December 2013 and Year End

Beading Patterns and Tutorials Making Changes

I have been working on making ornament covers using two of Deb Moffet-Hall’s Heirloom Ornament designs, Joyous Angels and Christmas Fairies. The ornament bands are worked using Peyote and Brick stitch with Delica beads. Each pattern includes a full list of the supplies needed, stitch instructions, bead graph, and finishing instructions to make the ornament as designed and shown on the pattern cover. Black is listed as the background color for both the Christmas Fairies and Joyous Angel ornaments, but I decided I wanted to use a dark blue color for the background. I used Copper lined Cobalt Blue DB183 for the background on the Joyous Angel ornament and Iris Blue DB02 for the background on the Christmas Fairies ornament. In making these color changes plus using different beads to finish the ornaments I started wondering if other beaders tend to use different beads and make changes to patterns and decided to post the question to beaders I know on Facebook.

Based on the responses I received beginning beaders will follow the pattern and use the colors and beads listed the first time they make a project, but will make color changes when remaking a piece. The more experience we have with beading the more we prefer to add our own little twist to a pattern and do not always reproduce the design as instructed. When working with a graphed or charted design the changes we most often make are to the colors; trading out for colors in our bead stash. In making other types of beaded projects anything goes when it comes to following a pattern; we become more adventurous changing bead sizes and bead types and in some instances alter the complete design.

I also asked designers if they expected others to make the item as designed. There are designers who create their tutorials with the expectation others will want to use different colors and in some cases different type of beads. Others feel their design needs to be created the way it was designed without changes.  When I create a design that does not involve a bead graph/chart or specific type of bead I fully expect the beader to make the project in the colors and beads they have on hand.

Changes on projects made using a Bead Graph or Chart should be limited to color changes. Selecting different size beads can lead to a poorly executed piece and cause unnecessary frustration. For example if I had chosen to use size 11 seed beads instead of the Delica beads listed in the Ornament tutorials the finished piece would have been larger and would not have fit the ornament ball, since size 11 seed beads are larger than Delica beads.  The reverse is also true using Delicas when a pattern list 11◦ seed beads will cause the finished piece to be smaller.

Choosing a different type of bead from the one recommended by the designer can alter the design completely. We should all keep in mind the designer chose a certain type and size of bead for a reason and making substitutions does not always work. This does not mean we should not try, but we should not feel disappointed if our substitutions fail and we have to start over.

Here are the photos of the two Heirloom ornaments I made using Deb Moffet-Hall’s designs. I also changed the dress color on one of the fairies in the Christmas Fairies ornaments. I wanted the dress colors to be my Grand-daughters favorite colors.

 

 

Loom Beading

 

In my last blog post I mentioned I was participating in a beading challenge for the Facebook group “The Bead Loom Room.” The challenge theme was creating a piece in Christmas Colors or Winter Wonderland and somewhere on the finished piece there needed to be a bell. The bell could be part of the design, embellishment or charm. Most of the challenge pieces were cuff style bracelets. This time of year I concentrate on making ornaments so I made ornament covers instead of cuffs and ended up making two projects for the challenge. The first piece is a "Poinsettia" Ornament cover. I used a wooden loom to make the Poinsettia band and woven ends to finish the band before removing it from the loom. The bells are part of the design but are very subtle. The second piece is titled "Elves and Bells." I wanted each elf to look different with different colors for the hair, eyes, and clothes. The Elves are holding the bells as if they are ringing the bells. I made this band on a Mirrix loom using the Mirrix No Warp Ends kit. I had good tension control with this loom and plan on making more loom pieces. Here are the photos of the two challenge pieces. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seedbeadersters

The Seedbeadersters Facebook group is growing by leaps and bounds. The members are friendly sharing tips, ideas, patterns, and helping one another with beading issues. It is great to see all the activity in the group.

The current Bead-A-Long is a “Mystery Bracelet.” At the start of the Bead-A-Long the project was a mystery because the instructions were presented in two parts and a photo showing the completed bracelet was missing. The Bead-A-Long will be coming to a close soon but the Mystery Bracelet tutorial will still be available to Seedbeadersters’ Members.

Here are photos of the finished bracelet in different color combinations.

 

Seedbeadersters Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/seedbeadersters/

 

Seed Beads and More

The Seed Beads and More Facebook group is now a Sister Group to the Seedbeadersters. Many Seedbeadersters are also members of this group and we share information and activities. Anita Adamson is the moderator of this group and she was a Seedbeadersters member when she started this group. Anita plans a monthly challenge and the current challenge involves Sharing. The idea is to share a pattern you used to make a finished piece and to post a photo of the completed project. The pattern or tutorial could be a link to a free pattern or your own pattern you wish to make available to the members for free. This has been a fun challenge and it is great to see all the different bead designs. Below is a photo of the earring design I created for this challenge and shared with both the Seed Beads and More Group and with the Seedbeadersters Group. The tutorial is called “Jewel Tone Earrings.”

