Coil bracelet placement

Coil bracelets are a traditional design with timeless appeal. The strong repeated lines and tapered shape enhances the natural beauty of the forearm. Each of these contemporary pieces are made from lightweight hypoallergenic aluminum.

This is a larger bracelet made from soft aluminum shown here in place on the forearm. Very lightweight for the larger size these coil bracelets are a dramatic style statement.

This video shows how to adjust the fit of the coil to create the attractive and comfortable tapered form. 

After sliding the coil on over the hand the coil is gradually tightened to a smaller size. Work around the coil to keep it even and smooth following the natural tapered shape of the forearm. Gradually compress the coils as the stack is rotated. Leave a flared end at the wrist to allow for free movement of the hand.

Removal is the reverse of this process gradually loosening the coil until it is large enough to slip off. 

The coils are available in a variety of lengths and diameters. 

You can find these here

red six rib tapestry cuff bracelet 4239

 Predominantly red this cuff has layered color accents all made with small batch dyed cotton.

 Single button and loop closure makes this big cuff easy to manage.

Find this cuff here.

Find more tapestry cuffs here.

blue double weave tapestry cuff bracelet 4238

 Thinner blue cotton is used in a double strand weave creating a subtle hexagonal effect.

Medium width six rib design loom made.

A single ball button secures the double nylon loops for a secure and simple closure.

Find this cuff here

Find more tapestry cuffs here.

wide eleven rib tapestry cuff with beads 4237

 Nine square wood beads, eleven ribs, two buttons this cuff is a colorful conglomeration. Loom woven with color accents made from small batch dyed cotton and cotton floss.

 Two clay buttons and loops secure this big cuff

The full design can be easily seen here.

Find this cuff here

Find more tapestry cuffs here.

clamshell cuff concept

Monolithic shape precision assembly satin texture surfaces all weather material assemble in place

stainless threaded edge fasteners tool required

elemental geometries anatomical shape






ArtiFactSite



design and photographs copyright 2017

white spiral bangle 4138

This little bangle is another project exploiting the possibilities of a common modern material PVC plastic. This design tales advantage of PVC's ability to take and hold a shape when heated as well as the polished finish made with a cotton buffing process.

The overlapping ends are tapered to maintain the proportions of diameter to width then the rough shape is warmed in a stovetop water bath. The softened plastic is then placed on an oval mold and allowed to cool.

This view shows the overlap.

The rough-cut is then sanded to remove the cutting tool marks then buffed with a motorized wheel. The cotton buffing prices heats the surface of the plastic just enough to fuse the surface creating the smooth semi-polished texture.

7 3/8" (187 mm) circumference
2 1/2" (63 mm) x 2 1/4" (58 mm) oval diameter

A similar design can be seen here.

More of these are available on the ArtFact Site shop 





design and photographs copyright 2017

pvc color experiments with MEK solvent dye

For those of you who follow this blog you will recall the work done with re-purposed PVC taking different forms. The bone bangle series and some of the re-creations of neo-primitive forms all rendered in brilliant white (or off-white as the case may be) which happens to be the natural color of this type of plastic.

Here now some examples of color that are possible with PVC. These early experiments are performed using a MEK solvent and a handful of dye colors.

Left to right:
Bronze + Brown
Bronze + Orange
Red + Bronze + Brown
Red + Brown

The color is applied in two steps with the piece spending a few minutes immersed in the first dye bath, then another period in the second.

The piece is then set out to dry allowing all the solvents to evaporate leaving the color chemically bonded to the plastic.

This is the Red + Bronze + Brown piece that has been buffed post-immersion to remove some of the surface in which dye is embedded.

More effects: the hard surface of the PVC takes the color more sparingly than the abraded surfaces. Textures telegraph through the solvent process.  More later….



design and photographs copyright 2016

thin oval bangles stained PVC 4058

One of the properties of PVC is the innate strength of the material. These two bracelets demonstrate how thin this material can be sliced to make some very lightweight jewelry.

The color is achieved by immersing the finished pieces in a dye solution. The solvents dissolve the surface of the plastic enabling the dye to penetrate creating a permanent color.

The bracelets are finished with a light buffing burnishing with a felt tip on a hand held rotary tool.

 These oval shapes are 7 1/2" (192 mm) interior circumference. These are less than 1/8" thickness but are strong and flexible.

Some other designs you may like:

small stack of plastic faux bone bangle bracelets 4057

super thin stackable bracelets 4029

bone bangles sculpted slender bracelets 3463

These and other similar designs are available on ArtiFactSite your source for ancient designs made in modern materials



design and photographs copyright 2016

super thin stackable bracelets 4029

A little stack of little bracelets created from thermoplastic but shaped and finished to resemble traditional horn, ivory, or bone materials often used by traditional cultures. Since the illegal ivory trade is destroying the elephant population in Africa it is important to find alternative materials that can offer similar properties to recreate traditional forms.

Stacked this collection is less than 1" high.

Composed of four slightly oval shaped pieces these bangles are made from white PVC plastic. Cut from a section of round pipe and then shaped to remove the edges the finishing reveals the pure white color of the material.

Progressive treatment with fine sand paper creates a matte surface. Final polishing with felt media brings out the textured surface with highlights.


See this collection at ArtiFactSite

Other designs similar to this you might like:

eclipse bangle moon bracelet 3731

bone bangles sculpted slender bracelets 3463

white bone bangle bracelets 3309


design and photographs © copyright 2016 

mixed bag of rope bangle bracelets 3988

Backfilling sold items in the shop produces leftover pieces of cord in random lengths and colors following a production run.   Here is a collection of little rope grommets made from these pieces.

