Czech Glass Bangle

I can’t tell you how happy I am that I finished this bracelet.  For a while I was worried that it was going to become one of those MIA projects. I’ve been working on it for the last four days, and I still think I got it wrong. :p I ended up going to the store three times to make it.  The ironic part of this is that I specifically made this bracelet because I thought it would go together quickly, and truthfully.once you get everything right, it does!

If you feel like making this bracelet, please read the post in it’s entirety before starting. I did some trouble shooting and I believe that this bracelet, as pretty as it is, is still different from the pattern in the book.

I love the Japanese Bead Books that tell you what size beads to use.  The book that my next project is out of gives a mm size. (score!) In the book that this one is out of, I have no idea what size bead I needed, just that I needed 665 of them. I thought that they looked more like size 11/0 beads so that is what I started with. Note I said *started* with

Ultimately I used

1 tube size 11 seed beads

1 tube size 15 seed beads

3 small strands of 4mm Czech glass beads.

I strung this with fishing line. There I go being all thrifty again.

Size really does matter!  These are two clasps. The purple one is made with size 11 seed beads. I made the turquoise one with size 15 beads. There is a considerable difference in how thick these two little flowers are. The one made out of size 11 beads is quite a bit thicker.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

You want to start this bracelet by making the flower clasp. I started with size 11 beads. You’ll want to use a pretty decent length of thread because you will be making the base of the bracelet.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To each thread add 3 seed beads and 1 4mm Czech bead. Add 1 more seed bead to one of the thread and then cross the other thread through the bead.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Then add 1 4mm bead, 1 seed bead and 1 more 4mm bead to each thread. Cross both threads through another seed bead. You have just made a little circle of beads. The pattern wants you to make 17 of these little circles , so you will repeat this step until you have 17 of them.

This is where I started running in to problems. After I added about 15 of the circles I wrapped the bracelet around my wrist to see how long it was. At 15 circles it felt like it was a little bit too long for my taste. So I stopped at 15. I wondered if I had used the size 15 beads if it would have been a better length. I decided size didn’t matter and stopped at 15 circles.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This is what the base of your bracelet will look like.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Once the bracelet is the length that you want, you need to do one more circle of beads. To do that you will add 1 4mm and 3 seed beads to each thread, then add 1 more seed bead and cross the threads through it.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Add 2 more seed beads to each thread and then cross them through another seed bead.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Once you get to this point you need to make the loop that will go over your flower clasp.  I added 17 size 11 seed beads to one of the threads. I then took the other thread and crossed them through the other direction so that there are two threads going around the loop. Cross the threads again through the bead that you started the loop with.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Take one of the threads and weave it back around the smaller seed bead loop so that it meets up with the first thread. Tie the threads off and trim them. As usual I dab mine with a little bit of clear nail polish. be careful though, because I accidentally clipped my knot. 🙁   I redid the whole thing, but only after going back to the store to buy size 15 beads. I followed the directions, made 17 loops and decided that the length was just perfect. I took this to mean I was using the right sized bead! (oops)
 
 

The base of the bracelet is done. I suppose if you wanted to, you could just call it good here. 🙂
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cut another length of thread. I believe I cut a piece that was 6 times the length of the bracelet. Run the thread though the middle seed bead in your first circle of 4mm Czech beads. Center it so that you have two tails of thread that are about equal in length. One points towards the length of the bracelet, the other goes out in the direction of the clasp.
 
 
 
 
 

Take the thread that goes out towards the  clasp and string on 3 seed beads, 1 4mm Czech bead and then 3 more seed beads.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

String on 4 more seed beads and then run the thread back through the first of the four seed beads so that it makes a little loop. Slide it down so that it fits snuggly up against the rest of the seed beads. I’m going to call this little loop a picot.  Add 3 more seed beads and 1 more 4mm czeck bead.
 
 
 
 
 

Set down the thread you have been working with and pick up the other one. String on 3 seed beads and then run it through the 4mm bead that you just added so that the thread cross inside.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pick up the other thread and add 3 seed beads. Run the thread through the middle seed bead on the next circle of Czech beads. String on 3 more seed beads and then 1 more 4mm Czech bead.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pick up the other thread and string 3 seed beads. Add four more seed beads and run the thread back through the first of the four to make another picot. Add 3 more seed beads (you can only see two in the photo) and then cross the thread through the 4mm Czech bead. You are going to repeat the steps in the last two photos all the way down the length of the bracelet.

Then you will weave the threads over to the other side and do the same thing again. When you get to the end, you will work the last circle of beads back in to itself so that both threads cross through the same seed bead. When I got to the end, I could not pass both threads through the seed bead in the middle to weave it over to the other side. It was frustrating because I knew I could get at least 3 thread through the beads (I did it in the clasp) but there just wasn’t any way it was going to happen. :<

So, I went to the sporting goods store and bought some actual real fishing line, in 2lb test..and then I restrung it again..

After I  restrung the base of the bracelet I proceeded to do the lace on the edges. I didn’t like how it was sitting but I kept going with the hopes that it would sort it’s self out.  After I finished the lace on one side I took a good long hard look at it and I determined that the size 15 beads are not large enough, thus it pulls it in a funky direction. So, I pulled it out and I redid the lace with size 11 beads. It looks so much better.  Once I finished it off I put it on and I noticed that I would probably prefer to have it a bit looser (sigh) So, my guess is that I was supposed to use size 11 beads for the entire project.

So for this bracelet, I used the size 15 seed beads for the clasp and the base of the bracelet. I used size 11 seed beads for the lace. I purchased 2lb test fishing line to string it and I used thin beading needles. I tried doing it with fireline, but I did not like how it looked at all. If I were to make it again, I’d try doing the whole thing with just size 11 seed beads. It is a guess though. I just don’t have it in me to do this one again any time soon.

Beading has become a good source of stress relief for me. I have really been throwing myself into it lately. The result? It is leaving me with way more jewelry than I can possibly wear. My solution was to make a piece, take photos and blog about it so that I have a record of making it. Then my plan involved me taking the piece apart so that I can return the beads to my stash and make something else. I think it is a great way to keep costs down while still enjoying my hobby. In this case though..I think I’m just going to go buy a purple shirt. :p

Make Your Own Bead Clasps

I am enjoying playing with glass and seed beads. When I made my first seed bead bracelet I wasn’t too excited about tossing in a sterling toggle clasp. I think that the clasp cost me more than the bracelet did. I also really don’t like using the inexpensive clasps from the craft store. I don’t care for how they look. I’ve really enjoyed using the buttons. I think they look a little more like they belong when it comes to seed beads but good quality buttons can run as much if not more than a simple sterling toggle. The biggest advantage to using seed beads is that they are less spendy so it doesn’t really make sense to toss on an expensive clasp. What’s a girl supposed to do?
I’ve been busy last few days playing with my Japanese Bead Books. I’ve hit a few stumbling blocks, but I’ve also found a few gems. They are pretty basic so I am just going to share them with you. I am going to show you how to make two similar clasps using seed beads and 4mm fire polish beads. This might be a bit picture heavy.

This Clasp is made using 4mm fire polish beads and size 15/0 seed beads. I used fishing line. To start you want to string on 1 seed bead, 1 4mm,1 seed bead,1 4mm and then 1 more seed bead. The three center beads will be the first *rung* on our ladder. Center the beads on your thread. If you are using fishing line, you won’t need a needle. If you are using thread, you will want to put a needle on both ends. I tried both and I thought that this half of the clasp had a much better feel to it when it was made with the stiffer fishing line.
 
