I have been working at selling or making African style slide knot bracelets for over 20 years but continue to be pleasantly surprised by the new ideas my customers suggest. Of the 60 plus models I now offer, at least 15 or more were direct results of a customer suggestion or inquiry. From the first Black and Silver combination strand bracelets suggested by a customer, to the TriTone and TriMetal versions, it is amazing how many permutations and combinations can be made while still preserving their design strength and durability.
At a Dallas Safari Club show once, a lady asked me if I could make a Black, Silver and Gold version, since I already had Black and Silver, and Black and Gold. The idea was so fascinating I actually started making one overnight in the middle of the show, since I had brought enough tools and materials on the road. Just as I was finishing it up the next morning, right in my show booth, another lovely lady from Alaska walked up, inquired about it, and bought my prototype there and then! Wow!
That is all the market research data I needed, and so ever since I got back from that trip, I have been offering what I call the TriTone model. A strand of black artificial elephant hair is sandwiched between two strands of sterling silver wire that is in turn inside two strands of gold fill wire, with two silver knots. Very unique, different and stylish, and rather tricky to make, which might be why no one else offers such a model.
Why silver knots? Because that is the go to default for knots from a usability and price point of view. Then recently a lady asked me for one with gold knots!! Well why not? And another new combo variation was born. I now have the experience of trying to tame three different materials so it was not a big step – though you might notice these are all two knot versions. Not sure I have enough hands and fingers to do one in a three or four knot model…. hmmm. But by and large, the focus in combos is in the way the strands line up next to each other, which may we why it took me so long to make a gold knot version.
The development of bimetal or trimetal bangles follows a similar trajectory. I usually cater to people who appreciate a touch of class who wouldn’t be seen dead in public wearing copper jewelry. But fashions come and go, and trends and beliefs change, and not everyone has the money for gold or silver with today’s metal prices. See my recent posting on the magic of copper bracelets for health and beliefs around this interesting metal that changes its patina over time.
How will that look in a combo bracelet? Many a customer has asked for copper knots and copper strands in combinations I never would have designed myself, and for that I thank you all. I am enjoying continuing exploring how the different metals look together and even how they affect each others shininess or color.
At the root of all this is still my African heart and loving thanks to all the young field warriors who originally figured out how to tie their magic slide knot bracelets from reeds or elephant or giraffe tail hair many years ago while wandering around in the African bush.
