Quick projects and a gratuitous cat picture

I took a break from organizing my jewelry making supplies and made a quick bracelet today that I saw in a very expensive catalog a few years back. Of course, it is not the SAME bracelet, but the idea is the same: use a simple stringing material and a simple focal element to make a very delicate bracelet.

To make this bracelet, I used some 1 mm brown waxed cotton thread. You could use 1mm leather, or even crochet some thread into a thicker cord, but I think it is important for this bracelet to have a very lightweight, ethereal quality. SO, cut two equal lengths, planning that you will double each if you use the 1 mm cord. I'm gonna be my Grandma Ruthie here and when you ask, "But how much cord do I cut, Tara" and I'll say, "Enough." Just give yourself a good amount.
I chose the goldtone pewter rings from my show inventory- here is the silvertone version online on dollarbeads.net:

But you could easily use any of these other focal rings- in fact, many of them will hold up to a thicker cord if you have it.

You could use this:

or this

or I really like this:

or even more on our website.
Ok, take each of the two pieces of cord, double them and then make a knot by placing the loop end of the cord through the center of the ring, then put the loose ends through the loop end and pull tight. Do this on each side. Then, you can use any kind of clasp. You could tie on jump rings and add toggles or lobster clasps, or hooks. I had a goldtone button which was very light, and so I placed one end of the bracelet through the shank and tied it. Then I made a simple loop on the other end by making two knots, with enough space in between for the button to pass through. Cut off the excess tails. Your bracelet is now ready to wear! UNLESS, like me, you made the hole between the two knots too large. Not to worry- slip a large hole pewtie over the knot. When you then place the button through the opening, the pewtie naturally falls close to the button and holds it closed.

Close up of the clasp with the pewter bead "slide" to hold it closed:

The bracelet is not as tight as it looks in the photo. Balancing my wrist on the edge of the couch while not showing the mess in my living room is virtually impossible Using my expert camera skills, I cleverly tightened the bracelet so the focal bead stayed centered during the shot.
And now, the aforementioned cat picture, which shows a quickie ring I made using a magnesite flower bead. Just cut a length of dead soft wire (mine was plastic coated) and thread it through the holes drilled in the bead from inside to out, on each side, and do a simple wrap around the wire.

I hope you enjoyed these quick projects.