soft bangle with beads 2660

 Soft cotton hand dyed cord scraps and a few glass beads are used to build this casual slip-on style bracelet. Unlike the one button designs this one is a "squeeze to fit" bangle measuring a generous 8 5/8" (219 mm) inside circumference.

One 12 mm lavender glass bead and five smaller red beads are tightly integrated in the fabric.

This is the latest in a series of similar designs:

green fiber bangle bracelet with beads 1448

cotton fiber bracelet red & orange with beads 468

three new )strata( designs

orbit beaded soft bangle bracelet grey design )strata( 631

orbit beaded soft bangle blue design )strata( 630

Colors are brown, rust, natural, scarlet, with a verdigris accent.







design and photographs copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

seaweed one button rope bracelet 2611

 The title suggests the inspiration: That bright colored stuff clinging to the bottom of the floats and half submerged rocks. Often seen through a few inches of seawater the color is filtered. This one button bracelet is made from all cotton materials found in my leftover scrap-box.

The framing cord is a white cotton braid but everything else is that rope-like twisted cable cord. Adds an interesting textured diagonal pattern to the fabric.

 The color mix is white with green, grey, and blue. The cotton cord takes the dye in a more subtle way so the colors tend to be muted almost pastel in quality. The grey warms up next to the cool greens and creates a nice simultaneous contrast that adds some energy but doesn't knock your eyes out.

The construction technique is shown starting with part one of a seven part tutorial.

Here's another one like this:
simple one button rope bracelet 2577

The edge binding squeezes this one into a narrow 7/8" (23 mm) width, not too big!

                         Available here


Take a look in the fiber art design section of my Etsy shop to see this design as well as some other bigger and wilder variations.


design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

grey and yellow beaded tribal inspired cuff bracelet 2517

 Here's another variation on the two-rib cuff design. The ribs are the layered clothesline cords that form the edges and are the structure of the cuff. The loops and buttons are stitched in these heavy cords. The infill cords and beads are laid out inside the edge cords held in place with long needles. Four ply nylon thread is passed through at 90 degrees and tensioned to form the cuff.

Each of these starts out with a similar structure but  develop into unique expressions as the materials are assembled.

The center row of beads are a collection of irregular shapes in a mostly blue green range. These are threaded into the nylon thread during the layout process. When the thread is tensioned the beads and cord are pulled tightly together forming a fabric. This tensioning process is done in sequence to gradually tighten the assembly from the center to the ends.

The resulting form is quite stiff and self supporting for a bunch of string!

 The edges are actually three cords arranged in a triangular relationship. This creates two seams on each rib: one outside, one inside. These seams are where the rows of glass seed beads are stitched in.

Colors are a mix of blues, greens and, off-white. The rib cords are a medium grey.

Size is a firm "medium" 7 1/2" (191 mm) inside circumference when closed.

Two brown plastic buttons and loops make this easy to open but secure when closed.

Look for this and other unique pieces in the fiber art design section of my Etsy shop.


design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

Three button beaded clothesline cuff bracelet 1633

 This is one is a series of button cuffs that start out with a length of braided cotton clothesline material. The loops and buttons are set up on the mold then the clothesline is doubled up to create a ridge on both edges and in the center. The colored strands of cord, in this design synthetic, are added and horizontally stitched to the clothesline edges. The two halves are then joined together with the tan colored pattern beads visible next to the center ridge in the top photo. By this time the cuff has taken on a rather stiff shape.

Rows of seed beads are worked into the seams between the clothesline cords on both edges. Two rows of round wooden beads are placed on the inside edges. Finally the ends of the four ply nylon thread are buried and it's finished.

Size is 7" (178 mm) inside circumference when closed. There is about 16 hours of work in this piece.

See this and other unique fiber art creations in the design section of my Etsy shop.
design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

two button red beaded clothesline cuff 1620

 Here's another clothesline cord design made with a lot of beads that were rattling around in the bottom of the bead bucket. On the left is a row of random glass beads tucked into the seam between the center ridge and edge. On the other is a row of dark brown wood beads (life is contrasts). On the center of the ridge is a row of glass seed beads which pick up the light.

 Size is medium-small at 7" (180 mm) inside circumference when closed. A two button and loop toggle system ensures easy and secure closure.

You can find this bracelet and other one-of-a-kind fiber and bead bracelets in the design section of my Etsy shop. A larger collection of these unique pieces can be found in the design section my Zibbet shop where there is no expiration date on listings.




design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

Double toggle beaded cuff bracelet 915

 Hand dyed blue, grey, purple  and white cotton cord and a collection of blue glass beads are combined in a  wrap around cuff bracelet. The toggle closure is a pair of green glass beads and loops.


