Updates on Colors for the Dancing Skeleton Jewelry

If you prefer to shy away from the brighter colors, try a combo with Natural Calavera and White Wood Beads. 

 

The White Wood beads are made from natural pangantuon wood, a light weight wood with a light color and even texture, sometimes bleached for more even tone. The color gets a bit darker when worn or can be darken with a light application of a natural oil or wax such as micro crystalline or beeswax.

For the Chinese Knotting Cord, I chose Beige Fine Weight for the legs and Black Extra Fine for the arms and body, and for the neck cord.

I added extra overhand knots for the shoulders and buttocks for the earrings, but omitted the knots for the buttocks for the amulet. I also omitted the overhand knot above the Calavera beads for the amulet. I used the Beige Fine Weight for the square knot closure, even though it is a bit bulky, but no other thinner Chinese Knotting Cord had an exact color match.

 

For this next piece, I made the skeleton fully with the Beige Fine Weight and chose the Beige Medium Weight for a thicker neck cord. A 1.5 mm sterling silver clasp was added to the neck cord.  

For the shambhala bracelet, I chose Beige Fine Weight for the cord that goes through the beads, and Beige Medium Weight for the knotting cord. These white wood beads were rubbed with a light coat of micro crystalline wax to darken them, but just regular wear will darken the white wood a bit over time. Check the previous post for the step by step tutorial to make the Dancing Skeletons. 

Dancing Skeletons DIY Jewelry Tutorial with Calavera "Skull" Beads for Dia De Los Muertos or Halloween

I made many "Huesos Bailando" Dancing Skeleton or Bones earrings, amulets, and bracelets with "Calavera" Skull beads and sold them at the Chico Art Center in conjunction with Dia De Los Muertos exhibits. So here is the tutorial with step by step picture. I hope you will enjoy it.

Dancing skeletons are probably the most iconic and playful symbols of Day of the Dead. They represent a life after death and those who have died engaging in their favorite activities. Since Dia De Los Muertos is now celebrated worldwide, why not make an amulet, or a pair of earrings celebrating this Mexican holiday. Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 2, but festivities in the USA usually starts on October 31 on Halloween.  

Calavera (Skull) Beads
For this project you will need skull beads. The ones I have for sale are made of out of magnesite an off-white soft gemstone with little vein lines often used to imitate turquoise and they are about 13.5 mm long. The magnesite beads are carved, dyed, and stranded on an elastic cord. The strands have 15 beads each and can be worn as bracelets as is. Each strand has 7 beads paired by color, and 1 unique colored bead. The color of the single bead changes from strand to strand. For an amulet, you will need 1 Calavera Skull Bead. 

Preliminary Step

Prior to working with these beads, enlarge the bead hole with a reamer. A large fine point reamer used by hand works well for a few beads, but if you go into production an electric reamer is a nice tool to have on hand. Choices for reamers can be found HERE. Use water as a lubricant and let the diamond reamer enlarge the hole without pushing or forcing the tip in. Doing so will overheat and damage the reamer, and it will loose all of its diamonds. 

Wood Beads
You will also need 6mm round Black Wood or Black Ebony Wood Beads for the amulets and earrings, and 10mm ones for the bracelets. Black Ebony is a bit heavier than the dyed wood beads, but is currently hard to get due to the typhon that just affected the Philipines. For this piece you will need four 6mm wood beads, or two 6mm and two 8mm ones if you would like the boots to be bigger than the hands. Your choice. Get all the beads HERE. 

TOOLS
You will need a macrame board, T-pins, a tapestry needle size 18, a bead reamer, and a thread burner. You can get these tools HERE.

CORD & THREAD
For this piece, you will need about 18 inch of Chinese Knotting Cord New Fine (966 Neon Orange for this example), and about 18 inch of of Chinese Knotting Cord Extra Fine (101 Black for this example), and 12 inch of C-Lon Micro Bead Cord in any color. 

Why 2 different sizes Chinese Knotting Cord? I like the arms to be a bit thinner than the legs... and I have all the choices on hand. However, if you prefer using one size only, go for the New Fine and Fine sizes. 

STEP BY STEP

Step 1. Make a self needle with the Micro cord with beeswax. Join both end of the Micro cord and pull along the Chinese Knotting Cord though the hole. Self needle instructions can be found HERE. 

Step 2. Pull the cord though the bead. If it does not go through easily, ream the bead hole again with bead reamer. 

Step 3. Make an overhand knot for the amulet. An overhand knot is when you fold a cord over itself and go through the loop. Skip this step for the earrings and attach the earring finding here.

Step 4. Pull the bead up. 

Step 5. With T-pins, attach the loop to the bottom of the macrame board, and the cord ends at the top using a slip knot, or if it reaches insert it into one of the slots. 

Step 6. With the tapestry needles attached to one of the black cord end, start a square knot. This shows the first half of the square knot. 

Step 7. Tie 3 square knots with the black cord over the orange cord. 

Step 8. Melt the ends of the cords with the thread burner into points and string the 6mm beads onto the cords. Or if you prefer you can use 6mm ones for the hands/gloves and 8mm ones for the boots. Clear the bead holes if needed with the large T-pin or the tapestry needle.

