beaded grey suede pillow bracelet 2654

Another variation on the Nigerian design leather toggle bracelets. This one is made with a soft grey suede, a row of clear glass beads and a modified champaign cork used as a button.

This one measures about 8 5/8" (219 mm) inside circumference but it is extremely flexible and soft.

Here's another similar design you might like.

Available here

 Black waxed thread is used to detail the loop and is also used to create the seam. The beads are plain sewn into the seam and then the assembly is turned inside out to conceal the edge of the material.

The cork is glued into place using rubber cement. This is a high-tech shortcut that indigenous creators of the original designs would never have used. They would not have had these finely made glass beads either...artistic license.

Stuffed with polyester batting the loop flap is then stitched closed to form the opening that receives the button.

I call these pillow bracelets due to their oversize profile and soft texture.

More Handmade Artifacts can be found in the Etsy Shop ArtifactSite.

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

wrapped and beaded anklet 1678

Colorful cotton fiber wrapped anklet or very large bracelet (might fit your bicep!) made with a cotton core, cotton floss, and multi colored glass seed beads.

Measures 10 1/4" (260 mm) inside circumference and is very flexible and comfortable.


This is an example of a variety of similar designs that can be found in my Zibbet Marketplace

The closure is a simple cotton loop and plastic button.


                  available here



design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

2 button clothesline cuff with beads 1632

 Here is another of the clothesline cuff collection made with soft braided cotton clothesline, hand dyed cord scraps, wood and glass beads, and a couple of plastic buttons. The clothesline is laid out to form the loops and ridges then the smaller cord is bound in between. A row of lavender glass beads forms a seam in the center. The wood and glass beads are then worked into the seams on the ridges.

The whole process takes some time to complete and depends on the availability of cord scraps and beads.

This cuff measures 7 3/8" (183 mm) inside circumference when closed and is 2 3/8" (63 mm) wide.

You can find this bracelet on Zibbet along with a larger collection of the design )strata( series of fiber art bracelets.


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

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

soft cotton bangle bracelet 1040

Primarily blue and green cords are used in this fabric bangle. Lightweight and colorful this is a "large" size 8 1/2" (217 mm) inside circumference.

Purple accent cord can be seen here.


If you like this design you may also be interested in this one  click here
or perhaps something like this   click here


design and photographs copyright 2010 WhatKnotShop

choker and bangle set hand dyed fiber wrapped 163

These fiber wrapped bracelets and necklace are made with nylon cord cores that have been wrapped with hand dyed cotton fibers. Some of the fibers are made from pieces of dyed three ply cord that have been unwound.

The dye penetrates the cord from the outside during immersion in the dye bath leaving the interior of the cord white. This accounts for the differences in color and the spiral pattern seen on some regions of pieces.

Choker style necklace is closed with a small monkey fist knot and loop.

Check your slip-on size click here then select your favorite color from one of the three online shops:


Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatKnotShop
ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/WhatKnotShop
Zibbet: http://www.zibbet.com/WhatKnotShop

Design and photos copyright 2010 WhatKnotShop

cotton fiber bracelet w toggle & beads design )strata( 311

Toggle closure design )strata( series cotton fiber bracelet with beads sticking out everywhere. This is not smooth. It has attitude.

There is a long loose end with a glass bead for a toggle stop. It looks like a tail.

It measures 7 1/2" inside circumference so it would be a comfortable anklet for someone with skinny feet or a bracelet for someone with large size wrist.

Pulling this one together with nylon thread got the beds and cotton cords to do the chummy wrap around liquidy thing so that it look like it was grown instead of assembled.

Many more unique designs are available in the three online shops:
Check your slip-on size click here then select your favorite

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatKnotShop
ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/WhatKnotShop
Zibbet: http://www.zibbet.com/WhatKnotShop

If you don't find something you like request a custom design.


Design and photos copyright 2009 WhatKnotShop

)strata( design blue & green with blue glass beads item 318

Working small glass beads into the spaces between the cords creates a tiny bit of sparkle. Now the larger bead on the rim catches the light in a blue green dicrotic crackle.

The cotton cords are blue in center with green layers and a grey accent.

Adult "small" to "medium"
7" (178 mm) inside circumference
2 1/8" (54 mm) inside diameter
5/8" (18 mm) at widest point

Hand dyed bound cotton cord.

Shabby chic to go with an all cotton sweater and jeans.
check your slip-on size click here then select your favorite from one of these three online shops:

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatKnotShop
ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/WhatKnotShop
Zibbet: http://www.zibbet.com/WhatKnotShop

design and photos copyright 2009 WhatKnotShop

new )strata( design in blue and white with nested beads

OK so I have a lot of time to work on these since the weather turned cold and outdoor activities have slowed down.

Here's another slightly wider slip-on style )strata( with blue beads and a mix of white and blue with a bit of grey for an accent.

