Beadalon Blog

This week's Facebook Live focused on this innovative gem - the Bracelet Knotter Tool designed by the amazingly talented Katie Hacker . Katie joined us for this Video and it was so fun to have her back working with the Beadalon Team! The tool works by holding a bangle bracelet in the foam pad secured to your work space with the acrylic C clamp. If your desk is too thick or doesn't hold the tool as you'd like, you can use a Tacky Bead Mat (another great use found!) to hold it in place. The foam pad holds your bangle tight enough to knot around it, but gently enough that it won't mar the wire or crack any beads that you have added. Katie originally designed the Knotter Tool to help her hold Cup Chain Bangles in place while she did macrame knots around them. I love discovering other, new ways to use it! The Katie Knotter Tool is definitely one of those tools that you didn't know you needed, and once you have it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it...

I'm still playing around with the thick gauges of  Artistic Wire  this week, and I love this trendy bangle that's super easy to make. It's a perfect project because it doesn't take too much wire, and you can use any beads that you have lying around - as long as they have holes large enough to fit over the wire. I like wearing a few stacked together when I want to make a bold statement. To make the bangle, wrap the wire around the  Artistic Wire 3D Bracelet  Jig 3 times. Use an  Artistic Wire Crimp Connector  with a  Mighty Jaw Crimping Pliers  to secure the two wires together. (Here's a great  video  Wyatt did that breaks down this technique step by step.) This is my favorite Cold Connection technique. The  Nylon Jaw Bracelet Bending Pliers  are the perfect tool to put a slight bend in the straight Crimp Tube. Use 20-24 gauge wire to wrap beads around the bangle in a symmetrical or random pattern. Its as easy as that!...