“…and now for something completely different…”
Today I decided it was time to kick myself a little out of my comfort zone, and try to design from a different approach. Usually I am very much colour based in my compositions. The silvers basically offer me a framework around which I hang all my chunks of colour. Today I decided to be much more flexible about colour.
Instead, today I sorted out my beads into size categories, and committed to work only with my very tiniest silver and glass beads. Of course, in the wake of the “Small and Beautiful” series, we all have some smaller beads bouncing around in our bead boxes. I usually try to use their smaller size to advantage, and place them
close to the end of the bracelet for an attractive tapered effect. They can also be quite handy to ensure that certain silvers are not obscured. For instance, “Happy Fish” is even happier when placed next to a Small & Beautiful, so that all its glorious detail can be seen. However, I don’t think that I’ve ever built an entire bracelet of
“mini beads”, and I have to say I’m surprised and delighted with the result. Firstly, I am shocked at just how many minis there are, hiding in my collection! I guess that one on each end of seven or eight bracelets does really add up to about a whole bracelet’s worth. The next thing I noticed was how amazing this bracelet *feels*.
Teeny Tiny “Sandi” feels like a giant…
Rolling this bracelet around in the palm of my hand, it feels wonderful. It’s so soft, so fluid and so unexpectedly petite… it’s a treat! If you have never tried this approach, do give it a whirl it is so much fun.
This Armadillo never gets the coveted center spot…
Clockwise from clasp: “Dichroic Flower Clasp” (retired), “Limited Edition Peacock Pearl”, “Art Deco” (retired), “Unique Glass”, “Grey Armadillo” (retired), “Cells” (retired), “Unique Glass”, “Plait” (retired), “Unique Glass”, “Happy Fish” (retired), “Unique Glass”, “Happy Fish” (retired), “Unique Glass”, “Limited Edition Van Gogh” (World Tour Series Netherlands), “Unique Glass”, “Limited Edition Family of Mushrooms” (World Tour Series Lithuania), “Unique Glass”, “Unique Glass”, “Sandi” (retired), “Rosa Pearl”.
C.
tartooful 
I love the smaller beads! I have a bracelet of all small ambers, one of teal and black and white S&B beads, and one with only pearls and lucky knots. They are my most used bracelets. They do feel wonderfully light to wear, and are great for stacking with a second, complimentary TB bracelet or with other silver bracelets.
I love this combination! The variety of colours really sings!!!
Oh my gosh, Brigitt – I’d love to see photos! Nadine… it was tricky to stick to all small beads and find colours that I liked together; I just managed to squeak enough together for a relatively full feeling bracelet. Now that I know how much I like this feel I will definitely be on the lookout for more little beads that work with these colours!
LOVE those uniques.