For Family

This is a bookmark I made for my brother-in-law, Bob. It's geared toward use with a paperback sized book. I used a waxed twine that felt like it had some substance to it. Very simple to make. I made a couple for my husband too. It's a nice gift to give to a guy.

I also made a bracelet for Bob. This is with Lapis Lazula stone which is good for writers and for communication. It's one of my own personal favorite stones. I also used a sliding knot on this piece. The cord is a simulated leathery sort of thing that was interesting to work with.

This is a blue bracelet for my sister and the red one is for one of my nieces.

Red and Gold Watch

Red and gold. That's what I had a yearning for. And, I satisfied it making this watch for myself. Funny, I haven't been keen on wearing bracelets, but I always wear a watch. Now, the watches I wear aren't the same day after day. I've been alternating between the blue one and the green watch and, now, I have this one.

It worked up pretty quick. I handled the half clasps better. Maybe the gold is different. Maybe I'm just getting better at it. I don't know. Time will tell. I love these beads. They are called miracle beads. I got them from FireMountain Gems. This is the first time I've used this magnetic clasp. I like it better than the plain one I've been using. And, I love this watch face. That came from WhoHasTheTime.com. The safety chain and a boatload of helpful advice came from the ladies at Bead Inspirations.

Orange and Purple Watch

This is a watch I just made for a young friend. She said, "Purple and Orange". It's actually quite interesting. What I learned with it was that the safety chain I'd gotten from FireMountain gems that, at first glance, looked too entirely small to use for anything could actually be used if I stretched out the last loop with a pair of pliers. It was a very delicate operation, but I felt quite a lot better that I was going to be able to use the 5 feet worth of silver chain I bought with these watches that I'm making.

I am getting a little better at this. With this watch I began beading from the clasp to the watch and I sized it to my own wrist by temporarily anchoring everything with a crimp bead. In the past I've just plowed ahead and ended up being surprised by the fit. So, I'm making progress.

What I still need to work on are the half shell clasps covering the crimp beads. No matter how I do them (these are 4mm sizes) I still leave "tooth marks" on the beads from the crimping tool. It's not hugely noticeable, but I know it's going on and it doesn't please me. Practice? Maybe. I sure would like to use the 3mm size half shells, but they are too small to fit over the #2 crimp tubes. I've got smaller crimps, but the once I used them they didn't hold the wire at all.

Blue Watch

This is a watch I made yesterday. This one is for me. Blue has to be one of my favorite colors. I've made other watch bands using these marbelized beads from A Touch of Glass. I get them at Beverley's in Alameda, but I have yet to find a mail-order source for them where I might find other colors available. Click on the pictures for close-up views.

This watch was made with 49 twist wire. I used the clam shell half beads to cover the crimps. I still need work practicing with them. One got so mangled I had to start over with the project. Luckily, I had only just begun that side.

These watches are getting easier to make. However, I still need work on how to exactly size them for other people. I don't have a bracelet mandrall, but figured I might use a tube of stiff paper rolled up to the proper size. Maybe.

Lavender Watch

This is a watch I made yesterday for a friend. Her favorite color is lavender and, although, all of the beads in this watch are not exactly lavender, they come close. I hope she likes it. Click on the pictures for a "close-up" view.

I made this watch with the 49 twist wire. Although I thought I would have more flexibility using the 19 twist wire the little crimp tubes slid all over the place. So, it seems I should stick with the 49 twist.

I still need some practice with the half open beads that cover the crimps. Once I am done there are bitty crunch marks on them from the crimping tool. I wonder if there is a way to cushion them while I'm trying to get them closed?

Once again I used the silver filled chain as a safety chain. This is more expensive, but it will not stick to the magnetic clasp. All in all, this watch worked up quickly. I got Phil, my neighbor to come over and help me select the beads. He knows what Suzie likes.

Green Watch

Here's the watch I made for myself. I've worn it two days. It feels good on my wrist. Nothing pinching or catching. However, I think the crimps I used are slipping. These were not the tubes I used with the other projects, but very tiny bead like crimps. In fact, as I worked up the piece one crimp didn't make it through the squashing and squishing process with the crimping tool and I had to put a new one on. I noticed movement this morning along the strand of beading wire up at both sides of the watch face. So, I'm betting that those bitty little crimp beads have worked their way loose.

This time I used a 19 strand twist. The gave more flexibility than the 49 strand twist, but I was hoping would be strong enough. Looks like the crimps are going to give out sooner than the beading wire.

I just placed an order for more supplies at FireMountainGems. They've got a really interesting ordering process. Their stuff is all priced in a tiered system. If you buy 15 or more you get a better break. I realized that my prices were going down because it counts everything you order no matter what it is rather than 15 of any one single thing. I saved about $25 or so on the order. I decided I'll use the PayPerPost money I make on my other two sites to pay for this stuff.

PS. I ended up re-working this watch using the 49 twist wire. The crimps would not hold on the 19 twist stuff.

Cloisonné and Green Bead Watch

This piece is finally ready! Clicking on each picture will enlarge them for you.

I purchased the watch face from Who Has The Time. The cloisonné beads came from Bead Inspirations in Alameda, California. The green beads came from Beverly's in Alameda.

At Bead Inspirations they recommended that I use a 49 strand twist wire which was stronger than the 7 strand twist I used when I first worked this piece. Using the 7 strand twist the bracelet broke after only a few weeks of wear at the point where it joined the watch face.

The safety chain was necessary because although the magnetic clasp is terrific, it tended to get caught on things and open up. Losing the watch became an issue. The first chain I used was an inexpensive gold plated version. That didn't work at all because it was magnetically attracted to the clasp. Not pretty. So, another trip to Bead Inspirations and they told me I needed to use a gold filled chain. Now, it hangs freely.

When I originally worked this piece up I didn't leave enough room for play between the face and where the beads began. With this version of the watch I left more jiggle room.

The lady at Bead Inspirations showed me how to use a crimp tube and a special bead to cover the crimp. I have to say, if it had not been for her great advice I don't think this watch would have turned out as nicely as it did.

This watch is for a friend and I plan on making the next one for me.

Red Bead and Pearl Watch

This is a pearl and red marble bead watch I made for my neighbor's daughter. Click on the picture for a larger view.

Marble and Pearl Watches

These wataches were made with Stretch Magic. Click on the picture for an enlarged view.

It was difficult to thread the cord through the beads so I used those special needles that have the hole in the middle. It took me a bit to get used to using them and I managed to really mangle the first one trying to force it through with pliers. Not sure how well these are going to wear.

I gave both away, so I'm going to need to make one for myself and wear it everyday to give it a "good" road test.