Gem Poetry

Project and Samples by Janice Parsons

Janice so loved these beads and this project that she made seven samples! You can find the exact ingredients listed below, by colorway:

Purple
1 Strand Amethyst Center-Drilled Faceted Ovals
1 Spool Micro C-Lon- Light Blue

Light Blue
1 Strand Blue Opal Center-Drilled Faceted Ovals
1 Spool Micro C-Lon- Charcoal

Light Green
1 Strand Amazonite Center-Drilled Faceted Ovals
1 Spool Micro C-Lon- Turquoise
1 Copper Turquoise Briolette
1 Pkg 6mm/18g Jump Rings- Bright Silver
1 Spool 26g ParaWire- Titanium

Green
1 Strand Green Onyx Center-Drilled Faceted Ovals
1 Strand Lapis Center-Drilled Faceted Ovals
1 Spool Micro C-Lon- Peacock

Mauve
1 Strand Strawberry Quartz Center-Drilled Faceted Ovals
1 Spool Micro C-Lon- Gunmetal
1 butterfly bead from Czech Table Cut Mix- Crystal Copper
1 8/0 Seed Bead (*JP used 8-641)
1 Happy Donut- Antique Copper
1 Pkg 6mm/18g Jump Rings- Antique Copper
1 Pkg 2" 2mm Dot Headpins- Antique Copper

Pink
1 Strand Rose Quartz Center-Drilled Faceted Ovals
1 Spool Micro C-Lon- Gunmetal

Blue & Green Double Wrap
1 Strand Green Onyx Center-Drilled Faceted Ovals
1 Strand Lapis Center-Drilled Faceted Ovals
1 Strand Amazonite Center-Drilled Faceted Ovals
1 Spool Micro C-Lon- Peacock
1 Tassel from Amazonite strand
1 Pkg 6mm/18g Jump Rings- Bright Silver

Using the technique of micro macramé, Janice has create multiple samples to inspire you to create your own bracelets and necklaces. "I pared down the Poetry project to its purest form...2+ square knots between each gemstone. Very simple. When you have such beautiful beads to work with, it's important to allow the ingredients to sing."

Some of the samples are simple, some have a drop or tassel embellishment and one even demonstrates how you can make it wrap double by just adding more knots between each gemstone and introducing other gemstones to create unique patterns.

The best needle to use is the Flexible Eye. The ideal thread is Micro C-Lon. Use GS Hypo Cement to seal the final macramé knots, then use a flush cutter to cut the excess threads after the glue dries. A thread burner can be used to singe the tails.

To lengthen a bracelet, add more macramé knots between each bead. Experiment to calculate the correct ratio for your wrist. When you measure your wrist, keep the tape measure a bit loose; this is not a design you want too tight, so measure just above your wrist.

For the double wrap of Lapis and Green Amethyst, Janice was inspired by the simple ways color and extra knots can both transform a sample and lengthen a design. Approximately 5 full square knots were used between beads. The tassel is an example of recycling as much as you can. Each strand of gemstones comes with tassels on the ends. Janice trimmed the length of one of the tassels and added it with a jump ring. If your tassels are really unruly, just wet the tassel with water and let it dry. To give it a hair cut, use sharp scissors .You can cut when the tassel is wet or dry.

Please join us as our worldwide community gathers on Facebook and YouTube at 10:30am Pacific Time on February 16th, 2022. It’s so much fun to go live with us and bead together! After the live broadcast the video will be available above.

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