About thread burners: They are safer and more precise than lighters, and as lighters, they are not intended for use by children.

Step 9. Tie an overhand knots. 

About the next two steps: If this is the very first time you do these steps, practice first on a spare cord. 

Step 10. With a thread burner, cut the cord 1 to 2 mm away for the overhand knot. 

Step 11. Melt the end right into the knot. Smooth the melted end either with your fingers if they are heat resistant, or with the cap of the burner.  

Step 12. Repeat Steps 10 and 11 for the 3 other cords. 

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS

Add a necklace cord: Check this video.

Add an extra overhand knots... for the shoulders... and for the buttocks too at Step 7. See neckpiece below for all the extra knots. As I made more and more pieces last year, I found myself adding little touches... 

Make earrings: At Step 3, add the earring findings using pliers to open the loop and close it back once the cord in inserted into the earring loop. Skip the overhand knot. At Step 4, pull the bead up leaving a small loop. The Chinese Knotting Cord colors are 546 Cyan in New Fine Weight and Black Extra Fine.

I really like leverbacks made out of sterling silver, or gold filled for these earrings. Many lower quality findings have nickel in them and bother my ears. You can find these leverbacks HERE. 

Make Shambhala bracelets: Use 10mm and 6mm Black Ebony Wood Beads. I have also made them as shown here with 5 Calavera Beads, and 6 x 10mm and 2 x 6mm Black Ebony  Beads, or with 3 Calavera beads and 8 x 10mm beads, with 2 x 6mm beads at the end of the slide pulls. 

If you need instructions on how to make Shambala bracelets, go HERE. 

Try a neckpiece... like this one, if you are more ambitious, with 9 hanging skeletons in the front strung in between 10mm ebony beads, plus 2 more as back drops. 

I had fun with the Chinese Knotting Cord colors for this neckpiece, alternating colors such as a green torso for the orange skull. I made it last year especially for the Dia De Los Muertos exhibit at the Chico Art Center. It sold at the show and I have not made another one since...  so it is a one-of-a-kind. 

Upon request I just made kit bags with all the supplies to make the neckpiece and a pair of earring, plus a few charms with leftover supplies. A 19 page tutorial for this necklace comes with the kit and is also available by itself. I thought I would just write a one page printed set of directions, but truly I did not have the words to explain all the steps, so now it is a full step by step tutorial HERE. 

Check the next post for more color suggestions and combinations with White Wood Beads. 

Woven Bracelets - Straw Weaving Method

Woven bracelets made with the straw weaving method are easy to make and fun to wear.

As to fiber choices for weaving cuff bracelets, linen was my first choice as it stays cool even in hot weather and linen is incredibly strong and long lasting. The linen I ended up choosing is grown in Normandy, wet spun in Belgium, and available in Natural and Bleached White, plus in many multi ombré colors hand dyed in the USA. A few tonal and solid colors are available as well. 

In addition to the colors options shown on the video, lots of new colors are now available:

Copper Canyon Fil de Lin and Rich Silver Metallic Twisted Cord

Marina Variations Fil de Lin and Rich Silver Metallic Twisted Cord

Light Peacock Fil de Lin and Light Aurora Borealis Metallic Twisted Cord

Snowberry Fil de Lin and Rich Silver Metallic Twisted Cord

More vivid colors are also available and the linen yarn can also be used for multi stand bracelets, and bead crochet bracelets...

Cha Cha Fil de Lin and Dark Aurora Borealis Metallic Twisted Cord

Samba Fil de Lin with Rich Gold Metallic Cord or Copper Metallic Braided Cord

Check the tutorial and get a starter kit HERE.

Check the linen yarn options HERE.

2020 Pantone Spring/Summer Fashion Colors Compared with C-Lon Bead Cord Colors

Spring/Summer 2020 NY Fashion Week Color Palette

“Combining our desire for stability, creativity, and more spontaneous design approaches, the color palette for Spring/Summer 2020 infuses heritage and tradition with a colorful youthful update that creates strong multi-colored combinations as well as energizing and optimistic pairings,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Flame Scarlet –> C-Lon - Shanghai Red
Saffron –>  C-Lon - Marigold
Classic Blue –> C-Lon - Navy or Indigo - This is the Pantone 2020 Color of the Year. See post HERE. 
Biscay Green –> C-Lon - Ice Blue 

Chive –> C-Lon - Green Olive
Faded Denim –>  C-Lon - Light Blue
Orange Peel –> C-Lon - Popsicle Orange
Mosaic Blue –> C-Lon - Caribbean Blue 

Sunlight –> Wheat
Coral Pink –>  C-Lon - Pink Lemonade or Chinese Coral
Cinnamon Stick –> C-Lon - Sienna
Grape Compote –> C-Lon - Purple 

Spring/Summer 2020 Classics 

Versatile and naturally sophisticated, these neutral hues serve as singular color statements or as a foundation for playful color contrasts with the colors seen above. 

