Hi there!  I have been a lurker here for awhile now and just can't contain myself any longer :)  I am hugely loving the beaded cuffs some of you have shared.  They are gorgeous and I think I am ready to make one of my own.   Do you have any pointers or tips for someone who hasn't made one of these before?  What type of backing works best to embroider the beads to?  Does anyone know of any tutorials, galleries or kits I can look at to get started?  Does anyone have a kit they would like to sell? LOL!  I do so much better with kit type things, especially my first time.  Anyway, looking forward to some helpful answers :)

 I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is.  You will need some kind of backing to work the bead embroidery on.  A lot of people use Lacy's Stiff Stuff, which is great but expensive.  You can also you regular heavy interfacing which is a lot cheaper.  I have recently decided I like using 100% wool felt.

 You will also need something for the backing once you finish the beadwork.  I like to use ultrasuede.  I'm not sure what else people use.

And then there is the aluminum cuff blank to put it all on.  There are options for that - you can buy one at a craft store (not available in a lot of places), or you can order one from a specialty store.  Another option is to simply buy a piece of aluminum at Home Depot and cut out a blank with tin snips and file the edges so they don't cut your piece.  Then you can bend it around a glass.

 As for the beadwork, you should be able to find info on basic bead embroidery stitches.  You can do anything you want with the beads!  I use backstitch a lot, but then I end up filling in little spaces with a jumble. I just pick up 3 or 5 beads and go back down a little ways from where I came up.  It makes a little picot on the surface.  Then I do a whole bunch of them to fill inthe area.  It works great for little areas that are difficult to fill with straight lines.

Here are couple of pics of some of mine.  The second one isn't finished yet, but you can see how I worked it.  It is now glued to the aluminum blank, but I haven't finished the edge yet. 

Nancy, you beat me to this topic title, "Beaded Cuff"!! I am always drawn to this and similar titles!

Athunker, Nancy has answered and helped you more then you know. She really covered every aspect you may need to complete such a project! Great Job Nancy!

Good luck, and don't forget to share any results or progress pictures!!

 Erin

WOW!  That is a ton of information, thanks, Nancy.  You answered questions I didn't even know I had.  I was not sure how it became a cuff, if I am lucky hubby will have some aluminum in the basement -LOL!  I have felt and interfacing and of course BEADS.  Will definitely have to find some stuff to practice on.  Thanks for all your help, it is TRULY appreciated, and your cuffsare beautiful, thanks for posting pics.

Hi !

I always use LSS for my beadwork and cuffs and for the inside i use soft deerleather.
maybe this link can help you:
http://www.firemountaingems.com/beading_howtos/pbstutorials.asp?docid=6524&WT.cg_s=Beads+Baubles+Jewels&sact=search

Bye,
Trudy

Hi!  I've written a tutorial that you could look at too if you'd like. 

Link

That is also a good tutorial Cyndi, i got one in Dutch, but i guess that won't be a good help .....

Thanks for teh tutorial, that is beautiful and amazing as well.  My mind is spinning.  May have to drink something with a bottle cap :) LOL!

You have all been very helpful.  I will post pics when I am done and any other pointers are appreciated!

 Oh darn, and it's so hard to think of anything that comes in a bottle...  LOL!!

Well, with all your amazing help, I finally finished my beaded cuff.  It isn't perfect but turned out pretty good for a first try and hey, I wore already and that's what really mattered.

THis is also my first time posting a pic, so if the link doesn't work, or there isn't a picture, or it's too big, just bear with me, please!  LOL!

(crossing my fingers this works) 

It works, and i love your bracelet !
Well done, nice colors and nice cabs !

Great bracelet......................If my daughter can do this, so can I. My picture will soon follow.Not nearly as complicated as hers. How she gets this all done is beyond me.Gets her talent from her mom!!!!!!

Hey, the pic did work and thanks for the comments!

wait a minute, what's my mom doing here?  LOL!

That turned out so well!  Great job 

Nice cuff!  I really like the sunny faces that you used.  & its' cool how you incorporated so many cool accessory beads besides just seeds. :)

"accessory beads"  I knew there had to be a name for those!  Thanks!  I know, really showing how much I don't know about seeds, but I think I like them!  LOL!

I can add one more thing...Some people use ultra suede on the back of the cuff.  You can buy faux ultra suede at Michael's a lot cheaper and it looks good.  In my local store, it is back with the yarn in bins of scraps.

Marlene

I don't have a Micheal's nearby but I looked in Hobby Lobby for ultrasuede and couldn't find any. Then again, hubby was in the car waiting for me,so I am going back this weekend to look without anyone in the car.  Hopefully, I can find something.  I will check back by the yarn!

Thanks to you all! This has been one of the best threads I have read in a long time. I am full of admiration for people who do cuffs. Maybe one day I will attempt one myself and I now have a pretty full set of instructions on what to do - Fabulous work Cindi L and a great first effort athunker - you've been an inspiration for this beginner seed beader

Glad you found it helpful!  We'd love to see what you make  :)

Boy, I'm finding it really disconcerting to only have 3 or 4 posts credited to me.  When I rejoined this forum, I changed by user name...didn't know I'd lose all my posts that way  LOL!!