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 “Tiedye Butterfly Redo”:“Love this, Susie!! I do think after seeing the redo that I like the turquoise better…” read »
- on “Fancy Circutry”:
“I love it, Cindy! I agree with Kate!
…” read » - on “Dragonfly's Garden”:
“Love this!! Between you and Deb and like she said, Asia, I have enough inspiration to…” read »
- on “Sonya earrings”:
“I thought the same thing as Deb.
Love the design!…” read » 
on “Tiedye Butterfly Redo”:“Oh my gosh again at your dogs!!! Eli has such an adorable smile.…” read »
on “Dragonfly's Garden”:“Thank you all for your kind words. I am working on the greenish yellow dragonfly pendant…” read »
- on “Ode to a Rose”:
“TY you all, I am glad you like it.…” read »
on “Tiedye Butterfly Redo”:“The new design is shown in the first two pictures and the old is the second…” read »
on “Wrist Corsage”:“This is very pretty. I like how you used the lucite flowers.…” read »
- on “~ Brigantine Beach ~”:
“Thank you Laud. I fell in love with the pendant. I bought a bunch…” read »
on “Tiedye Butterfly Redo”:“If you haven't please post the new design. Would love to see it.…” read »
on “Pearl and Crystal Cluster”:“Very pretty pearls! I made a necklace like this one a couple years ago and had…” read »
on “Night Owl”:“Thank you all for the wonderful comments. No the feathers were already on him. I have…” read »
- on “Violets”:
“Fantastic design! I agree when you're working on a stitching and weaving piece, take your time!…” read »
- on “Recycled Coral Flower RIng”:
“Such a fabulous necklace! My daughter knows better than to throw away anything that could remotely…” read »
- on “Night Owl”:
“The owl is so awesome! Did you add the feathers? Such a novel idea! My granddaughter…” read »
- on “Dragonfly's Garden”:
“I just love the dragonfly theme! Gorgeous necklace!…” read »
- on “Ode to a Rose”:
“Ahhhhhhhhhh Red!!! Red is my favorite color! Everything about this design is wonderful! 1…” read »
- on “Vintage Copper Rose”:
“Very pretty and feminine. It does have a vintage theme to it and I love the…” read »
on “~ Brigantine Beach ~”:“Peggy, your starfish prendant is so pretty. The whole necklace is a beautiful tribute to your…” read »
on “Wrist Corsage”:“Great design! love the flowers. CUTE!…” read »
on “Fancy Circutry”:“Too cute for words - - in my wierd head it would make a real conversation-piece…” read »
- on “Night Owl”:
“The owl is so so cute!!! Cute necklace altogether.…” read »
- on “Wrist Corsage”:
“This is so very clever, Cindy ! You have a definite creative talent for seeing…” read »
on “Ode to a Rose”:“This is so sweetly Retro, can't help but love it!…” read »
- on “Crazy Little Things”:
“Those copper tubes are pretty fabulous, Cindy, Great designs and you have such amazing wire-wrapping…” read »
- on “Ode to a Rose”:
“Very pretty! That little bit of green just seems to make it all pop. Love it!…” read »
- on “Beachey Bling”:
“Love the originality of this piece.…” read »
- on “Night Owl”:
“I love this piece, the owl is a fab focal. I like the metal and…” read »
- on “Dragonfly's Garden”:
“First let me say the dragonflies are cool but, I have made a birds nest and…” read »
- on “Beachey Bling”:
“I like this so much. So simple and so nice. Thanks for sharing.…” read »
- on “Night Owl”:
“Too, too cute!…” read »
- on “Blue beauty”:
“I love cloisonné.…” read »
- on “Beachey Bling”:
“Simplicity x infinity.…” read »
on “Fancy Circutry”:“Cindy, I like the 'lack of contrast' in this because it allows for you to notice…” read »
on “Dragonfly's Garden”:“Love it!…” read »
on “Copper Beauty”:“Pretty…” read »
- on “rings with blings”:
“Thank you so much! You all made my day. Yes Rocky D I put them…” read »
- on “Rusty charms bracelet and ring”:
“Thanks Beadinggma and Laud.…” read »
- on “Dragonfly's Garden”:
“Great design. and colors…” read »
Crazy Bracelet
About this design:
I wanted to see what this would look like with colored wire...I think it turned out pretty good...what do you think?
This bracelet sold on October 1/11!!