Grommets are a traditional form of rope craft made by reverse twisting individual pieces of cordage in a circular form. The ends are secured with a waxed thread coach whipping.

Top to bottom:
Navy and tan with black 6 1/4"
plain white braid with white 7 1/4"
pink and orange with tan 7 1/4"
white cotton 7 1/2"

Detail of the pink and orange grommet bracelet showing two coach whippings necessary to secure the two overlapping colors.


Similar bracelets are available please visit WhatKnotShop to see what's available

design and photographs copyright 2016

dip dyed rope bracelets 3984

A small collection of knotted rope bracelets edge dyed in yellow and scarlet. The cord is a nice thick braided cotton with an open porous weave which accepts the water based dye quite readily.

The bracelets are 11x3x3 plain weave design measuring about 6 1/4" (158 mm) circumference.

The first dye bath was the yellow color. The bracelets were placed in a shallow pan and the dye then absorbed upwards into the edge of the bracelet. After a period of time the bracelets were removed and placed on a drying rack.

The second dye bath is the scarlet. The red is a heavier more opaque color. The damp cord absorbed the red dye easily - too easily as you can see places where the red just about covered all the yellow.

24 hours on the drying rack and these bracelets are finished. These have not been rinsed out to avoid further merging of the colors so some dye transfer may occur.

Custom work like this in your choice of colors may be requested.

Please visit WhatKnotShop to place your request

design and photographs copyright 2016

mixed color herringbone rope bracelets 3820

 Developing a color group starts with the individual color selections that are matched to corresponding dyed cord samples. The grey and blue series is the affinity group that blends together. The lime and orange are the contrast group that sets off the affinity colors.

Individual single herringbone samples show the approximate color range for each dye batch applied to an ecru 3 mm cotton cord.

The first mixed color sample in the affinity group is ecru, navy, royal, and teal. The ecru cord is used as a base cord to create the structure of the bracelet and the colors are interwoven. 3820

some other similar designs you might like:

another mixed color herringbone design

and another mixed color herringbone

The second mixed color sample in the affinity group is navy, grey, and teal. It comes off as less colorful because the grey and ecru colors are dominant. 3821

The third sample in the affinity group has no ecru cord just grey, navy, royal and teal. This has a more dense substantial character with the dominant blue colors. 3822



More unique bracelets can be found online WhatKnotShop on ETSY

design and photographs copyright 2016

blue one button cuff with wood beads 3829

 The one-button design allows a variety of color schemes using both cord an beads or cord alone to create a colorful casual style bracelet. This example uses the ecru framing cord and button with an infill of aqua, navy and black to dramatize the blond color of the wood beads. The button and stirrup loop closure is very simple and secure.

Sized for an adult wrist this is 8" (203 mm)


here are a few more one button designs you might like:

one button in earth tones with beads

blue grey synthetic cord without any beads

A wider cuff design with two rows of beads

whimsical "lima bean" bead design  cuff

one button with handmade paper beads

tutorial showing how to construct the one button design, attach the button, and place the infill cords




These and other unique bracelets can be found online WhatKnotShop on ETSY


design and photographs copyright 2016

weed whacker line knot bracelet 3688

Sometimes you just have to step up the challenge of making something out of nothing, or in this case extremely stiff nylon monofilament. This is the sort of stuff used in the business end of those noisy hand held machines that take down grass and anything else along the side of a house or fence.

2.4 mm (.95") round section monofilament

 7 1/8" (182 mm) circumference is about as small as this can get due to the unusual stiffness of the material

This could be a potential material for basket weavers looking for a non-rotting high strength material.

Off-white translucent color, extremely smooth surface and tough as nails…and of course entirely impervious to moisture.

want one in your size? Please place a request.

These and other unique bracelets can be found online WhatKnotShop on ETSY






design and photographs © copyright 2015

thick bone bracelet PVC cuff bracelet contemporary primitive design 3752

Slightly tapered form with flared edges a thick section of white PVC takes on the heft and texture of ancient bone. Hand carved and finished this contemporary design look like it might have been made long ago.

A hairline seam defines this as a split cuff but the appearance is like a bangle with no ends.

A full 2" wide the hand crafted process creates a pleasant tapered shape measuring 6 3/4" (172 mm) to 7" (178 mm)


substantial weight similar to natural density of bone without the need for animal products.
2.7 oz / 79 g

This bracelet and other designs like this one are available on ArtiFactSite







design and photographs © copyright 2015

massive white PVC cuff bracelet 3754

Heavy wall PVC bracelet with a slot back weighs in at 3 oz or 87g

Simple oval shape
Monolithic

 Wide and smooth inside and out

1/4" slot



available ArtifactSite now




design and photographs © copyright 2015 WhatKnotShop

petroglyph bangles G H 3737

Item G:  bangle bracelet 3 1/4" (82 mm) x 2 3/4" (69 mm) made from heat formed and carved PVC plastic

7 1/4" (184 mm) inside circumference

available here

Item H: bangle bracelet 3 1/4" (82  mm) x 2 3/4" (69 mm) made from heat formed and carved PVC plastic

6 7/8" (172 mm) inside circumference

Drawing  of petroglyph from Petroglyph Provincial Park located in Woodview north of Peterborough, ON.



Introduction page

Petroglyph bangles A B

Petroglyph bangles C D
Petroglyph bangles E F

Petroglyph bangles J K L


design, drawings and photographs copyright 2015 George Hutchinson