Published in Creative Beading Vol. 6

I love the smell of the pages in a new book. Today I opened a large package received in the mail and before I finished unwrapping it, I noticed the special smell of a new book. It was Creative Beading Vol. 6 by Kalmbach Publishing - an annual book of collection of projects picked by Editors of Bead&Button magazine. Two of my designed are published in it: Layered Loops bracelet and Fine Woven Rings necklace.

Amongst the various sections and 77 projects included in this book, there are two beadwoven stunning necklaces by Melissa Grakowsky; beautiful wire wrapped earrings by Sonia Kumar; a gorgeous bead-embroidered cuff by Heidi Kummli; a very interesting "beadpunk" (steampunk with beads) necklace by Diane Hyde; a chainmaille & lampwork bead  collaboration bracelet by Kathy Peterson and Susan Matych-Hager, and many, many other beautiful designs in a large variety of styles and techniques!

Layered Loops Bracelet

  Fine Woven Rings Necklace

clothesline bangle with beads n' floss 1450

 This chunky bangle style bracelet is made with un-dyed clothesline and other cotton and synthetic cords. The cords have been loosely bound together on a tapered mold to form the layered shape of the bangle. The beads are then worked in between the cords and bound in place with four ply nylon thread. As the nylon thread is used to secure the beads the cord stiffens up to hold it's shape.

Cotton floss is used to wrap some of the exposed cords adding funky color.

The result is ...? Well it's different and not subtle. It weighs about 1 1/2 oz and is a little over 8" inside circumference. Reminds me of the heavier bangles made in white metal from the Indian subcontinent. The cotton clothesline is a more friendly feel than metal and somewhat easier to work with.




design and photographs copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

purple and black interweave rope bracelet

Here is an interweave of purple and black combining a 22 x 9 x 1 diamond weave knot with a continuous  parallel interweave of 3 mm hand dyed purple cord. The turks head forms the diagonal pattern and the interweave forms the vertical offset pattern. 


The ends are pulled through the overlap and concealed. There are just two pieces of cord used in this design.


design and photographs copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

A Muted Cape Cod Weekend now showing on Etsy

EcoChicHandKnits created this collection A Muted Cape Cod Weekend in anticipation of a visit to Cape Cod. I'd much rather visit Barbara's shop where she offers 100% organic cotton yarn bowls , scrubbies and coasters. If you do go to the cape wait until September when all the tourists are gone.

Meanwhile check out this Tulum Garden deck chair made by Gwyneth and Tamra with their exclusive fabric designs in the old school English style. See more of their work in their shop gallantandjones.

Dog owners will want a Nautical Dog Leash - The Fair Lead "Classic" made by Jessica. She has more in her shop TheFairLead.

The featured item in this collection is the white BASIC turks head knot bracelet which is adjustable so you can slip it over your hand and work it up to a comfortable fit. See more in the BASIC section of my Etsy shop.

black and white herringbone rope bracelet 1415

This is a herringbone weave design that has been doubled using a black dyed cord. The color contrast emphasizes the "V" pattern created by the over two-under two weave. This example shows the single overlap edge weave or "locked" edge as it is sometimes called. 


Doubling the weave creates a dark edge on the left where the black cord reverses direction (bight) and also on the right where the white cord is exposed.


design and photographs copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

Soft Tones collection speaking quietly on Etsy

Sometimes powerful messages are delivered in Soft Tones... such as in this collection by ohzie. See more soft recycled Tees and Sweats in her shop and follow her on twitter.

Speaking of soft here is a very touchable item Apple Green Ribbon Poncho Cape made by iLE AiYE from London. See more handsome contemporary designs in her shop.

Not sure why a print titled Live Out Loud - A whimsical travel photograph got into this soft collection but the color and composition capture the spirit of southern France, um well, NICEly. See more of Irene Suchocki's work in her Etsy shop.

The featured item in this collection is a soft blue-green turks head knot sailor bracelet part of the blended colors collection in my Etsy shop.

red white and blue 1399

It's coming up on that time of year again when we all get to celebrate this experiment with democracy that began with a bunch of guys (yeah old white men...deal with it) who got together to try and figure out how to have a country organized by laws instead of fallible human beings. A radical concept that we are still trying to figure out how to operate. Yeah we got liars, cheaters, malcontents, criminals, good people, entrepreneurs, yeoman farmers, businessmen, students, stay-at-home moms, solid citizens, and everyone else too.


Happy fourth of July! Eat a brat, buy a patriotic bracelet, visit my shop.
design and photographs copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop