1 button vertebrae bracelet 3036

 Flat drum shaped poly clay beads form a ridged vertebrae on this handmade rope bracelet.

 Simple button & loop toggle closure

Hand dyed cord edged stitched with high tensile strength nylon thread.




                 Available here


design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

2 button cuff with beads 3046

 Made with autumn colors of faded red, brown, black, rust, tan hand dyed cord. Large size 8 5/8" (219 mm) circumference. Mold formed with high tensile strength nylon thread edge stitched.

 Glass seed beads are seamed into the cord fabric. Two buttons and loops secure the closure.

              Available here






design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

one button rope bracelet with glass beads 2709

 A mix of blue and green seed beads adds some color to the center of this one button rope bracelet. The twisted cotton cable cords adds some diagonal texture.

The framing cords are a braided cotton product from a local big-box home improvement warehouse. The infill cords are leftover ends from the knotted bracelet projects.

The framing cords form a simple stirrup loop that engages a 4 hole plastic button obtained from a thrift shop.

Read the tutorial showing how you can make one of these rope bracelets here.

Here's a link to another design you might like.

Here's a link to a bigger more colorful design.

This is a small size only 6 1/4" (158 mm) inside circumference right for a small adult or teen.

This bracelet is available click here.


More one button designs available here.


design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

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

two button cuff bracelet with black glass beads 2641

 The third in a series of cuffs assembled from pairs of one-button rope bracelets featuring different types of beads. This design is the widest of the three with a center of 12 mm black glass beads. The contrast between the bright white, ecru, and grey fabric and  the solid dark glass beads creates visual drama.

Read the tutorial here showing how to make the one button bracelets.

 The framing cords are 1/4" braided line which creates a solid edge and provides a place to stitch in the beads. The buttons and loops are easy to pop open if you have really big hands, this is a big cuff measuring 8 1/2" (211 mm) inside circumference so you may be able to just slip it on over your hand instead. Here are the other two like this:

two button ribbed cuff bracelet with wood beads 2644
two button rainbow bead cuff rope bracelet 2643

The edge binding makes the cord fabric stiff enough to hold it's shape. The nylon thread keeps a tension on the fabric and you can see the little dimples where it is placed along the edge of the framing cord.


Available soon in my Etsy shop


design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

under the sea beaded cord bracelet 2471

 Made from small segments of hand dyed cotton cord, seed beads, and a button this bracelet recalls the ocean with a mix of blue "bubble" beads in the waves.

The cord segments are cut offs from the making of turks head knot bracelets. The turks head bracelets are made with a longer piece of cord, then drawn up to a finished shape leaving a few inches of material which goes into the scrap box.

 The construction process starts with the heaver cord shown on the edges which is looped over a mold and tied off. A button is added to hold the loop. The colored cords are laid inside the heavier outer cord and held in place with long needles.

A four ply nylon thread is then passed back and forth through the cords and beads. After it has been placed  the thread is drawn up tight compressing the cord strands. The loose ends are buried and trimmed off.

You can find this design and more of these unique bracelets in the fiber art design section of my Etsy shop.

This example is a smaller size measuring just 7 1/2" inside circumference when the button is placed in the loop.

design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

anticlastic cuff bracelet with glass beads modern relic artifact 1679

A button and loop toggle cuff bracelet made with layers of hand dyed cord and dozens of mixed glass beads. The heavier grey cord frames the dark green and teal center cords.

Clear glass beads are stitched into the outside edges creating light catching movement. Pale blue glass beads are worked into the seams of the clothesline cord on the inside edges.

 Two loops and a pair of black plastic buttons form a secure toggle closure.

the geometry:
7" (179 mm) inside circumference
1 1/2" (38 mm) wide.

This is one of the design )strata( series of clothesline cuffs available in the WhatKnotShop on Zibbet

                     available here 

design and photographs © copyright 2011 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

3 button toggle cord cuff bracelet with beads 1634

 This is a 3 bead toggle cuff made with up cycled cord scraps, a collection of random beads, and a lot more time than I anticipated. This is one of those projects that was laid out on the mold and then for some reason didn't get finished for months. Seems like every time I picked it up I had to do something else so the design sat unrealized until just recently.
In this view you can see the overlapping cords that are actually on the surface. Usually all the cords are bound horizontally with the nylon thread but this design had a lot of loose ends that were laid out on top of the shell and then stitched down.

 In this view you can see the random bead collection arranged near the edge of the cuff. This adds texture and a bit more chaos to the already chaotic patterns.

This will fit an average size person measuring 7 1/2" (191 mm) when tugged down snugly. It will expand to about 8 1/4" (208 mm) with the toggle beads fully extended.

This one is extra wide 2 5/8" (68 mm) but it's mostly  cotton so it's not uncomfortable to wear...

In this view you can see the three large glass beads which toggle through the loops to hold this cuff closed.

Now listed on Zibbet.



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

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

Can You See the Light? collection now shining on Etsy

There's a lot of fun stuff in this collection Can You See the Light? made by Victoria. See her cool collection of minimalist jewelry in her shop CyKlu and follow her on her blog or on Facebook.

