always check your color wheel for complimentary colors, when in doubt), but it's THE color for summer, "they" say (the same person who will throw up in her mouth over the orange one will also shudder at the yellow one).  I actually made it to be paired with some of my orange Bakelite bangles, which brings me to this...
A new Bakelite bangle, the design of which I had never seen before, so was pretty excited to get it.  Kind of a dark butterscotch color - coiled over on itself, with the end being flattened and sliced off at an angle before being hand carved.
Once you've finished drooling over my good fortune with the bangle, you might want to pull up the tutorial and make a wrapped bracelet (or two) of your own.  These things I know - or figured out in the course of making mine.  The supply list on the tutorial is a little vague, but I've got ya' covered:

1.  2 yards of 1.5mm/2mm round leather cording will get you a 4 wrap bracelet for a standard size wrist. 2.5 yds. will do a 5-wrap bracelet.

2.  I used Czech Fire Polish beads in the 6mm size.  They came in strands of 25.  For the 4-wrap bracelet, I used almost a full 6 strands (or 150).  For the 5-wrap bracelet, I used 7 strands (or 175 beads).

3.  If you're patient, this can be made using one length of thread, instead of ending a piece and tying more on as you go (patience is the key, and making sure you have an area of floor that you can lay your thread out beside you as you pull it through, to make sure it doesn't tangle).  I cut 8 "wingspans" (from fingertip to fingertip) of the colored beading thread on the little spools (Nymo, I believe is what I bought).  Use thread conditioner to keep it from tangling, also, running it over the thread as needed.  The thread gets doubled, so you won't be working with that entire length.  Carefully lay it out as you peel it off the spool, to make sure it doesn't tangle uncontrollably until you get it doubled.

20 comments:

The Primitive Bucket said...

So love this one sis...but then again, what don't I love what you do!!! I'm sure I won't be making one...my eyes won't let me!! tee hee... I love you and miss you tons..can't wait to get to see you!!

Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien said...

Ooooh, so pretty! I love the orange one! I love orange!!

oldgreymare said...

so when you don't answer the phone ..THIS is why?


so teach me. I have the time now lol
xx
z

Createology said...

Tanya your bracelets are amazing. I have never seen this style of bakelite before. Your wrapped bracelets are all the rage. I never would have thought it would take so many beads per bracelet. Fabulous dahling...and so chic in the current orange crush color.

the old white house said...

you're so right... I do need to make one! These are fabulous, thanks for the how to! t.xoxo

Jackie said...

Cool, I will give it a go and we will see what happens, but I will not be using ORANGE....GROSS!!

Colleen said...

The orange one is my favorite!

Amanda said...

Hi Tanya! It was so fun to hear from you this morning! I think these bracelets you've made are great. I didn't read through the instructions because you know, I am not a jewelry maker (maybe someday!) I do have to say that I love how you made the yellow one to coordinate with your vintage bakelite! What fun! I still treasure my rhinestone cowgirl necklace! I hope you're doing well!
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Happy Tuesday to you too Tanya! Thanks for leaving your inspiring comments. Always love hearing from you. I love your beautiful bracelets. What talent you have..


Jody

Dorthe said...

Tanya,
OH I love them, they are looking great, and the orange one is a beauty to me- :-) But what a work- I don`t know if i`m patient enough...not like you dear,- I so admire all the beautiful bead work you are doing , so stunning pieces.
The bakelite is so special and a wonderful purchase.
Hugs to you, and a happy week.
Dorthe

Jillayne said...

Your lovely new Bakelite bracelet reminds me of a piece of MacIntosh toffee... I love it!
And your wraps are gorgeous - I'm not afraid of the orange either - must be a throwback to the 70s...

bj said...

These are really great looking. Yep, I do need to make myself several. Then the grandgirls will think I am cool. :)
I keep them fooled most of the time.

And, I STILL love his jeans rolled up and his white sox. :)

Hopewell Creek Designs said...

Oh goodness I love these and I think I might be able to make them. With the family coming on sunday and also the ridiculous hot weather arriving too we may need all the indoor projects we can muster up. I am going to post this and see who wants to give it a try! Thanks so much for sharing!!

Mary said...

I know you think those were directions, my dear, but I have NO idea how to make one of these, even though you've tried to help!

They are pretty though! Not much a fan of orange and yellow, but I'll bet they are stunning in green or red! One of these days you will teach me how to bead! Until then, I'll just drool over your work!

xoxoxo

DearHelenHartman said...

Just reading about doing this makes my eyes cross! Will leave the beautiful beading to you, you do it so well!

Cindy said...

Just beautiful as usual! I could never make something so complicated as these! Every piece you create is breathtaking!
xo
Cindy

Mandy said...

Love these colors! I want to make these too! I wish there were more than 24 hours in a day and I could get by on less than 5 hours sleep!!!

Vicki Boster said...

Im totally in love with these wrap bracelets -- rest assured I am NOT going to make them -- but I love to buy them whenever I find them -- so boho chic. Yours really ARE fabulous! (I couldn't do that in a million years!!)

xo
Vicki

Vicki Boster said...

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!! Girlfriend -- looks like the Vera Bradley beach towel is coming your way!! Send me your mailing address please! Congrats!
Love,
Vicki

Curtains in My Tree said...

No honey i don't want to make your bead bracelet I want that bakelite bracelet.
I am on the hunt for bakelite bracelets all summer , I have found some great ones for great prices, I still want more