Prior to spring break I received a lot of feedback on the quality of the materials — both beads and string material. I improved this by researching materials that would give the bracelets more integrity and would extend the lifespan of the bracelets.
Improved Bead Quality & Tray
Through the first round of testing participants explained that they experienced frustration when looking for letters within the plastic tubs. I purchased new beading materials and a tray for these materials to be easier to navigate and discover.
Introducing Bead Crimps & Clasps
Through research I found a practice within the beading community that would dramatically improve the materiality of the bracelets.
There is a technique to thread string or wire through a clasp and a bead crimp that improves the durability of a bracelet and gives it a much more polished look!
In order to improve experiences I wanted to test feedback I had received around teaching people how to add clasps and crimps to their beaded bracelets vs. doing it themselves.
Introduction to .07mm stretch chord & wire
With the introduction of bead crimps it became important to find a material that would fit through the bead crimp twice.
The stretch chord I tested previously was valuable as a research material however it was far too thick based on the feedback from participants.
In most cases people recommend using wire with bead crimps to allow for easy threading through and manipulation. I wanted to continue to encourage this low fidelity and playful environment and discovered a stretch chord small enough to pass through a bead crimp twice.
(Photo that has an overview & bracelet)
The improvement to these materials are huge steps forward in the way that the beads lay on the bracelets.
