I made a bracelet last night with some of my lampies, inspired by a book I got from the library.
It is just not right. It does not sit nicely on the wrist, the links seem to be too long and they stick up, so it will have to be taken apart again. It a good thing I am only practicing with silver plated wire. :D
It is also too long and so I didn't bother putting a clasp on as I knew I would be taking it apart again.
Constructive criticism would be most welcome.
I think it might be an idea to thread the beads onto a wire, but the types of wire available is just bewildering and when I go on-line to order some I just don't know which to choose, so end up with none!!!!
(http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m517/scottam/gardeninmoonlight148.jpg)
HI, it's very pretty, lovely lampies. I think you probably need jump rings between each section? I made a necklace the same last year and mine didn't sit right either. I felt my links were too long. How about removing the lilac beads either side and making separate sections for them? I'm not explaining my self very well.. I mean lampie, washer either side then close with loops at each end, then a jump ring then next section with lilac bead, a silver washer either side then close then join onto jump ring to lampie section? :P
It might just be my personal preference, but bracelets with long wire wrapped links between large-ish lampies never feel very comfortable on my wrist.
If you want to go down the stringing route, I'd suggest trying some beadalon beading wire ... I think you can get either 19 or 45 strand ?
Maybe try some matching, smaller accent lampies, or some nice silver beads in between the bigger ones ?
I love those colours you used .. they sit so well with the swaro's :)
Lovely lampies, I think if you wanted to keep it wire wrapped loops if each 'unit' was shorter it would be more flexible and sit better.
I love the colour combination, I would also go down the Beadalon route, maybe where the the space for the wire wrapping would be add some purple or lime spacers with a nice sterling clasp, live one of Georges chunky ones, they look fab on bracelets and are very sturdy. The wire wrapping is very neat too.
Or leather? With the crimp on cord ends - and one of George's clasps of course!
Kinda like this http://juliefountain.blogspot.com/2010/06/super-simple-one-tool-bracelet-tutorial.html
They are lovely lampies, I really like the colour combo, looking forward to seeing the adjusted version....
I think making the sections smaller (think this has been said before) and the addition of a single (or double) jump ring between the sections would give greater flexibility. The beads and colour combinations are lovely.
Diane x
Having tried both methods I would plump for the heavy weight Beadalon. I use the one that says it is suitable for lampwork beads and gemstones (sorry can't remember the exact one and am not near my supply at the moment). To me wire wrapping feels like it ought to be more secure but they never sit right on my wrist. If going down the beadalon route then don't forget to include some small beads, like your lilac ones, in between the lampies so that the bracelet stays flexible.
Love the colours by the way.
Have had exactly the same problem. I really liked the idea of wire wrapping loops myself, and combining with little coloured beads, but like everyone else the bracelet was awkward. It doesn't help when you include the tiny beads before the loops because it makes the sections even longer.
I now mainly use Stretch Magic elastic or similar, or heavy beadalon, but I always double up all crimps.
Colours are great, You will love it when you finally sort it.
I agree. I have been through phases of doing wire wrapped or rigid bangle style bracelets on one piece of wire with a clasp but I much prefer the feel of strung beads. Go for the .24mm softflex or beadalon and, as already advised, make sure you put some smaller beads between the lampwork to keep it nice and flexible. Take care with the crimping and for really a nice finish use wire guards to cover the bit of wire that goes through the clasp.
Thanks for all the advice, I will have another play tonight and try out all your suggestions. I know now that long links don't look right on a bracelet, lesson learned the hard way :D I will try shorter links and some dangles too. (I made some small beads to go with them in the same colours.)
As it is I feel it works OK as a necklace, (photo below on some cord) but I wanted a bracelet and I won't rest till I get it right.
I will try stringing it on some thread, and then if it looks OK I will order some wire
I love Georges clasps, but no way am I going to use one with silver plated wire! :o
(http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m517/scottam/moonlightnecklace162.jpg)
Oh..... and I forgot to thank you all for the lovely compliments on my work ;D
It's such a shame Shirl because you have such a good eye for colour and the way you have put them together compliments those beautiful beads perfectly. I'm no jewellery maker but if you could find a way to keep the arrangement but without the sticky up bits I think you would be sorted.
Before you pull it all apart Shirl carefully cut every other link close to the wrap so that it opens like a jump ring (or earwires). You can then play around with your individual units to make a bracelet you like that goes with your necklace. Like others have said just a simple jump ring between each one could be enough for it to sit right. I think 5 of your units and a clasp plus a few jump rings could make all the difference giving you a bracelet of the right length that sits better on your wrist with minimal work. If you still don't like it after that and think the units are too big then pull them apart and start again. :)
Lovely beads by the way and your necklace looks great. ;D
It looks lovely as a necklace. Why don't you make some more beads and do a co-ordinating bracelet?
