Bangle-O-Rama

I think the craze for wrist-to-elbow bangles was restarted by Marina Rios of Fanciful Devices.  She has been making stacks of them and just released a tutorial loaded with hints and inspiration.  She makes wonderful piles of them that look ancient and rustic. Check it out!

Bangle stacks offer a great opportunity to use up the little bits and pieces you have hoarded, and to stretch your imagination with simple techniques such as wrapping or lashing with pretty fabrics or wire.  Think of the acquisitive traveling tribal trader who finds things and cobbles them together, over years of time and grime, and you have the right idea.

This project started with a handful of thrifted bangles, oxidized and then variously wrapped or hitched with sari silk, racked (a nautical knot) with waxed linen, or lashed with wire and beads.

Next, charms were added:  a souvenir scarab, an antique green bead with cap, a frosted jade cross with copper wiring, an ancient spun glass bicone, two-toned bead, and a contemporary sugar-glass bead.

Also, since we associate coins with that gypsy look, a fine old Chinese coin and a coin charm from tribal Afghani jewelry.  And an altered hamsa charm.  And hand-stitched 20s era seed beads.