I'm having some difficulty figuring out the technique used for spiraling seed beads into a twist for bracelets. I know that there are free tutorials out there that involve weaving or stitching but what I have seen looks like a plain twist and I do not see any stitching. Now, when I have tried that, I guess I'm not securing it correctly. When I add my cone, it comes untwisted and looks floppy and awful. I have a picture of the technique but I don't see any options to add it in here. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance, Christine

Hi, Christine!
Use a crimp bead before inserting your cone....

Since we're on the subject of spirals, have you encountered anything about connecting a Russian spiral seamlessly so I don't have to use any cones, caps or clasps?

Allie

I haven't been too sucessful with the different types of actual beaded spiral. Too easy for me to get lost and mess up when I have to count rows. Hmmm, probably why knitting and crocheting never really took off lol. Actually, the one I'm trying to make is this one:
IMG]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157/Telulah01/Snowflaketwistedbracelet.jpg[/IMG]

I crimped my wires (0.18) after I twisted them nice a tight, then put a bead cap on but it just untwisted. I know this can't be a hard technique because it "looks" easy [;)].
Am I using the wrong size wire?

HOW DO YOU TWIST YOUR STRANDS?

HOW DO YOU TWIST YOUR STRANDS?
WE DON'T USUALLY USE WIRE IN MY COUNTRY BUT REGULAR NYLON FISHING TWINE.

Well, I think I solved the problem. I used 28 gauge wire instead of my stringing wire and surprise! It worked. Sheesh-The solution was so simple that I never even thought of trying it that way. I will try it with 24 gauge to and see how that works.

telulah, you used 28 gauge wire and then crimped it with a large crimp? am i reading that correctly?

No, I didn't use a crimp..yet. I plan to do so though. I was just trying out different gauges to see what would look and hold the best. I was originally using my beading wire that I usually use for necklaces and it looked nice when it was spiraled but it didn't have enough strength to hold the shape when I let go so I switched to metal wire. And by the was-24 g is too big, it doesn't look nice at all when it is spiraled.

cool. :) thanks. i'll have to try that out.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Telulah No, I didn't use a crimp..yet. I plan to do so though. I was just trying out different gauges to see what would look and hold the best. I was originally using my beading wire that I usually use for necklaces and it looked nice when it was spiraled but it didn't have enough strength to hold the shape when I let go so I switched to metal wire. And by the was-24 g is too big, it doesn't look nice at all when it is spiraled.

Telulah,

So how did you end up doing this bracelet? I am a newbie but saw this and have been watching for a response from someone...glad you figured it out. Can you explain step by step how to do it? Thanks!

In my experience, just using a crimp before the cone doesn't work.

If you're using 3 strands and you want a twist rather than a braid, here's what I've had success with: Twist 2 strands as normal. Then wrap the 3rd strand around the first 2 already twisted, but in the opposite direction of the first twist. Then crimp. I'm sure this technique will also work for 4+ strands.

This is my experience, anyway.

If someone's actually had success just twisting and crimping, what's your secret? I can't get the twist to hold.

Hi Blueroses- I took a picture of the two trial spirals that I made. Granted these are 1st attempts and not cleaned up but still you can get the idea.



The top on was done using 28 gauge wire and I did 4 strands. It's on the small side and I just don't care for the look of it. Now the 2nd one is on 26 wire and I bumped it up to 5 strands. I like this one much better. You can also see that the end wires on the right side are holding the loops and could possible be used instead of a crimp and you could attach whatever to the other side, provided that it fit through the cone or whatever to hide the multiple wires. Hey, it's a starting point and I'm sure there's little tricks to be found along the way.

WHEW, man I am behind in the time. Sorry 'bout that. All I get is a broken picture, and when I click on view picture, photobucket comes up and says that page is not found. Can you repost it or email it to me?? Thanks!!

Aww so sorry blueroses- I deleted the picture when I was cleaning out my photobucket. However, it's fairly easy to try if you like. I just took 28 (or try 26 for a little more strength) make a loop with round nose pliers and string on your seed beads to the length you want. Make another loop at the other end (so that the new loop and the very first loop line up) and repeat until you have as it as wide as you want. You can add a bead cap at the time by either stringing wire through all the loops on one side to gather them together neatly and will be able to fit through the hole easier. Once you finish that then just twist until you get it fairly tight. It will spring back a little but so far, mine has hold its shape. If you still need a picture, let me know and I can retake it. [:D]

Christine