Bead Bracelet Patterns

Fashion designers wear Detroit spirit on sleeves

A growing number of high-profile Metro Detroiters are trying to capitalize on the Motor City's rising reputation for being cool by offering Detroit-themed fashion nationwide and internationally.

Denise Ilitch is the latest Detroit designer to embrace the Made in Michigan theme, preparing to launch more jewelry and apparel next month from her Birmingham-based Denise Ilitch Designs.

And Joe Faris of "Project Runway" cable television fame plans to bring his own line of "industrial couture" clothing to stores Aug. 1, joining Romeo native Kid Rock in the ranks of pro-Detroit marketers.

Though Detroit has made international news with its economic, political and pro football woes, the fashion resurgence shows "no place is just its headlines," said Birmingham-based brand consultant Mark Lantz.

"This new surge in Detroit spirit — particularly as it reaches beyond the hometown audience — is a way of putting the other side of the story out there," he said.

"When you buy a new Mac or iPad or iPod or whatever," Lantz said, "somewhere on the packaging when you first open it is the same five word sentence: 'Designed by Apple in California.' Not just 'Designed by Apple,' but 'Designed by Apple in California.' That's the kind of attitude we need more of in Detroit."

Detroit is home to Ilitch, whose family owns Little Caesars Pizza, MotorCity Casino Hotel as well as the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. Denise Ilitch Designs (DID) sells $25 graffiti-splashed Detroit logo T-shirts alongside $1,150 drusy and mother of pearl sterling silver bracelets — both designed by Ilitch herself — in the front of the office where she co-publishes Ambassador magazine.

DID has gained attention from Metro Detroit's fashion-forward since launching in 2005, but the company is trying to grow nationally, reaching out to Detroit expatriates in cities from New York to Los Angeles to market the MotorCity-themed clothing line.

The company has focused on word-of-mouth marketing and is featured in fashion spreads in Ilitch's Ambassador magazine.

But "there is always potential for an international market," she said. "With the growth of social media and the Internet, the world becomes much smaller."

Ilitch is expanding her line of clothing and jewelry next month with the arrival of Detroit-themed charms, including the Olde English Detroit Tigers "D" and the Red Wings' octopus mascot. There also will be a collection of 20 scarves, ranging from a $35 gauze shawl to a $400 hand-beaded gold lamé wrap.

seed beads, bracelet patterns, pattern program, moose pattern

Some common seed bead stitch names are peyote (odd and even count), right angle weave, netting, etc. What you do with those stitches are endless. Once you have the basic stitch down, you can get more and more elaborate. There are a couple of free online catalogs and some places that have patterns for free or purchase. My favorite is http://www.bead-patterns.com

I have been looking for several days for a seed bead bracelet pattern, nothing fancy, just one like this http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.223585266.jpg I have only been able to find complicated ones. I would like to be able to make my own, I know you can buy bracelets like this, but I want the pattern to do it myself!! And to be able to do different letters and all that. When I was young I used to make animals that I think use the same basic concept.

It looks like it is flat Peyote stitch work. Look on line for instructions. It will seem difficult at first but will work out. It might be easier to start out with by making a simple loom to work off of. There is lots of patterns for looms online.

But check http://www.bead-patterns.com to see if they have instructions for letters available, then you could see if you can draw your own using one of these bead pattern programs:

I went to a craft fair today and saw these beautiful beaded bracelets which the lady told me were basic seed bead bracelet patterns .

Can anyone tell me how to make one – Ii just want to use these really pretty pink beads I found) ? Or send me the link to a website that has easy instructions? I haven’t done much beading but thought it might be a fun crafty idea to try.

Peyote stitch would be a good one to use. So if you don’t want a “pattern” any peyote primer would give you the basics.

The latest copy of Bead and Button magazine would have the basic technique, as would the latest issue of nearly any beading publication. You might also check your local library for books that may include peyote. There are also videos available on youtube that teach this stitch.

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