First Fire

Project and Sample by Janice Parsons and Kate Richbourg

The first metal in history to be used by humans was copper, and it was soon heated over fire with tin to create bronze. For Janice, the mixing of these strong earth minerals can feel very feminine. “ I don’t always need to wear pink to feel girly. Powerful colors like charcoal and copper are just as appealing.”

Strung on Memory Wire, First Fire is an easy project for all levels. By focusing your bead choices in a limited color palette, the shapes, patterns and designs become more pronounced. But, don’t let that limit your creativity, mix it up however you want. 

A. Janice’s full 12-coil* design is a random pattern of bugles, 11/0 copper beads, and 3mm Fire Polish. The ends were finished with dangles made on head pins, which add a finishing touch. You can also end with a 3 or 4mm Fire Polish glued securely with Zap Glue and skip curling the wire.

* Janice used the 2.25 (or 2-1/4) size Memory Wire, which will fit an average size adult-woman’s wrist. For a wrist smaller than 6 inches, select the 2 inch coil.

B. Using Miyuki Tilas and 4mm Fire Polish, two coils have been strung with beads side-by-side to make wider bangles that can be popped into the 12 coil design for added embellishment. Carefully curl your wire so you don’t crack the fragile glass due to too much pressure from your round nose pliers or not enough space on the memory wire itself.

C. Go random and have fun mixing and matching your beads on single coils. Keep the coils and loops very close in length and size. With head pins, you have the option of adding more dangles to the single bangles or you can wrap them together and make a complete cuff using the 3mm fire polish (as shown on Facebook Live).