Upscaling Inpiration: Wooden Bead Bracelets

I’ve always been a strong proponent for sustainable living, therefore the idea of a project focused on reusing material excites me. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to do for the Upscale project, and I’ve landed on the idea of making my own wooden beads for bracelets. It may be biting off more than I can chew (I’m not exactly a wood-worker) but I’m excited to challenge myself with a new art form.

My plan is to try both lathe and hand-carved methods for making beads. The ITLL shop had some wood scraps laying around and I was able to get some Birch wood (if I remember correctly) which should be suitable to turn on a lathe. Luckily, wood is much softer than metal. This means it should be easy to cut through, although making small objects is more of a challenge.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1200&bih=650&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=2lYyXrWdLciUtAbrwYLYAg&q=friendship+bracelet+white&oq=friendship+bracelet+white&gs_l=img.3..0i5i30j0i8i30l6j0i24.22240.22701..22806…1.0..0.86.423.8……0….1..gws-wiz-img…….0i67j0.jciaQtrxWQg&ved=0ahUKEwi18qzuuarnAhVICs0KHeugACsQ4dUDCAc&uact=5#imgrc=7Ia07aiX_KUNWM:

I also have some skills making friendship bracelets, so I’m hoping to repurpose some old string so the actual bands. I think white string and wood will look nice aesthetically, so I’m hoping to wear the bracelets after I finish them.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1200&bih=650&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=tVYyXuWPDZXdtQbI9biQCg&q=wooden+beads&oq=wooden+beads&gs_l=img.3..0l10.6048.6048..6248…0.0..0.81.208.4……0….1..gws-wiz-img.MvjYpcsbR6U&ved=0ahUKEwilvrrcuarnAhWVbs0KHcg6DqIQ4dUDCAc&uact=5#imgrc=IevKZUg5CZ-rKM:

I’m going to try and experiment with different shaped beads as well. I imagine longer beads will be easier to turn on a lathe, where spherical beads will be more difficult to form. First, I’ll cut the wood into appropriate rectangular sizes and drill the center holes. Then I’ll turn each piece on the lathe and use different tools, such as files and wire, to shape the beads and add unique designs. I’ve already found some inspiration here: https://www.beadinggem.com/2016/09/how-to-make-your-own-wooden-beads.html and am hoping to follow their tutorial.

I’m a bit nervous as I’ve never done any wood-working before, as I mentioned earlier. I’m hoping to learn a few new skills and I know for a fact I’ll come out of the project with some serious respect for those skilled on a wood-lathe, as well as DIY jewelers in general.

https://www.beadinggem.com/2016/09/how-to-make-your-own-wooden-beads.html

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1200&bih=650&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=tVYyXuWPDZXdtQbI9biQCg&q=wooden+beads&oq=wooden+beads&gs_l=img.3..0l10.6048.6048..6248…0.0..0.81.208.4……0….1..gws-wiz-img.MvjYpcsbR6U&ved=0ahUKEwilvrrcuarnAhWVbs0KHcg6DqIQ4dUDCAc&uact=5#imgrc=JEWERro9XhVFKM: