Stretchy Rings

[RoseRaduro]

Ok I know the hot trend is these big cocktail rings that are made with a stretchy band.

Not being much of a seed beader, but willing to take the plunge into trying out this design- does anyone have a resource to a How-to project on stretchy rings?
Thanks,
Rose

[amoro]

I've never seen this before, can you show us some  photo?

[Polly]

Hi Rose,

We don't have a project like that, but I have been seeing them in beading magazines recently.
I did a google search for "stretchy cocktail ring project" and got a few results that seemed ok.

And then I did a search for "seed bead cocktail ring project" and one of the sites I tried to check out tried to hijack my browser and tell me I had malware - I didn't click on the warning window since that's usually a trick. Instead I did Ctrl+alt+del and end tasked. Unfortunately, when I re-opened my browser the malware "warning" was there again! Re-installing FireFox (using IE to download and install it) did the trick.

So ... there are instructions out there, but be careful about which sites you click on!  Make sure they have a reasonable jewelry-related website name.

[RoseRaduro]

I've never seen this before, can you show us some  photo?

Amoro,
I don't have any photos, but you can go to http://www.chicos.com and look under jewelry and you will see some great photos of stretchy rings.
-Rose

[RoseRaduro]

Hi Rose,

We don't have a project like that, but I have been seeing them in beading magazines recently.
I did a google search for "stretchy cocktail ring project" and got a few results that seemed ok.

And then I did a search for "seed bead cocktail ring project" and one of the sites I tried to check out tried to hijack my browser and tell me I had malware - I didn't click on the warning window since that's usually a trick. Instead I did Ctrl+alt+del and end tasked. Unfortunately, when I re-opened my browser the malware "warning" was there again! Re-installing FireFox (using IE to download and install it) did the trick.

So ... there are instructions out there, but be careful about which sites you click on!  Make sure they have a reasonable jewelry-related website name.

Yikes! Thanks for the heads up! I will be careful.
-Rose

[Polly]

Hi Rose,

Silly me, when I mentioned the designs I've seen in beading magazines recently, I should have suggesting signing up for their e-newsletters. A few beading magazine newsletters you can sign up for:
http://www.beadingdaily.com
http://www.beadstylemag.com
http://www.beadandbutton.com

Beading Daily sends theirs ... well ... daily!  So it's a lot for your in box, but if you can filter them so they go into a subfolder to look at when you have time, you'll frequently find you have a project hiding in there that is exactly what you wanted to try.

There are many more - anyone (including the publishers) please feel free to post additional favorites!

Also, if you create an account at these sites, you might find projects that suit your needs, and which are available only for registered members.

[kaycee]

Even I was unaware of these rings. Tried to find out in the Link provided but couldn't find them. 

[JoeH]

We have a "stretchy" ring in the works.  Our ring will have a 10mmx12mm pad so you can either glue or bead to the pad.  The stretchy rings will come in white, yellow, silver plate, antique brass, antique copper and gunmetal. We'll have the rings in our line store soon.

[belfrybeads]

What I would like to see thought, if I may put in my two cents, is just the two-hole beads that make up the band for sale.  I've looked at a number of different vendors, and I can't find just the beads that make up the band for sale.  Or maybe, the pre-made rings with a circular screened pad on them, like a brooch screen.   

[Polly]

Hi Belfry,

We're working on that 2-hole bead component. So far, we're having a "lost in translation" issue trying to get JUST that part, but hopefully the kinks will get worked out soon!  We're also trying to get a few nice variants, not sure if the mesh idea was in the queue, but I let our buyers know that you're interested in a style like that.

[belfrybeads]

That would be excellent.  I think having access to just the beads would definitely free up the creative options for people looking to make rings.  I have never been a big fan of the "adjustable" ones, so this would be much cooler.

[Sharon in KY]

I have made some stretchy rings although not exactly like your talking about. My daughter-in-law had one and I just had to make some for myself with the same ideal. Started looking online and found instruction on You-Tube and
a few people that made them on Etsy, http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=stretch+rings&search_submit=&search_type=category&category=jewelry , I don't think mine is sturdy enough to wear all the time and wish
If I knew of a very strong stretch string and the right glue to use. The trick is to find a bead to hide the knot. I have had to redo cause the knot just wouldn't fit.

[Polly]

Thanks Sharon, that Etsy link does an excellent job showing the variety of stretchy rings that people are making - from simple to extravagantly blingy.

Rose, Belfry, we were successful in getting a stretchy-ring component for making some of the more extravagant designs. We weren't able (yet) to get just the 2-hole beads, but we do have a nice (big) stretchy ring base.

Editing to add: I should mention that we do also sell stretchy cord that works nicely for these.  Supplemax is tougher, a little thicker, but doesn't stretch as much. I would recommend it for rings. Gossamer Floss stretches more, and I think is better for bracelets than rings.