Saturday, June 6, 2009

This Week's Project: Stone Memory Wire Bracelet

Saturday crafting time was just a tad limited today, so I took the simple path and pulled out the memory wire! Always a fun and simple alternative to stringing! I wanted to use some of the stones I posted Thursday in a bracelet, but once I started working with them realized I wanted something in light tones.

I pulled out many of the lighter colored stones and began randomly placing them on the wire. Once I got past the 3 larger "focal" beads, I sort of repeated a sort-of pattern on the other side. I used one of the larger yellowy stones on the dangle worked in the star bead in too. The little ring was just sort of an afterthought, but I have it on now and it's pretty simple and cute.

That was certainly a QUICK project and for anyone hesitant about using memory wire, I strongly encourage you to give it a try.

Many years ago I started out making 6 and 7 strand memory wire bracelets using various seed beads and lots of metallic embroidery delicas. It was tedious, but I really enjoyed it. Like anything else, interest in things evolve and now my memory wire bracelets are often one strand mostly because of the immediate gratification of a 10 to 30 minute project!!

I hope you are all having a great weekend and enjoying lots of sunshine!!

5 comments:

Azure Accessories said...

Great bracelet and ring...they are colors I would wear!

I think I made two bracelets out of memory wire...don't remember why I didn't make more??

Cheers

Be~Jeweled by Jana said...

Love those colors!

Designs by Blanche said...

You are so right - QUICK and easy projects. I don't know why I don't use memory wire more!

WireMySoul said...

Those are some great beads!!!

Last fall I asked myself that same question, "why don't I use memory wire?" Was it because it seemed too easy and I didn't feel it was "creative" enough? I'm not sure, but I bought some and made several 4, 5 and 7 strand bracelets. One had metallic seed beads with faceted crystals, another jasper chips with crystal accents, a couple of rainbows made of mixed glass beads of all shapes and sizes and other mixed glass bracelets in blues and greens. The few left that didn't sell at craft fairs are now some of my favourite bracelets to wear, though the glass is heavy (don't wear it to soccer when you're clapping and cheering a lot, it uncoils! haha!)

Sometimes simple wins and you end up with some really great stuff with so little effort.

Just A Tish said...

Love it!