Arrow Bracelet Pattern

Finally, it is done. I have finished the pattern for "Arrow Bracelet".

Fun to make and so beautiful!

Although based on my "Diamonds Bracelet Pattern", this "Arrow Bracelet Pattern" is a bit more intricate. So, this pattern is recommended for intermediate knotters/beaders. (Some knotting and beading experience would be helpful.)

I provide instructions for the basic 7" bracelet, including a variation of motif and tips on making smaller and longer bracelets. You could even make a choker!

Variations

The Basic Bracelet has focal beads in the center of the "diamond" segments:


as in this bracelet:

And, this one:



Variation 2 has no focal bead in the "diamond" segments, but a lattice-like motif instead:

as in this bracelet:

Find the pattern for sale at My Etsy Shop. I have also listed a few kits for those who just want to try one out without buying all the materials in bulk. (Find it in "Patterns" section if not on front page)

I am trying something new with this pattern. I am using the html format to save the document and so it will open in your browser instead of in pdf format to open in Adobe Reader. I can sent it zipped or unzipped. For those with email accounts that have limits on attachments, I can provide access to the url where the document lives a private life. (I just add their email address to the "approved viewers" list. ) It can be printed or saved from there.

EDIT: Oh well, it was a good idea, but I think I should stick to Pdf format as the html requires a bit more computer savvy than some people may have. So to keep it simple for my customers, I will remain with the pdf version unless requested otherwise. Easy enough as I have both versions saved. For those with email accounts that have limits on attachments, I can still provide access to the url where the document lives a private life.

On to the next pattern: "Criss Cross Bracelet and Earrings". I have it set up, but am unsure when I can get it finished, so no promises today.

Knot News - Update on New Pattern and Some Ramblings

Well, I have not yet finished the new "Arrow Bracelet Pattern", however I am almost there! All I have left is about half of the text...and proofreading. I even have some kits made up and waiting in the wings! They should all be ready and listed within the next two days (probably tomorrow, but you know how these things go...)

I have recently signed up for Scribd. It is a site where you can upload documents. So I uploaded my free patterns, "Spirals Anklet or Bracelet" and "Spirals KeyChain". From what I understand, you can publish those documents (which I have done), or you can make them private and allow only those you want to have access. Of the published documents, viewers can rate the documents with a thumbs up or a thumbs down. There is even a Scribd store where you can sell your documents. I am giving it a try. It may be another venue to sell my patterns and get exposure for my website. A woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do. So if anyone belongs to Scribd, go check out the two free patterns and give them a thumb's up...

I do have some other designs waiting to be written up into patterns and there is that book I have been wanting to write...I better get busy, Talk to ya'll later.

Knot News - Update on New Pattern and More Kits

Okay. I got distracted by several things.

First, one of my older cats had to have all her back teeth pulled (gum disease) and of course I had to nurse her back to health. She is doing great now, she is eating just fine and gaining some weight back. She still has her front teeth so she can bite us, she just cannot chew us up!

Then, I still have the ongoing business of taking care of my new garden. I am having fun, but it does take up some of my time.

And, a friend has been going through a rough patch and has needed some of my time.

This is just to mention a few things. Seems that just when you have your plans made, Life has a way of changing them!

But, I did get some kits made up this week and am listing them in My Etsy Shop. I am hoping to get back on that "Arrow Bracelet" pattern early next week...if all goes well.

Also, My Sweetie is having some medical problems (hopefully minor) and will be getting some tests done soon. As a result, we will be needing to cover the expenses. Health care is not what it used to be - nowadays it is more of a "discount" system than any kind of real coverage what with the co-pay, the deductible, and having to pay a further percentage of the total. I remember the days when you either had an HMO where all you paid was a co-pay or you had the kind of coverage where you paid a percentage.

So, I am working on putting together a SALE in My Etsy Shop to generate (hopefully) some cash. Keep checking back for more details as I finalize this plan (probably next week).

Hoping all is well in your world,
Bye for now.

Knot News - A Delay with the New Pattern

Just to let everyone know that there will be a delay with getting the new pattern for "Arrow Bracelet" out. I did not like the photos and will be redoing the entire thing. It may take a few weeks as I am still putting in some garden...and I got a new food dehydrator (Excaliber brand) and am drying some early harvest.