 

Step A: Take one end of the thread and string on 1 4mm, 1seed bead and then 1 more 4mm. Take the other thread and cross it through the beads going through the opposite direction
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Step B: Then add 1 seed bead to each of your thread. We are making a ladder.  Each rung on the ladder will consist of 2 4mm beads with 1 seed bead between them. The remaining seed beads (from step B) will form the sides of the ladder.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Repeat Step A and Step B until  your ladder has 6 rungs. Make sure you end with Step B, you really need those two little seed beads on the end.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This was a surprisingly difficult photo to take. :p When you finished your ladder you had two thread coming out of the bottom rung. One going out to the left, and one going out to the right. You are going to take those two threads and cross them back through the first rung in your ladder. You want to cross the threads THROUGH the first rung, not before you get them in to the beads. So take the thread that exits to the right and thread it through the top right side of the first rung so that it exits on the left side. Take the bottom thread that exits on the left side, and thread it through the top left side of the first rung so that it exits on the right hand side.

Pull your threads to snug them up. This will give you a nice little ball of beads. When I made this ball with the fire line, once I got to this point it didn’t hold its shape very well. It works much better with the fishing line.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

If you look at the end of the ball of beads, you will see that you have 6 little seed beads that are just hanging out. These were the sides of your ladder. The seed beads are on both sides of your ball of beads.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

You want to run your thread through the 6 seed beads so that you make a circle.  I don’t think it matters which direction you go, so do what is comfortable. I worked mine in a counter clockwise direction. Pass the thread through the beads a second time. I did not snug up the thread as I went, I waited until I went around twice. Then give it a good pull and draw those beads into a tight little circle. Do the same to both sides of your ball of beads.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Once you have pulled your circle of beads tight on both ends you need to decide what to do. In this particular pattern, the directions have you move straight in to working the bracelet, so that is what I am going to show you how to do. If you want to work the rest of your bracelet or necklace with another kind of thread, tie it off ( I will cover that in the next one) and then run your thread through a central seed bead when you get started. Either way you need to bring your threads back to the center of one of the rungs. To do that you want to run your thread back through one of the 4mm towards the center of the rung. Make sure you are using the same rung with each thread. In the photo above I have my thread exiting on either side of the seed bead. If you can, you can cross your thread through that central seed bead and skip the next bead.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In the photo on the left, I crossed my beads through a second seed bead. I can’t read the directions and the diagram wasn’t clear on this bit. Unfortunately there wasn’t a close up of this part of the bracelet. Once I crossed through the seed bead, I added 2 seed beads to each thread and then I crossed the threads through 1 more seed bead. At this point I am ready to move on to making the bracelet.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

When you get to the other end, you will want to make your loop large enough to slip over the ball of beads.  I believe I used  35 size 15/0 Seed beads.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This has been an interesting project. The bracelet is not yet finished. I still have a few kinks I am working out, and then I will do a post about it.  I have enjoyed trying to figure out what size seed beads I need. I admit that I have made several trips to the bead shop over the last few days. :p I really like how this clasp looks with the bracelet, it is like adding a little decorative flower. If you want something a bit bigger you can make this with size 11/0 seed beads, but you will need to adjust how many seed beads you use to make the loop on the other end.

This post is a bit longer than I thought it would be, and there are even more photos that go with the next clasp so I think I am going to make that a separate post.  I should have it up later this evening. I had hoped to get them both done this morning, but I have to make a trip to the hospital for lab work, Cafe Med is calling my name and I have a Science Fair to attend. 🙂

Silver Pearl Pierces

Some things just don’t translate well. :p I’ve been looking through my Japanese Bead Books and of course I am missing some of what I need for some of the projects I want to make.  So frustrating.  So I decided to make a pair of earrings. I started out with my”Beads Jewelry For Gift” book. The translations crack me up.

I don’t read a lick of Japanese, so it has been an interesting endeavor. I have found though the the diagrams are very good. I have to guess on the sizes of the seed beads, but in the chart that goes with the pattern it tells you how many of each bead you need, as well as what mm the bead is. I think that I will be able to figure out  most of the patterns that I want to make, I just need to learn order everything at once.

