Sunday, April 27, 2008

"Four-in-One" Pipa Bracelet

Wire wrapped Four-in-One" Pipa Focal"Four-in-One" Pipa Focal in the making
Close up of the Wire wrapped Four-in-One" Pipa Focal"Four-in-One" Pipa Focal in the making
Wire wrapped Four-in-One" Pipa Focal braceletDone! - "Four-in-One" Pipa Bracelet
Wire wrapped Four-in-One" Pipa Focal braceletI made it finally! And I am very happy and pleased with myself today as not only have I made a "four-in-one" Pipa focal for the bracelet, but I made a "Pipa Clasp" as well. Love it! I used one piece of 20ga stainless steel wire to make all four pipas . Yeah! Only one piece of wire, so that all four pipas are connected to each other. All four pipas are almost perfect except for one. I ran out of wire for the last pipa. As such, I only managed to coil twice instead of three times :) for the last one. Do you notice that? But that is the beauty of handcrafted pretties....the imperfection....... ..........just trying to find excuses here! :). My fingers are quite sore from the twisting. 20ga stainless steel wire is a bit tough for this wrap but it look nicer compared to thinner wires. Stones are 6mm faceted amethyst as well as a couple of freshwater pearls for the center. The focal measures about 3cm x 3cm and the length of the bracelet is about 19cm or 7.5 in. As for the Pipa clasp (this is my favorite part of the bracelet), I used 22ga stainless steel wire and a piece of freshwater pearl.
Wire wrapped Pipa Clasp with pearlPipa Clasp
side view of the Wire wrapped Pipa Clasp with pearlPipa Clasp Side View
The idea for this piece have been in my head for a long while, ever since I was introduced to this Pipa Wired Chinese Knot by Corra of decorshandmades.blogspot.com. Well not that long...about a month or so ago. Feels like a long time ago though....hmm wonder why?

20 comments:

  1. Lovely bracelet! Looks amazing! And indeed the clasp is the best part of it! You're getting better everytime I visit your blog! ^__^

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  2. Thanks Bell. It's nice to hear from you. Yey! I love the clasp.

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  3. I love this bracelet. I ordered the PIPA knot tutorial, and now you have me anxious to get started. It will have to wait until after next week though.
    I really love what you've been creating!

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  4. Mei, LOVED This piece! You finally execute the project, its been so long!!!! :D Very very nice!!!!

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  5. cannot say aything..too surprise when u come out with this design...very2 nice...i do really luv this one very much...u had come out with new technic of PIPA knot

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  6. Mary, don't wait too long. This knot is really versatile. There are lots of design you can explore once you get a hang of it.

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  7. Corra! Corra! thanks for sharing this technique. Completing this piece is like a dream come true :) Not that longlah....about a month only. There are more ideas coming...:)

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  8. Yati, I am glad you like this design. I love this design and Pipa Knot too. How have you been? Busy?

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  9. Love the bracelet, and the sparkly rings too! Great pieces

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  10. Congratulations Mei! That's a wonderful Pipa invention. I love the bracelet - you are so inventive.

    Diana
    www.artyoucanwear.blogspot.com
    www.dianakirkpatrick.com

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  11. Thank you Diana for dropping by and leaving me a comment.

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  12. Wa.... Mei that's fantastic I love your work:))

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  13. Ooooooooh Mei, this is BEAUTIFUL. You made it so well! And the rest of your stuff has been looking so good - not been able to catch up this week because my net access has been dead for 6 days (grrr).

    Will catch up with you when I get back from Singapore ya? :)

    --Shuku

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  14. This is a lovely bracelet, an inspiring design and you have have made it beautifully.

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  15. Thanks you Lori and Fran for your visits and comments.

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  16. Ah! Shuku, Good to hear from you. Just got back this evening fm Bintulu and been busy. Catching up with mails and postings. Hope your computer connection is back to life. :)

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  17. Hi Clare! Been a while. Nice to hear from you. Busy ya?
    Thank you for dropping by. Cheers!

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  18. Lovely jewelry shop Or. Would love to own one such shop one day :P

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