Bangle-icious

I have stepped into the exciting-ness of making bangles. I have wanted to for a LONG time. But always afraid of the whole SIZE thing. What size to make? I then just decided no more thinking just DO IT!!
This is my first one and have many more to come:So to help myself and my customers I have done some research on fitting a bangle. The best and easiest way to measure for your enamel bangle is to measure a bangle that fits you and you love. You have the measure the inside diameter (distance from side to side). I have also found other info and instead or rewriting what I have learned I am just going to list what I have found and give credit.
I have found the best info on Ying Yu Jade website How to measure for a jade bangle. Since they are very close in type and delicacy I thought it was a perfect match for an enameled bangle.

Here are some methods for finding your correct size bangle when you cannot try it on first.
If you wear your bangle close to your wrist, it will not "clunk around" as much as a larger one will. This is important if you plan to wear it all the time. If you really like the feel of a big bangle that easily slips over your hand, then consider purchasing one that you will wear only for special occasions.
Also consider wearing your bangle on your non-dominant hand. For example, if you are right handed, wear it on your left hand because you don't use that hand as often and it will receive less abuse. I didn't like my bangle clunking against my watch, so I now wear my watch on my right wrist.
The easiest way to find your bangle size is to decide which wrist you will wear your bangle. Place your hand on a flat surface. Then measure between the highest points, which are the middle of of the knuckle, of your first and fourth knuckles. This is your bangle size. See illustration below. This shows the points on your knuckle you should measure between. When you measure. place your hand FLAT on a flat surface, then measure the distance between the points.
Another method is using a measuring tape to measure your hand . Squeeze your hand together TIGHT. Measure the widest part of the hand The average size is about 7" - 8.0"THEN, when you think you know your size, take a piece of cardboard or a plastic lid (for example a yogurt container, or coffee can lid) and with a ruler draw a line the diameter of the bangle you think will fit. Cut a round circle and put your hand through it. This will give you a better idea how it will fit.

Video on how to put on and remove a well fitted tight bangle.

Other Tips on How to Put on a well fitted Bangle.

Apply lotion to your hand. Use as much as needed! Your hands will become more flexible over time.

Loosen up your hand by giving yourself a quick hand massage (or better yet, have someone else give you a hand massage!). Apply more lotion if needed.

Hold your hand up VERTICAL from the floor and do not stiffen your hand. The key to putting on a bangle is keeping a loose flexible hand. If you keep your arm down in a horizontal position, the bangles will be more difficult to get on (the blood flows to your hand making it swell slightly).

Think of moving your hand through the bangles rather than moving the bangles over your hand.

I think that might be everything you need to know. Please let me know if there is any confusion. Michelle Teka and Zoe

Are you thinking about Fall yet?

It seems impossible to think about fall colors yet....But here we are early July and the fall color fashion report is out for Fall of 2009. My local artisan gallery here in town is already talking about fall plans. It is funny I was just thinking the other day while enameling how was I going to get into the swing of the fall seasons..drab colors??? eecck! Then I saw the Pantone color report and was excited and inspired.
See the full report here in pdf form: Pantone Fall 2009 Color Report.
Fantastic colors...I must get enameling.
Michelle Mahler Teka and Zoe and TekaandZoe.etsy.com

American Beauty

Purple Heart

Honey Yellow

Iron

Burnt Sienna

Nomad

Rapture Rose

Warm Olive

Majolica Blue

Crème Brûlee

Pantone Selects Colors for Spring 2008

Designers Dive into Color for Spring

Refreshing splashes of invigorating brights punctuate classic, versatile neutrals as designers offer a playful spring palette for endless exploration and creative combinations. Variations on popular colors such as energizing red, cool, waterborne blue and eco-friendly greens also play a key role this season.

“The spring ‘08 color palette perfectly reflects the cheerfulness of the season,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Stabilizing neutrals combined with pops of brighter colors to create unique, distinctive looks are the basis for a great spring and summer wardrobe.”

The top 10 spring 2008 colors for women:
Snorkel Blue (PANTONE 19-4049)
Freesia (PANTONE 14-0852)
Daiquiri Green (PANTONE 12-0435)
Croissant (PANTONE 16-0924)
Rococco Red (PANTONE 18-1652)
Silver Gray (PANTONE 14-0000)
Spring Crocus (PANTONE 17-3020)
Cantaloupe (PANTONE 15-1239)
Pink Mist (PANTONE 13-2805)
Golden Olive (PANTONE 16-0639)

Reds, Purples and Pinks
Spring Crocus is one of the most wearable and prettiest hues as it mixes pinkish lavender and soft purple.
Pink Mist is a cool, crisp shade of lavender pink, very subtle and flattering.
Cantaloupe is a warm, soft peachy pink, reminiscent of soft rose petals.
Rococco Red is an exciting and invigorating pinkish red, which blends boldly with other pinks and purples.
Greens and Blues
Daiquiri Green a subtle earth-tone, soft and gentle like the first buds of spring. An elegant pastel minty-green that compliments one of the season’s keynote colors Silver Gray.
Snorkel Blue is an energetic bolder blue, providing warmth and sophistication.
Yellows and Browns
Freesia, exactly as the name suggests, mirrors the bold yellow vibrance of the freesia flower. Cheerful and friendly, this browny yellow is uplifting and inviting.
Golden Olive needs no introduction. Soft pastel mixes of greens and browns suits most skin tones. The color of this almost-ripe Mediterranean olive provides a sound base for this season's creations.
Keynote Color
Silver Gray, soft subtle and versatile, flattering and elegant, this keynote color replaces the harsh black of the winter. Perfect for the transparent fabrics which designers favor for spring. Reflecting a natural hue found in mother-nature’s garden Silver Gray is the color of fur, pebbles and springtime clouds.

You can view the full report here: Spring 2008 as a pdf file

Pantone Selects Color of the Year for 2008

Pantone Selects Color of the Year for 2008:PANTONE® 18-3943 BLUE IRIS A Multifaceted Hue Reflecting the Complexity of the World that Surrounds Us

CARLSTADT, N.J., Dec. 10, 2007 - Pantone, Inc., the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, selected PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris, a beautifully balanced blue-purple, as the color of the year for 2008. Combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple, Blue Iris satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement.
"From a color forecasting perspective, we have chosen PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris as the color of the year, as it best represents color direction in 2008 for fashion, cosmetics and home products," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "As a reflection of the times, Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic. Look for it artfully combined with deeper plums, red-browns, yellow-greens, grapes and grays."

Fall Color Forcast

Complex and exotic describe the intriguingly unusual and inviting color palette for fall ’07. The traditional neutral shades expected for autumn have been replaced this season with rich, nuanced hues, offering more opportunity for creativity with interesting and unexpected color combinations.

Here are a pair of Earrings that fit that color Palette.
My first using Gold Filled. They are1-1/4" total length. Clustered stones in green/gold colors: Vesuvianite, Grossular Garnet, Swarovski crystal and Peridot. All hanging from gold filled french ear wires. You can find them on my website.