This is one of the design )strata( series of pieces that is available exclusively from WhatKnotShop. Each piece is a unique expression created from up cycled scraps of material.

This item is available here. See other similar bracelets in the design section of the Zibbet shop.



design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

cherry strawberry grape cantaloup soft bracelet 1267

 Colorful soft cotton floss is used to wrap this multi-part flexible cord bracelet to create a splash of color. The core is made from braided  cotton cord (clothesline). The loops are formed on a mold and the ends are bound together with high strength nylon thread. The cotton floss is then applied to the loops. The result is this stack of soft bangles connected together.

 The inside circumference is about 8 1/2" (191 mm) making is a medium to large size. There is no clasp or toggle to get in the way. Everything is technically waterproof but long term immersion is not recommended.


A similar design was posted back in November and is available in the fiber wrapped jewelry section of the ArtFire venue.

Find this item now listed in the Etsy shop.


Custom sizes and colors can be requested from the Etsy shop. Click here to go the shop page then click on "request custom item" from the menu on the left margin.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

two button day-night beaded fiber cuff bracelet 1205

 One side is white and green with a row of light glass beads in the center. The other side is black and purple with a row of cobalt beads. These meet in the center where the cords overlap with a layer of green glass beads. A pair of green plastic buttons secures the toggle loops.

Here the milky white glass beads can be seen on the back. The dark night in front. About 7 1/2" (191 mm) inside circumference when closed.

Cotton floss binds the overlapping edge, green beads are hidden in the depths. One of the unique design )strata( series cord fiber bracelets made from up cycled cord scraps and found beads.


This item is available here.
design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

black cord fabric soft bangle bracelet 1190

A simple design of black polyester cord with blue and grey accents. Size is "large" 8 5/8" (219 mm) circumference but only 5/8" (17 mm) wide. No beads in this composition. All of the design )strata( pieces are made from up-cycled scraps of cord and nylon binder thread.

If you like this you may also be interested in these designs: soft cotton bangle bracelet w beads or this one: soft bangle bracelet or this design with beads orbit beaded soft bangle 






design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

4 button fiber cuff bracelet 1191

This is a project that started then got put aside for awhile then finally was finished. The concept is to create an organic "bark" that wraps around the wrist much the way a tree protects the fragile xylem layers with a resilient coating. The materials are hand dyed cotton cord, four plastic buttons obtained at a thrift store, six irregular glass beads, and four ply nylon thread.

The buttons and loops are offset so the seams are highly irregular.There is an opening near the center formed by the pulling away of the cord bundles during the assembly process. Another "hole" is filled with the glass beads.

Open the bracelet by releasing the buttons from the loops.

Built on a 7 1/2" mold this piece is a "small" size inside but varies from 2 5/8" to 3 1/4" wide.

The colors are a mix of greens, greys, blues, with purple, black and magenta red.  The texture is firm but friendly. Most of the cords are hand dyed cotton.

Six irregular glass beads cluster like eggs in a nest.

This item is available here in the design section of my Etsy shop.








design and images © copyright 2011 by WhatKnotShop

cotton fiber cuff - custom work

Recently I received a request from a person who wanted a wider version of a design )strata( bracelet purchased previously. This project started out to replicate the colors used in the original in a wider finished size. 


Getting consistent color from my small batch dye lots is a significant challenge. I use standardized recipes for the dye baths but there are a number of other variables that control the outcome:  Length of time the  cord spends immersed in the dye bath, the rinse-out process including the temperature of the rinse water and the length of time in the rinse; and of course the absorption characteristics of the cord.

The creation of this design also involves layout of the cord and the binding process which compresses the cord together. This compression reduces the width by about 50% so a 1" wide finished bracelet starts out at about 2" on the mold.

The finished piece came out a bit narrower than I wanted but the results are I think rather pleasing. Greys, white, pink, and a yellow accent are subdued but interesting and the compression process enables the bracelet to hold it's shape.


You can see more of this type of work in the design section of the Etsy shop and a much larger selection on ArtFire and Zibbet as well. 

A few examples of the toggle closure style can be found here and here and here. 








design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

Black and grey turks head knot cuff bracelet

A 13 part turks head knot weave featuring 3 mm midnight black and fog grey cord. Made to a customer's specified size and pattern.


This design is available in solid and mixed colors such as white and grey  and white and olive green.


If you like the black and grey please request your own size  click here.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

anemone cuff slip on bracelet in soft cord 1073

Greens, blues, grays, and white with a few black and purple strands make up this newest addition to the anemone collection.  The material is bits of hand dyed cotton cord up cycled from my scrap bin laid out on a mold and bound together with nylon thread. The ends are gently frayed out to make a fun loving cuff bracelet that resembles a sea anemone hence the name.

