The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “Bluebells”:“Very pretty!…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“This is a piece one can wear from day to night, very beautiful!…” read »
- on “Totally Teal”:
“Wanda the ring is cute, did you a spiral worked in to your ring?…” read »
on “Garden Droplets”:“Love it....You always inspire me, Ali !…” read »
on “Totally Teal”:“Wanda you are such a skilled artist. Love those bracelets....Teal is such a happy color.…” read »
on “a taste of honey”:“Gorgeous Doktor! My kind of colors.…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Ooops! I meant, Thank you all!…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Thanks you!....…” read »
on “Evergreen Copper”:“The copper, the stones--love it all. Lovely, dramatic design.…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Great set. Jimmy's a lucky moai.…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Love it! Exquisite beads.…” read »
on “Prince Moai”:“These pieces are just stunning!!!!! Love looking at the lovely projects beaders have done..it is…” read »
- on “Lots of Copper”:
“You could always start learning etching! I find that 16g through 20g copper makes some of…” read »
on “Violet Tendril Earrings”:“Wonderful use of the sari silk ribbons! Love the earrings! I'm so glad lucite is not…” read »
on “Lovely Impression”:“KO thread is used without a needle because of the stiffness of it. At Lima beads…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks Lynda and Kate!
I'll take a closer look at Swellegant.
Lynda, thank you for the…” read » - on “Prince Moai”:
“Great looking pieces Jimmy is wearing. The nuggets are gorgeous.
…” read » 
on “Prince Moai”:“I have a huge crush on Jimmy too and he loves wearing all the blink. LOL…” read »
on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:“Hi, Mary. There are other ways to get the oxidized look without the smell of…” read »
on “Simply Crystal”:“Wow! Simply gorgeous!…” read »
on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:“Mary S-- You could try using Swellegant instead of LOS. These are slightly acidic and shouldn't…” read »
- on “A Green Cuff”:
“Wow! Blown away. Thanks for all the pics. Wow!…” read »
- on “Lots of Copper”:
“Great earrings. Can't wait to see what you do with the 16g.…” read »
- on “Butterfly Dance”:
“Wanda, I really like this. Love the Butterfly theme and admire all the hard work…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Please let Jimmy know that he is my first on-line crush. Love a guy who…” read »
- on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Thank you all. Let me share with you, brass is the hardest metal I have worked…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Beautiful! Fabulous pendant...makes for a beautiful necklace.…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Dream is the perfect word to use for this set. Oh my gosh!!!!!…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Much fabulocity here. I'm a huuuuuge Aqua nugget fan. They look great with Quartz.It has such…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks for that tutorial,FB. I would never have guessed about the "loop first" method. I'll give…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“I read your tute and found it very easy to follow! And must agree with Kate and…” read »
on “Mystic Mystery”:“Love that color! Great design, too.
…” read »- on “Raspberry and Cream!”:
“YUM! Can I have mine with shortbread? This is such a gorgeous technique, Julia,…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“No earrings for Prince Jimmy! I 'm wearing the earrings! LOL Thank you very much! These…” read »
- on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Blue with brass. What more could anyone want? Great design.
…” read » - on “Yellow Dragonfly”:
“My kind of color! Love the design, too! Isn't it great to have a stash when…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Mmmmmm, yummy color! Love it!
…” read » - on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Kate is right, It definitely has that "industrial chic" look. Great color, excellent design! …” read »
- on “Butterfly Dance”:
“Thanks so much everyone. When I designed this I was thinking that the butterflies were skipping…” read »
- on “In The Garden of Olives”:
“Great Pendant! Love it! If you aren't sure about the design, put it away for a…” read »
Earthy Bracelet
About this design:
I had to have the tiger eye when I saw it. I wanted an earthy piece for my sis, her holiday gift. Eeck.
Questions for my fellow beaders.
Can natural leather be conditioned to seal it?
Any suggestions for thread?
I love wildfire (very smooth) but it only comes in 2 colors.
