The designer's corner

[juliebeth]

awesome! how are the pearls secured? (if you don't mind my asking...if you do, that's fine too!) if worn together do they nest nicely? are you starting a new line of stacking bracelets?

 

[waimeamomi]

They're set like stud earrings - drilled and glued. They aren't meant to be worn together and perhaps you could, but the idea is really the simplicity. I'd done this before, but not with the FW.

 

[Katbran]

Very pretty, I like them ! Beautiful pearls..gorgeous colours!

 

[GemGeek]

Those are so cool.

 

[LitGeek]

Oh those are gorgeous! I especially love the Kamoka pearls, their colors are so beautiful!!!

 

[pattye]

Sheryl,

Great bracelets, love them both!

 

[Sarah]

Hot off the press (in fact I see I need to clean the scotch tape mark off the silver!). These were shot with my iPhone. Kasumi Chinese mmmm. Found these on a cafe table at Bacara Resort near Santa Barbara. Who knew! Forgive the wrinkly wrist shot! The Tahitians are from the batch Josh brought to the wedding. It was a custom order.

Beautiful, sleek, and well designed bracelets! Your choice of pearls was excellent.

 

[Sarah]

I'm learning to solder this weekend, which is exciting, and I made this cuff bracelet and ring set. I made it out of the local paper to enter in a contest they're having for newspaper art. I'm kind of smitten with it actually. It's completely wearable and lightweight but sturdy. Wish me luck!

 

[BAS]

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[pattye]

Bluebirrrd,

That's soooo cool! Please share more close up photos and tell us more about the bracelet and ring, too! I hope you win!

 

[Sarah]

Thank you, Pattye and BAS. It's a bit tedious uploading the pics from my phone, but here are a few of the making of the cuff. The ring is just an extremely miniaturized version of the same design. Since I can't solder yet, I used the second best thing - duct tape!

 

[GemGeek]

That is sooooo creative! Good Luck!

 

[juliebeth]

wow, that is really creative! and actually quite beatiful - can could imagine doind something similar with burlap or rough linen or somesuch. love it and good luck! you have to win with that!

 

[LitGeek]

bluebirrrd I agree with the others ~ so creative and fabulous! Good luck!

 

[Sarah]

bluebirrrd I agree with the others ~ so creative and fabulous! Good luck!

Thank you LitGeek, as follow up I didn't win but was given an honorable mention and chosen for display at our fair. Meh, I was really hoping to win one of the cash prizes so I could buy PEARLS!!! Got my eye on some, as always.

A little feedback would be appreciated on this chain maille tincup (2.5mm jumps!). How do you feel about the copper accent wire? I was really just drafting it to prevent wasting silver wire, but I kind of like the contrast.

 

[battah]

Oooooh I love that! I was thinking of trying to learn to do chainmaille, I love those Byzantine chains you can do with it. Is it difficult?

 

[Sarah]

Oooooh I love that! I was thinking of trying to learn to do chainmaille, I love those Byzantine chains you can do with it. Is it difficult?

I would say tedious, especially with small rings. I like to think I'm pretty dexterous with my hands, but it's not super fun or easy opening and closing hundreds of micro jumps. I haven't worked out the exact math, but I estimate this necklace will use between 700-800 jumps if I do a length that will double around the neck like I'd like to.

 

[pattye]

Oh, Sarah, that is a most interesting combination of copper wire and pearls! The handmade chain is elegant! Do show us when finished! Those are some tiny rings, 2.5mm~I think all of us beaders appreciate just how challenging they would be to work with!!

 

[lisa c]

holy-moley, that's amazing!

 

[Sarah]

Thank you Lisa and Pattye . Here's how it looks on a bust. I wanted it to drape and not be too stiff, which can be an issue depending on the ring diameter and wire gauge. Each weave prefers a different aspect ratio, which can throw a wrench in things if you miscalculate.