 This one measures 8" (203 mm) inside circumference and is naturally flexible to slip on over most people's bigger hands. The nylon binding cord is strong and will not stretch.

About 1 7/8" (47 mm) wide

This piece is available on ArtFire handmade marketplace   click here

Here's a link to another pair of anemone cuffs  click here with a different mix of colors.




design and photographs © copyright 2010 WhatKnotShop

three button fiber cuff bracelet medium 1062

 Three grey plastic buttons and loops set in a diagonal pattern form a secure toggle closure for this up cycled rope bracelet. The photo to the left shows the closed position with the loops and buttons. Size is a "medium" measuring 7 1/2"(191 mm) inside circumference.

Colors are grey, blues, and black with purple, tan and yellow cord accents worked into the weave. The cords are bound together with four ply nylon thread which creates a compression that squeezes the soft cotton and synthetic cords into a stiff curved shape. Bracelet is flexible to open and close. Texture is comfortable and will improve with long term wear.

This photo shows the buttons disengaged from the loops. Each button is securely stitched to the cord with nylon thread.

If you like this design you may be interested in this one as well  click here or perhaps this one  click here

This limited edition item is available  click here

design and photographs copyright 2010 WhatKnotShop

wrapped multi-part cuff bracelet 989

 Brightly colored cotton floss wrapped around a multi-part cotton core creates a slip-on bracelet with vibrant color and casual style. This is an adult size "large" measuring 8 1/4" (208 mm) inside circumference and is naturally flexible to fit over all but the biggest hands.


Colors are: red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, gold, mauve, and magenta.
This is available for sale   click here

This design is part of the fiber wrapped jewelry collection available here on   Etsy
or here on  ArtFire
or you can check out  Zibbet  (different items on each site!)


You may also be interested in these designs:
fiber wrapped slip on bracelets 
new fiber wrapped bracelets
choker and bangle set
fiber wrapped necklace with beads  


design and photographs copyright 2010 WhatKnotShop

pair of fiber bracelets in team colors 963 964

 A custom made pair of cotton fiber bracelets in NFL team colors. Have a favorite team? Ask for a custom made bracelet in your team colors.   Click here  to be taken to the Alchemy request page where you can ask for your special design to be specially made for you.






Washington Redskins colors burgundy, gold and white 

Pittsburgh Steelers colors black, gold, and white


Both are made from cotton fiber cores wrapped with hand dyed cotton and cotton floss.


If you like these you may interested in similar items like these   click here    or check this collection    click here   all these are similar construction with different colors.




design and photographs copyright 2010 WhatKnotShop

soft cotton bangle bracelet w beads 940

 This is a combination of tan, brown, black, yellow and orange cords with two glass and one wood bead to create a lightweight flexible slip-on bracelet. The style is 100% frayed. The size is large measuring 8 5/8" (219 mm) inside circumference.
As with all the design )strata( series this piece is made with up cycled segments of hand dyed cotton cord. The beads are irregular and random. The construction is four ply nylon thread which binds the materials together under tension.
This bracelet  is available for purchase  click here

If you like this design you may also be interested in this one    click here  or this one made with grey cord and purple beads     click here    or a very similar design in green  click here


This is part of the design )strata( series of bracelets available at all three online venues:
Etsy          click here
Zibbet      click here 
design and photographs copyright 2010 WhatKnotShop

narrow double toggle beaded rope bracelet 928

Blue glass czech beads worked into a seam between blue and green cords. Double toggle closure with double loops for security. Green glass toggle beads held in place with heart shaped tabs. 

Lightweight and flexible to go anywhere. Water tolerant cotton cord, glass beads and four ply nylon thread construction.

This bracelet is a medium-small size measuring 7 1/2" (193 mm) inside circumference.

You might like this design as well    click here

This item is available for purchase    click here 

This is part of the design )strata( series visit the Zibbet shop to see more of this type of work     click here

design and photographs copyright 2010 WhatKnotShop

double toggle beaded cuff bracelet blue, grey, & pink 929

Hand dyed cotton cord in dark blue, grey with a pink accent in the center. Two large glass beads and loops form a secure toggle closure.




Size is "medium" measuring 7 1/2" (193 mm) inside circumference.


This piece is available for purchase. Follow this link to Etsy:  click here




This is one of the many design )strata( pieces.  No two of these cuffs are ever the same. The pieces are made from up cycled hand dyed cotton cords that are bound together with four ply nylon thread. Glass beads are worked into the seams adding some sparkle and mystery to the composition. The nylon thread is tensioned so that the cords compress into the distinctive fabric like texture. 


See more designs like this in these online venues:


Etsy
Zibbett




design and photographs copyright 2010 WhatKnotShop