Components:
Tiger eye -multi, czech glass, 1.5 leather. All LB. Button / local sew shop.Additional Images:
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Jan 13, 2013 at 2:01 am #
Little Round Chick says:This is such a neat design and in my colors! Love it!
On Jan 13, 2013 at 7:48 am #
Deb Harding says:I love your color choices for this. It looks great and the button is awesome!!
On Jan 13, 2013 at 9:13 am #
Asia says:Beautiful bracelet, I use TOHO One-G from LB it is very smooth too, I never heard about conditioning leather
On Jan 13, 2013 at 11:07 am #
Peggy3 says:Thank you Deb & LRC for the kind words. . Big thank you to Lois and Asia for info on thread
.
@ Lois- thanks for adding what to use for pearls!! That is something I have been wanting to do.
A lot of what I do is trial and error, I purchase supplies and then can’t use them for the desired project. A heavyweight thread was recommended for this type of bracelet. I wanted to pull my hair out attempting to getting it right on a 15″ in bracelet. I had to finish it ha ha cause I’m stubborn. I’m not the only one who does that I am I? Lol
On Jan 13, 2013 at 11:34 am #
Elis Mom says:This is very pretty. I like the combination of stones. I only tried ladder stitch once, and found it frustrating. I am in awe of these type bracelets, but don’t have the patience!
On Jan 13, 2013 at 12:17 pm #
Peggy3 says:@ Elis Mom. It does get easier with practice. I was very frustrated in the beginning. I have cut down my time significantly, thats after doing roughly 10-12 bracelets. Now I found it relaxing. ha ha
On Jan 13, 2013 at 12:26 pm #
Lois D says:Hi Peggy
Oh boy, can I can relate to your ‘trial and error’ and ‘purchasing supplies, then not being able to use them…’ comments. Yikes, that’s me all over.
I have a love-hate relationship with KO. There are times it behaves when I’m using it. However, when it is naughty, it is KNOTTY! (bad pun). I think it is my technique more than the thread – ha! I have a particular bracelet I’ve set aside for now because “we” are not speaking (that is to say the KO and I). That’s OK. I’ll win in the end, even if I come out all in tangles.
On Jan 13, 2013 at 1:34 pm #
Nata S says:Hello fellow beaders,
Pardon my ignorance, but what is KO?
Nata S.
On Jan 13, 2013 at 1:48 pm #
puppychick labratbecky says:Cute bracelet! I use C-lon or Dymo. Silk thread is usually rougher so harder to pull through small holes in opposing directions. It does get easier with practice!
On Jan 13, 2013 at 4:33 pm #
Lois D says:@Nata S
Yours is a good question
K.O. is a thread manufactured in Japan that is a fray-resistant, non-stretch thread similar in size to Nymo B. It comes pre-waxed, available in lots of colors. The end is stiff enough to be used without a needle, although I’ve used it both ways (with and without). You can singe the ends with a thread burner as well.
I’ve never figured out what the K and the O stands for though…:)
On Jan 13, 2013 at 7:39 pm #
Crazy Chick Frida says:Lovely
On Jan 13, 2013 at 7:53 pm #
NY Bella says:Very nice!
On Jan 13, 2013 at 7:55 pm #
AllureofGemsGlamJulia says:Pretty bracelet!
On Jan 14, 2013 at 1:07 pm #
Nata S says:Thank you, Lois D
On Jan 15, 2013 at 11:50 am #
Sonali says:I use Nymo without conditioining until ~1/2 the spool. Thereafter, it gets curled and I condition it with threadheaven by running it thorugh 2-3 times. The best way to keep thread from tangling is choosing the right length – very long thread tangles up fast.
On Jan 21, 2013 at 9:51 pm #
Peggy3 says:Thank you Sonali. I will have to try Nymo
On Feb 04, 2013 at 10:51 pm #
Trends by Studio M says:I use Nymo or similar and I have a love/hate relationship with it … love the colors but I hate the fact that if I poke the needle through it on accident, it gets all messy and frays. Haven’t tried fireline yet but might try KO next time … I still have a ton of Nymo to go through though first.