Boxed (in) a bracelet

Box Chain Bracelet
Copper
© 2011 Nayna Studios™

Last week has been all about experimenting with and trying out different chain maille weaves.This is the latest to join my list of chain maille success stories . A snug box chain weave, that for some reason though intended as a bracelet, actually has some amazing possibilities as an anklet and quite possibly a necklace! Not entirely sure but will be trying out these two avatars for this weave soon. Meanwhile the bracelet is looking a stunner I think , what say?

Wrapped Hearts

Wrapped hearts, copper, vitreous enamel, &red stone drops
© 2011 Nayna Studios™

Having enameled these hearts, I realized I hadn't drilled holes for the bail :( you know how it is you get carried away with the process and forget to keep the technicalities in mind)  So I went ahead and enameled these lovely hearts and then realized that my enamel had completely blocked the holes I had drilled to hang the bail :( Well A true jewellery artist never despairs and so I proceeded to wrap these hearts in a snug wire wrap that not only hold the hearts in place but also allowed me to hang these gorgeous red drops!

Taming the bead monster!

My newest bead box

If you have been following this blog for any length of time, you must know by now that I am first a metal artist and then a jewellery designer which is why beads are more of second thought in most of my work, but that does not mean that I am not completely crazy about beads! Let me assure you it takes a whole lot of will power to not spend my entire shopping budget in the bead market ( worse I recently met someone who assures me I have not yet tapped two of the biggest bead markets here in Mumbai !!) Woe is me the day I go to those markets but nonetheless I have now a sizable collection of beads and I figured it was time I allowed myself to splurge on a box with compartments (one more object I cannot resist, I currently own three jewellery boxes for my own collection ! )
             Finally the week before Diwali and I was out hunting for fabric, lace chocolate, and gel wax ( in that order for the Diwali celebrations! ) and I found the perfect multi-slotted box that you can see here. I was so happy to finally sort all my beads out with proper slots for each kind. But you guessed it , ran out of space before all my beads were sorted!! So I guess a few more visits to the bead shop and I will be ready for an upgrade :D Meanwhile what do you think of this arrangement?

Double wrapped gypsy bracelet

Double wrapped Gypsy Bracelet,
Copper wire, yellow & pink Agate, white metal and glass beads in various colours
© 2011 Nayna Studios™

Going through my bead box I was tempted to put all of those amazing beads into one creation and I happily kept wire wrapping and looping and before I knew it I had an extra long bracelet that had to be double looped and it just occurred to me why not double wrap it ! So that's how my double wrapped gypsy bracelet came about. Of course I could not resist adding a few copper wire charms and the toggle clasp actually sits a few beads before the end of the bracelet length, hey you know me something about my jewellery has to be quirky :D

Beaded Cuff

Beaded Cuff, Copper, Green glass beads
© Nayna Studios™

Beaded Cuff, Clasp detail
© Nayna Studios™

All of the week before last I had been furiously trying to create stock of jewellery for my Diwali show at a shopping complex here in my own city . Having created a slew of pendants earrings and just barely a cuff for my wristwear collection, by the end of the week I was wondering what was I going to show case in that category! Fortunately for me my muse smiled and this is what came about :) The design part of the cuff fits snugly against the wrist and the beads add just the right touch of colour and festive look to the wrist. The locking mechanism is inspired by a similar style used in ethnic Indian jewellery to secure large Kundan and diamond studded jewellery. For this piece you have to bring together both the pieces as if to form a hinge and then secure the pin through the hollow pipe thus formed. What do you think of this clasp, does it work for this piece ?