Bound Blooms Bracelet Tutorial

Hello - This is my first post, and I'm delighted to be here. I've been tasked with offering you some tutorials and I'm going to start with a variation of a popular bracelet design of mine.

It uses ceramic components from Captured Moments.  I've used 7 small flowers and one of the larger gear links, but you may wish to use more or fewer flowers depending on your wrist size.  There are lots of colours available so you can choose your own palette, if you like.  The bracelet also features a beautiful lampwork poppy focal from Mermaid Glass. You'll also need some of these czech glass flower buttons, along with a button for the clasp.

As you'll see, I've made my own button by creating a shank with a looped headpin.  I've done the same with the focal poppy.  When making this second shank, try to keep the loop small, that way it will sit nicely in its frame.  Aside from these items, you'll need a good length of 2ply Irish waxed linen (say, 70 cms), and a selection of seed beads (the ones that I've used are approximately 2mm in size).  So far as tools go, you'll need just a couple of basics: cutters and round nose pliers.

Start by stringing seed beads to the centre of your linen cord, making a loop that it large enough to hold your button.  Secure the loop with a knot; you'll now have two equal lengths of linen. Thread one of your lengths through a ceramic flower, then thread both through your glass flower. Position your glass flower inside the ceramic one, then split your two cords before bringing them together on the other side of the flower. Then, tie an overhand knot. Continue adding these flower units until you have strung four.

Next, add your large gear ring in the same way, but rather then adding a glass flower button, add enough seed beads to take you to the centre of the ring - in my case, four. Add on your poppy then add four more seed beads. Next, separate your cords, taking them either side of the gear and knot again with an overhand knot.

Start adding more of the smaller flower units until you have another three. Add a seed bead, then using your cord ends attach your button closure. If you wish, finish by adding a couple of beads to your remaining threads, securing them with knots. Alternatively, trim your ends up against the knot on the button shank and add a dab of hypo cement glue. 

And then your bracelet is complete.

As I've suggested, you may want to vary the elements to alter the length or the cost.  It's a fairly flexible design which you could develop in different ways. You could mix in round or floral table cut coins and other flat or disc shaped beads, and use fewer of the ceramic elements, as I have in these bracelets.  

For more variety, a number of bead makers make similarly shaped components - you may already have them in your stash. To help you stock up I've compiled this treasury featuring all the main items you need for this tutorial, along with a few alternatives to help you mix things up a bit!  Happy browsing!

Claire

Blog: something to do with your hands

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'Art Bead Scene: Bound Blooms Tutorial' by somethingtodo

Ingredients and inspiration for Claire's bracelet tutorial - Art Bead Scene 3/18/2014

5 Pottery Flower Beads In Ta... CapturedMoment... $6.25	Glass handmade lampwork flow... mermaidglass $18	Handmade Ceramic Pair of Da... Bohulleybeads $4	Serenity - 12 x 5mm snow whi... thecuriousbead... $3
5 Flower Beads In Orange Pe... CapturedMoment... $6.25	Tawny Violet 12x15mm Garland... dreamgirlbeads $8.9	Handmade Lampwork Glass Bead... mermaidglass $6	Walnut Brown 2 Ply Waxed Lin... JewelryAccord $2.5
Dove - 12 x 5mm gentle grey ... thecuriousbead... $3	5 Pottery Gear Bead in Storm... CapturedMoment... $6.25	RESERVED FOR SUSAN....Handma... Bohulleybeads $3.75	2 ply 5 yards Waxed Irish Li... RusticBead $1.95
Handmade pottery gears in co... CapturedMoment... $7.45	TANGERINE BLOSSOM .. Premium... ArteBellaSurpl... $1.65	2ply 10 yards teal waxed lin... thecuriousbead... $2.6	Ocean Urchin Ring in Creme B... ktotten $18

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