Free Tuts

Bead Soup Bangle

This cuff is meant to be random, free form and unstructured. It does not require a great deal of concentration and if you like to multi-task, you can listen to a book on tape or watch a movie while working and you’ll be done before you know it!

 

Materials Needed:

• Bead Soup * (this one has tiger eye chips, pearls, copper beads, and blue seed beads)
• (1) roll 24 ga. copper wire
• Cuff
• Wire cutters

 

1. Make a *bead soup by mixing miscellaneous beads ranging in size from 2 – 6 mm in colors that coordinate with copper wire.


2. Wrap the entire cuff with 24 ga copper wire.

  

3. Cut approx 24” of copper wire and anchor one end of the wire near the center of the cuff by wrapping it around the cuff a few times. String beads randomly, a few inches at a time and begin wrapping back and forth in a random pattern on the cuff. Take care not to let the wire pull the top and bottom of the cuff together.

 

4. Keep wrapping and adding beads as desired. Add more wire when required. Stop when you are happy with the result. Enjoy!

Queen Victoria Cuff

 Queen Victoria Cuff
By Eva Marie Sherman

WireKnitZ® makes a beautiful canvas for vintage themed creations and you’ll feel as elegant as the Queen in this dramatic cuff!  Create the cuff, finish it with hand stitched grosgrain ribbon, and add a vintage pin for drama!

MATERIALS AND TOOLS
1 – 9” 3000 Series WireKnitZ®
Fireline® 4 lb. braided beading thread
2 – 6” x .5” Grosgrain Ribbon
1 – 30” x 1.5” Grosgrain Ribbon
3 – Sew-On Snaps
1 – Vintage Pin
Scissors
Tape Measure
Fabri-Tac™
Sewing Needle

STEP 1
Fold ribbon in half and make a seam 2” away from the fold

STEP 2
Open ribbon and make three folds on each side. Pin and then stitch in place.

STEP 3
Open WireKnitZ® tube and gently massage folded edges until smooth. At one end, gently pull outward with fingers until the end begins to roll outward and then roll three times to measure about ¼” wide. Press the roll down with fingers all the way around, burying the cut end. Repeat at opposite end.

STEP 4
Stretch each end to get a slight bell shape. Stitch rolled ends in place, if desired, though it is not necessary.

STEP 5
Make a cut down the length of the tube. Fold the 1/2” grosgrain ribbon in half lengthwise and pin in place along the cut edge of the WireKnitZ® tube. Tip: Before pinning to WireKnitZ®; create a soft crease in the grosgrain ribbon by gently ironing with a light weight towel to protect the ribbon.

STEP 6
Measure your wrist and size WireKnitZ® 1” larger than your wrist size. Depending upon wrist size, WireKnitZ® may be made larger by stretching width at ribbon edges, or made smaller by stretching length at rolled edges. To stretch, grasp opposing edges and gently pull, moving fingers along edges. Keep moving fingers around and pulling as WireKnitZ® begins to adjust in size. When the sheet is the correct size, stop stretching. A bit of trial and error may be required.

STEP 7
Line up the center of the tri-folded 1.5” grosgrain with the center of the WireKnitZ®, approx. ¾” from the top roll and pin centers together. Pin rest of ribbon in place, folding edges of ribbon under twice. Tip: Use Fabri-Tac to secure ends of ribbon.

STEP 8
Stitch grosgrain ribbon in place. Secure vintage pin at center of tri-folded ribbon.

STEP 9
Stitch sew-on snaps in place as shown.

Enjoy the compliments!

Brangle

This design and was originally published in the Feb/Mar 2010 issue of Step By Step Wire. The tutorial was created by me and may be used for your personal use. I respectfully request that you not copy or share it, but feel free to direct others to this link. Thank you!

Brangle = Alternative Bracelet for the Artsy Chica

By: Eva Marie Sherman

Supply List: (beads and wire should be color coordinated)

                        (1) coil memory wire 1” larger than wrist size

                        (18) 8 to 10 mm base beads

                        (36) 4 mm accent beads

                        (72) 3 mm accent beads

                        (1) spool 22 ga artistic wire

                        (2) spools 24 ga. artistic wire (different colors)

                        (2) 6 mm spring rings

                        (1) 3” 18 ga artistic wire

 Tools:

                        Memory wire cutter

                        Wire cutter

                        Round nose pliers

                        Coiling gizmo

                        Clamp (for gizmo)

Steel block

                        Hammer

 

1.  Use a memory wire cutter to cut a coil of memory wire 1” larger than wrist size.  Make a ¼” loop at one end.

      

2. String the large base beads onto the memory wire and make a ¼” loop at the other end.

 

 

3. Using a coiling gizmo make a coil using both colors of 26 ga. wire. When creating the coil take care to keep both strands of wire parallel.             

4. Feed the 6” coil on to the 22 ga. wire.  Don’t cut the 22 ga wire. 

4. Wrap the free end of 22 ga wire between the 2^nd and 3^rd bead to anchor the coil.  Wrap the coil around every other bead and anchor the 22 ga wire between the last two beads at the opposite end. Cut the excess wire.

 

5. Cut 3 ft. of 22 ga. wire. Wrap one end of the 22 ga wire between the 1^st and 2^nd bead to anchor it. String a comfortable amount of the 4 mm accent beads and begin winding the wire and beads around the base beads. The beads should be placed randomly. Add more beads as needed. Continue to wind wire and beads back and forth until all beads and wire are used. Anchor the end of the wire in the nearest space.

7. Repeat Step 5 using the 3 mm accent beads. Use more wire as required.
   
                           
8. Make a final pass using only wire. Stop when you are happy with the result. This design is meant to be unstructured, random and free form.

Attach a spring ring to each end of the memory wire loop. Make an S hook with the 18 ga wire and hammer it on the block to strengthen it.  Attach the clasp to the spring ring.

 

Enjoy!