Project Update: Kimono Cord Bracelets

When I first started at beadshop.com, we carried only a few patterns of Kimono cord. While I wasn't yet inspired to create, I was absolutely in love with the cord. I couldn't wait to come up with something to make; I just didn't know what. Of course we all know what happens when there is no concrete design settled in our minds: nothing. Lo and behold a whole six months had passed before we got in our new colors and still nothing had been made. Luckily my design block was solved when we received the new cord. I found myself inspired by the patterns like crazy! I was particularly drawn to what we now call "Garden--Adzuki Red." When I saw that cord I just couldn't wait to get started. Before it was even listed on the site I was off with it, my mind running around and full of ideas. Drawing inspiration from Nicole's use of jump rings in her 5 Stitch Wrap Bracelet, I set out to come up with a way to use them without overpowering the cord itself. Obviously it made sense to string them on, but in what way? Randomly thrown on? In groups? Both? In the end, after a bit of tinkering, I came up with the design you see here. While this is what I decided on, I would encourage you to have fun with it! Mix up the colors or spread the rings out. It will all look good and you'll end up with a beautiful bracelet no matter what!

Ingredients pictured above: Mums on Black Kimono Cord, Brass Plated 7mm Jump Rings, Red C-lon, Black Superlon D, Bali Button in Gold, Mr. Bumble Charm in Gold

Ingredients:

-1yard of 8-9mm Kimono Cord
-1 package of 7mm Jump Rings
-1 spool of C-lon for silk wrapping
-1 spool of Superlon D matching your Kimono Cord (note: we used a contrasting color in the tutorial)
-1 Button with a shank
-1 Charm
-Size 10 Beading Needles

Tools Not Pictured Above:

-Chain Nose Pliers 
-Bent Chain Nose Pliers 
-GS Hypo Cement
-Thread Zap II

Before starting your project, you need to cut your kimono cord to the right length. The formula below has helped us for this specific bracelet:

(Diameter of your wrist + 1.5 inches) x 2 = Total length of Kimono Cord

For example, my wrist is 7 inches in diameter. I add 1.5 inches to this and get 8.5 inches. Because the cord is going to be folded in half for this project, I then multiply this number by two and end up with 16 inches total. One thing to note is that Kimono Cord can vary greatly in pattern and color. The two lengths above were cut from the same yard of Kimono cord and they look very different. Once you have your cord cut, you are ready to get started.