Components:
Larimer Blue Crazy Lace Agate, Silver Plated Wire ~ 18ga and Artistic Wire ~ 22gaAdditional Images:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
|
Step 1: I make the heavier wires for the base about 9 1/2 to 10 inches, depending on how big around the beads re that you are putting at the ends. I think for most beads 9 1/2 half is enough. Take each length and determine how much of the wire will be inside the bead without poking out the other side, have it flush with the other side. Make a bend in the wire and slide your bead on, then start bending the wire around to the other side of the bead, covering the hole on the other side and a bit beyond. Turn your wire around and then bend the wire in the OPPOSITE direction that you used for the first bead but attach that bead the same as the first. Now you have a length of heavier wire that should measure about 8 to 8 1/2 inches depending on the size of the bead. Do the same on the other 2 heavier wires, remembering to make each bead swirl opposite to the one at the other end. The thinner wire I use for wrapping is about 5 feet long. You can cut about 6 feet of this wire if you want your wraps to be closer together on the heavier wire. I start at the left hand side (I'm left-handed) with about 6 wraps around one of the beaded wires. It doesn't matter which way you wrap this first one but you'll want to keep working from the front of you piece so you get a consistent amount of wraps on each beaded wire as you go. Now bring your second beaded wire beside the first, determining how close you want to have the base wires then start wrapping on the second. If your wrapping wire is at the back, just bring it under the beaded wire around to the front and start wrapping up and over....I've been doing 5 wraps on each beaded wire each time. Now you will have your wrapping wire at the back again...add your third beaded wire and attach it the same way you've attached the second wire. When you have wrapped 5 times around one the bottom wire, it's time to start wrapping UP the wires. You will be working on straight wires until you are done wrapping which is much easier...when you are done, that is when you can shape it into a bracelet. Here's where it gets a bit tricky! The first one I made, I used tape to hold the heavier wires together but then I had to actually weave the thin wire back and forth between because it closed your work...that took a long time. After that, I left the tape off and once I had the three beaded wires together, I held them with my left hand and wrapped with my right hand so that instead of threading the wires through each time, I could just slide them on through the open wires on the right and snug it up beside the previous wrap....much faster. Adjust the distance between the beaded wires as you go and remember that you can adjust how the beaded ends look before you round out your bracelet by pulling the ones you want longer at each end....just be aware that the one longer at the one end will be the shorter one on the other side. Adjust it the way you want it and 'Voila'! I hope this helps! |
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Feb 26, 2011 at 6:45 pm #
Chicky Zee aka Alice says:Elaine all of your bracelet are gorgeous Love this and the tourmaline Fav’s!
On Feb 26, 2011 at 7:07 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:Elaine, you are KILLING me with all these gorgeous bracelets!!!
You know I am a lover of blues, so this one really “speaks” to me — the colored wire looks fantastic against the silver! 
Just wait until Sue sees what she started…..LOL
On Feb 26, 2011 at 9:20 pm #
Jade aka Caryn says:I like it. Wow these you are quick. I like all your bracelets.
On Feb 26, 2011 at 9:45 pm #
Elaine aka Belly Chick says:Thanks a bunch….I do like the way it turned out with the blue wire!
Where is Sue….I haven’t seen her here since her last bracelet! She maybe a bit surprised…
On Feb 26, 2011 at 10:12 pm #
Jeannes Gems - Gem Chick says:The blue and silver are phenomenal together! Very fresh!
On Feb 26, 2011 at 10:42 pm #
Lynn g says:I love all the bracelets you made, all great colors too…
On Feb 27, 2011 at 12:28 am #
Little Round Chick says:You have really got this style of bracelet wired. (Pun intended.)
I have got to give it a try just as soon as I get finished with the gazillion projects I’ve got right now.
BTW, this bracelet is every bit a fantastic as all of the others. Love the blue wire, too.
On Feb 27, 2011 at 1:40 am #
Cotopaxi Chickie Sue says:I’m here, I’m here!! Elaine, this is beautiful! Now I have to look at the rest of them….
On Feb 27, 2011 at 7:52 am #
Elaine aka Belly Chick says:Hi Sue! Thanks again for letting me play around with you idea! Glad you like what I’ve done.
I have posted directions here for anyone interested. I hope it makes sense!
On Feb 27, 2011 at 9:22 am #
Atomic Toad says:I like this one best too
On Feb 27, 2011 at 10:20 am #
Cuban Queen Crazy Chick says:Nice one, Elaine! I love the colored wire
On Feb 27, 2011 at 10:46 am #
sunny chick says:Elaine, all the designs you posted are wonderful!
On Mar 01, 2011 at 3:19 pm #
Deb D Grammy Chick says:I agree with everyone else, Elaine…your designs are fantastic!
On Mar 01, 2011 at 5:55 pm #
MoonBell says:A new fave! Love it!
On Mar 02, 2011 at 9:19 am #
Elaine aka Belly Chick says:Whoo-hooo!!! Lima Beads shared this one on Facebook!
Thanks!
On Mar 04, 2011 at 10:10 pm #
Happy Chick aka Harriet says:I love it too! Glad they featured it on Facebook!
On Mar 04, 2011 at 11:53 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:Congrats on having this fab design featured on LB’s Facebook page!
On Jun 11, 2011 at 1:34 am #
Barbie S says:Oh I love this!!! I always seem to lean towards the blue beads!!! I can’t wait to try this. I’m a beginner with wire work, so wish me luck when I do!!! What size beads did you use?
Thanks for a great design!!!
On Apr 08, 2012 at 12:00 am #
Erin Sue says:i love this bracelet! what gauge of wire did you use?
On Aug 25, 2012 at 6:33 am #
Ex pert says:It’s ok. Maybe if it was larger and fit closer together?