Bracelet Challenge

I've noticed folks purchasing lots of red and green lately. It's time to start thinking about the winter holidays. Because handcrafted jewelry is a gift that is as much fun to make as it is to receive, I have decided to have some holiday fun in the form of a bracelet challenge. I am going to create a bracelet a day to be offered for sale starting on October 1st. Photos will be posted on a new blog called Anita's Daily Bracelet. The last of 85 bracelets will be posted on Christmas Eve.

The Peace Symbol

I've been hearing a lot about the Peace symbol lately, and it seems like more and more people are wearing it. In response to customer requests, Anita's Beads now stocks a lovely sterling silver Peace symbol in just the right size to add to bracelets, as well as earrings and other jewelry.

The other day a friend mentioned that she thought that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Peace symbol so I checked into it. BBC News Magazine cites March 1958 as the date of its first use as the logo of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Ken Kolsbun's book Peace: The Biography of a Symbol published by National Geographic looks like an interesting source for further information.

Open 7 Days

We have extended the shop hours. Anita's Beads will be open 7 days a week from 10 am until 5 pm through Labor Day.

After that we will revert again to our regular hours which are: Open from 10-5; Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Anita's Beads is open all year round!

More New Bead Cord

We just received 16 more colors of the new bead cord:

• 17 - Pale Yellow
• 18 - Light Gold
• 19 - Gold
• 20 - Brown
• 21 - Pumpkin
• 22 - Red
• 23 - Light Pink
• 24 - Mint Green
• 25 - Green
• 26 - Peridot
• 27 - Avocado
• 28 - Evergreen
• 29 - Capri Blue
• 30 - Montana Blue
• 31 - Carolina Blue
• 32 - Sky Blue

Don't you just love color charts? (Previous chart here.)

New Bead Cord

I'm using a new cord (approximately Size 5 in 77 yard spools) to knot in-between the new matte Czech glass beads. There are 16 colors in stock, and more on the way:

• 01 - Orchid
• 02 - Coral Pink
• 03 - Rust
• 04 - Dark Red
• 05 - Purple
• 06 - Golden Yellow
• 07 - Chartreuse
• 08 - Light Brown
• 09 - White
• 10 - Vintage Jade
• 11 - Turquoise
• 12 - Light Gray
• 13 - Black
• 14 - Teal
• 15 - Blue
• 16 - Olive

More colors can be viewed here.

More New Czech Glass Beads

Here are more photos of new Czech glass beads. Above is a "Chiclet" style 13x17mm rectangle in three combinations reminiscent of stones: Malachite, Tiger Eye and Rhodonite.

I love this 8mm melon shape, shown above in Luster Opaque Green, Luster Rose/Gold Topaz, and Amethyst Marbled Gold.

Here's another color of the 8mm melon (above) called Chrysolite Celsian.

We've also added a smaller 5mm melon, shown above in Luster Opaque Green, Bronze Luster Iris Red, and Luster Rose/Gold Topaz.

Above are 9mm flat squares in Siam Ruby Vega, and Sunshine Dust.

And 3 more square flat beads, above: 9mm Luster Amethyst Matte, 6mm Luster Opaque Green, and 15mm Gold Matte with a cool Greek spiral design.

Here are two others with spirals sized 6mm: Coral with Gold and Jet Picasso with Brick along side a 4x6mm baby bell flower in Blue Raspberry Swirl.

These 6mm flower caps (above) make cute earrings and bracelet dangles. Colors are: Red Azuro, Metallic Rose Matte, Metallic Gold Matte, and Copper Iris.

We've also added these 7mm flower buds pictured above in Montana/Amber and Capri/Jonquil.

And two more colors (above) are Rose Opal and Jonquil/Amethyst. A fifth new flower bud is available in Hyacinth AB.

The 4x7mm nugget beads shown above come in Fuchsia/Crystal, White Opal, and Amber Crystal.

And finally, we now offer this lovely Turquoise Picasso faceted rondelle in 17mm and 11mm sizes.

Macrame Bracelet Instructions

Kit Contains: 2 pieces cotton cord: 1 piece 72 inches (Tying cords); 1 pc. 30 inches (Center cords)

Size 6/0 Seed Beads: Pattern uses 52 beads. Extra beads have been provided.

One Focal Bead

Your cords have been tied into a loop for you. (This was done by folding the long and the short pieces in half, bringing both loops together, and tying them in a single knot.)

