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!

Silk Cord and Bead Obsession

Written by Marsha Neal Studio for Love My Art Jewelry Blog

I have an obsession.

It is with color. It is with texture. It is with feel.

It is with emotional connection to something handmade.

 There is something that moves me deep about colors and glass.

Seed beads - I cannot have enough!

And with my recent class using these TR5 Myuki beads (size 5 Triangle Beads), I decided to organize my stash.

Which then led to - what else can I make with these - and use the 2mm silks I carry & sell?

After looking around on Pinterest for simple wrap bracelets, I figured out a design that was quick and easy to do. Something that I could make and wear on the go.

Testing and figuring out a design like this took me days of testing and fiddling with different materials and styles.

My final decision was 1mm Waxed Cotton Cord (about a yard).

1 strand of 2mm Silk Cord (40-42" length).

And 50 of the TR5 glass beads.

And a favorite button or disc bead as the closure.

I am working on the detailed directions for kits, but you basically make a loop with the cotton cord, tie on the silk at the mid way point, braid the three strands, and move a bead up into the braid whenever it is time to move the cotton cord.

When you get it to the desired length, you tie on the button and wha-la!

Ready to wear.

I already have plenty of silk color palettes that I sell.

Now I've come up with a bunch of bead mixes that coordinate too.

The last step is me coordinating my glaze colors for the closure piece to go with these.

Internet buying and matching colors can be such a pain sometimes, and nobody wants to be disappointed in the way of losing money, and not having a fun project to do.

And to me - these colors are happy.

These silks are so soft. And this is what I want to wear as it gets warmer.

Being able to take a project with me to t-ball practice, waiting at the bus stop, waiting in a doctors office, as a passenger in a car, flying on a plane, sitting on the beach, whenever my hands want to be busy and able to complete a task - that satisfies me.

This has been such a good challenge for me to fiddle with what I've got.

Simple projects. Fun projects. 

And something that makes me feel the happiness that I had as a teenager:

making bracelets for my family and friends...

That is where this takes me.

Summertime bracelet fun!

This blog post was written by Marsha Neal Studio for Love My Art Jewelry Blog.

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