New take

This is the last watch face that I bought previously. I started with a spiral half reef knot using Chinese knotting string and left it. While it looks ok, I wanted something different and I cut off the string and switched to jump rings.

230 of them. I counted.

5mm 18 gauge jump rings that I pieced one by one into 4 Byzantine strands. I added a simple heart toggle that would clash with the 'complexity' of the weave. I think I like this version better :-)

Have a blessed day!

Bead your own watch bracelet

I've almost completed this before I decided to make a tutorial. Now I'm out of watch faces so I can't take any pics. Anyway, these are the text instructions first.

1. Get your watch face. I found mine at Beadtlesweet at Plaza Singapura. You can also get these at Chinatown or for a wider range, get them online. Just google 'watch face'. I chose the one that lets me stick a strand of Chinese knotting string through the loop at the top. There are many types of 'connections'. Choose the one that you like.

2. Loop 1 strand of Chinese knotting string through. The length of this would be half round your wrist plus the length of the dangle.

3. Cut another length of string about 40cm long. I don't know the length of this 'cos I estimate all the time. This will be used for the square knots.

4. Tie this with an overhand knot just at the loop where the first strand is then string beads onto 1 side of it. I used Miyuki cube beads here. You only need to string the beads on one side.

5. Tie a square knot. Right over left, left over right.

6. Push 1 bead up and tie half a square knot with the bead on the right side. The string with the beads is now on the left. Tie the other half of the square knot with the bead on the left.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 till you're happy with the length.

8. Do the same for the other side, ie. steps 3 to 7.

9. Cut another length of string about 15cm long.

10. Separate the middle strands of the 2 beaded sides and bring these together, one facing each way.

11. Use the new string and tie 3 square knots.

12. Trim the middle strands and put stopper beads.

13. Trim and singe all ends. (This part hasn't been done yet in the pic)

Have a blessed day!

More beads

I managed to buy the last 2 packets of blue and green beads. I like the colours and the almost transparent nature. Two holes through each bead made it really easy to thread it all through. Now I just have to add matching toggles.

Experiments with peyote and weaving with Miyuki cube beads. Peyote's fast to bead with cube beads 'cos they stay in place. Usually the first 3 rows are a bit difficult to get in place but it was a cinch with cube beads. Weaving wasn't easy at the start. The cube beads have a relatively large hole but because I wasn't using a proper bead loom, the weft wasn't taut enough and there were many times when I missed threading the beading string on top and below each row. Got better with practice though :-)

Have a blessed day!