Bracelet of the Day: Twin Cube Band - Patina

TWIN CUBE BAND

• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457D)
• 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457D)
• 3mm cube beads Miyuki "Bronze" (457)
• SuperDuo beads "Patina"

The pattern is from Deborah Roberti and you can buy it at Around the Beading Table HERE. I first blogged about this bracelet pattern HERE.

The SuperDuo beads that I used this time aren't the usual kind. I originally found them in a local bead shop but they've since stopped selling them. Now the only place that I know of that has them is Red Panda HERE. Instead of having a bump in the middle, and a curvy shape, these are more oval and very smooth on the tops and bottoms. I think they have an interesting look but they don't work quite the same as traditional Superduos for obvious reasons. However, they do work perfectly with this pattern.

Quite some time ago I blogged about a bracelet that I'd made with these same SuperDuo beads. The pattern actually looks very similar to this one but there are no cube beads in it. I used the free "London's Garden" pattern from Beads Magic which you can download HERE. "London's Garden" is a 2-needle pattern but I made the one in the photo below using one needle. Deb's pattern is much easier to make and it comes out more flexible than "London's Garden". Plus, the little cubes add a nice accent.

I don't know much about these unusual SuperDuo beads but they are mentioned in a YouTube video from Potomac Beads which you can watch HERE.

Bracelet of the Day: Duo Silky Bracelet - Suede Gold & Lazure Blue

• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457D)
• 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457D)
• Silky beads "Alabaster Lazure Blue"
• SuperDuo beads "Metallic Suede Gold" *

* I found these in a local shop and they're quite a bit darker than most of the Suede Gold beads that I've seen. The color is deeper and richer looking.

 
Karey Cummins posted a comment on my Pinterest board recently about how much she loves making the "Duo Kheops Bracelet" pattern. She also mentioned that the pattern works well with Silky beads in place of the Kheops beads. Of course I had to give that idea a try and she was right. With a bit of tweaking, Silkies work perfectly and the bracelet has a slightly different look than with Kheops. To me, the Kheops version has an Art Deco look and I think that the Silky version looks more Art Nouveau. I love both styles but Art Nouveau is my favorite. I was feeling a little frustrated with the lack of Kheops colors that appealed to me so this makes me very happy. Now that I know that I can use Silky beads, I'll be making these like crazy.

You can buy the "Duo Kheops" pattern from Marina Beads on Etsy, HERE.

I didn't actually have to change the pattern, just the order that things are done. If you follow the instructions as written, the Silky beads will end up sideways. I just had to pick up the beads in a slightly different order to get the bumps to be upright.

 

Playing with my beads...more Rani samples

I've made quite a few more samples of Puca's "Rani" motif and in the process discovered that 2x3mm rondelles work great too so now I've got even more color options. I think that I like the motif the best when it has some sparkly crystals in the center and most rondelles are sparkly, especially the "AB" ones. Before I show you my new samples, HERE is the link to buy Puca's "Rani" pattern on Etsy (see the link below).

Puca has given me permission to post this pattern for download on my blog. Click HERE to download her free "Rani Bracelet" pattern.

I think I've got my method perfected so that the motifs turn out neat and mostly flat every time. I had been using Nymo D thread for my earlier samples and decided to give 6 lb FireLine a try. It works but I don't recommend it for this. Although it's much easier to get through the tiny beads several times with FireLine, it doesn't give the motif enough structure. My motifs came out flat but they were too soft and flexible. Perhaps 8 lb FireLine would work better but I don't have any to try it with.

I re-made a couple of the samples that I showed you in my original post, which you can read HERE, so that you can see the difference my tweaked method makes in the outcome.

The samples on the left in the two photos below are the ones I showed you before but I've flipped them upside down so that you can see how cupped and wonky they are. The examples on the right were made using my method and I was super careful not to pull my thread too tight.

• 15/0 seed beads Toho "Antique Bronze" (223)
• 11/0 seed beads Toho "Antique Bronze" (223)
• 11/0 seed beads Toho "Hybrid Opaque Matte Grey Bronze Vega" (Y0862F)
• SuperDuo beads "Polychrome Orchid Aqua"
• O-Beads "Crystal Full Amber"
• 3mm bicones "Purple AB" (Chinese)

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Bronze" (457L)
• 11/0 seed beads Toho "Permanent Finish Matte Galvanized Rose Gold" (557PFF)
• SuperDuo beads "Opaque White Full Apricot"
• O-Beads "Crystal Full Amber"
• 3mm bicones "Bittersweet AB" (Chinese)

Although I'd like to make myself a bracelet from this pattern sometime, at the moment I'm thinking that the motif would make very pretty earrings. Below is a sample earring. I added a "Sidonia" loop at the top to attach the wire. I like the colors but I think I should have used something darker for the center beads. I think I'll use metallic bronze druks or fire polished beads instead of the opal druks next time. All of the other beads are the same colors that I used in my very first sample (see my other post) except that the Metallic Suede Gold SuperDuos are from a lighter dye lot this time.

