Monika Wiklund

This bracelet looks much more complicated than it is to make. It consists of two separate zig-zag RAW bracelets that have been twisted around each other before connecting the ends of the second bracelet. The pattern comes from the book “Beading Beautiful Costume Jewelry – Patterns for Every Festive Occasion” but I have used other colors for the beads than what is suggested in the book.

One of the bracelets is made of frosted silver-lined dark plum seed beads and crystal faceted glass beads while the other bracelet is made of frosted crystal seed beads and garnet faceted glass beads. I think that the combination works very well and it also goes very well together with a necklace that I have not yet posted about but I will link to this post when I do.

Photography by Kristian.

I have posted about two other necklaces that are very similar to this one earlier, but I think that they are all different enough to post one more version. The main difference between this one and the earlier necklaces is that the pendant is detachable so that you can choose one of three different pendants or none at all.

As you can see, the pendant in the picture is a sodalite heart which is attached to the necklace by a string of pearls, the second pendant is a sodalite calla flower which is also attached by a string of pearls, and the last one consists of a round sodalite bead in a bead cage and a large fresh water pearl on a hat pin which is attached to the necklace with a small lobster clasp.

I really like the combination of colors in this necklace and I have used it a few times, both at work and at a wedding. Above is a picture of me and Kristian at the wedding, and as you can see the necklace matches the dark blue dress perfectly.

Pictures by Kristian.

A while back, I got the idea to make rings by plaiting leather or silk or cotton cord and attaching the ends together using a bead with a large hole as a focus for the ring. For my first tries I used some large metal beads, for example a heart-shaped spacer bead and a slider with a rectangular “spiral” pattern, but when I found this cute little turtle bead I knew it would be perfect to use for a ring. The flat underside of the turtle fits perfectly on my finger, and the hole is just the right size for attaching the plaited silk cord and leather.

When I had tried this version I of course had to try some other animal-shaped beads, and I started to look for similar beads. So far I have found a really cool little crocodile that I have used for a ring, but for some reason most of the beads I have gathered so far have their holes positioned wrong for making this type of ring. I guess I have to keep looking for ideas for using them in similar ways.

Photography by Kristian.