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| Julia Bracelet by Puca |
- 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
- 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
- 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
- Arcos® par Puca® beads "Bronze Gold Matte"
- Minos® par Puca® beads "Bronze Gold Matte"
The "Julia" bracelet pattern is one of Puca's own designs. I found the pattern online HERE. I think it's a cute design but the Minos beads in it gave me fits. The ones on the sides won't stay facing the same direction. If I do decide to make this bracelet, I might use 2mm or 3mm druks instead of the Minos beads along the edge. I think it would be nice to add a little color anyway and I only have them in this one color.
In the two photos below, you can see how the Minos beads look when turned on their sides and also how they look when you only see the ends of them. If you look at the photo at the top of this post, you can see how they look when going every which way.
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| Jolie Band by Deborah Roberti |
I made the two samples above using another free bracelet pattern. The "Jolie Band" pattern is from Deborah Roberti and you can download it HERE. I made two samples in the same colorway except that one has the regular Honeycomb beads and the other has the new Honeycomb Jewel beads. It's just an optical illusion but I think that the jewel beads look a little smaller than the smooth Honeycombs. It is possible though that the regular Honeycomb beads are slightly larger because of the luster coating on them. The jewel beads have a matte finish.
When I made these samples, I left off the seed bead embellishment that goes across the sides of the Honeycomb beads. Deb used round beads in her example bracelet and the embellishment works great on those. It doesn't work so well with the Honeycomb beads because they're flat on the sides.
I have to say that if I ever do buy Arcos and Minos beads in any other colors, "Jolie Bands" is the pattern that I will make with them. It's easy to make, pretty and the Minos beads don't spin around like they do in the "Julia" bracelet.
- 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
- 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
- Arcos® par Puca® beads "Bronze Gold Matte"
- Minos® par Puca® beads "Bronze Gold Matte"
- Honeycomb Jewel beads "Chalk Lazure Blue" (matte finish)
- 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
- 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
- Arcos® par Puca® beads "Bronze Gold Matte"
- Minos® par Puca® beads "Bronze Gold Matte"
- Honeycomb beads "Chalk Lazure Blue" (luster finish)
You can get the Honeycomb Jewel beads and Arcos® par Puca® and Minos® par Puca® beads at QueenCityBead on Etsy, HERE. Red Panda also has them.
I'm a long time Beader, who fell in love with seed beeds and their patterns. Speaking honestly and just for myself, I have come to dread the latest and newest shapes. Wherever does it end? For sure some shapes were and are completly adored. But I have to ask if I'm the only one who is just missing the simplicity and purity of the seed beads of days gone by? I truly believe that there is room for both the beader who cant wait for the next surprising shape as well as those, like myself that just want it simple. Unfortunately, the bead publications are so full of the latest & newest, its a rarity to find a bead pattern with just rocailles or delicas. Today I was thrilled to find one. I'm stopping my yearly subscriptions and will just seek individual patterns or books geared to specfic techniqes. Just my 2 cents worth. Which probably is not worth much, except I feel better, for sharing. Appologies for the length.
ReplyDeleteAlways new shapes coming along and some are an acquired taste I'd say! but maybe they will grow on us? I prefer the Jolie pattern over the other one but it always so interesting to see what you make in your various experiments. Interesting to read the comment from Celticrx - nowadays I try to see what is in a magazine before I buy it.
ReplyDeleteI've actually never bought a beading magazine. I'd rather spend the money on beads or on a really nice pattern that I know I will make over and over again.
DeleteI agree somewhat with Celticrx about all of the crazy bead shapes they're coming out with. I think I'd be bored using only seed beads but I do usually stick with more traditional beads such as fire polished, bicones, Superduos and druks, etc. I'm having a hard time finding ways to use the Crescent beads so that they don't look like Crescent beads, if you know what I mean. As far as the Arcos beads, they look a little too much like elbow macaroni to me and I can't get that picture out of my head when I see them.
Hi Linda, noticed your very artisic and creative ability to subsitute one type of bead for another. At times you mentioned can subsitute diamond duo for __?(____).
ReplyDeleteIt would be so helpful if you would or could list some common substitutions. Noting that not all will work, but it would be ideal for those of us who wish to do one of your patterns using our bead stash. I have stopped stashing bead after superduos. Unable to keep up with the frequent bead shapes changes. Thanks much as always look forward to seeing your postings.
Hi. I don't think it would be practical to create a conversion chart or that sort of thing because it's always going to depend on the pattern and often it's necessary to make tweaks to the design to make other beads work right. That's why I make so many samples when I try a new pattern and I blog about them so that everyone can see some of the possible options. When I create a pattern, I usually do mention in the materials list of I know for sure that another kind of beads will work or I'll add a comment at the end, etc.
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