Psychedelic Spiral Bracelet

If I had finished this bracelet in time, I would have entered it in the Etsy Bead Weavers challenge "Time Machine". If I had a time machine, I would go back to the psychedelic 60's, and that's what this bracelet reminds me of.

I have a jar of "leftover" delica beads...beads that never made it back into their original containers, my "delica bead soup" jar. This bracelet was woven in peyote stitch, all beads coming from my bead soup container. For the clasp I used a sterling silver slide/lock clasp. I'm quite pleased with how it came out, but not as pleased as my husband. He says it's by far his favorite bracelet I've created to date. How sweet of him!

It's a tad smaller than traditional bracelets - measuring in at only 7". I'm debating whether or not I should sell or list it...I DO have tiny wrists and it fits me perfect. Hmmmm.....

Peaches & Cream

Not long after figuring out some of the basic bead weaving stitches, I started netting and weaving around cabochons. The idea that you can take a lonely stone and suspend it securely within woven beads, without backing, still tickles me.
I had yet to try this technique out with round crystals, until this past weekend. It took a couple tries to get the number of beads just right, but the end result was very satisfying. I'm looking forward to wrapping more of these crystals, perhaps for a lovely set of earrings next time.
The crystal is a 12mm peach swarovski rivoli, captured in size 11 delica beads. I used a spiral weave for the necklace itself, which measures 18" from end to end.

The clasp is a very important part of a design...it can make an otherwise beautiful creation cheap and flimsy. Very seldom do I know at the start of something what I will be using for a clasp. Several pieces sit in my "to finish" pile for this very reason...they are waiting for the perfect clasp. One of my favorite ways to finish a necklace (and bracelets too, sometimes) is with a beaded clasp. It takes no extra components, and flows seamlessly into the design.