May 8, 2014

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.





7 comments:

  1. Love this. I so want to try it. Thank you for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there! I'm so glad you love the bracelet. Let us know how it turns out if you try it. We would love to see!! : ]

      Delete
  2. This is a gorgeous new bracelet pattern! I can thank beadshop.com for introducing me to this lovely cord. I'm so glad you've continued to carry it and in such beautiful colors. This project reminds me that I need to order more! I can't wait to create some of these bracelets :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lois! It really is such a wonderful cord isn't it? I had no idea such a lovely thing existed before coming to beadshop.com either, but I'm certainly glad I found it! If you do make some of these bracelets, I hope you have lots of fun with it! : ]

      Delete
  3. Oh this is gorgeous! I can't wait to try this beautiful bracelet! jean

    ReplyDelete
  4. When measuring your wrist, do you mean the circumference?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. I apologize for the confusion, you want to measure around your wrist to find out the total circumference.

      Delete

Flash Sale Friday...get creative!

Last week Kate went shopping for some special strands at a local gem show, and she brought back six stone strands she couldn't live with...