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Toho "Hybrid Oxidized Bronze Clay" (Y864)
• SuperDuo beads "Metallic Suede Gold"
• O-Beads "Crystal Full Amber"
• 3mm druks "Champagne"

Below are six more samples. Some have 3mm druks in the center and some have 3mm fire polished beads or 2x3mm rondelles. 

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Toho "Permanent Finish Matte Galvanized Mauve" (556PFF)
• SuperDuo beads "Matte Chalk Bronze"
• O-Beads "Crystal Full Amber"
• 2x3mm rondelles "Vintage Rose AB" (Beads One - not available online)

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "White Opaque Blue Luster" (55054)
• SuperDuo beads "Chalk Blue Picasso Luster"
• O-Beads "Crystal Full Amber"
• 3mm druks "Matte Siam Ruby Bronze/Copper Picasso" *

* I've seen them called both "bronze" and "copper". In any case, I think they have discontinued this color because I no longer see it on the wholesale bead site.

I used Miyuki seed beads for the accent color in the sample above and I wasn't happy with them. They're a little too small for this project. Although Miyuki seed beads work just fine for the main metallic color, Toho 11/0 beads are a better size for the color accents.

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Toho "Hybrid Opaque Grey Bronze Vega" (Y862)
• SuperDuo beads "Opaque Violet White Luster"
• O-Beads "Crystal Full Amber"
• 3mm rondelles "Lilac AB - #C12" (Beads One)

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads "Transparent Gold Lined" (no info available)
• SuperDuo beads "Pearl Coat Brown Sugar"
• O-Beads "Crystal Full Amber"
• 3mm rondelles "Khaki AB" (Beads One - not available online)

This time I used some clear accent seed beads because I didn't have anything else that went with the khaki rondelles. I'm not happy with the way they look.

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Light Caramel Ceylon" (593)
• SuperDuo beads "Metallic Suede Light Green"
• O-Beads "Crystal Full Amber"
• 3mm druks "Ivory Pearl Coat"

Once again I used Miyuki 11/0 seed beads for the pearly accents and they're a little too small.

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Toho "Matte Galvanized Lilac" (554F)
• SuperDuo beads "Purple Velvet"
• O-Beads "Crystal Full Amber"
• 3mm fire polished beads "Bronze"

I also experimented with connecting a few motifs as you can see below. I connected three motifs using Puca's method and I made sure that I reinforced everything very well. The clasp loop was my idea. I love this design and I will definitely make a bracelet when I have a chance. I love these colors but I'm not sure if I have anything to wear this color with. Maybe I'll have to buy myself a new top to go with this bracelet!

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Toho "Opaque Light Blue Amethyst Marbled" (1204)
• SuperDuo beads "Chalk Vega" (I've also seen them called "Luster Opaque Amethyst")
• O-Beads "Crystal Full Amber"
• 3mm fire polished beads "Transparent Amethyst Luster"

 

Bracelet of the Day: Lucy Bracelet - Bronze & Suede Blue

 LUCY BRACELET

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• Half Tila beads "Dark Bronze" (HT-457)
• Silky beads "Crystal Gold Luster"
• 4mm druks "Metallic Suede Blue"

This is the last of the Lucy bracelets that I will be posting for a while other than the one that I mentioned yesterday. I did make that one last night but haven't take photos of it yet. I hope that I gave you lots of color ideas for your own bracelets. You can download the free "Lucy Bracelet" pattern from THIS post.

 

Bracelet of the Day: Lucy Bracelet - Light Amethyst

LUCY BRACELET

• 15/0 seed beads Toho "Antique Bronze" (223)
• 11/0 seed beads Toho "Antique Bronze" (223)
• 8/0 seed beads Toho "Antique Bronze" (223)
• Half Tila beads "Light Amethyst Gold Luster" (HT-316)
• Silky beads "Pastel Burgundy"
• 4mm Czech pearls "Antique Gold"

Only one more "Lucy" to post tomorrow and then I'll move on to other things. Well, I might have one more to post about as soon as I get sample bracelet made. It's a slight variation of the pattern that was requested by someone in a comment. I might work on it today after I get the taxes done. Oh joy.

You can download the free "Lucy Bracelet" pattern from THIS post.

 

 

Bracelet of the Day: Lucy Bracelet - Green Luster

 

LUCY BRACELET

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• CzechMates Bricks "Opaque Green Luster"
• Silky beads "Crystal Gold Luster"
• 4mm druks "Bronze"

Here is a Lucy bracelet made with CzechMates Bricks. It's not as delicate as the Half Tila version but I kind of like it. You can download the free "Lucy Bracelet" pattern from THIS post.

 

Bracelet of the Day: Lucy Bracelet - Purple Velvet

 

LUCY BRACELET

• 15/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 11/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• 8/0 seed beads Miyuki "Dark Bronze" (457)
• Half Tila beads "Metallic Purple Green Iris" (HT-455)
• Silky beads "Purple Velvet Matte"
• 4mm druks "Bronze"

You can download the free "Lucy Bracelet" pattern from THIS post.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day! Eat some chocolate, play with some beads and hug your sweetie.