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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.
[x184] Add 2 more seed beads to each thread and then cross them through another seed bead.
[x184] 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. 
[показать] 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. [показать]
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.
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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
2 comments - What do you think? Posted by Penelope - February 6, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Categories: Beading, Beads Jewelry for Gift, bracelet, Fire Polish, How to, Japanese Bead Books, seed beads Tags: Czech Glass Bangle
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
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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. [показать]
3 comments - What do you think? Posted by Penelope - February 4, 2009 at 11:18 am
Categories: Beading, Beading Tips, bracelet, How to, Necklaces, seed beads, Uncategorized Tags: How to make a bead clasp
Beading Tips
I learned two things in my class on Thursday. These may be pretty common place for some of you, but since I am just learning how to work with the seed beads they are new to me. I’m also pretty sure that they will be new to some of you as well.
To start with, the instructions said to wax the wax the Nymo or C-Lon thread. I of course asked why this is necessary. I was told that you want to wax the thread because sometimes the edges of the crystal beads are sharp. That makes sense to me, after all they are glass. After repeatedly pulling the thread through the crystal beads, the thread can start to fray. I imagine it is possible that it could also break. Tremaine recommended that if you want your piece to hold up over time, to use fireline. Fireline does not need to be waxed. So that is the first tip, if you are working with crystal beads, use Fireline.
The second tip has to do with constructing the bracelet. I think that this technique could be used in any pattern, if is it possible to work the design either direction.
I worked the bracelet from the center out, but I only used one length of thread.
The design called for 5 yards of thread.
That is a pretty long thread to work with.
So, I unwound about half of that. (I guesstimated) and then I attached the thread to the spool with a piece of tape.
Do not cut the thread.
I started the center of my design.
I brought the beads around in to a circle and then tied it.
I threaded my needle and then then passed it through the first bead.
I then made my first motif.
Once I finished the center motif, I had to weave my thread out to the edge of the design.
You can see in this picture that the piece is still attached to the spool of thread.
I then worked the first half of the bracelet.
Well, I would have, but I accidently used to much thread.
The neat thing about this particular pattern is that it is repeating, so I just continued the pattern until I had about the right length of thread to finish it off.
So in this case, I did about three quarters of the length of the bracelet instead of just half.
This is a good thing, because if I had cut it off at the half way point, I would have been wasting some of my thread.
Once I finished off the first end of the bracelet, I was ready to work the other side.
I did not need to pull off as much thread for this side, because most of the bracelet was already done.
I only unwound about a yard of thread, and then I cut it off.
I then re-threaded the needle.
The thread was still in the center of the motif, so I had to weave it back out to the edge of the bracelet so that I could continue the pattern in the reverse direction.
This required me to pay a bit more attention, because in this bracelet I am using a variety of colored fire polish beads.
Instead of all being the same, they resemble more of a fan pattern. The way the beads went on was exactly the same, I just needed to be more mindful of the colors I was using.
This is the finished bracelet. I love how much it catches the light. I can see though in this picture that I made an error in the pattern on the bottom, just to the left of the center. If you look beneath the green beads, I used one to many seed beads. That sucks. I doubt that anyone else would notice while I am wearing it though.
I really like the idea of working a piece from the center out while it is still attached to the spool. I can think of an added benefit straight off the bat. If you decide that a necklace needs more (or less length) you won’t need to restring the whole thing.
3 comments - What do you think? Posted by Penelope - January 19, 2009 at 1:00 am
Categories: Beading, Beading Tips, bracelet, Button, Uncategorized Tags: Beading Tips
Monthly Bead Classes
I took my first beading class Thursday at my favorite local bead shop. For those of you in the Salt Lake area, my favorite bead shop is Heart Beads Jewelry. Tremaine Fenton is an absolute doll. Of all three of my local beads shops I have consistently gotten the best service in her store. It doesn’t matter who is working, everyone has always been both friendly and helpful. One of the other things that I really like about her store is that she offers a free beading class each month. I’ve drooled over some of the classes before (as well as much of the jewelry in the case) but I’ve never had the nerve to sign up for one the classes. This month I decided that I was just going to do it and I am so glad that I did.
Tremaine helped me pick out the beads that I would need for the project. As a bead class virgin, I did not know that most people bring their own stringing materials. That meant I needed to purchase some fireline and beading needles. She had scissors at the table. Tremaine worked on a bracelet while I worked on mine and she was there to answer any questions that I had. I liked the colors of the one that she was working on so much, I decided to purchase extra beads so that I could make a second bracelet at home. She also showed me a nice little tip that I am going to share with you soon. 
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I am ready for Spring. I’ve also recently purchased some new maternity tops in bright Spring Colors, so I chose to go with pink and green beads.
After I completed the bracelet, I collected up the packaging for all of the supplies that I used, as well as the extra goodies that I wanted to purchase and I paid for everything at once. I think that I am going to take the class every month. If you have a local bead shop I suggest you stop in for a peek and see if they have any classes available. If they do offer classes, be sure to ask what tools or supplies that they provide, what is included in the cost of the class and what you will need to bring.
My next post is going to be about that little beading tip that I picked up yesterday.