Lark –> C-Lon - Dark Tan or Chestnut
Navy Blazer –>  C-Lon - Navy
Brilliant White –> C-Lon - White
Ash –> C-Lon - Cocoa

> C-Lon Bead Cord

Cleaning and Restoring C-Lon Bead Cord Jewelry

This is one of the bracelet I kept for my personal collection. It is a Multi Strand Bracelet with a square knot slide closure made with C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cord and 4mm Titanium Coated Rainbow Hematite Beads. I wear it a lot, it's colorful and fun to wear. A few weeks ago while vacuuming my room, I heard a bunch of clinks... that sounded like beads being vacuumed up...

Sure enough, when I emptied the vacuum in a garbage bag,

the bracelet was there... but is was filthy. 

Cleaning Steps 

Wash the piece with soap and warm water,

and rinse it under running water. 

Let the piece dry on a clean towel.

Now it's ready to wear. 

If after you wash it, you still notice that the cord is a bit greyed out, or clouded over, or you see some whitening of the cord especially noticeable on darker cord, then cleaning is not enough, add the restoration step. 

Restoration for Bonded Nylon Cord

For all C-Lon Bead Cord (all 4 sizes), Tuff Bead Cord, D&E Bonded Nylon, or any of the older brands of bonded nylon #18 such as Conso or Mastex. 

Take some isopropyl alcohol, soak it in a lint free cloth such as an eyeglasses cleaning cloth, rub the cord, and let it dry. Make sure to lay the piece in its proper position as this also blocks the piece. 

This final step with the alcohol restore the bond transparency and the restore cord memory. The bond is softened by the alcohol and dries again fully transparent once the alcohol evaporates. The cord will naturally return to the position it had when the alcohol dried.  

Bond - What is it? The bond is a polymer clear coat added to the cord after the nylon fibers have been dyed and twisted into a 3-ply cord. The coated cord is baked in ovens. Quality control is important along this process. A properly applied bond adds a clear coat that holds the fiber together and make the cord abrasion resistant.  

I usually do not vacuum my jewelry, this was a first time event, and the perfect incentive to share and illustrate the cleaning process.  These are the steps I take when cleaning my personal jewelry, or when someone send me a piece for repair that needs it too. 

Interested in making this bracelet? > Multi Strand Bracelets

Pantone Color of the Year 2020 compared to C-Lon Bead Cord and More

CLASSIC BLUE - The 2020 Pantone Color of the Year

Calm and confident, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.

PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is a poised and self-assured blue hue, elegant in its simplicity.  Genderless in outlook and seasonless in endurance, this foundational anchor shade enables color mixes throughout the spectrum, yet at the same time, makes a strong statement on its own.

As to matches...

C-Lon Bead Cord: Try IND Indigo or the darker N Navy
> C-Lon Bead Cord (Standard - 0.5mm Ø)
> C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cord (Heavyweight - 0.9mm Ø)
> C-Lon Fine Weight Bead Cord Tex 135 (0.4mm Ø)


Chinese Knotting Cord: Try 516-Lapis, 517-Washed Navy, 518-Midnight, or 519 Deep Navy. > Chinese Knotting Cord

Silks for Tassels: Try the Kanagawa 1000 Denier Silk Color KNK-153 and KNK-150
> Kanagawa and Fujix Tire Silks

Multi Strand Bracelets Variations - Rules are Made to be Broken

I have been enjoying making these bracelets. There are so many possibilities... as to beads and cord colors... And the pattern can be changed, rules are made to be broken. Here are some variations showing what's possible and how to deal with unanticipated occurrences.

When I first encountered etched beads, I was not sure if I would like them... I have since fallen in love with them. However I encountered a challenge: the bead holes of the etched beads are larger than most other Czech Fire Polished Beads, and the beads were sliding around the C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cord... But hey I still wanted to work them into the design... The solution was to frame the larger holes etched beads with other beads with smaller holes.

This bracelet is made with 4mm Czech Fire Polished beads, Etched Gold Ore and Indigo Gold Ore. The etched gold ore beads were a bit loose on the C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cord, so to keep them from sliding around I boxed them in with the Indigo Gold Ore beads. Some of the cords have 3 beads, 1 Etched Gold Ore in the middle with one Indigo Gold Ore on each side, keeping the beads in place. Other cords have 5 beads, 3 Etched Gold Ore in the middle with one Indigo Gold Ore on each side.

The C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cord colors are AGO Antique Gold, IND Indigo, and GR Grey.

This next bracelet is a variation of the bracelet shown above with NK Nickel instead for GR Grey and added beads, Etched Argento, also with larger holes, surrounded and blocked by Crystal Argento. The Etched Argento and Crystal Argento beads are loaded onto the Nickel cord. The Etched Gold Ore and Indigo Gold Ore ones are loaded onto the Antique Gold and Indigo C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cords.

Other options I like: 6 cords with 3 beads, 3 cords with 3 sets of 3 beads, so 9 beads altogether. 

For more info on these bracelets, go to the previous post. 

Find the beads listed here –> 4mm Czech Fire Polished Beads