 

 

 

Seed Beads and More Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/465805706810440/

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

 

 

 

November/October 2013

November/October 2013

2 Drop Peyote Projects Completed

Last month I mentioned working on the “Christmas Daisy Chain” bracelet designed by Mikki Ferrugiaro. I also made the Mikki’s “Holiday Tapestry” bracelet. Both bracelets are graphed designs and are stitched using 2 Drop Peyote. The “Christmas Daisy Chain” bracelet went to one of my Daughters. The “Holiday Tapestry” cuff I planned to make for myself and needed to make adjustments to the pattern to make it fit. It was necessary to increase the length and I used a design element in the pattern to add the extra length and sent my changes to Mikki for approval since her pattern is protected by copyright. She approved and wanted to see the finished piece. Here are the photos of both bracelets. Mikki has some great bracelet designs which you can find in her Art Fire Studio “Mikki Ferrugiaro Designs”.  http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/MikkiFerrugiaroDesigns   

 

Seedbeadersters

The Seedbeadersters Group has moved from Yahoo Groups to Google Groups and Facebook. We are still doing Bead-A-Longs, answering beading questions, passing on tips, and sharing things we make with beading friends. The November Bead-A-Long project is to make a piece with the Netting stitch. Information about the November Bead-A-Long can be found on the Seedbeadersters Blog: http://seedbeadersters.blogspot.com/

Join the Seedbeadersters: Seedbeadersters Google Group https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/seedbeadersters or Seedbeadersters Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/seedbeadersters/

Netting Stitch Projects

For my Bead-A-Long project I wanted to make the “Bring on the Bling” bracelet designed by Kelly Dale of Off the Beaded Path as shown on YouTube. I chose 11/0 seed beads and 4mm bicones I thought would look nice together and started the project only to discover I did not like the look. I ripped my work apart and started over with a different color of seed beads. I still did not like the look but did not want to rip apart the seed beads a second time so I decided to make something else with the netted section. The end result was a netted ornament cover I call the “Dancing Angels”. I plan to make the bracelet at another time as Kelly’s design does make a very pretty bracelet and her tutorial takes you through step by step.

Here is the photo of the “Dancing Angel” ornament cover:

 

 

I wanted to make the Ukrainian Netted Tube Necklace using the tutorial from Hot Beads and decided this would be a great gift for one of my Daughters. She has been looking for something in shades of lime and I found Ornela brand seed beads in two shades of lime. The pattern calls for 50 to 75 grams of seed beads in each color which equates to two hanks each for both colors of the Ornela seed beads leaving enough left over to make a bracelet. Here is a photo of the finished necklace.

 

 

Posting Photos

I recently had an unexpected experience with a photo of the Tila beads and bicone bracelet I posted in January show up with a new title on the Beads Magic web site. They did not say who designed the bracelet or where the photo came from. Beads Magic also included a brief schematic showing how to make the bracelet; though the diagram is not totally correct nor is the list of the beads used. I contacted them and asked they at least give me credit for the design since they obviously stole the photo. They did go back and add my name but did not make mention of the correction. Beads Magic certainly could have asked for permission prior to posting the design on their web site because they knew exactly where the photo came from without my pointing it out. This certainly has served as a lesson to me to make sure any future photos I post on the web be clearly identified as mine. I also strongly encourage others to do the same.

Here is a photo of the bracelet which I have changed with the addition of my name.

 

Loom and Current Project

I have been working on the Loom and created a new ornament cover called "Circle of Ornaments". This design uses regular size 11/0 seed beads. The tutorial is available in my Art Fire studio "CSD Design"  http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/CSDDesign/7653295/circle_of_ornaments_ornament_cover_beading_tutorial/design/seasonal/Christmas

I joined the “Bead Loom Room” on Facebook and am participating in their current challenge to make a piece in “Colors of Christmas” or “Christmas Wonderland”. My project is in the bead stitching stage and I’ll post a photo next month of the completed piece.

Have fun beading!

 



 



September 2013

September 2013

Pen Covers

I have been working on Pen Cover designs and tutorials. I use the Tubular Peyote stitch technique to make pen covers for Pilot G2 pens. The pen cover designs allow for the beadwork to be done on the top part of the G2 pen. The pen cover is removable and can be placed on a new G2 pen. My latest pen cover designs include Kokopelli, a Hot Air Balloon, and Dream Catcher. I also created a Goofy pen cover at my Daughter’s request. With the exception of the Goofy pen cover the pen cover patterns are available in my CSD Design Studio on Art Fire.