Starting with real lights are Pleated String Lights by PigeonToeCeramics from Portland. These shapely minimalist designs will be welcomed in any home.

Another minimalist modern expression is this fabric felt necklace made by Stella Vardaki and offered in her shop stellacreations along with other original designs.

Lastly who can resist the sensuous shapes of Curvaceous Cups made by Jennifer and sold through jfishdesigns. Drink tea, warm hands, touch beauty.

The featured item in this collection is the single button blue green clothesline anklet made from cotton clothesline, hand dyed cotton cord, and floss. This is one of many unique fiber art pieces available in the design section of my Etsy shop. A more extensive collection of these is online at Zibbet (no listing fees! no expiration dates...) and for those of you in the Twin Cities a limited selection can be seen at Paper Hat art+handmade+gifts shop located at 50th and Penn Ave in south Minneapolis.

three button clothesline cuff 1597

 Here is another in a continuing series of clothesline fiber art pieces that emerge from the scrap box all covered in beads. This one is a smaller toggle closure style cuff bracelet that uses three buttons and loops to hold it securely closed. The edges are thickened with several passes of the heavier braided cotton cord and rows of small glass beads are stitched in. The two halves are joined together by a row of thicker black beads that resemble round pebbles and add a bit of heft to the piece.

The colors are primarily blues and greens with the natural off-white clothesline cord framing the edges.

Size is "small" when closed 6 5/8" (168 mm) inside circumference. A bath or shower may make this shrink a bit although it's not intended as beach wear.

You can find this clothesline cuff 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

four bead toggle cuff in white cotton 1542

 This is a very simple cuff made with braided white cotton cord and purple sparkle beads.


Nine passes of cord are bound together with four ply nylon thread on a mold. The size is "small" in this example but of course this design can be made in almost any size with your choice of colors.

The beads pop through the loops to open.

If you like this design and would like to request a custom made version or find out more please click here to contact me or leave a comment here.

design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

four button clothesline ankle cuff 1596

 Got to messing around with the scrap bin and some cotton clothesline material and before you know it hand a proper tangle of loops and bits arranged on one of my bigger molds. This ankle cuff was assembled in four parts (one for each of the button loops) then tied together. The beads are placed in the seams between the button loops except for the ridge of seed beads which were applied after the whole thing was assembled.

This is large. Size is 10" (253 mm) inside circumference and 2 5/8" (68 mm) to 2 3/4" (71 mm) wide.

The four buttons hold this anklet closed and are easy to pop through the loops which are a cotton cord. (clothesline actually) hence the name.

This is a unique piece of rather substantial proportions but lightweight 2.7 oz (78 g)

Find this on Zibbet.



design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

beads n' fibers anklet 1574

 Soft polyester, hand dyed nylon and cotton cords with multiple rows of turquoise blue seed beads combined in this relaxed casual design. A single button and loop toggle holds this anklet securely closed but is easy to release.

Size is "extra large" measuring 9 3/4" (248 mm) inside circumference when closed.

Texture is soft and comfortable. Assembled with four ply nylon thread on a circular mold.

This is a one of a kind creation part of the )design( strata series of fiber art bracelets and anklets available exclusively though WhatKnotShop.

This item is available here along with a wide selection of other one of a kind fiber art pieces in the design section of WhatKnotShop on Zibbet.

If you like this design and would like to request a custom made version or find out more please click here to contact me.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

beaded anklet 1567

 A bit of cotton cord and a collection of glass beads creates this massive and colorful ankle bracelet that secures with a button and loop toggle. The beads are mostly transparent, a few are opaque in a variety of colors. They are bound together with four ply nylon thread. The cord is a 3 mm cotton braid.

Size is 9" (228 mm) inside circumference. This one is pretty massive and weighs in at 2.9 oz or 84g.

This one of a kind design is available click here

You can find a similar design listed in in my Zibbet shop here: blue beaded beach sea glass cuff bracelet 944 made with black polyester cord and featuring a more complex two bead and loop toggle closure. More photos can be found here.

To request a custom design like this please click here to send me a request or simply leave a comment.




design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

one button clothesline anklet with beads 1566

 Clothesline cord is a larger diameter braided cotton material that is both soft and strong. Here it's used in combination with some hand dyed nylon braid, cotton cord and a row of small blue glass beads. A single accent bead is paced opposite the button loop closure.

This anklet measures 8 3/4" (223 mm) inside circumference and features a blue plastic button and loop closure.

Find this beaded anklet in the design section of the Etsy Shop.

To request a custom design like this please use the Etsy convo utility or leave a comment here.


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

2 button toggle cuff bracelet with beads 1290

  Constructed fabric layers, subtle colors, glass beads. Size is 8" (203 mm) inside circumference. Two buttons and loops secure the bracelet closed.

 A large green glass bead nests in a cove on the edge of the overlap. Four ply nylon thread binds the assembly together.

 The seam at the overlap loops is filled with small glass beads.

Toggle closure loops are highlighted with cotton floss.












design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop