Little beads

  I make these little beads for several reasons.  First, they are a good way to test new color combinations- I make small ones before I make the commitment of a big bead.  Secondly, I love to layer colors, and the results are not always predictable.  Sometimes there are good surprises and sometimes not, and the difference is not always instantly apparent.  Sometimes I have to "live with" a new color combination for a while.

This size is also very good for earrings, so I try to have a tray full of them in many different colors.  When I am working on making earrings for a show, I like to have lots of choices!  Since I mostly use them in pairs, and people mostly buy them in pairs, I end up with lots of orphans.  One of these days I will have to design a necklace with them!

Fringe bracelet

I haven't made these bracelets for a few years, but I am inspired again!  The beads are in color ranges, and this one is amber and green.  (I also make a purple and blue set.)  After I have a set of my beads, I go through my stash of  stones, pearls, silver, crystals and anything else I have that looks like the color and size will work.  That can take a while, since I have a considerable stash.  A friend told me when I buy more stones, pearls, etc, I am assembling my palette, and I like that thought.  Any excuse for more!

That all goes in a pile, and then I have the fun of deciding which 6 items will work.  I look for items that will pick up all the colors of my beads, and I want different sizes and shapes.  Each of these 6 is then wired onto a jump ring to make a fringe (the jingle jangle between my beads.)  When I have 7 fringes made, I wire wrap the beads, with a fringe between each one, into a bracelet.  There is so much movement it makes you feel special!