A Week of Art Bead Bracelets - Day 5

A Week of Art Bead Bracelets - Day 5

Okay, I'm going a little goth on you today.  A while ago I made these fantastic red and gray/silver beads.  I stamped them so they would look interesting and I glazed them with three glazes.  The bright red is in the middle, a semi gloss gray is on one side and a mirror-like silver gray is on the other side of each bead.  Because of the stamped design, the glazes ran together showing off the geometric shapes.  I really love how they turned out.  These beads are a little more free form than some of my others, so they vary a bit in size and shape.  A talented jewelry designer friend of mine suggested that I use black chain with them and I loved the idea.  I just didn't know how it would all come together.  I decided to add a hint of antique silver and this beaded bracelet is what I came up with.  It has a wonderfully Gothic feel.  The bracelet construction is composed of two strands of beads.  I then bound them together with jump rings that are free to move a little.  This binding gives the bracelet a feeling of bulk without the movement of two loose strands.  I used 1 to 2 connectors at either end and connected them to a clasp that snaps shut.  I think this kind of clasp is a little easier to use when putting a bracelet on yourself.  I hope you like bracelet #5. 

This picture really shows the detail in the beads as well as the structure of the bracelet.

What piece are you working on today?  Any innovative ideas or beads?  I'd love to see pics or hear your input on my designs.  Happy Creating!

--Kathy

A Week of Art Bead Bracelets - Day 4

A Week of Art Bead Bracelets - Day 4

 

This bracelet is much more earthy than some of the others.  It is grounded with chocolate brown and yellow.  The chocolate brown is a really cool glaze.  It has flashes of yellow in it, but the coolest part about it is that there are tiny sparkles in it.  I have only found one other glaze that does sparkles, and that glaze doesn't look this cool.  Thee diamond shaped art bead is mold-formed and the tan swirly one is stamped on both sides.  I like that the chain is doubled up a bit, and I love the dangles at the bottom of the extender.  This would be a fantastic bracelet for fall.  What does your most recent bracelet look like?  What is your inspiration? Happy Creating!

--Kathy

A Week of Art Bead Bracelets - Day 3

A Week of Art Bead Bracelets - Day 3

Going in for a whole new look, this bracelet has more of a "running on the beach" feel.  The art bead on this is, of course, ceramic and has dragonflies stamped into it.  I've used a glaze on the focal piece that is really cool.  It is mostly tan, but has hints of periwinkle.  I've paired up the dragonfly focal with one side of turquoise stones and one side of smaller handmade ceramic beads.  Some of these are two toned, and some are stamped.  The smaller beads with the straight lines on them are glazed with the tan/periwinkle glaze in the center, and a blue glaze on the edges.  The back of these beads is cross-hatched too, so when the beads turn around it'll give different looks.  I've put these beads on copper because I thought the copper would pop more than bronze.  Looking at it makes me miss the beach...
Happy Creating!
--Kathy

A Week of Art Bead Bracelets - Day 2

A Week of Art Bead Bracelets - Day 2

This bracelet has a whole different feel than yesterday's.  This bracelet was made with colorful ceramic beads including three art beads.  I've linked them together with silver toned findings, charms, and added fun little crystal beads for a little more glitz and movement.  This bracelet screams warm weather to me and is fancy.  It would be perfect to wear on a date with my wonderful hubby.  

Happy Creating!

--Kathy

A Week of Art Bead Bracelets - Day 1

I've been really interested in making art bead bracelets in the last few days, so I thought I'd devote a week to them--one new bracelet every day.  It will be a fun way to use some of my jewelry supplies and have some stuff to list on my finished jewelry etsy site, www.shookaloot.etsy.com.  I'm going to try different patterns, colors, and general designs.  I'd love to see what bracelets you come up with.  So here it goes,

DAY 1

 I really like how this bracelet turned out.  The colors are inspired by nature and I would call the overall design Bohemian.  The focal art bead has been kicking around my studio for a while.  It was made out of earthenware ceramic clay which was stamped and glazed with one of my favorite rust-colored glazes.  I made a matching bead to pull the eye along in the bracelet design.  I also adore these colors of green.  All three colors look great with antique bronze chain and findings, one of my favorite colors to work with.  I particularly like how the chain changes part way over from one larger layer of chain to two smaller layers.  I also love the way this moves on your wrist.  So much fun.  I'd love to see your "Day 1 Bracelets."  Send them in along with comments.  I'd love to hear what you think of this piece.  Happy Creating!
--Kathy

Red

When you think of red, many think of love, confidence, power, happiness, excitement, vibrancy, strength, as well as anger.  While this color stirs up many emotions, it is one that calls attention to itself and has always been beloved.  Think Christmas, Valentines Day, 4th of July, etc.  It combines beautifully with many other colors and has such a range of hues.  Lets pay tribute to the top of the rainbow...

princesspumps.etsy.com, elementtiles.etsy.com, rainnua.etsy.com

I love the instant recognition of the ruby slipper.  I think of family movie nights and my husband talking about the days when he was little and afraid of the flying monkeys.   The hearts are just fun and creative.  The color is so cheerful.  The elephant took me by surprise and that's why I like it so much.  Totally unexpected. 

Halflighthoneystudio.etsy.com, NellsEmbroidery.etsy.com, tickytackyhandmade.etsy.com

I love carved work, so I also picked this floral paisley necklace.  It is intricate and original.  These textile beads are so textural.  The color is earthy and they look like they have a history.  The bracelet looks vintage to me and has a much less earthy, and creative element--it says strength to me with its sharp geometric lines. 

Here are some of my own red creations:

One of my top favorite Birdie Clasps of all times.

Loved the lotus charms.

The bamboo was so rich.

How does red make you feel? What are your favorite red pieces? 
Happy Creating!
--Kathy

New Bead Concepts

I'm interested in innovation techniques and designs in ceramic beads (or beads in general).  So, to this end, I've been experimenting a little.  I made this set of faceted daisy beads.  These were made from white ceramic earthenware clay which was cut, glazed, and then I added designs to just a few of the facets.  I love how they turned out, so I'll be dong a collection of them (different colors and designs) to sell in my etsy shop.   Check them out:

Happy Creating!
--Kathy