It was pure coincidence that I rummaged around in my "various beads" drawer and received the YouTube subscription email in the same week. That way I was not only reminded that I still had some tile beads in my drawer, but I also got an idea what to make with them. I had only worked with tile beads once before and that had been inspired by my ribbon and bead bracelets (that are made using a loom, but are not bead loomed). While my tile stash wouldn't have been big enough for another one of those, the Bollywood Bangles design by Jill Wiseman worked perfectly.
Only my bangles are so not Bollywood at all. My tiles were silver and a marbled lavender and beige, I only have two colors of size 15 seed beads (for a different project), black and gunmetal, and my Twin Beads are limited in color choice as well. I could have used some bright colored crystals to make up for that, but for now I decided to stay subtle.
For this bangle I used the marbled tiles with brown and gold lined seed beads in size 11, matte metallic golden Twins, but instead of using size 15 seed beads and smaller bicone crystals as in the video I chose these bigger beautiful firepolished crystals (originally I had got them to use them with a tutorial that I lost patience with). Actually I think they sit better than the bicones, and I don't mind that you don't see as much of the tile beads.
Then there is this set of bangles with crystals in grey, pink and a light burgundy. They are very sparkly in the light and they do look great stacked!
I already have some more ideas for small variations, but that will mean a bead order which is not in my plans for the moment as I really have to finish up some WIPs first. Remind me, though, if I forget! ;-)
This week we are talking about bangles. To be honest I never really thought about the exact definition of a bangle. To me it was always a bracelet without a clasp, and that's what I found in some dictionaries. Others, however, told me that a bangle is circular in shape AND rigid, not flexible. So my wire crochet bangles are not really bangles, but bracelets just because the ropes are not rigid? I know that there are others who seem to follow the same definition as mine. I'll have to check that out and let you know what I found out.
For now here are examples from our Jewelry Artisans Community Oldies but Goodies Challenge, though, "real" bangles and (maybe) not that "real" ones ;-)
1 Jewelry Art by Dawn (I hope you can see all the pictures, I just couldn't pick only one spot of this fabulous bangle!)
2 and 5 RioRita
3 and 4 Cat's Wire
6 and 7 The Crafty Chimp
Purple. I hate purple. Not really, no, but I hate taking pictures of purple, especially if there's just a hint of it.
Since I missed out taking pictures of this big bangle in daylight today, I decided to play a little with my camera. I used two kinds of beads in this piece by the way, darker ones with a matte rainbow finish and beads that are blue with a shimmer of purple. You'll just have to believe me.
I really like the inside of the bangle and it was fun to look inside like through a fence and ... well, just have a look yourself.
The bangle is not listed at the moment, I won't give up yet on catching the elusive purple!
This is so addictive! Yes, I watch Bollywood, yes, I own a saree that I have never worn and yes, I love bangles, but I have to admit I have a problem with the sound they are making if you wear many and bangles have to be worn in abundance, right?
So I was sitting there looking at my colored wire, looking at my stone beads and the small candle in my brain started to shine, a little flickering at first - which is why the first one became a children's bangle - but then I really felt I was on to something here.
I hope I won't be the only one to think that. Do you know this feeling? You are all enthusiastic about something, you do a little happy dance and all your soul and thoughts go into this project, no matter what kind it is. You are excited to show others and then the bubble blows because you get a polite "Ah yes", "Mmh-mmh" or something else along that line. Sometimes these experiences stick to you like glue, sometimes you shake them off. I learned it is important to always do something for yourself in the first place and then maybe the spark is gonna flow.
I had fun making these bangles and I am sure they won't be my last, I'll just have to stock up on beads and wire. What a sacrifice! Shopping for beads and wire is one of the hardest thing to do, well, at least if you don't have the money to say you take everything ;-)
Today we were at a minerals and fossils fair. I took the tall guy along because of his wallet, eh, I mean because he is the perfect companion for this. He headed off to hall 7 immediately where there was an antique fair. He found something, I found something, we are both broke, but happy :-P
And here are the first bangles with round beads, I also made some with chips. Not Doritos! Red goldstone and rock crystal. Not as tasty, but they sparkle more ... Eventually they will pop up in one of my shops, too - in a few days, I guess.
Sterling silver wire and labradorite
Copper wire and brown tiger's eye
Copper wire and red tiger's eye
Green coated wire and light green Chinese jade
Hot pink coated wire and rose quartz, bangle plus hoops with copper earwires
I am sure the banglemania will go on now that I have new beads ... gotta hurry, my hook is calling me!! :-D