Also, please bear with me as I re-organize my Etsy Shop - tonight I am getting all my kits together to see what new ones I need to put together and whether or not new photos need to be taken as well. So, I may be short some kits until I get this project finished. I will probably get it done over the weekend...I got a new Netflix dvd (Stargate SG1) in and will work in front of the TV...

Later, in conjunction with creating the new pattern (mentioned above), I will be editing and revising all my patterns in order to streamline the process.

Ahhh, always so much to do! Keeps me from getting bored, though.

Book Review - Micro Macrame...

"Micro Macrame - 30 Beaded Designs Using Crystals and Cords"
by Annika deGroot

I first encountered Annika through her blog "Annika's Atelier" right after I started this blog. She makes all kinds of beautiful things (not just micro macrame). We corresponded a bit back and forth over the next couple of years, checking into each other's blogs upon occasion. I found her to be a delightful and talented woman.

Recently, she contacted me to review her new book. I accepted right away and she sent me an advance copy.

At first glance, I fell in love. What a lovely book with 30 projects in varying degrees of difficulty and a wide variety of projects - from bracelets to ornaments, from victorian to deco - Something for everyone!

Then, this weekend, I had a chance to delve deeper. You know, try one of the projects to see how the instructions worked out. (And, yes, I could not wait to make one of her designs for my own personal use!)

I made the "Stained Glass Bracelet" without too much trouble, as you can see below. (I did lose track of where I was in the middle - I was watching Stargate SG1 and got distracted - but it was not the fault of the instructions).



I had one question which she answered right away and said that anyone buying her book could contact her through her website or her blog and she would be happy to answer any questions.

I really cannot say enough about this book. It has beautiful photos, is well written and would provide anyone (beginner or expert) with plenty of projects and inspiration for quite some time...and isn't that really what it is all about?

Want your own copy? Find it on Amazon (click on image below).

Knot News - New Pattern on the Way

I know, I know, I have not written much for awhile. I have been busy with gardening chores. I have been trying to learn to garden (since last year) and since we get an early start on Spring down here in Texas....I have been starting seedlings, digging, and planting. I have even gotten to harvest some lettuce, parsley, and beets already.

Okay, on with the news.

In light of these touch economic times, I have lowered the prices of almost all my patterns! I am calling it my "After Taxes Sale". Eventually, I am going to re-organize my Etsy Shop...when I can find the time...because right now I am in the middle of writing another pattern - "Arrow Bracelet" (see photo above for preview).

Watch for my upcoming Book Review of Annika deGroot's new book "Micro Macrame - 30 Beaded Designs Using Crystals and Cords". Check out her blog here.

Fire Mountain Gems has in some lovely acrylic beads in flat rounds, flat ovals, and some other flat shapes in sizes that are great for the "Spirals KeyChain"! Yay! I had begun to despair of finding any acrylic beads in flat shapes in large enough sizes for the KeyChain pattern. This means we can go back to using the original pattern with the alternating half-hitch chain along the sides of the focal bead. They are really quite beautiful. See a couple of examples below: You can find them and others here at Fire Mountain Gems.

KnotGypsy's Designs arrive in Sweden!

One of my customers has really done some beautiful work with some of my patterns. Check out her work at Parlugglans Smycken. The first one appears to be based on my "Waves Bracelet" and the others on "Diamonds Bracelet". She has made the patterns her own in the best creative tradition. Congratulations!

She has asked if it is allright to sell pieces she has made from my patterns as long as she gives credit to me as the designer. I am fine with that. I only ask that my patterns not be re-sold.

Consider this my official statement on the topic.

Victorian Lace EARRINGS

I got busy beading this past weekend. I started out just using up some scraps of cord and these Victorian Lace earrings are just the thing. They don't require a lot of cord and so scraps left over from larger projects work perfectly.


But, then, I was having so much fun, I decided to try the pattern with some Omega nylon crochet thread...

These last two are my favorites, I think. I will be keeping the green and purple ones. After all, I deserve some new bling don't I?

I have begun listing them in my Etsy Shop in the "Earrings" section. I will be listing more each day. So, keep checking back.

If you want to learn how to make them yourself, you can find the pattern in the "Patterns" section of my Etsy Shop. Read more about this pattern here.