Leola Bracelet - Poppy Seed & Matte Blue

LEOLA BRACELET

• 15/0 seed beads Toho "Metallic Bronze Antique Gold" (225)
• 11/0 seed beads Toho "Metallic Bronze Antique Gold" (225)
• 8/0 seed beads Toho "Metallic Bronze Antique Gold" (225)
• 7mm CzechMates 2-hole Cabochons "Pacifica Poppy Seed"
• Arcos® par Puca® beads "Metallic Matte Blue"

While trying out the new CzechMates 7mm cabochon beads, I was trying to adapt a pattern that called for completely different beads. The method worked with the cabochons but the results looked totally different than the original pattern. It actually looks very similar to Deborah Roberti's "Jolie Band" pattern but the thread path is different. Another difference is that "Leola" doesn't have a connector motif between the larger motifs and unlike "Jolie" this version works great with Toho seed beads. Toho beads don't work at all with "Jolie Band" without a lot of trouble and tweaking. I was happy to be able to use one of my favorite Toho metallic colors to make this bracelet.

I think that the 7mm cabochons may have been specially designed to work well with Toho beads which have a tendency to be troublesome with a lot of beading patterns. What other reason can there be for making the cabs 7mm instead of a standard size of 6mm? I tried making "Leola" with Miyuki seed beads and I had to make so many changes and tweaks that I gave up on the idea. If I eventually decide to publish the pattern for "Leola" it will be with a note that Toho beads are required to make the bracelet.

You can buy Deb's "Jolie Band" pattern HERE. Red Panda has the CzechMates 7mm Cabochon beads HERE.