I love her so much that when I see her tutorials, I have to do what she's doing, even though I don't have the same beads. I know my results won't be the same, but it's my own piece, made from the things that strike me or from my own needs, like reducing the f-ing bead stash. That's the beauty of art, it's a freeform thing with only as many rules as you see fit. Take an idea and run with it!So, here's the inspiration, Wiseman's Plush Pearls bracelet for Jewel School. Hers, you'll notice, are beautiful and oh, so precise. Mine is larger, more organic, and wilder. Both are awesome. This has everything to do with the beads used. Smaller beads will yield a more delicate result while larger beads will give you a larger statement piece.
Supplies:
- silver glass seed beads, 3mm, I think.
- Blue glass beads, round-ish and 4-6mm
- mercerized cotton thread*
- Beading needle
- scissors
*I am using cotton thread because I have it on hand. If I had my druthers and a smidge of patience, I'd use FireLine or even thin fishing line. It's sturdier and less likely to break. If you use cotton thread, remember to reinforce all of your stitches.
Ladder Stitch
The base layer to this piece is a basic ladder stitch band. If you have a loom, you can use that to make this layer.
Thread 6 beads onto your string
Stitch into the 2nd bead on the string. It isn't clear in this photo, but the 4 remaining beads are on the tail side, not the stuck to the needle side.
Tighten until the 6th bead sits beside the 5th bead and run the needle through the 6th bead. Add another bead
Stitch through # 4 and 5 on the tail side
Bring the needle back up through the other side and add a bead
Stitch through beads #3 and 4 only
Bring the needle back up through on the other side and continue the pattern of adding a bead, stitching the next free bead to the one below it, taking the needle through the two beads on the left until the row is complete.
The needle end of the thread is going out through the left hand row and the tail is going to the right.
Stitch the next row like the last and repeat until you have the length you want.
For a bangle, measure just above the widest point on your thumb. For most people, this will be around 7 inches. This bangle is actually a little larger to fit over my wrist.
Adding the baubles
Grab 2 seed beads, 1 large round bead, and 2 more seed beads. Stitch through the first bead in the row.
Stitch through 3 beads to come out in between bead #3 and 4
Grab 2 seed beads, one large round bead, and 2 seed beads. Start the needle between beads #2 and 3 and stitch through bead #5
Finish the row by beginning the stitch between beads #4 and 5 and going to the end of the row.
Pull the needle and thread through beads #5 and 4 and add 2 seed beads, one large bead, and 2 seed beads.
Place the needle between stitches #4 and 5
Stitch through bead #2
Add the pattern beads, place needle between beads #2 and 3 and complete the row. All odd numbered rows have 3 beads, all even have 2. If you mess up on that, it's not a big deal. Just keep going.
After a bunch of rows It's easier to keep the thread on the non-blue side because it gets tangled up in all those little loops. Be patient go slowly.
After all the rows. You can add a strong metal clasp at this point or turn it into a bangle by sewing the first and last rows together
Making it a bangle-- No clasp
Use the ladder stitch from before and stuff the larger beads to the outside to keep them where they belong. This is easiest with the bracelet turned inside out. Reinforce like you're paranoid.
This is the finished bracelet. It's a large piece with a 1 1/4 width and the band is just shy of 8 inches. It's heavy, not so much that it's distracting, but it's a good, solid chunk of jewelry.
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