Sunday, September 30, 2012

Wrist Wrap Tutorial and Giveaway



I have been working for some time now on my new line of toggle clasps that work well with silks.  I used the first one in a wrist wrap last January for one of my pieces in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Hop. 



Since then I have fixed a few problems, like making the hole larger and trying out different silks to see which ones will work. Today I want to share with you my tutorial on how to use these toggle clasps (available in my Etsy shop.)  Actually it is very easy to do and with  what a fun result.  



Two different kinds of Silks.  On the left a Silk ribbon    On the right a wide grunge silk wrap.

I am using a silk ribbon that measures about  32 inches and is 1/2 inch wide. It has been finished on the edges.  This one is from Lima Beads, but they are available in other places as well.  I have found that most silks and sari ribbon work.  The idea is to check the length which is done by folding the ribbon in half and making  sure that it wraps around your wrist at least two times after you have taken into account the overhand knot. The silk ribbon pictured works perfectly for my 6 1/2 - 7 inch wrist.

Once you have determined the length,  you will string  your toggle bar  through one length of the silk ribbon.  

Next you will fold the ribbon in half and when the two ends  meet exactly you will make an overhand knot leaving about an inch for a tail. If you think your ends might fray you can dip them into Aleene's Stop Fraying which will  dry clear, soft and flexible.  I got mine from JoAnn's.


The next step is to take the folded end of you ribbon and push it through the smaller hole in your toggle clasp. Either from the back to the front or vice versa. You will be making a larks head knot.  

You make the Larks Head knot once you have a good size loop which you have pushed through the clasp as in the picture above. Bring the knotted end with the toggle bar through the loop you have made and draw it tight.


Adjust you knot until it looks like the one in the picture above.  
And here is how it looks from the back

Now you have the silk securely attached to both the toggle bar and and toggle clasp proper as seen in the picture above. Make sure that you get it to pull through evenly so that your knotted bar lies flat on the end of the ribbon. as seen in the picture above.


 Next  wrap your silk around your wrist a couple of times, secure the bracelet by bringing the toggle bar through  the clasp.  You can tuck in your tails or let them fly. The silk showing through the toggle clasp adds wonderful color to your wrist wrap.





Here is a  photo of some other size silks I have used.   The light blue in the middle is a wide grunge silk and the last one on the right is a much thinner piece of hand died silk.   I don't know how that beaded wrap got into the photo shoot since it has a button clasp.LOL

Sources of Silks
Example of wrist wrap using a combination of a silk ribbon and a silk string from MarshaNealStudio
with one of my new toggle clasps


100% Silk  1/2 inch by 32 inches silk ribbon



                                       
Example of a Grunge silk wrist wrap with a hand died silk from Sowzere
(You may have to special request the Grunge size and style silk)


And a very thin hand dyed silk string  from  Sowzere



Group photo of some of my wrist wrap toggle clasps

You can find these toggle clasps in my Etsy shop on  Sunday Sept. 30 at  5:00PM  EST

The GIVEAWAY

I will be giving away one of my wrist wrap toggles clasps with coordinating silks to make a bracelet.  Just leave a comment and a way to contact you.  I would love feed back on the tutorial--i.e what could be better and what is good.  I will pick a winner the Random Generator on Oct. 12, 2012.  Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my blog post tutorial.




49 comments:

  1. Well, that's just a party on your wrist! I love all the color, and especially seeing the silk through the toggle hole. The tute is very clear and easy to understand. I'd love a chance to win one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary, I was just thinking about the Art Journey and how if we just continue to work and work and work, the Evolution Factor will descend on us and our artistry will grow. You are the prime example of this theory, Mary. Your work amazes and delights us, and each time we think no further excellence could be achieved..... you rise to a new level. Thanks for the inspiration. Linda
      ps. As usual, the tutorial was perfectly clear, artistically beautiful and I'm afraid I have to go now and make something! You've inspired me! Linda

      Delete
  2. I think you did a splendid job on the work itself and the tutorial to share. Lots of pictures is always great idea and yours are very clear. Beautiful result all around! I've spend my morning working with sari silk today but as bangles not wraps I may have to reconsider that before my silk runs out!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Those are pretty! And they look so comfortable too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Excellent tutorial - I wouldn't change a thing! It's a wonderful concept, so quick, easy and fun!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very cool...love the tutorial and a great option on the larger hole for the toggle.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for the tutorial. I love how versitle the wrist wrap is. If I want a new look all I have to change is the ribbon. Very cool concept

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous30/9/12 17:47

    Fun, cheerful and different (different is always brilliant in my book!). I just love this idea and the free flowing form the bracelet takes. I would love to make and have one!

    Thank you for the giveaway offer!

    zanc@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful! I want to make one right away for myself. I adore your clasps (and everything else you do), and in this style with the wrapped silk they work fantastically.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your bracelets not only look awesome, but they look like fun to make and easy as well. Tossing my name in the hat--fingers crossed!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Me, again...forgot to leave contact info: llandig at msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mary, absolutely gorgeous! All of them! Easy to follow tutorial and the results are so beautiful. I love how well your pieces go with the ribbon, very well done!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your toggle clasps are beautiful and they work so well with the silks. I've never worked with silk or any other fiber but your wrist wraps are making me want to try.

