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| A quick word on jump rings... |
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| The reason I use these types of jump rings is because they are durable! Especially on bauble, charm & dangle bracelets! They will take a beating and keep all your wee trinkets & treasures all on the cord! |
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| As you can see they come in various metal tones too! |
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| Now that we've learned about what cord/thread/yarn to use lets move on to the other items needed for this bracelet... |
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| A focal bauble/charm/dangle... |
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| A strong jump ring... |
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| I use the double jump ring. Super strong and wears very well. |
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| Various beads... |
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| Allot of these beads are broken jewelry left overs... |
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| or from previous projects where there are only a few beads left. |
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| I also use found objects like these glass crystals. |
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| These beads are strung on head pins... |
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| These are two types of head pins that come in various metals, lengths and ends. I prefer the long one, that way I can wrap the them tighter. These items can be found at you local or online craft store. |
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| Buttons! |
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| Once you've got all your supplies together, you'll need a neat work tray/space to keep it all together in... |
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| Like this one... |
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| I'll talk about tools in my next post tomorrow! |
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| Supplies needed to make this bracelet |
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| If you cannot find the cotton waxed cord then there are three other cotton threads that can be used instead. Patons Grace 100% Mercerized Cotton is the same gauge. |
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| Lion Brand's Bon Bon's 100% cotton might work just as well |
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| Here is a comparison of the 4 types of cotton threads. (From left to right) Cotton Waxed Cord, Lizbeths 100% Mercerized Crochet/tatting cotton thread, Patons Grace 100% mercerized cotton yarn and lastly Lion Brand's Bon Bons (in green) |
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| A closer look at the four types of cord/thread/yarn that can be used for this project. |
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| I made this super simple waxed cotton cord knotted bracelet in about an hour. |
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| A few items on this are either found objects or repurposed jewelry parts. |
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| Button was on a sweater that I cut up for a 'wool-felting' project. |
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| Waxed cotton cord can be found at craft stores... |
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| in various colours... |
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| however, the gauge will be mostly the same. Unless you go to a bead shop that has a quality line of cords. |
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| So these are the systems I use... |
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| as they are now in my creative artists loft space... |
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| my goal is to clear the tops of all three systems before the end of summer... |
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| and re-purpose all the empty storage containers. I do work on a somewhat chaotic art tabletop BUT my supplies MUST be organized or I can't function. I'm not sure is these photos debunk the Chaos & Artists theory or if it supports it! What do you think? |
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| This is the last bead/jewelry storage system I have. Where I live there are a large number or artists who live nearby. SO, when folks move allot of time good storage/furniture gets donated to other residents. Lucky me, this was a FREE BE the rolling computer desk. I use it with all the 50 cent plastic boxes filled with beads... |
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| I categorize my beads by type & colour. For example All the natural stones are housed together, separated by colour. Glass/clear beads, same, colour and so on... |
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| Trinkets, charms, baubles and dangles are all together. |
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| Semi-precious stones... |
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| Artistic or handcrafted glass beads are housed together. |
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| And keeping them all colour coordinated helps when I'm in the middle of creating something and need to grab quickly. |
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| I even keep sequin in their own storage system. |
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| I'm re-vamping this system presently since I sold several batches of beads I have to reorganize and re-purpose the empty containers. |
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| Once again, another drawer system for my jewelry supplies…this one is the Rainbow roller... |
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| I use various 'dollar store' ziplock bags and plastic storage containers. |
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| I use these wee plastic bowls and larger ceramic saucers to hold Work In Progress projects. This way I can clean up my craft area, if I'm going to put a project on hold for awhile. |
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| More ziplock storage use. |
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| Many years back I was given a travel jewelry making system. I didn't like the bag since I rarely travel and make jewelry so I took out the plastic containers and keep them in this drawer system. I use the bag for my art travel kit. |
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| This is the Rainbow Roller cart. I have 'lunch trays' on top with various beads I've yet to store and another one for project. I usually put jewelry related things on top when I either find, re-purpose or purchase new materials. I'll organise them later, when time permits. |
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| This clear plastic tray was once a display tool for art supplies I use to sell... |
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| Now it sits nestled under my converted sewing table, on top of a roller cart also full of jewelry supplies. |
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| I love how I can see all the wire in one swoop look! Especially when I'm in the middle of creating something and I'm inspired. The tray has a heavy lid that keeps dust from collecting on all my wire supplies. |
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| This roller cart was another charity shop find. $8 about 3 years ago! It fits perfectly under my converted sewing table! |
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| I thought you all might like to see inside all the 9 drawers here… Drawer one |
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| Drawer two |
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| Drawer three is full of lost/found objects and broken jewelry parts that will not be mended, instead they will be used for mixed medium work. |
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| Drawer four |
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| Drawer six is full of plastic storage containers and recycled dice packaging. |
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| Drawers seven and eight have all my ceramic bowls safely stored. Drawer nine is empty because I'm converting a few items that are stored on top of the desk right now, into smaller storage that will be moved into the large, deep drawer nine. |
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| Overall view of converted sewing table and roller cart for jewelry supplies. |
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| A most valuable tool if you're interested in jewelry making. I found this one at Harbour Freight Tools for under $10. DO NOT BUY FROM HOBBIE STORE! They have this very same device, for $49!!! I think you can buy this online, from Harbour Freight Tools. |
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| Another invaluable tool to have for jewelry & fiber artists. |
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| Recent garage sale items I found all for $1 Now I am converting them into smaller zip-lock bags for compact storage. |
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| These seed beads will also be put in zip lock jeweler bags. I plan to use these beads for mixed medium art supplies. |
