Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Learning Curve

So I am a bit behind on Blogging.  Not being able to create anything because of a fractured bone has put a bit of a damper on my blogging spirit.  Well NO more!  I am healed :)  So today to get back into the groove of things I decided to break out a tutorial by Viki of FDEkszer on Etsy.  I have had a small stash of Tila Beads for a while so it was time to get some play in with them.

Totally Tila Bangle


Now I have to admit this was a very frustrating piece.  I had to remake it three times!  I was using 10lb Fireline and the bicones kept snapping the fireline.  The tutorial itself is very easy to follow I just wish Viki would have put in what type of thread she recommends using for this piece.  My tension is a bit wonky on this piece because I was afraid the fireline would break again so the tension is not as tight as it could be,  It will be a piece that I will wear because it seems so clean and summery to me.  However that being said I am not sure if I will ever make another one.  Way to much frustration with the fireline snapping.  Here is another shot using different lighting.

Totally Tila Bangle

I have purchased another tutorial from Viki @ FDEkszer, to see if I have better luck with it.  I really like her tutorial so I am hoping that the next one turns out a bit better.  I will be sure to post my results here.

Now for the piece that I am really happy with is "Clinging Vine" by Cristie Prince from the April/May 2012 Beadwork Magazine.  Cristie actually offered kits for sell on her website Glassy Jewels.   The kit had everything needed to make the piece but for the smoke fireline and a needle.  In fact I have some of the mats left that I may try to turn into earrings to match at some point.  For the price of the kit I was really happy with the quality of materials.

Clinging Vine
Now I made the netting a bit long for this piece or the memory wire a bit short so the ends of it are a bit wobbly lol.  I don't care I WILL be making this piece again and I hope to purchase the other colors that Cristie offers for this piece.  It is sooooo pretty and was a breeze to make for someone of my limited experience.  I actually received the June/July issue of Beadwork today and found myself rather disappointed that there was not another piece in there by Cristie. 

So that is what I have been up to on my beading table.  I am actually thinking of turning this blog into a beading tutorial review type site but I am not completly sure yet.  Is there a niche for beading tutorial reviews?  What do you think?  I get tired of purchasing tutorials only to find that the materials are impossible to find or that the tutorial itself is hard to follow.  Maybe rank the tutorials as well to make it easy to find one just for your skill level.  I don't know yet though.  It is just a thought.  Till next time:

Peace and <3
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Saturday, April 7, 2012

A Mini Cup of Bead Soup Reveal!

If you follow my blog you probably know by now that I was one of the 3 lucky ladies that was randomly chosen to participate in Lori Anderson's New Mini Cup of Bead Soup.  I am super excited to be able to join in this and I hope you enjoy what I made.  These are the amazing polymer clay beads that we got to play with that are made by Barbara Bechtel of Floridity.

Photo by Lori Anderson



So without further ado....

Bead Embroidery Sari Silk Wrapped Headband Modeled by my Daughter Trinity












Another View


Close Up

I am really happy with the way that it turned out.  I was really stumped on what to do with the beads as it was the first time I had ever seen, much less held a polymer clay bead.  I wrapped a cloth headband that I purchased at a dollar store with some beautiful Sari Silk remnants.  I used size 8/0 and 11/0 seed beads as well as 4mm Fire Polished Preciosa Beads.

I did want to use the other beads as well so I wove a focal to use for a necklace.  However before I was able to add the chain component I had a fall and fractured my right wrist (I am right handed).  So sadly I was not able to finish the piece completely.  I do want to share with you the focal and tender an apology that I was not able to finish it to the other ladies in the group.


Bead Woven Focal

Thanks so much for visiting with me and please make sure you hop on over to the other blogs @


and

And don't forget that Barbara has 16 limited edition bead kits you see above for sale on Saturday on a first come first serve basis by clicking here!  And don't forget.........

Bead Soup Print


Peace and <3
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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Mini Cup of Bead Soup Blog Hop on Saturday!

Just a reminder to come by and visit on Saturday to see what the four of us made with Barbara Bechtel's amazing polymer clay beads! 

Photo by Lori Anderson

I can't wait to share with you what I made!  Hope to see you then!