 

Getting Back Into The Beading Groove

I took some time away from beading for home remodeling. The remodeling is done and my work space is back and I am back to beading.

Seedbeadersters

First on my list was to find a project for the Seedbeadersters’ August Bead Along. I searched my files and came up with one of my own designs the Lattice Lace Bracelet.  I designed this bracelet back in 2009 and it was included in the 2010 Bead A Day Beading Calendar. I revamped the tutorial adding diagrams. The bracelet is worked in Square Stitch and Basic Stringing. The basic design uses size 8 and size 11 seed beads, but you can change the looks by changing the size and type of beads.

Made this version of the Lattice Lace Bracelet for my youngest Daughter’s birthday.

 

 

The Seedbeadersters have their own blog page and will be an extension to the Seedbeadersters  Yahoo Group. Seedbeadersters Blog http://seedbeadersters.blogspot.com/

If you are a seed beader and would like to join the Seedbeadersters on Yahoo here is a link to the Home Page http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedbeadersters/

 2 Drop Peyote Project

A 2 Drop Peyote Project is the September/October Project for the Seedbeadersters and I have been playing around with 2 Drop Peyote. I am finding 2 Drop goes along a bit faster than the regular 1 Drop Peyote, as long as you do not have to follow a graphed or charted design.

My first 2 Drop project was a Bitty Bead. I wanted to see if making a bitty bead using Even Count 2 Drop Peyote would work, plus it was quick to complete.  Here is a photo of the end result.

 

 



From creating the 2 Drop Bitty Bead I went on to design a “Christmas Ribbon Ornament Cover” in Even Count 2 Drop Peyote. The tutorial for this ornament cover is available in my Art Fire Studio CSD Design. http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/CSDDesign/7492091/christmas_ribbon_ornament_2_drop_peyote_beading_tutorial/design/seasonal/christmas

 

I am currently working on a 2 Drop Odd Count Peyote bracelet “Christmas Daisy Chain” designed by Mikki Ferrugiaro.

I’ll post a photo in my next blog entry.

 Seed Beads and More

Seed Beads and More is a Facebook page for beaders sponsored by Anita, a beading friend of mine. If you are on Facebook and like to bead take a look. https://www.facebook.com/groups/465805706810440/?notif_t=group_r2j

There are monthly challenges and the September challenge is the Beaded Bead. To help out I created an "Art Deco Bitty Bead Beading Tutorial" which is available to members of Seed Beads and More.

Until next time Have Fun Playing with Your Beads and Being Creative.



June 2013

June 2013

Peyote Starter Strip Review

In the March blog I mentioned trying the Peyote Starter strip to make my Peyote stitched pieces. Using the starter strips really makes it a lot easier when working the first few rows; plus there is no more twisting, turning and grumbling to keep the rows in the correct position. I did find I prefer using the beaded Peyote Starter strip made from Suzanne Cooper’s web site versus the Peyote Start Card. I made a Delica bead strip and a regular size 11 seed bead strip based on Suzanne’s tutorial and followed the instructions provided with the Peyote Start Card and the instructions posted by Theresa Olin on the web. The Peyote Start Card works too but it is more suited for Delica beads than the regular size 11 seed beads.

To make your own Starter Strip you can find the pattern on Suzanne Cooper’s website. http://suzannecooper.com/free/measure.html

To understand how to use the Starter Strip go to http://www.vacacita.com/tutorials/peyotestrip.html

To learn more about the Quick Start Peyote Cards and the different sizes of cards available go to Deb-Moffett Hall’s website. http://www.patternstobead.com/   

A Measuring Tool

Trying to determine the number of rows needed to make a seed bead bracelet or other piece can lead to a lot of undoing, redoing and frustration. To help me overcome some of these issues I created some measuring strips with the size and type of seed beads I use the most. I have a Delica Strip and a Regular Size 11 Seed Bead Strip. The strips are 10 beads wide and each strip is marked off in sections and each section is 10 rows. The Delica Strip has 12 sections; 120 rows. The Regular Size 11 Seed Bead Strip has 10 sections; 100 rows. I made my strips on a loom but the strips could be made using square stitch. I have used the strips many times to figure out the numbers of rows I need when designing pieces and creating tutorials. Here is a picture showing the two strips followed by a pattern. 