I decided to ease into it  with earrings, which seemed simple enough. I am so glad that I went to the store yesterday because I needed size 15 beads in silver and all I had were size 11. I made two sets of earrings. In the pair on the left, I followed the directions as best as I could interpret them. For the pair on the right, I did it  my way. These are very delicate earrings. I have the camera set to macro so that you can see them. That makes the knots look very visible, although sharper scissors would probably help.

To make the earrings in the book you will need:

(6) 4mm pearls (I used swarovski because they are very uniform)

Small link Silver Chain

Size 15 seed beads.

Ear Wires

Thin silver wire (I used 26 gauge)

Round nose pliers

Wire cutters

scissors

a needle

thread (I used fireline)

I also put a dab of clear nail polish on each of my knots.

To start off you want to take the 4mm pearls and the silver wire and make links out of them. Don’t make wrapped loops, just simple ones. make them as small as you can. You also want to take the chain and cut 4 segments that are 3 links long, and 2 segments that are 2 links long. This is tiny stuff.

I wish that I had more photos of this next bit, but the camera was taken so that my daughter could finish up her Science fair project. You are trying to make the piece on the right. Leave enough of a tail so that you can easily tie it off. You will string 8 seed beads on, run the thread through one loop of a pearl,string 4 seed beads, run the thread through an end loop of one of the 3 segment chains, 4 more seed beads and then pass through the loop on the other side of the pearl. Thread through it all again so that the thread goes through everything twice, and then tie it off. Clip it as closely as you can without cutting the knot. I then dab the know with a little bit of clear nail polish.

This photo is actually taken from the second pair of earrings, but i want you to see the basic assembly. In the last step you added a little bit of chain to the beaded pearl. For the center part of the earring you are going to pick up the other end of that chain. You are also going to add another 3 link piece of chain to the other side. So, you are going to string on 4 seed beads, the chain from the first component and then four more seed beads. Pick up another pearl and run your thread through one of the wire loops, add 4 seed beads, another 3 link piece of chain, 4 more seed beads and then pass the thread through the other loop on the pearl. Pass the thread through everything and tie it off just as you did the first pearl.  Basically you are making a circle and then passing the thread through everything a second time. The 16 beads are divided in to quarters, with metal loops and 3 and 9 o’clock and chain at 12 and 6 o’clock.

The last piece is added in the same way. Instead of adding another 3 link chain, you will add a 2 link chain. Once I got it together I just slipped the last link of chain on to an ear wire.

I hit a few obstacles. Some of my wire loops were a little bit to big, so they slid over the seed beads willy nilly. I had to go back and tighten them up a bit. Also, I didn’t get two of them closed all the way. While I was trying to string things on, the pearl kept falling off. Again I had to go back and tighten them up. That probably wouldn’t be a problem for someone with lots of practice in the wire wrap department. For me it was sort of like trying to tie thread around an open jump ring. I found it to be a bit irritating.

The earrings are pretty, but I thought I could make something similar without having to mess with the wire. I’m not very confident when it comes to using wire.  My version is a little more streamlined. Taking out the wire also saves time. Mine go together faster. While it isn’t much you are also saving yourself the expense of the wire.

I started by stringing 1 seed bead,1 4mm pearl and then another seed bead. Again you want to make sure that you leave enough of  tail so that you can easily tie off your thread.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Take your needle and thread it back through the 4mm pearl.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Once you pull it through, you are going to pass the needle through the first seed bead. BUT you are going to go thread your needle the same way you did the first time, so that the needle is moving towards the pearl.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This is what you are shooting for. These two seed beads will anchor the remaining seed beads. In the first pair of earrings we used 16 seed beads for each pearl. We are only going to use 14 with this method. From this point it is assembled just like the other set, only instead of using sets of 4 beads you will be using sets of 3. since this is the first pearl, you want to add 6 seed beads and then pass the needle through the seed bead on the other side (instead of the wire loop in the first method) Add 3 more seed beads, one end of a 3 link piece of chain and then three more seed beads. Run the thread through the beads around the pearl one more time and then tie off just as you would have in the first set of earrings.