    Your tutorial was easy to understand, even for me. And the photos along the way are very helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your newsletters are always so packed with great information! I never would have thought of making bracelets like this, but it makes perfect sense.The colors of the silks integrate so well with your beautiful glazes and it helps to highlight that one special clasp. Well done! Enjoy the day. Erin

    ReplyDelete
  14. these are awesome, thank you for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love this idea. You were an inspiration to me when I saw your piece in the Bead Soup Blog. This is a great look and I love how silk look in pieces. Your toggles are awesome and I've already visited your store. Would love to win a second one. Great tutorial

    Linda Y

    lyounk09@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh Mary, this is a great tutorial. You have a real knack for teaching step by step (and I loved your folded metal class, in person). I would love another one of your pieces. abross@gmail.com

    Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  17. Mary,
    I just deleted a long comment-and I'm too tired to repeat what I said.
    Anyway n a few words, Thanks-I love your silk toggle bracelets.
    As a matter of fact- It would be such a pleasure to wear one along with the silk button wrap bracelet I made today! LOL!
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very pretty, and you could really make the bracelet fancy with some added beadwork to the wrap art! How pretty and easy to do! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love your clasps! I don't use my stash of sari silk beacuse I don't like the finished look - your clasp is genius!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love these clasps! and the tutorial is great, I would love the chance to try one out!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous1/10/12 06:10

    Mary, Your clasps are beautiful. Thanks for your work. You give inspiration. I can see the wrap as a necklace as well!
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  22. These are great and I love how the toggle clasp is the focal on these great fibers. Very wearable. Thanks for the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Mary,
    So glad to hear from you again. I loved the tutorial. I rely on them to help me with lots of ideas.
    Your toggles are always so beautiful. I get compliments on the ones I have bought from you in the past. The colors are so brilliant and I like to use the toggles as the center piece of some of my jewelry.
    I would love to have the chance to win this. I can see wearing more than one of these at a time!
    Have a great Autumn!
    Mary Jo
    You can reach me at maryjo1953@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh wow! Love those clasps - all fun colors to play with! Thanks so much for the tutorial, loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Mary--What a great idea on how to use the toggles. My brain is in overload this morning thinking of how to use the toggles in a wrist design. You are always so clever. Thanks for sharing with the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Gorgeous wraps - the toggles are amazing! I'd love to win this!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love these. Your toggles are great. I think the tutorial is great as it is. Very easy to understand. I'd love a chance to win and try this. I've got some ideas I'd like to try with it, too. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  28. These are beautiful Mary! What wonderful photos! The colors of the toggles and the silk together are wonderful! eyedoglass@hotmail.com

    xo Genea

    ReplyDelete
  29. These are beautiful! So unique, and I love your toggle bars and clasps! You did a great job on the tutorial. Easy to follow, and the pictures are pretty self explanatory. Good job!
    cookamy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous2/10/12 15:15

    I love these! I've been hand dyeing some fabric and would love to try a clasp on some. Susan Ward

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous3/10/12 00:46

    Fantastic combination of colors and textures. Perfect for fall with the changing colors and extremes of temperatures across the states. Lovely.

    Nancy Madrick
    nmadrick@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  32. These look amazing and SO comfortable to wear! Great designs!!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. These are beautiful, I will try your tutorial and see how it goes, Thank you for sharing.

    Kathy
    kathy@acreativecover.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. These are beautiful, I will try your tutorial and see how it goes, Thank you for sharing.

    Kathy
    kathy@acreativecover.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous3/10/12 17:55

    Thank you Mary for these beautiful works of art! So lovely! Would love to win one... And your tutorial made it so easy to understand how to create something with silks. Thank you for your stunning artwork that makes all of us who love to create jewelry look good! Jan Carr
    Jan.Carr@ live.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. The toggles are really beautiful and I really like the metal accents. Wraps are so easy to wear.

    ReplyDelete
  37. thanks for the tutorial and would love to win one of your clasp

    ReplyDelete
  38. Mary, I always thought your toggle clasps were so clever and very pretty...but combined in your wrist wrap projects, they are even more stunning... I like how they are played up as a focal (as they should be!) and mixed with a variety of fibers. I'd sure like to try my hand at a bracelet like this!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I have some sari silk, but haven't used it much yet, this tutorial looks like a great idea for it. I think the tutorial is perfect - clear instructions and good pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I absolutly love it your desing.Thank you very much for very good tutorial.Your toggle clasps are so clever.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Your toggles are so very cool...and the tute is great! Thanks for that.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thank You for your tutorial and your amazing idea, different toggles are difficult to find.
    Dawn
    dawnjo@iprimus.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  43. I'm speechless...words cannot say how cool these are! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Great tutorial, thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Bev Szaton4/1/15 15:10

    I am a devotee of great toggles and these really are wonderful. The colors are so vibrant and fresh and carry the silks beautifully. The bracelets themselves are versatile and very pretty. I must have some, one way or another. Outstanding.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Anonymous8/1/17 16:11

    Dear Admin,
    I browse your website, its very impressive, I love it.
    I have collectively this connected website.
    There are millions of folks who suffer a great deal due to pain in the hand and the wrist. There are quite a few reasons that may be at the root of the problem.
    wrist wraps

    Best Regards
    Feldman Brad

    ReplyDelete
  47. Congratulations!That’s really amazing jewelry,I love it,thanks for sharing!!
    best background remover

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Raku Bead Video Part III