My Pups Bracelet

It's been a really long time since I made jewelry for myself!  You know how it goes..you're focused on other things...working, kids, house & home, the world...lots of other things...

Every once in a while tho, you find Artisan beads that are so special, they just demand that you 'stop and make'. Bonus: finding a wonderful Artist who makes 'custom' beads', just for you!  Awesome!

That's what happened when I found Rebekah Payne at TreeWingsStudio on Etsy (WARNING: be prepared for ultimate cuteness and beauty when you visit her shop!). Several months ago, I asked Rebekah if she could make beads in her style to resemble my dogs (you've seen my girls in prior posts - Mindy, Cherry and Poppy).

Rebekah said absolutely!  All she needed was a few pictures of my girls. That was easy! When my beads arrived, I was amazed.  Rebekah created beautiful mini replicas of my dogs!

Then, I got stumped...should they be in a necklace?  a bracelet?  which style?  which color?  So, these lovely beads sat, for a while.  Bad me.

Last week, while reading one of my favorite Blogs, Heather Powers' humblebeads, a style became clear!  Heather's post was focused on a specific design challenge (please see her July 22, 2014 post for details - Designing Dilemma).  However, I knew her style would work wonderfully with my pup beads!  It combined my current peanut bead fixation with a simple style to allow focus on Rebekah's beads.  Best of all, this style would prevent the pup beads from spinning to the backside of my wrist where no one would see them.  Don't you hate when that happens?

First, using memory wire cutters, I cut about 2-circle lengths of memory wire. Always use memory wire cutters with memory wire...otherwise, you will ruin your expensive wire cutters! (been there, done that). The number of circle-lengths is up to you, based on how full you want a bracelet to be.  More lengths=more fullness, more wraps around the wrist.  I wanted my bracelet to be slim, so 2 circle-lengths was perfect.

Then, I turned a simple loop at one end of the wire.  For a better fit and more comfortable wearing, I like to turn my memory wire loops facing 'outward' rather than 'inward' towards the wrist.  Next, I made a lovely 'peanut bead soup mix' in colors/finishes to coordinate with my pup beads...blue, violet, blush, grey, metallic green/black and soft beige.  I wanted my pup beads to lay on top of my wrist, so I added them after stringing the first 1/2 circle of peanut beads.  In order to create some space and wiggle-room, I added 4 peanut beads between each pup bead..that seemed to be the right number of peanut beads to keep everything centered as well. After re-checking the spacing of the pup beads, I continued adding peanut beads until reaching within about 1/2 inch inch at the memory wire end. Turned another simple outward loop..and wa lah!

Yesterday, everyone at work loved this bracelet!  I even coordinated my outfit around it! This is sure to be a favorite, much-loved piece in my collection..one that I will wear often because it is so stylish, comfortable and easy to wear.  My girls can be with me all the time, too!

Thank you Rebekah and Heather for these fabulous beads and for the super inspiration.

See what you can do with this idea?!  I'm 'gonna do more for me!