The two long cords are the Tying Cords. The two short cords are the Center Cords.

String 24 Seed Beads onto each of the long Tying Cords. You will use a total of 48 beads. Tie a small knot at the very end of each of the Tying Cords to keep the beads from falling off.

The basic pattern is two knots then two beads. The rule is always start and end with two knots.

Depending on how you tie the knots, your result will either be Flat or Spiral.

Flat is achieved by knotting with alternating Tying Cords and Spiral by knotting Tying Cords from one side only. Directions are given for both. Suggestion: Make one side Flat and the other Spiral for the popular asymmetrical look.

It is easier to tie even knots when you can achieve tension. Suggestions: Pin the loop to a macramé board (available separately) or piece of foam board, or cork board with a T-Pin. Use a safety pin to attach it to your jeans (hippy-style!) or pillow. Tape the loop to the table. Attach a cup-hook to a convenient surface. Suction cups with metal hooks work great on clean smooth surfaces.

Directions for Flat Knotting:

All of the knotting is done around the two Center Cords with the two Tying Cords. Arrange cords so the two Center Cords lie between the two Tying Cords (Right and Left). Begin knotting from the left using the Left Tying Cord. Form the Left Tying Cord into the shape of the capital letter “L” with the toe of the “L” lying across the top of the two Center Cords. Take the Right Tying Cord and pass it under the toe of the “L” (formed by the Left Tying Cord), behind the two Center Cords, and out through the space between the Center Cords and the Left Tying Cord. This forms the first knot. Tighten the knot by adjusting the two Tying Cords until it rests just under the loop.

The second knot is tied the same way only in reverse. This time begin knotting from the right using the Right Tying Cord. Form the Right Tying Cord into the shape of the letter “L” with the toe of the “L” lying across the top of the two Center Cords. Take the Left Tying cord and pass it under the toe of the “L” (formed by the Right Tying Cord), behind the two Center Cords, and out through the space between the Center Cords and the Right Tying Cord. This forms the second knot. Tighten the second knot against the first knot by adjusting the two Tying Cords.

Slide up one bead from each of the two Tying Cords until they rest under the first two knots. Tie two more knots identical to the first two being careful to tighten them snugly under the beads. Continue to alternate two beads with two knots until you have 12 beads on each side for a total of 24 (one half of the beads you strung on in the first step). Make sure you end with two knots.

Now string your Center Bead onto the two Center Cords and slide it up to the last knots. Bring the Tying Cords around either side of the Center Bead and use them to tie a knot starting with the Left Tying Cord. Tie a second knot beginning with the Right Tying Cord. Then slide up one bead on each side, and tie two more knots. Repeat until you have used the remaining 24 beads. End with two knots.

Directions for Spiral Knotting:

All of the knotting is done around the two Center Cords with the two Tying Cords. Arrange cords so the two Center Cords lie between the two Tying Cords (Right and Left). Begin knotting from the left using the Left Tying Cord. Form the Left Tying Cord into the shape of the capital letter “L” with the toe of the “L” lying across the top of the two Center Cords. Take the Right Tying Cord and pass it under the toe of the “L” (formed by the Left Tying Cord), behind the two Center Cords, and out through the space between the Center Cords and the Left Tying Cord. This forms the first knot. Tighten the knot by adjusting the two Tying Cords until it rests just under the loop.

The second knot is tied exactly the same way. Tighten the second knot against the first knot by adjusting the two Tying Cords.

Slide up one bead from each of the two Tying Cords until they rest under the first two knots. Tie two more knots identical to the first two being careful to tighten them snugly under the beads. Continue to alternate two beads with two knots until you have 12 beads on each side for a total of 24 (one half of the beads you strung on in the first step). Make sure you end with two knots.

Now string your Center Bead onto the two Center Cords and slide it up to the last knots. Bring the Tying Cords around either side of the Center Bead and use them to tie a knot starting with the Left Tying Cord. Tie a second knot exactly the same starting with the Left Tying Cord. Then slide up one bead on each side, and tie two more knots. Repeat until you have used the remaining 24 beads. End with two knots.

Finishing the Bracelet:

Bring all of the cords together into one knot which rests just after your last macramé knot. Trim all cords even (you should have about 6 inches of cord remaining) and spilt into two groups of two. Tie each group into a knot which rests about 4 inches from the end of the bracelet. Slip a bead onto each of the four strings remaining and anchor them by tying a small knot in each cord up near the bead. Trim four cords close to the knot.

