Author Archives: Patrice

About Patrice

artist, crafter
Nov2

Jewelry designer shopping tip of the day

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Jewelry designer shopping tip of the day! Looking for filligree jewelry components? @Ornamentea has a great selection, in seven different finishes – brass, copper, imitation Rhodium, antique silver, silver plate, gold plate and gunmetal! and all of the findings to go with it – great online shop, I wish I could get to Raleigh North Carolina to visit the store!
http://www.ornamentea.com/Filigree.htm

Jun10

Wire knit bracelets – how???

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Wire knit bracelets – how???

Watermelon

I have a number of wire knitted bracelets in my Etsy store, I thought it would be fun to show some construction photos of one being made. In writing the blog, I now realize how very complicated the process is. Maybe I’m not charging enough?

It all starts with a bead mixture, I am usually inspired by a single bead strand or color and work from there. The bracelet in the construction photos was inspired by these turquoise seed beads I had in a vial on my worktable. I put all the beads in a dish and add beads from the collection until I am satisfied with the look and it feels right. the bead choices can be tricky because they cannot be much larger than 4mm or it is really difficult to knit. It’s a balance of large and small beads to get the right texture and look in the finished product.

I have a collection of 28-32 gauge copper wire in different colors, so then the wire color decision must be made. I usually like copper or silver, but sometimes a color calls out (gut instinct). All of the beads in the bracelet then are strung out on the wire. I use permanently colored copper wire, it seems to hold up the best to the knitting process. There is a lot of strain on the wire while knitting, to keep the tension, and I have had other types of wire break. Also, there are between 45-75 feet of wire in each bracelet, sterling silver 30G wire can get pricey.

Then the knitting begins, I choose the width that I want and cast on that number of stitches. I knit in garter stitch back and forth, only adding beads on one side until it is the desired length, then bind off. The knitting needles are metal, about a size 000 (that’s really fine). I also use them to knit beaded bags, which is another post. Those take months, literally.

This is a shot of the beginning of a bracelet. once the bracelet body is finished, I use crimp ends to finish the ends and add a clasp.

Apr27

Alpha Delta Pi auction

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I was very proud and honored to be asked to make a bracelet and earring set for a silent auction held at Founder’s day for my Sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.  I was at first going to enter one of the already complete bracelets, then I had a vision of a bracelet with the Alpha Delta Pi symbols of violets, diamonds and blue and white.  Subtle, not over the top.  I think it came out great, and it sounds like it made about $50 for the house!

Apr14

The bangles

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I call them the bangles, but they’re really charm bracelets.  I had a brainstorm for a friend’s birthday awhile back, so I made up a bunch of them. Enjoy!

Gypsy

This one I call ocean, the colors came out great

this one is made with a couple of leftover beads from my favorite bracelet, they are called pillow beads, they are rounded, puffed squares.  I think they are carnelian, but they could be red agate.  There are also some peach moonstone and red freshwater pearls.

Mar30

New Etsy account!

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I have a new Etsy account – Paisley Sheets Design
paisleysheets.etsy.com

I haven’t posted anything yet, but it is a start!  The job market sucks out there, so this may allow me to make some extra money.  Jack and I have also been starting lots of  vegetable plants, Tomatoes, Peppers, eggplant and flowers.  We also have cilantro, parsley, and basil started.  We signed up to get a business license and registered Rhearange, LLC with the Secretary of State!    With any luck, we may be able to sell at a Farmer’s Market next summer.