Just as a tip for using wire with beads, the simplest way to make the units shorter (and more generous looking) is to use much heavier wire, and turned, or self capped rather than wrapped loops. It's the long skinny wraps that spoil the drape and flexibility of a bracelet design. Using larger connecting rings between units also makes it easier to experiment with different versions and can add other danglies and beads to those connecting rings. If you only have thinner wire and need to wrap, make a double turn for the loop, use no more than two winds round the wire and then wrap back up towards the loop before trimming to add bulk and balance the beads better.
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5393038645_1f48f60ab8_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mizgeorge/5393038645/)
Ikaria (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mizgeorge/5393038645/) by mizgeorge (http://www.flickr.com/people/mizgeorge/), on Flickr
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5393036489_2c49e73780_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mizgeorge/5393036489/)
mosskullen (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mizgeorge/5393036489/) by mizgeorge (http://www.flickr.com/people/mizgeorge/), on Flickr
It's always easiest to attach any unit with a jumpring (which is removable) rather than wiring directly into another loop. This applies especially if you're using precious metal wire as the only way to alter a direct linked unit is to cut the loop and scrap the wire, which means you can't design on the fly in the same way you can using removable components.
Great beadies and the necklace looks lovely- I agree with Mizgeorge! I made the same mistake when I first started out and now keep the links short and on thicker wire! I can't wait to see what you decide to turn those into ;D!
Mizgeorge- gorgeous goodies BTW :D
George they are gorgeous, that is what I am wanting to achieve!
I am learning so I just follwed the instructions in the book, and now realise that it is better to connect the units with jump rings. I will do that in future, and make them shorter!!!!.
I am very low on wire, I only bought 2 thicknesses 20 g and a thinner one as I didnt want to waste my money if I got bad results. I am only practicing! :D and I do have some copper wire but its quite a bit thicker.
I dont think I will make the bracelet into a necklace, and I havent enough for both, (unless I make more beads ;D)
Many thanks again :)
I have taken it apart and tried different things. I do not have enough contrast beads to make a threaded bracelet so I reworked it making the links shorter, and double wrapping as George suggested to make my 20 gauge look thicker and more in balance with the size of the beads.
I added a dangle which is shown in close up and I had to make the clasp as I havent bought any yet.
It feels nice on the wrist and has better movement.
Sorry about the poor photos but the light is not good tonight.
(http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m517/scottam/lreworkedmoonlight179.jpg)
(http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m517/scottam/dangle174.jpg)
Very nice. You must be pleased :)
Oh now that's beautiful !
That is gorgeous Shirl, much much nicer and more balanced. I love it. ;D
That's waaay better :)
The double wrapping makes such a difference to the whole feel of it - it definitely fits the beads better and makes the whole thing just look so much more expensive!!
What a difference the double wrapping makes. It looks really beautiful now.
George, can I ask what gauge of wire you use?
Thats really lovely now,I like the dangleys. :)
Quote from: Ilona on February 11, 2011, 12:37:07 AM
What a difference the double wrapping makes. It looks really beautiful now.
George, can I ask what gauge of wire you use?
Yes I used 20 gauge for the main part and a thinner silver plated wire for the danglies 0.6mm, not sure what gauge that one is.
Thanks for all the positive comments, it really means a lot :) and I think it does look better.
I need to stock up on findings and accessory beads now. :)
Gorgeous Shirl
That is lovely - gorgeous beads too!
No need to buy clasps yet as the one you've made looks so neat and goes with the overall desigtn.
Thank you :)
Sorry Ilona, on re-reading the thread I now realise you were asking Goerge what wire she uses, oops :-[ The wire on George's bracelets is perfect.
That's lovely now Shirl - well worth the extra work - and a good learning curve :)
Diane x
Great work Shirl. Not a disaster but a learning curve.
I would echo what the others have said and suggest maybe self capping the beads with some heavier wire and then using jump rings or stations of russian wedding style rings to divide them?
I love cord too :)
LOL I generall use 1mm for double wrapped or 1.2/1.3mm for simple turned or self capped stations. Alison's right, mobius or flower weave units (2 or three jump rings linked together) can also look lovely.
I still think it looks great now :)
Now you have got me all confused talking of self capped stations and mobious and flower weave units! I haven't got a clue what you are taliking about :D
I agree it hasn't been a waste of time, I might have been upset if it was real silver that got wasted, as I hate waste.
I have learned a lot, and enjoyed it and all your suggestions mean my next one will be better I hope. I have loads of beads waiting to be made onto something lovely.
Wow stunning beads and a lovely bracelet, you must be really pleased with how it has turned out.
Your bracelet looks great, and your beads are lovely :)
A happy ending - it looks lovely now :)
Gorgeous bracelet! I love seeing how it's evolved into the last piece! X
Ditto, it's looks gorgeous now. ;D I'm off to take apart and rework some of my jewellery.....