 

 

 

 

Seedbeadersters

The Seedbeadersters June Bead Along is a Right-Angle Weave (RAW) project. There are some great tutorials available on the web for RAW.  One of the loveliest is the X’s and O’s Bracelet designed by Deborah Farrand. Her tutorial was published in the 2009 Bead & Button Special issue Brilliant Crystal Jewelry 2 pages 22-23. The tutorial can also be purchased through her family's Etsy store.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/103373557/bracelet-beading-pattern-pdf-ohdonna-xs?ref=shop_home_active

Here is my version of Deborah Farrand’s X’s and O’s bracelet.

 

 

The beads are 6mm Emerald crystal pearls, 4mm Fire Opal crystal bicones, 4mm Erinite crystal bicones, size 11 metallic gold seed beads (permanent) finish, size 15 Charlottes in 24k gold finish, and Power Pro 5lb. test braided line in green. The clasp is a hammered gold-tone toggle. The bracelet design makes use of both the Single Needle RAW technique and the Double Needle RAW technique. The bracelet was easy to put together, but I did make some modifications. The first modification was in the clasp attachment. I have found a toggle clasp needs quite a bit of flexibility when trying to close the clasp (especially if you are doing it by yourself). I added seven size 15 seed beads after the initial five 11s to attach the first half of the clasp (not the crossbar) and completed the attachment as directed. To attach the clasp crossbar I added seven size 15 seed beads after the initial five 11s and before adding the crossbar and then seven more size 15 seed beads after the crossbar to allow more give to the crossbar. When adding the side crystals the stitching thread tended to show and pulling the thread snug affected the length of the bracelet making it too short. To maintain the correct length I added a size 15 seed bead before and after each bicone along the sides.

Another good RAW bracelet tutorial is presented by Off the Beaded Path on Youtube. The materials need to make the bracelet includes  4mm and 6mm pearls or rounds, size 15 seed beads, Fireline, and a clasp (box type clasp). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5PijrZE3vM

I used the video as a jumping off point to create my own design for a RAW bracelet. I used semi-precious gemstone beads in white Mountain Jade, fossil beads dyed dark blue, and alabaster gold lined seed beads in sizes 15, 11, and 8. When I finished the bracelet the color combination reminded me of the Spectator high-heels my Mother wore; thus I have dubbed it the Spectator.

 



Come join the Beading Fun with the Seedbeadersters. Visit our home page and see what we do. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedbeadersters/

Peyote Cuff Bracelets

A while back I read about the “Amazing Adventures of the Traveling Bracelets” http://travelingbracelets.blogspot.com/ Sig Wynne-Evans designed traveling bracelets. I like her bracelets and wanted to try the same thing with some of my own designs. I made my first one back in February and posted the photo in the February blog.

The bracelets are Peyote stitched and mounted on metal cuff blanks.  The Peyote Cuff Bracelets take a little more time and planning but they are definitely easier to put on, wear and remove. Since February I have come up with two more designs and a better method of attaching the Peyote bracelet strip to the metal cuff.

The second one I made is for my oldest Daughter’s birthday.  Back in February I created some Bitty Bead designs for a necklace and decided to play with some of those designs to create the new bracelet pattern. This pattern is for a 1 ½ inch wide metal cuff blank. I also used the Bitty Beads to make a coordinated necklace.

 

I have been working ahead and trying to create some Holiday designs and the latest is a Christmas Diamond Cuff. I decided to use a 1 inch wide cuff blank for this bracelet. I like the way this design turned out and may use it again in a different color combination.

 

 

Christmas Diamond Cuff Tutorial is now available: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/6878551

Thanks for reading my blog. Now grab those beads and make something new, it is what I am going to do.

 

 

 

 

March 2013

March 2013

Choosing Bead Colors

A while back I was asked how I decide on the color of beads to use in a project and did I have a favorite color. My favorite color is red, but if you looked through my finished bead and jewelry projects only a few are red. 

My choice of bead color for a project depends on the type of project, materials and who will be the recipient of the completed piece. In making my ornament covers the colors I use are those most often seen at Christmas time; though I have been branching out and using other color combinations as I did in the Mardi Gras and the Black and Gold cover.  I recently made a Shamrock pen cover for St. Patrick’s Day and naturally chose green as the focal color.

Shamrock Pen Cover

 

I like using semi-precious gemstone beads and cabochons for jewelry pieces and the colors in the stones play an important part in deciding the other bead colors. I recently finished a necklace using a Blue Goldstone Cabochon with the mixed Blue and Brown Goldstone beads. To make the bezel surrounding the Cabochon I used blue, brown and gold seed beads pulling from the colors in the Goldstone beads.

