Handcrafted Elegance in Every Piece.
Discover unique, luxury jewelry designs from Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Specializing in custom orders
Christina Athanasuleas
As far back as I can recall, I’ve been creating things with my hands. I did a lot of painting, knitting, macramé, crocheting, and then...I discovered the world of beading! I made a few silly things, often simply reproducing something I saw and loved.
When Covid struck, I took a serious, deep dive into bead-weaving. I was making a lot of pieces for friends and family and, of course, I got better at it with each stitch. My family urged me to start a business selling my signature cuffs but, as a retired “septuagenarian”, I resisted...until now.
In my quest to master the “art of the bead”, I devised a small gadget using cardboard and shipping tape. This little gizmo helped me keep track of exactly where I was with even the most intricate patterns. Three years later I had a prototype and a Patent Pending.
The BeadTrak, manufactured, produced and sold by BeadSmith, will launch in February at the Tucson Wholesale Gem Show...I’m very excited!
My business goal is to do what I love to do for the people who truly appreciate the meticulous work and extensive time I put into each piece. I love meeting new customers, designing for and with them. Whether it be a cuff bracelet, lanyard or a beautiful guitar strap, I will provide each customer with a custom and exclusive work of heart.
Materials and Craftsmanship
These Miyuki beads are very small and take time to weave together. My cuffs stand apart because they’re not simply made on a loom, where a row of several beads is placed with a single pass of a needle and thread. Every bead is hand sewn to its neighboring bead, one by one. It’s a tedious process, but well worth the time and effort.
Depending on the complexity of each design and the number of color changes, the time spent designing, beading, mounting and final edging is between 18 and 22 hours.
Every cuff starts with a thin 2-inch by 6-inch sheet of copper (1-inch by 6-inch for the slimmer cuffs). I wrap the copper in a soft, color-coordinated Ultrasuede and attach the beaded panel by hand, again stitching each bead into place.
Unlike other cuff bracelets that are stiff and uncomfortable, I made these to fit snug around your wrist. They are very malleable and very comfortable. Finally, a hard cuff you can pinch as tight as you’d like and actually enjoy wearing… maybe for the first time!
My Tribal Collection
A timeless accessory rich in symbolism, beaded bracelets carry diverse meanings: they can denote growth, energy, spirituality, unity, beliefs and passions. Beyond their symbolism, they add an eclectic and vibrant finishing touch to your style and self-expression. A single strand of beads can be stunning in its simplicity, while a beaded bracelet rich with texture and color makes a striking statement.
Click on any cuff for pricing and more details, including custom colors, sizing and availability. Each cuff has an “Ask about this cuff” button that opens a short message form with that cuff already filled in.
Every cuff shown is a sample. All orders are made to order, which allows for reasonable alterations and/or color changes.
Beaded Guitar Straps
Alongside my cuffs, I make custom guitar straps with a hand-beaded panel set into the leather. A strap can carry your name, your band’s name or a design of your own, in the colors you choose.
Like the cuffs, every strap is made to order. Send me a message to start designing yours.
