Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Color Cord Mixes and a Free Bracelet Project

Color Cord Mixes from the Jewelry Accord Shop 

Need a jumping off point for your next jewelry design? Try a color cord mix from the Jewelry Accord Shop on Etsy. Lori Eurto does a fantastic job of creating pretty bundles of inspiration with her colorful Irish waxed linen cord palettes. I love the alluring combinations she puts together and I enjoy the fun names she dons them, too!


Are you looking for a place to start on a jewelry design to enter into our Art Bead Scene Monthly Challenges? Lori has been creating color cord combinations inspired by the art piece chosen by the Art Bead Scene team. Look to the Jewelry Accord shop each month to be inspired and pick up a few cord bundles to get creating. You can also request a custom color cord mix to be made in any palette you choose. She may even name a new color mix in her shop after you!
My friend Lori and I share a passion for Irish waxed linen cord. It's one of our favorite materials to work with. She invited me to design a special jewelry project and tutorial to post on her blog highlighting our beloved waxed linen cording. I'm thrilled to share the project here. I created a simple bracelet. The materials may be humble, but the design is one I would wear on a daily basis. Those are the kind of pieces I love to make the most. The everyday jewelry. I love the texture and look of the knotted multiple gemstone strands, the joyful colors of the waxed linen cord and the gorgeous, hand-crafted copper button by Barbara Bechtel of Second Surf Studio on Etsy. The techniques are easy. These simple, tried and true knotting techniques I use over and over in my jewelry. This basic bracelet project is a great example of how easy it is to incorporate Lori's color cord mixes featured in her Jewelry Accord Shop in a jewelry design!
 
Fortuneteller’s Bracelet
Erin Siegel

Sodalite is said to be the stone of “insight”. The bright, colorful threads of waxed linen cord remind me of a long, flowing gypsy skirt that a fortuneteller might wear.

Materials
72 Sodalite 6mm rounds
1 copper 20mm artisan button by Second Surf Studio
4’feet EACH of 4ply Irish waxed linen cord in the following colors: Plum, Fuchsia, Red and Sage

Tools
Scissors
Ruler

Finished size: 7 ½”
 
1: Hold the four pieces of linen cord together at their centers. Tightly twist the centers of the 4 cords together for 2”. Fold the cords in half and form an overhand knot, leaving a ¾” loop of twisted cord.


2: Separate 2 cords. Use 1 cord to string 1 Sodalite round. Use both cords to form an overhand knot after the bead. Repeat 17 times. Repeat entire step for remaining cords.


3: Use all 8 cords to form an overhand knot. Separate cords in half and form 3 square knots.


4: Use 4 cords to string one buttonhole. Repeat for the other buttonhole. Form a square knot on top of the button. Trim cords to ¼”.

Resources:
Sodalite rounds: FireMountain Gems. Waxed linen cord: Jewelry Accord on Etsy. Copper button: Second SurfStudio on Etsy.


Erin Siegel is a jewelry designer, beading instructor and co-author of the jewelry book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry: 50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbon and Cords. To find out more, visit her blog: Erin Siegel Jewelry

7 comments:

Lorelei Eurto said...

Thank you Erin!!! What a great post! I hope readers will try this fun project too! So pretty!

Unknown said...

Love this and will try making one as soon as possible! thanks for sharing!

Kathy said...

The project has such great colors. I've been thinking about branching out to waxed linen--I'm checking out jewelryaccordshop.etsy.com right now. Pretty stuff.

Lupe Meter said...

Definitely trying this out...just ordered some cording! :)

Unknown said...

I have used waxed linen lately and really love how easy it is to work with. I will have to try this tutorial, you have sparked an idea for a twist in it too!

bbold said...

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Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

A wonderful post! jean