My staple always-sell pieces are bracelets using memory wire, a stiff wire that retains its circular shape,and beads. For some reason women really love them and are willing to pay $35 to $50 for one. They are comfortable and easy to wear. The technique for making the bracelets is very easy and usually takes about two hours. Simply cut the wire, make a loop with pliers at one end, slide the beads onto the wire, finish with another loop. The real work is in creating a one of a kind unique piece each time.
I usually decide on a base color palette and select a primary bead. These tend to be six or eight millimeter and either round or rondelle, a slightly flattened bead, usually a gemstone such as agate or jasper. I typically use a mixture of metals including sterling silver, pewter, copper, and gold. I select accent beads that are larger, longer or otherwise different. These beads can be tubes, ovals, rounds, or other shapes. I usually include glass beads of one kind or another and like to have at least one lampwork bead. I also use wood, seed, shell, and other types of beads. I typically finish the ends of the bracelets with a charm or a drop bead.
I try to think through the design before I execute but I have been known to change the entire design and slide every bead off the wire.
I never make more than one of a particular design. My bracelets are asymmetrical since I do not repeat a specific pattern only a general theme of color and shape. I also consider where the accents fall on the bracelet so they are distributed for balance of design and comfort in wearing along with ensuring the bracelet will drape on the arm nicely. The bracelets are usually from four to eight circles. An important consideration in making these bracelets is the weight of the bracelet on the arm.
When creating a bracelet with a specific person in mind I will include items that have meaning to the person. I made one for my daughter that included a small maple leaf in acrylic that she had given me as a memory of a family trip to Canada. I made one for myself that included a large special bead that my mother-by-marriage gave me.
This morning I delivered the seven-strand bracelet in these photos to White Mist of Cotter, the artisan shop where my jewelry is sold. It was the first piece I have done this year. I took a week to think about this design and selected the primary beads when I visited my sister and dragged her along to a bead store in her area. I selected an agate that has been stained turquoise.
The staining of agate is a centuries old practice of enhancing the patterns of the stone. Idar-Oberstein, Germany is famous for the agates from the region and for the local skill in staining these stones.
The second color is based on the four millimeter yellow jade rondelles. I included a lampwork bead that I purchased in Oregon three years ago and some recycled glass beads from Ghana. I also included a Thai Hill Tribe silver bead and seven copper tube beads, four long plain and three short
designer. I finished this bracelet with drops made from the agate.
I always see flaws in the execution after I deliver the piece. In this photo I see that the lampwork bead should have been a few beads further along so that it would have been opposite the long copper tube and would not have created such a wide separation between the two strands of the bracelet. Perhaps I am the only one who would notice this. Julia, the owner of White Mist, sent an email telling me the bracelet, priced at $45.50, sold before the day ended. A woman from South Carolina walked into the store wearing the exact same colors that are in the bracelet.
I always say that there seems to be just the right person for my pieces. Sometimes they come together quickly and other times they take a while to find each other. I take great pleasure when the jewelry and the right woman come together so Julia always finds out where my jewelry is going to live.
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