Wrap Bracelet at Bead and Button Show

I have been so busy working on these Braided Silk Bead Bracelets getting the kits ready, that I backed myself up against a wall for Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, WI next week!

I've been working part time at Sarafina Art House in Elkton, MD and one of the women that I work with (the amazing Kyla) was kind enough to film and edit a video tutorial for me that I could put up on You Tube.

It's my first time doing a video tutorial, and I was a bit nervous - but it was a LOT of fun.

Just like teaching a class says Kyla - good advice!

I have yet to update my website, but did get the kits into my Etsy shop (boy - this business end sure is a lot of work!)

I've even got a hashtag so when people make a bracelet, they can post a pic of it with #MNSBeadedBracelet and it will show up.
I am mostly curious to see what art beads each person chooses to use as a closure bead!

And next Tuesday I will be arriving in Milwaukee, WI for the Bead & Button show.

Tuesday night, June 2 from 9:30-11:30pm there is a Moonlight Madness at the Hyatt Hotel where a bunch of vendors, including myself, will be selling a small amount of work - like a preview of what is to come for the main show June 5-7 (the show preview night is June 4) held in the Milwaukee Convention Center.

See what is going on through social media: #BeadandButtonShow

I can be found as: Marsha Neal Studio in booth #608 at the main show, along with Nikki of Thornburg Bead Studio.

My sister has been over this week helping me bag up some small special show bead mixes to go with the variety of silks that I will have with me at the show.
I am going to feature these bracelet kits as a make and take for people to do at the show.

I am figuring that there is going to be a mecca of handmade beads for people to buy and match up - make a bracelet in a few minutes, then wear it to show it off!

If you are going out there, make sure to swing by and say Hi!

I'm off to get into the studio to glaze more beads - one can never have too many beads for a huge show like this!

Braided Silk Cord Bracelet

by Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio

Ever since I could work my fingers to tie knots as a child, I've loved to do it. 

I remember in first grade, tying my shoe laces into knots and knots, then untying them and putting them back to regular when the teacher was done talking. Talk about short attention span...

Throughout my life I have used a lot of different materials (embroidery thread from my mom's cross stitch supplies was my favorite) to tie knots for friendship bracelets, keychain adornments, zipper pulls, etc. 

Hand Painted 2mm silk cord

Back in 2004 I was selling my ceramic beads out in Tucson when I met Ute from Silk Painting Is Fun (she mixes her own color by recipes and then hand paints the silks). I started carrying a few silks to sell with my ceramic pendants at bead shows back here on the East coast US. 

They were such a huge success at the bead shows that I expanded and now sell through my Marsha Neal Studio website and Marsha Neal Studio Etsy shop.

I just LOVE these!!!

They are so soft and the colors are amazing!

Because these silks are 2mm in diameter, they are thicker than a lot of other strands that are often used for macramé, so I like to braid them. It's super fast to sit and make too.

These silks are also awesome in Kumihimo - especially combined with Sari Silk Ribbons and strands with beads (all about textures with those combos)!

Often I see similar knotted bracelets tied on, a button closure, etc - but I wanted an option for slipping it off and on fast without excessive wear on the silk, and this is what I came up with:

6" (inch) length of 18 gauge dead soft wire.

The general idea is to make a double loop where the ends of the wire are wrapped into the center and tucked in to avoid rubbing on the silk or irritating your skin.

I then split the number of silk cords at the end of the braid, put half through the loop, tied a knot, then another knot around the opposite side, and then secured with one of the silks in a simple knot a few times (knotting that one strand as the final knot), then cut off the excess (basically, knot, knot, knot, then knot again - whatever works for you).

I'm going to wear it for a while to see how the knotting holds up and if I need to adjust the design at all. I like simple though & want to keep this project portable and easy to do while the kids play or when I am hanging out with friends (yes - I always have to be working on something...).

Oh, and I took an 8" (inch) piece of 20 gauge wire and six beads and did a quick wire wrap accent to give the closure loop a little something extra.

Tying the braid onto this simple double loop so it wraps around my wrist 3 times is just so fast and simple. And I'm sure it can be expanded upon greatly!

What would you do with these silks?

How would you end them?

I'm curious to see if there are any that show up in the Blog hop for this handmade closures boot camp (link up for the blog hop is Monday, August 12, 2013 - Mark your Calendars!).

And as promised the giveaway winner for the Pearl And The Beard album that I picked up at their show and something special from me is commenter #6 (counting 1 comment per person from last Sundays post):

Visionaries Plus

Congrats!!! I'll be in contact with you via email to get your shipping info!

Hope you are enjoying your summer - or whatever weather you are having at this time of the year.