I rarely start my designs with a random color palette. I'm much more likely to begin with a theme. When I saw the varied color palettes in the submission guidelines for Create Jewelry, I wanted to challenge myself to try some new-to-me color combinations. I sent several submissions way back in January. Ironically, the one the editors accepted used a palette of earthy browns that I use all the time in my work!
The Inspiration Behind My Bangle Bracelet
One reason I don't make many bracelets is that most bracelets need to be precisely sized to fit well. Bangles that just slip over the wrist are one exception. I love the channel-style bangles from Nunn Design, but most of the jewelry I've seen made with them are mixed media (resin, clay, etc.). I love mixed media, but sometimes I don't have time to wait a day or more for a piece of jewelry to set. I wanted to use the bangle to make a simple, quick strung design that could be done and worn in less than an hour.
I'm enamored by the metallic leather cord I've found at Michaels. It's easy to knot and has a subtle sheen. Wood beads are a great choice for knotting on leather because of their large holes. Ceramic beads work well, too. I especially love handmade porcelain beads by Gaea and I've included two of them in this bracelet.
This particular button with its intricate design inspired the name of the bracelet. You can find a huge selection of buttons at fabric stores. I often stock up when they go on sale.
A stack of these bracelets would look great with a bohemian-style outfit this summer.
Check out all 50 jewelry designs in this latest issue of Create Jewelry. In addition to the projects, there's a nice feature on coloring metals with spray paint, vinegar and salt, alcohol ink, nail polish, liver of sulfur, gilder's paste, and embossing powder. All methods are relatively straightforward and don't require too many materials.