Back to this photo. Start the second pearl the same way so that you have 2 seed beads to anchor to. Thread on 3 seed beads and pick up the chain from the first pearl, 3 more seed beads and run the thread through the anchor bead on the other side. Add 3 more seed beads, the next 3 link piece of chain, 3 more seed beads and then run the thread all the way around again. Once you get back to your tail, tie it off.  On the third pearl you will add the shorter piece of chain and use that to attach it to the ear wire.
 
 

This shows one of each of the earrings together so that you can see the difference between the two.  remember that this is a macro photo, the knots are not nearly as visible on the finished product. I used the crystal fireline.

I like my version better. :p I’ve been scrutinizing them for a couple of hours now.  They are very, very delicate earrings though.  From a few feet away I can’t even see the wires in the original version. I can however see that mine have a “rounder” appearance.
Clicky Here for Beads jewelry for gift book

Now is a good time to buy beads

I’ve been shopping. I wanted to get more drop beads so that I can make a second necklace. Unfortunately, that was a bust. I had a difficult time finding two different sized drops in the same color.  I checked three local craft stores and one bead shop. I could have gone back up to the store that I purchased the pink ones, but I think I chose the pink ones because their selection was limited. I am going to have to place an order. But I did discover something else.

Right now Joann’s is having a pretty good sale in the bead department. A good portion of their beads are 40% off and that includes the more expensive crystal beads. I picked up a couple of tubes of toho beads in colors that I thought I could use. Then I ventured over to Michaels.

All of the crystal Elegance swarovski crystal beads are on clearance. If you are a *walk in to a craft store and buy it off the shelf* kind of gal, now is the time to stock up. They seem to be going fast though. I checked two different Michaels and they both had them on clearance.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

They now have a new line of Crystal beads. They are very nicely packaged, I think I am just a sucker for new packaging. If you have lots of room on your peg board, you can take the paper off and neatly hang the little plastic container that is inside. It would be a great way to keep the beads from bumping in to each other as they would if they were loose in a container. I thought that some of the beads looked familiar, so I made a trip back over to Joann’s.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

It appears as though Jolee’s has reinvented their packaging. I hardly ever buy the Jolee’s from Joann’s. The selection just hasn’t impressed me in the past. I do have to say though that the new collection at Michael’s is pretty impressive. The color selection is much more interesting, the packaging is more appealing and there are a lot of new components that I have not seen before.  Also, the new packaging makes the beads stand out a bit more. With the old packaging, I thought that the beads sort of all looked the same..which is probably why I never bought them.
 
 

On the bottom shelf of the display they had more of the tic tac style storage boxes. They are about twice as expensive as the ones at JoAnn’s BUT, the plastic looks clearer and they have this neat little storage gem.  The little container in this photo opens from both ends. Two of them fit in the space of one of the larger boxes.  So you can get four smaller compartments in the same space as one. There are ten larger containers and twenty of these tiny ones for a total of 30 little containers. What I love about these tiny, tiny containers is that I have quite a few beads that I only have one or two of. I don’t want to dedicate an entire container for just a few beads so they are pretty jumble together. With the smaller containers I can separate them. The beads will be easy to see and find, that seems like a win/win to me!

…And just because I was at the bead shop I had to pick up a few little treats for myself. I think this pair has potential for some pretty cool earrings. I also think that if I can find them in a smaller size that they might just work for that necklace. Unfortunately I managed to break one. (Don’t ask) So I am going to have to pick up a new one.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This is a pair of vintage swarovski crystal beads. I thought they were interesting. I have no idea what I will do with them!

The last two weeks have been pretty rough for us. My daughter had a fever for 8 days, my son had his for 9. I sounded so bad, that after listening to me breathe my Dr put me on antibiotics because he was worried about Post Viral Pneumonia. Good Times. I am behind in just about every aspect of my life. The house needs a good once over and I still need to make that lucky goldfish for another site that I have. But, tomorrow I am going to bead.  I have so many neat projects that I want to try, tomorrow I am just going to do something for me!