Watercolor Paper Bracelet - Open
The Watercolor Paper Bracelet is a uniquely original and beautiful jewelry object to create, and I have developed a variety of bracelet types based on different structural designs.
The type that I am featuring in today’s discussion is particularly nice because of its flexibility and ease of size adjustment. The bracelet itself is made up of unit forms that are interconnected with a cord. The cord can be any material of your choice, as long as it is fairly strong. Because the bracelet consists of smaller, interconnected unit forms, it is easily sized to fit any wrist, and the interconnection of its unit shapes with a flexible cord makes it comfortable to wear.
Watercolor Paper Bracelet - Closed
Although I used a simple rectangular form for the basic unit shapes of the bracelet that you see illustrated here, there is absolutely no limit to the design possibilities for the braclet’s interconnected shapes. When designing the bracelet, I encourage you to look at nature for inspiration, the shapes of flowers, stones on the beach - we are surrounded by the raw material for one’s imagination to build upon!
Also, look at the work of other artists. I particularly like artists of the early 20th century. Joan Miro is one of my favorites; in his paintings he created wonderful forms that can easily be translated into shapes for jewelry. See one of his works here at the Museum of Modern Art website – http://www.moma.org/collection/object.php?object_id=33050
Sometime during May I’ll be releasing a video on how to make this bracelet.
A word about the tools that I use: when I construct my jewelry I often use professional jewelry equipment and tools, but improvised tools can work just as well.
This bracelet requires each individual unit form to be given a slight curve, and to accomplish this I use a bracelet mandrel. A bracelet mandrel is a conical shaped steel forming tool that approximates the shape of the human wrist, and is excellent to use when making bracelets.
Bracelet Mandrel
Professional tools can be expensive, therefore I always try to introduce my students to solutions that employ readily available materials and improvised tools. Improvised tools often work as well as expensive professional versions, but are easy to come by (often lying around the house) and cost nothing. To achieve the slight curve in each unit form of this bracelet, a coffee mug or a length of plastic pipe would have worked just as well as the expensive bracelet mandrel. Watch for my new video coming up soon for a step-by-step guide in making this bracelet!
Bracelet Pipe
Other videos you might like:
Watercolor Paper Pendant: The Channel Part 2
How to Paint the Red Hibiscus Flower Part 1
Hi Ross,
I really enjoyed the video where you painted the hibiscus. I still plan to purchase that bottle you used and kindly told me where to find it. I have a nice photo of one in front of a brick wall with sun hitting it.
You are such a talented teacher that I’m wondering if you’re going to put another video on youtube showing you painting a watercolor painting. I keep looking.
When I get my project room organized and aren’t working so much, I may try one of your jewelry ideas with a sheet of watercolor that I was playing around with. You can glue together painted pieces, right? Good way to use up those projects that didn’t quite work out by putting them under the painted top. I like to be frugal and recycle.
Thanks again. You really are very talented and one of these days when I’m better organized and not working so much I’m definitely going to try them, even the wire jewelry. You are very inspiring!
Thanks, Louanne
Hi Louanne,
I’m in the process of working on a new watercolor painting video which should be available sometime in June. I actually am planning an entire series of flower watercolor videos that will be released throughout this year. Your photo with the hibiscus in front of the brick sounds like an excellent image! Please keep painting, and thanks for your comments!
-Ross Barbera
Hi Ross, the design is so right – a simple clasp using what is already there. And, of course, such lovely art work. I really like it.
Regards Eileen
Scotland
Hi Eileen,
I plan to release the new watercolor paper bracelet video within the next week. I’ve enjoyed this project very much, and hope you will too!
-Ross
Hey,
Its a really nice piece…love the colors used…waiting for the video…
Great Work….
Hi Nishtha,
The new watercolor paper bracelet video that I’ll release next week will demonstrate the standard painting technique that I’ve used in my other watercolor paper jewelry videos. The bracelet pictured here utilizes an option of this process, whereby banana paper is lightly stained and used as the top layer. For those who might be interested in this option, I’ll release a short, supplementary video showing how to create this version too.
Thanks for your comments!
-Ross Barbera
Hi Ross, in the past days i was hypnotized by the jewelry that you do. But since i am new in all this, i have one little question: how does watercolor paper jewelry behave in the rain, or in the shower, if the person decides to wear it in the shower or if it rains while she wears this items?
Thank you very much
Hi Anna,
Thank for your comments. Watercolor paper jewelry is quite impervious to water, but I don’t recommend that it get soaking wet. I definitely would not bring it in the shower; although a pendant ended up in the wash once with no damage!
-Ross Barbera
I see, what if i put the watercolor paper in resin? I think that in this case there will be no problem regarding getting soaking wet
Although I never like using resin due to its toxicity, it would effectively seal it from any moisture infiltration. Thanks for your question.
-Ross Barbera