Traditionally friendship bracelets are exchanged between friends, tied on by the giver, and worn until they fall off.

Czech Bead Extravaganza!

The second half of my Czech bead order arrived this afternoon. It feels like Christmas. Here are some photos of different things right out of the box. I started to organize them on the light table when I saw that the light from the back window was illuminating them beautifully. They still need to be dusted, inspected, tied up and tagged. They will all be ready when Anita's Beads opens again on Thursday!

I was attracted to large beads in matte finish that made me think of sea glass.

Here's one of my favorite new shapes--22x8mm rice (above).

I absolutely love this matte tigereye (above) with yellow topaz and jonquil.

This lovely angular rondelle is available in 8 matte colors.

This pink coral color really makes me feel happy.

I tried to get a nice range of cool colors.

This olivine rondelle has the look of an artifact.

On the smaller side, here's a luscious 8mm melon with a metallic flower cap to set it off. There are lots more to see so plan a visit to Anita's Beads soon for the best selection. I will put up more photos after everything is tagged.

Japanese Seed Beads

My love affair with seed beads began over a dozen years ago with the discovery of Miyuki brand Japanese seed beads. I can still remember receiving my first half-kilo cellophane bags of loose 11/0 and 6/0 beads. Their beautiful colors and finishes were as alluring to me as faceted jewels.

Today Anita's Beads offers Miyuki beads in size 15/0, 11/0, 11/Delica, 8/0, 8/Delica, 6/0, 4mm Cubes and Size 3 Bugles, with a few Hex-cut beads thrown in for variety! Miyuki has earned the reputation for high quality, uniform size and incredible color selection.

Japanese seed beads manufactured by Toho are available in some unusual colors which have caught my attention more recently. Selected size 11 Delica-style beads called "Treasures" have been now been added to Anita's seed bead wall, in addition to some favorite hues in the 11/0, 8/0, and 6/0 sizes.

In my next post I will talk about what all those numbers mean in terms of actual size, and show you the seed bead wall at Anita's Beads, along with details on the recent Toho additions.

Almost Done No. 1

I will be offering a series of one-of-a-kind jewelry kits utilizing favorites from my bead stash--open-ended projects without directions.

No. 1 includes two hanks (total of twenty-four 20-inch strands) of size 11/0 carnelian alabaster czech seed beads, one 16-inch strand of 8mm round Burma Jade gemstone beads, seven 11x19mm fancy carved Unakite accent beads (from my stash) all set off by an antique white 63x45mm resin pendant which is drilled front to back near the top.

The photo below shows the other side of the pendant:

The "Almost Done" Series

I recently made what amounts to an official apology on my jewelry home page. It is so underdeveloped and neglected. It has featured forever the same triple strand necklace (sold long ago) of turquoise and coral--one of my favorites. The photo serves to remind me to make more like it.

I have made a promise there as well. So this weekend I will make good on that promise. Even this very morning, unless I get diverted!

New Wood Beads

Palmwood saucers and Old Palmwood round beads set off a Coco Leaf inlay pendant.

Cool White wood wheels, Black wood fluted ovals, White wood 10mm rounds, and Tiger Ebony wheels (above).

White wood tapered triangles come in 8-inch bracelet lengths.

All wood bracelet lengths, shown above in Bayong and Black Ebony, are double drilled.

Flat wood shapes (above) include rounded rectangles of Bayong, Nangka ovals, and puffy Bayong coins.

Vine wood in 20-inch loops of tiny tubes, and 16-inch strands of cross-drilled sticks (above).

I love the look of wood for summer. It blends well with other natural beads like shell, bone and horn, making a bold statement without a lot of weight.

New Bone and Horn Beads

Tea-dyed and white rondelles with a strand of donut discs (above).

Donuts are 25mm with a 8mm hole.

Red and golden horn spacer beads (above).

Red horn rondelles and golden horn squared nuggets (above).

These new bone and horn additions to Anita's Beads will add interest to your summer designs.

New Botanical Beads

New shapes in Salwag, also known as Betel Nut (above).

Close-up of the fluted round salwag beads (above).

Buri (with skin) in multi-colored nuggets mixed with assorted round buri beads (above).

Round buri (mist green and natural with skin) and black buri coin beads provide a backdrop for our new Coco Leaf pendants (above).

Above are some new buri, and salwag beads. I absolutely love the Coco Leaf inlay pendants. So green, so summer!