Cycle Beads?

[pb_and_j]

Has anyone used these? They look pretty neat. Here's the link:

Cycle Beads (http://cyclebeads.com)

I saw an add in the current issue of Mothering and thought they looked like they might be a nice way to keep track of my cycle.

[dharmama]

Interesting but it seems like you would have to have a VERY regular 28-30 day cycle to use them.

I think they might be nice just for fun to keep track of your cycle but I definitely wouldn't rely on them for family planning.

~Erin
(who is trying to sort out her long and irregular cycles :rolleyes: )

[lilyka]

Cuter than marking days on the calander but it is still the rythem method and there for unless you have perfect, text book cycles then it is more or less ineffective for natural family planning.

[pb_and_j]

Thanks for the replies... I'm not sure about it yet. I mean I would probably just use it as a reminder, not rely on it 100%, kwim?

Dunno... I still think it's a pretty neat little thing. ;)

[moom]

I also saw them in Mothering funny hu
any hoo- I also thought them very neat, and I am looking into making my own as a bracelet. I think it is a neat way to celebrate our woman hood! if anyone is interested pm me and Ill give you info on making your own!

[butterflyma]

They are pretty but... the part about the clear beads being when you may be fertile (days 8-19), if you were ttc that would mean 12 days of bd. If you were tta that would mean 12 days of abstaining or using *protection* Either way :eek! It seems that they were trying to make something with a universal design to accomodate a majority of women. If you use NFP/charting you can cut down on the days of bd/avoiding.

Moom~ I love the idea of making your own bracelet! Then it could be individualized to each woman (and correspond with the info one gets from charting).

[moom]

Hey everyone I'm putting together some pics, and I'll try to get them and the instructions posted by next week, I am still looking for the perfect bead size, (since the company still hasn't responded to my email) :bang
http://www.firemountaingems.com/default.asp
this is a great company for beads and findings! I'll try to get the pattern out as quickly as possible:shake sorry!

[Clarity]

I ordered them...mostly out of curiosity. The rubber ring needs stretching to go over the beads smoothly. DD likes it a little too much. It is, of course, a visual calendaring system. I suspect this was developed with nonliterate women in mind, particularly internationally. It is very imperfect, but to women with no access to other methods, it might be a good aid.

[moom]

Hi everyone, sorry it took me so long! I just found out I’m :+ w #2 !!!
For a bracelet or necklace you have 2 choices, either use clear elastic “power cord” or use a strong but flexible wire cord called tiger tail, or accu- flex. If you use the wire you will need also to purchase a clasp, jumprings if needed to work the clasp, and 2 “crimp beads”. Crimp beads are small tubes that you thread the wire through, loop around the clasp/jumpring (or just make a loop) and then back through the crimp bead. Then you crimp/pinch the crimp bead around the wire to lock it in, give it a little tug to make sure its good. (You might want to get some extra just incase they get lost-very small- or don’t work the first time) they sell special crimp pliers, but any fine needle nose pliers will work, don’t buy special ones unless you plan to make lots!
Then the fun part, threading the beads. I was just going to copy the cycle bead pattern, but if you know your own rhythm that would be really neat too. Just get the different colors: one for the lmp, then some for the “safe days” some for the “fertile days” and put em together! As far as marking the days, my idea was to use a small orthodontic rubber band that’s what it looks like they use. Luckily I went through 2 years, and kept the extras, but if you know someone with braces, maybe you can have them get some for you, they come in nice colors, but make sure you get the right size to fit on your beads!! Fire mountain gem has lots of bead choices, I recommend having them send you a catalog, very neat. They have lots of different kinds of beads, glass, metal, sterling silver, pearls, precious/semiprecious gemstone, the possibilities are endless. Let me know what you come up with! With the power cord you just have to tie it in a knot, and seal with some nasty super glue or clear nailpolish (knew it was good for something!) Sorry I haven’t got the pic, thing figured out, but if you PM me your email, I can send you detailed info/pic if you need it. I’m glad to help I just might be a little slow. Happy beading!

[butterflyma]

Thanks for the directions Moom! And, Congratulations on your :+!

[pb_and_j]

Originally posted by moom
Hi everyone, sorry it took me so long! I just found out I’m :+ w #2 !!!

Congratulations! :balloons :baby

Thanks for the instructions too. :D

[Clarity]

congrats...just wanted to add...the ring on the cycle beads is tougher then an ortho rubber band. It's a small black rubber o ring. I am trying to think of where I've seen them...it's tight, so it doesn't get accidentally moved. But it is also really hard to move from one bead to the next. So the ortho rubber band might be worth a try.