October 31, 2013

Japanese Dodecaheron Chainmaille Cufflinks


I've been wanting to make these cuff links for a while.... ever since I saw the beautiful cuff links by Corvus in sterling silver.  Very inspired!!

So I thought, what can I do to give my cuff links a little something extra, something to set them apart from the traditional style, like this?


Well, I didn't come up with much... it's hard to improve upon perfection, which the Japanese Dodcahedron is as far as sphere shape goes.  As you can see, and I hope you agree, the little spunky cuff link is already beyond adorable.

So, if there's not much I can add in the front, how about the back, huh?


I'm a big fan of tassels:-)  Anything that swings, moves, with some sparkles, something shiny!

I like these the best in that the tassels are optional.  You can wear the cuff links with or without the tassels.  Yes, I'm all for having options:-)

Traditional.


Or.... a little extra!!


Your choice!!

These lovely cufflinks are now available in my online studio DaisyKreates.com.  Hope you'll come by for a visit.

As for you DIYers out there, I used the fabulous square wire rings 20-C from C and T Designs for the Japanese balls, with a 6 mm Swarovski #5040 inside to plump it up.  Now you know:-)

Thank you for stopping by my blog!  Would love to hear from ya!!

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October 24, 2013

Celtic Rose Sheet Bracelet in Hexagonal Tessellation


I just realized that I've not recorded my Celtic Rose Hex Sheet bracelet in my blog yet!  Guess I was too excited (and exhausted) when I finally got done with it:-)


I made this for one of the 2012 weave challenges on MWW, which I really enjoyed immensely.  Not that I made it through every one of them, but I did try my best, and I learned quite a bit.


So, this lacy little weave, Celtic Rose Sheet Hexagonal Tessellation, wasn't too difficult to make.  The key is to understand where the connection points are from one "rose unit" to the next.  I'm a bit more "free" when it comes to the ring sizes, I noticed that so long as I can fit the small ring just inside of a medium ring, the rest was more or less "negotiable".  It may also helped when I gave up on actually making a sheet which could be more daunting than a straight bracelet form, more or less:-)


btw, this is not exactly my first try at the weave.  Below is my first try:


I actually like this color contrasts better, a more distinct, tri-color look; but the large copper rings are wee bit too large, making the units a little floppy; also with copper rings at such high AR, they are kind of weak, and that is not a good thing.....

Comparing to the final ring combination here:


So much more better, right?  Hee hee:-)


And it lays nicely on the wrist with a low profile, very form-fitting, closes with a handmade toggle bar connecting to the last rose unit on the other end of the bracelet, making the whole thing almost seamless.


In case anyone is interested, here's what I used: JB 18swg 5/16", Bronze 18swg 7/32", BA 19swg 5/32".

Or, skip the DIY steps, just come over to my online studio DaisyKreates.com and pick this one up for yourself, or your loved one!  Easy, peasy:-)  In case of sold-out and you'd still like one made by me, please drop me a note for a custom made piece just for you :-)



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October 21, 2013

One More Night at Denny's


Ha ha ha, yup, one more of these pretty little bracelets, One Night at Denny's!


This one is for my dear friend Margaret's mom's upcoming birthday celebration.


Selected by Margaret's two boys, the original version was a rather jingly one, with lots of bells, and it went to my friend Sara.  Now Sara is always ready for her next belly dancing party:-)


Margaret likes this bracelet for her mom with beads instead of bells.  Equally colorful and eye-catching, but much more quiet....


What do you think?  Comments/critiques welcome!!

I think I will make another one, this time with rings more inline with BrassAnvil's original specs on M.A.I.L., I like the contrasts between the different gauges of rings, and the way it gladly welcomes any beads, bells, charms, dangles, etc. along with the fun!!

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