The edge view shows the layers. This one was tougher to get sewed together as it is a bit wider than some of the others. It's securely stitched with 4 ply waxed nylon thread.

There are two larger blue "crow" beads with a pair of smaller frosted blue glass beads tucked between them. The beads are nested tightly in the weave of the bracelet and are sewn in with nylon thread.

lightweight and all cotton (except for the nylon thread and beads)

7 1/2" inside circumference = adult medium to large size
2 1/4" inside diameter
varies from 1" wide at the beads to 1 1/2" at the widest point
check your slip-on size click here then select your favorite from one of these three online shops:

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatKnotShop
ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/WhatKnotShop
Zibbet: http://www.zibbet.com/WhatKnotShop

design and photos copyright 2009 WhatKnotShop

sunrise )strata( design toggle closure construction sequence

Building a cotton fiber bracelet from bits of colored cord, a few beads and some nylon thread.

Start with a length of 3 mm cotton cord. This piece has been dyed a cool grey. Tie a 3x3x3 monkey fist knot at the 1/3 point in the cord and make a loop bound with waxed nylon thread.

There will be two loose ends. These will be used to adjust and strengthen the outer edge.

The cord has been placed around the mold with the monkey fist placed inside the loop. A length of pink cord has been positioned inside the parallel outer strands. A long needle is used to hold the cords temporarily in place.

Here's a side view showing the loop and toggle closure. When making the loop be sure to leave enough slack so the monkey fist can slip through it easily.

Orange and yellow cords are positioned inside and parallel to the outer cords. All are held in place using the long needles.

Two red glass crow beads are bound into the bights using 4 ply waxed nylon thread. The beads are strung loosely from top to bottom using a thin needle then pulled tight and ends knotted.

At the other end the loose ends of the colored cords are wrapped around the mold in parallel and secured with needles. Adjustments are made to get everything even. Needles can be removed and cords repositioned and tensioned to lie flat.

Starting near the middle the cords are bound together using 4 ply nylon thread working back and forth across the cords. A long needle and a small pair of pliers is used to do the sewing.

Here you can see the compressed cords where the binding has been applied.

Working around the bracelet with the nylon thread binding. The cords must be held flat against the mold to ensure that the binding thread penetrates each cord. Slack is worked towards the ends where it's needed to nest the glass beads snugly into the weave.

The finished product with the ends of the nylon thread trimmed off.
check your slip-on size click here then select your favorite from one of these three online shops:

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatKnotShop
ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/WhatKnotShop
Zibbet: http://www.zibbet.com/WhatKnotShop


design and photos copyright 2009 WhatKnotShop

)strata( design cotton fiber bracelet 315

Here's what the )strata( bracelets look like right off the mold, nice and crisp and round. This one has a single small "crow" bead in the rim. The bead is placed where two of the loops reverse direction.

Color is predominantly green with teal blue and blue-grey accents and with some white strands near the center.

This is a better look at the layers with green, white and blue strands showing the reversing loops.
7 1/2" circumference
adult "large" slip-on size
check your slip-on size click here then select your favorite from one of these three online shops:

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatKnotShop
ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/WhatKnotShop
Zibbet: http://www.zibbet.com/WhatKnotShop


design and photos copyright 2009 WhatKnotShop

)strata( design slip-on soft bangle with blue beads item 312

New slip on )strata( bracelet in blue, purple, white, and olive.

A 1" wide weave in hand dyed cords.

Side view showing the three crow beads worked into the fabric weave.

Casual style, irregular shape.

The size is "large" 7 1/2" circumference.

Diameter is 2 1/4"

1" wide (varies)

Construction is with 4 ply nylon thread which makes this very strong.

The blue floss covers the edge cords at the beads which adds drama.


check your slip-on size click here then select your favorite from one of these three online shops:

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatKnotShop
ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/WhatKnotShop
Zibbet: http://www.zibbet.com/WhatKnotShop

design and photos copyright 2009 WhatKnotShop

new )strata( design with glass beads item 402

Here's a new slip on style cotton fiber bracelet made with a collection of blue, green and grey cord segments and glass beads. The red bead is an accent that sets the blue green colors off and adds a nice contrast. The beads are tightly integrated into the fabric but they lie on the surface of the compressed cords. This gives the piece a nubbly texture. It's not all soft and flexible anymore.

This is a look at the bracelet from the side. The cords holding the beads can be seen. Extra nylon floss was used to hold the cord loops so they don't flop around. There's a contrast of the hard cold glass and the tightly bound cord.

The edge on shows how irregular the beads make the whole piece. It's like a tangled piece of fishing line that washes up on the beach with bits of sea glass and other junk all wound up in a colorful mess. Found art that is made by hand....
check your slip-on size click here then select your favorite from one of these three online shops:

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatKnotShop
ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/WhatKnotShop
Zibbet: http://www.zibbet.com/WhatKnotShop


design and photos copyright 2009 by WhatKnotShop