Circus Bangles ~ Testing

The Circus Bangle String-Along is moving.....  We've all run away and joined the circus, a beady circus that is.  Like any handiwork, many people have a need to swatch or test the beads, thread and tension before they start an actual piece.

I wanted you to see Marlene's test bangle, but you need to see the whole presentation on her blog. 

CLICK HERE  - Isn't that just great circus presentation?

Marty claims she used up some ugly beads in her test piece.  Looks pretty nice to me and the bonus is that size 8/0 beads and lentils will work just as well as the called for 10/0 Delicas.

Ellen always saves bead crochet projects for the NH Bead Retreat and this is what she did with her testing.  I love the green and yellow combination.

Susan wasn't happy with the hips on her drops and the way they tended to ruffle. She got a bit creative and used an 8/0 in between each drop to solve the problem.  It keeps the spirit of the design, but makes the beads behave a bit better.



Now some of the participants are even getting creative with finding circus props.  Guess I'll have to haunt my local thrift store too.

Terri, who is editing this string-along, had to try out the pattern in 11/0 and Miyuki drops.  See, generally any of my designs will work in most any size bead.


The square piece is a 1" embellished square of glass with paper design - clever, no?



Everyone is working on the first of the four real bangles and we've agreed that the more you can stack together, the better they will all look.

Circus Bangle Registration

     Welcome to another  String-Along
General Registration
You have to sign yourself up via PayPal  "BUY NOW" below... I can't do it for you.

This one is going to last one month and we're going to make a set of four Circus Bangles. If you need to review the initial flyer CLICK HERE

Once your payment has gone through, you will receive a welcome email and instructions on how to join the FaceBook group. Have Fun - it isn't a race

Cost: $28 via PayPal

Sold Out 
now
the fun begins

Circus Bangle String-Along Registration

Informational flyer - CLICK HERE....

Sign up for the Circus Bangle String-Along will start at noon (Arizona time or -8 GMT) 

Monday April 1st.

Right here on this Blog

Space is limited as previous participants of African Stripes had an advance registration option.  As of right now there are 15 open spaces in the String-Along.  

It's going to be a lot of fun to make an arm full of bright spiky bangles. I've already got more than 4 ideas running around in my head. 

Circus Bangles ~ April 1st!

April 1st (no fooling) sign up ~ starting April 12th

 The Circus Bangle String-Along is starting to head for the big city and gather in a group of bead crocheters. If you've not seen it, here is an informational FLYER.


I'm already testing patterns and bead combinations and liking what I'm seeing them do.  I had an idea and I'd better make sure it works before I tell a whole bunch of people "here it is, crochet it"!  Colors, well I have no end to opaque, primary colored beads in all sizes.  They are some of my favorites to work with - laugh-out-loud circus colors. 

A bangle needs to be stiff so I think a 10/0 Delica will help give me more of a stiff bracelet than my usual flexible ones. 

 My backup crocheter and tester, Terri, says that plain 11's and Miyuki drops will work... they will just be more subtle and not as spiky a bangle.

Wire, I'm wondering if I'll need to wire my bangles as I crochet so loose?  Memory wire?  It's a thought.

Somebody, who wants to get a jump on getting organized, asked about using long Magatamas.  Well, I hadn't thought of them as shaped edge beads, they should work, but I'm not going to have time to try them out.  If you don't string them right you get sort of a wonky chaos.  That describes my beading table, but I don't think I want it for a bangle bracelet.