topic Re: Seed bead cuff in Linea by Louis Dell'Olio

Seed bead cuff

2zbeach — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 19:17:12 GMT

i received my seed bead cuff today in blue. I took a chance that it would fit. Well, it didn’t. My wrist is a tad under 6 inches (5 3/4 and 5 7/8) and the cuff is way too big despite being an average. It turned almost immediately so the opening was facing up. I even tried the “visasqueeze”! ( If you are a longtime Ripkanista,you’ll remember this!). However, the cuff just sprung back into shape! ( very well designed and executed). I am not returning just yet.....trying to think of some way to make it smaller! If you have an idea to remedy my problem,I am all ears!

Re: Seed bead cuff

saltysails — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 19:25:04 GMT

How about an ankle cuff?

Re: Seed bead cuff

Somertime — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 19:56:27 GMT

2zbeach, Louis had said on his blog that if you have a small wrist, do not purchase the seed bead cuff. He even mentioned that there is no way to be able to make it smaller. QVC was not interested in purchasing a size small. So sorry it didn't work for you, it's a beautiful cuff!

Re: Seed bead cuff

Justice4all — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 00:21:12 GMT

@2zbeach

Louis was completely honest about the cuff. He said that if we have small wrists they would not fit, and they are not adjustable. He said this a few times so that we wouldn't be disappointed..he added that he requested that they be made in small, but qvc did not want to order small. So you and I, and many other are out of luck on this one..so far. The irony is that no matter what size we may be in clothes, our wrists can be very small!

If it's any consolation, the necklaces are really beautiful in person.

Re: Seed bead cuff

2zbeach — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 20:10:50 GMT

@saltysails @Somertime

Using it as an ankle cuff is certainly an interesting idea,but not one I could entertain. Wearing it that way would mean wearing it only on summer days, and since I live near the Q, those kinds of days are limited. My job and the events I plan are yet another obstacle. Nice try,though. You get an A for creativity!

@Somertime

I know Louis said the cuff was not for smaller wrists. However,being the stubborn person I am,I will see what I can do to modify it before returning. It’s just so beautiful.

Re: Seed bead cuff

saltysails — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 20:36:13 GMT

Could you go to Michaels and buy a cord in a complimentary color to your cuff and lace it thru the two loops on both sides of the cuff, and tie it into a bow, bringing the cuff all the way closed?

Re: Seed bead cuff

diamondscribe — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 20:40:29 GMT

@2zbeach, I had my own jewelry design studio at one time. Wholesaled to the apparel marts across the country. Your wrist sounds close enough to the fit size that I can see why you gave it a try. It sounds like if you had it about a1/4" to 1/2" inch tighter, it would work? I think if you took it to a local crafter or jeweler (one who isn't a gold elitist, LOL) and had them attach a clasp to the two ends of the cuff with small jump rings that would pull the cuff's ends closer together? Toggle and loop maybe...if you could get one short enough to add some tension. It would keep it from rotating the open side to the top.

The other option would be to take it to a jewelry crafter that is good with turning eye loops. Each beaded "strand" of the cuff appears to be a strand of memory wire with the ends turned in an "eye loop". If a crafter/jeweler were to open one eye on the end of each strand, remove some beads, and then close the strand with a new eye loop and hook it back, you could shorten the cuff. The only problem would be that removing the extra beads on one end will put that last color on the cuff a different length from the mirror-image one on the other end. The ideal would be to figure how many beads need to be removed and remove half from each end of a strand. Then it would be symetrical - but require more labor. But the good news is that it's simply a matter of opening and straightening an eye loop, sliding beads off, and shaping it back closed.

Edit: My cuffs arrive tomorrow. I will be able to see them closer and check how stiff the wires are that have the eye loops. I will update this post then to confirm my suggestion.

Re: Seed bead cuff

saltysails — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 20:39:08 GMT

I thought of another idea if the Michaels cord is something you want to try. You could get a sliding locking bead and possibly lace the cords thru. Then you wouldn't have to tie anything, you could just slide the bead up to close the cuff up.

Re: Seed bead cuff

crazycockermom — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 20:59:08 GMT

So sorry it didn’t work for you. I don’t really know what measurements make a wrist small. Mine is 6.25 so I took a chance. We’ll see...

Re: Seed bead cuff

2zbeach — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 00:52:03 GMT

@saltysails @diamondscribe @crazycockermom

Thanks,everyone. I appreciate all the ideas. I will get this cuff to work.....somehow! Diamondscribe— I will eagerly await your opinion on how to make this cuff fit. Thanks for sharing your expertise with me,and probably others in the same boat!