Peace and <3
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Creative Bead Chat on Facebook and a HUGE giveaway :)

I would like to invite you to a fun and informative group on Facebook 
It's an open group & a home
 for creative component and jewelry designers to share new creations, tool tips 
& help build our creativity and sales ! 
A home for new designers, as well experienced 
to share your experiences and ask questions. 
Ultimately, we are a team and work together 
towards the goal of being proud of our accomplishments and accomplishing our dreams...
Only rule...
Treat others as you would like to be treated :-)  

We welcome you to join Creative Bead Chat! 
Click here to check it out and request to join

We've organized a fun bunch of events....
Today we'll be offering a huge giveaway from a few of our generous members 
willing to share with the members of our online group.  
 15 lucky people will win! 
 ~valued over $400~ 
of amazing handcrafted jewelry, components and gift certificates
Names will be chosen next Tuesday, March 27th ~ 
This event will be for members only ~ 
Mary Anne Klinglesmith Flesch: Beautiful Freeform Copper Pendant
Judi Markert: Herringbone Rope Bracelet
Patti Vanderbloeman: Artisan Earrings
Marie-Noel Voyer Cramp: Assorted Charms
SKYE Jewels
Lisa Lodge:  $20 Gift Certificate
Pine Ridge Treasures

Pam Ferrari: Glass beads 
Ferrari Original Beads
Marla James: Ceramic Artisan Pendant
Marla's Mud 
Bisque Bead Supply
Jennifer Justman: Beaded Artisan Bracelet
Soul's Fire Designs
Karen Totten: $25 Gift Certificate
Starry Road Designs
Janice Everett: $20 Gift Certificate
J-Lynn Jewels
Jenny Davies Reazor: Choice of 1 Artisan Pendant 

Beads of Clay Group:$50 Gift Certificate
Marla James / Marsha Neal/Yolanda Miramontes

Melinda Orr: $25 Gift Certificate

Melinda Orr Designs

We've got a designer challenge coming up and an Easter Palette Challenge ..
 I will be moderating the group with 
Marla James from Marla's Mud &
 Karen Totten from Starry Road Designs 
Stop by ~ you'll be glad you did! 
Click here to check it out and request to join 
and see all the details of the giveaway! 
Peace and <3

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Saturday, March 17, 2012

Happy Anniversary

Ten years ago today I married the most wonderful man.  I am so happy to be on this journey with you Cliff and I am looking forward to finding out where this road takes us.  Thank you for taking a chance on me!  You are a wonderful husband and father and I would be completely lost without you. 

O, my Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June.
O, my Luve's like a melodie
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair as thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will love thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.

 Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun:
I will love thess till, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run:

And fare thee well, my only luve!
And fare thee weel, a while!
And I will come again, my luve,
Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.
~~Robert Burns

I tore this poem out of a book of poetry over 10 years ago and gave it to him.  He still has it :) 
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Monday, March 5, 2012

A Cup of Bead Soup!!!!



I was one of the 3 random lucky designers that got picked to do the new Cup of Bead Soup for March with Lori Anderson!  O-M-G!  How lucky am I?  Which is funny because I never win anything!  Well almost never anyway!  Join me along with:



and

Here is a close up of the lovely handmade polymer clay beads, charms, and pendants made by Barbara Bechtel of Second Surf and Floridity




This is really going way outside my comfort zone.  I am a bead weaver so I am really excited to get my hands on these lovely pieces and see what I come up with.  I am receiving:


* one teal rustic key focal bead
* one double-sided pair of leaf charms
* four carved nugget beads
* one limited edition 5x7 Bead Soup print!


A closeup of the print which being an art major back in the day I am really super excited about!  Isn't it beautiful!




All I can do is:



Peace and <3

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Sunday, March 4, 2012

Kumihimo and Soccer


Soccer has started back for the spring season.  I know my daughter was ready for it to start back.  She really has a great time playing and she has made several new friends as well.  The last game is in April and I really wanted to make something for all the girls on the team before the season was over.  Something that would remind them of their year as a Saltillo Tiger.

So a quick goggle search and I discover Kumihimo Braiding.  It kind of reminds me of the friendship bracelets I used to make when I was my daughters age over 20 years ago.  It seemed perfect but I did not have a Kumihimo Disk nor did I want to wait on one.  I remember recently buying Trinity one of those craft lace lanyard making kits at Hobby Lobby and it looked almost exactly like the disk I needed.  One search through a messy pre-teen bedroom later and Ta-Da:


I went on another shopping trip today to try and find the cord in the colors that I need.  Hobby Lobby was closed today as it was Sunday so I made a trip to the new craft store in town called Joann's Fabrics.  I had zero luck in finding larger rattail cord or any type of cord that was 1mm or 2mm.  None of the employees had any idea on what rattail was either :/  So I ended up with embroidery floss.  Now the great thing about embroidery floss is the wide selection of colors.  Wow it really is amazing at all the choices you have. 



So after finding the team colors I made my first Kumihimo bracelet.  


I am really happy with the way that turned out.  The first one I made was a bit to skinny for me so I remade it and doubled up the floss which made it a bit thicker.  One bracelet down, 11 more to go lol.

I wish I knew where to find the best type of cord to use for this.  Does anyone know?  If you do where do you order it from?  Any advice or hints on this art form would be much appreciated.  

Peace and <3





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