Re: Seed bead cuff

Maxine49 — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 01:49:36 GMT

@2zbeach wrote:
i received my seed bead cuff today in blue. I took a chance that it would fit. Well, it didn’t. My wrist is a tad under 6 inches (5 3/4 and 5 7/8) and the cuff is way too big despite being an average. It turned almost immediately so the opening was facing up. I even tried the “visasqueeze”! ( If you are a longtime Ripkanista,you’ll remember this!). However, the cuff just sprung back into shape! ( very well designed and executed). I am not returning just yet.....trying to think of some way to make it smaller! If you have an idea to remedy my problem,I am all ears!

********

Well, if the Visasqueeze (yes, I remember) doesn't work, then I am in the same boat as you! Maybe we have to have some one 'corset" the cuff on our wrist---some way of braiding it cosed, perhaps---I'll have to take a look when mine come--I ordered three!

Re: Seed bead cuff

beach-mom — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 03:04:26 GMT

Don't understand. Why WOULDN'T QVC order smalls? They have to understand how popular Louis' jewelry is!

Re: Seed bead cuff

Justice4all — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 03:11:41 GMT

Wear it over a long sleeve

Re: Seed bead cuff

H20gal — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 13:53:02 GMT

This is a well-thought-out idea, diamondscribe. I remember Louis's warning to small-wristed women, but I loved the looks of the cuff so much that I thought there had to be a solution. I can't believe the models, many of whom appear to be small-boned, wouldn't have needed a modification to get the cuffs to look as great as they did. Shame that QVC wouldn't have taken sizing into account. I think it'd be worth the cost to take to a jeweler or a crafter. I have a relative who makes jewelry, mainly necklaces, and I'll give her my royal version if she can do what you said to my pink version.

Re: Seed bead cuff

Mermaid22 — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 14:53:18 GMT

I guess I have an average wrist. My pink seed bead fits the same as the multi faceted Linea cuff. I also wear the average pandora bracelet. If these items fit you, you should be OK

Re: Seed bead cuff

Maxine49 — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 15:23:19 GMT

@diamondscribe wrote:
@2zbeach, I had my own jewelry design studio at one time. Wholesaled to the apparel marts across the country. Your wrist sounds close enough to the fit size that I can see why you gave it a try. It sounds like if you had it about a1/4" to 1/2" inch tighter, it would work? I think if you took it to a local crafter or jeweler (one who isn't a gold elitist, LOL) and had them attach a clasp to the two ends of the cuff with small jump rings that would pull the cuff's ends closer together? Toggle and loop maybe...if you could get one short enough to add some tension. It would keep it from rotating the open side to the top.

The other option would be to take it to a jewelry crafter that is good with turning eye loops. Each beaded "strand" of the cuff appears to be a strand of memory wire with the ends turned in an "eye loop". If a crafter/jeweler were to open one eye on the end of each strand, remove some beads, and then close the strand with a new eye loop and hook it back, you could shorten the cuff. The only problem would be that removing the extra beads on one end will put that last color on the cuff a different length from the mirror-image one on the other end. The ideal would be to figure how many beads need to be removed and remove half from each end of a strand. Then it would be symetrical - but require more labor. But the good news is that it's simply a matter of opening and straightening an eye loop, sliding beads off, and shaping it back closed.

Edit: My cuffs arrive tomorrow. I will be able to see them closer and check how stiff the wires are that have the eye loops. I will update this post then to confirm my suggestion.

******

I understand your suggestion, but all the wires would definitely have to be shortened as well, not just the ones with the eye loops. You'll see when you get yours that the wire is super strong, so I fear that just shortening the wires would simply make the gap wider. The strength of the metal does not allow it to be "closed/shaped/squeeszed" into a smaller cuff. I tried over and over to adjust it---not happening. Mine are going back, sadly.

Re: Seed bead cuff

2zbeach — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 22:24:14 GMT

@Maxine49

I haven’t given up yet on getting these cuffs to fit. I have tried attaching a ring to the wire loops at the top and bottom and a small lobster claw clasp on the other side. Worked well,but I couldn’t work the clasp/ ring set up with one hand. I am back to the drawing board. I will get this beauty to fit! Off to the craft store tomorrow!

Re: Seed bead cuff

DecorDiva — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 02:52:03 GMT

@2zbeach- you could try those magnetic clasps used for necklaces that have very small clasps, but they would have to be the strong ones. I decided to return the two I ordered as they were too big. Good luck! It's a shame that many of these will be returned because QVC wouldn't order the small size.

Re: Seed bead cuff

Luvitorleaveit1 — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 13:13:15 GMT

Well my pink seed cuff arrived and I am loving the whole look with the matching necklace. I ordered the large and the fit is absolutely perfect no puffiness of the wrist at all. I normally wear a 7 1/2 or 8 depending on the width and style.

Re: Seed bead cuff

H20gal — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 14:06:30 GMT

It sounds like there's no really goood work-around for it for me. I'm just sorry we didn't heed Louis's warning. Such a beautiful piece. A missed opportunity for us and the Q.