 

Blue/Brown Goldstone Pendant and Necklace

 

Sometimes I make a piece using established color combinations. I did this when I made my Onyx Cuff bracelet combining black and white beads and a touch of gold.

Onyx Embroidered Cuff

 

Choosing color combinations can be difficult at times and you can get stuck using the same color combinations over and over. Look in your jewelry box and see if all your pieces are in the same color family.

One way to break away from using the same colors over and over is to use the Color Wheel.  The color wheel begins with the primary colors red, blue and yellow. The secondary colors added to the wheel are a combination of the primary colors giving us purple, green, and orange.  When you add a primary color to a secondary color you have colors like red violet, red orange, yellow green, blue green and blue violet. On a color wheel the colors across from one another are called complementary colors. Combining red beads and green beads or orange beads with blue beads or yellow beads with purple beads will give you a piece in complementary colors. Colors next to one another are called analogous; blue next to blue violet and blue green. A jewelry piece made using different shades of one color, tone on tone, is called mono-chromatic.  The color combination of black and white beads in the Onyx cuff makes it achromatic or a colorless theme. You can generate more color by choosing three colors that are equally spaced from each other creating a triad of colors. Putting red, yellow and blue beads together in one necklace or bracelet is one example of a triad of colors. Take a look at the color wheel and use it to add more color to your beading.

A basic color wheel can be found here: http://www.firemountaingems.com/beading_howtos/beading_projects.asp?docid=6912&doccat=tutorials&sact=search

This sight gives more information on the color wheel and you can see how the different combinations of colors work.  http://colorschemedesigner.com/

If you need more help in selecting colors call on Mother Nature, she has the best color combinations around.

Seedbeadersters

We have reached 1000 members in the Seedbeadersters Yahoo group.  The members just finished with the Bitty Beads Bead Along and made some lovely pieces. 

Go to the Seedbeadersters Home page and take a look http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedbeadersters/  

Not a member? Take this opportunity to join us for some beading fun.

The current project involves making a beaded bezel for a Cabochon, Rivoli, or a large focal bead and turning it into a pendant. There are various beading techniques to use to make a beaded bezel. The tutorials I have found on the web include Peyote, netting, Right Angle weave, square stitch, brick stitch, and Herringbone.

This is a jumping off project in preparation of doing Bead Embroidery for a future Bead Along project.

Can’t wait to see all the lovely pendants the members create.

Peyote and Peyote Starter Strips

Peyote is one of my favorite beading techniques and the Bitty Beads I designed for the Seedbeadersters Bead Along used the Odd Count Flat Peyote technique. Peyote stitch is one of the most used beading techniques for bead weaving and yet it can be feared by many. The first three rows seems to be the hardest part when it comes to doing Peyote. Fortunately for us two beading mavens, Suzanne Cooper and Deb Moffet-Hall, have developed easy methods to start Peyote. Suzanne Cooper’s method uses a Peyote Starter Strip you make using the Brick Stitch technique. Deb Moffet-Hall designed and developed the Quick Start Peyote Card.

I must admit I had not used a Peyote Starter Strip until the discussion cropped up in the Seedbeadersters’ group, and I had Quick Start Peyote Cards  too.  Most of my Peyote projects have not been too wide and starting them had not been a problem for me, but I decided I would try both Starter Strip methods and see how well they work and which one I liked the best.

First up was the Quick Start Peyote Card, because I had two and did not have to make them. I am working on a Bitty Bead necklace and matching cuff for one of my daughters and used the card to make some of the Bitty Beads. Since my Bitty Beads are done in Odd Count Flat Peyote I followed the instructions on Deb Moffet-Hall’s web site for using the Quick Start Peyote Card. The card itself is made of a laminated type of paper and is designed to be used many times. The card for use with Delicas and size 11 seed beads contains 16 spaces. To make a piece wider than 16 beads you can put two cards together, which is shown on the packaging and the website. The Bitty Beads were easier and faster to make using the card. Two things to watch when using this card; be sure to hold the card closed when doing the first row or the row falls out before you can add row two and when using Fireline watch don’t yank the thread or pull it at an angle against the notches where the beads sit.  

To make my, Starter Strip designed by Suzanne Cooper, I used Delica beads. Suzanne’s pattern will make a 4” or 6” strip.  Since most of my peyote projects are not very wide and the cuff I am making is 31 beads wide I decided to make my strip a little over 3”(60 beads wide and 8 beads high). I used three different colors of beads to make the strip one main color, a different color to indicate an inch, and a third color to mark every tenth row. The strip worked very well.  I will be using it again and plan to make two more for working with regular size 11 and size 8 seed beads. This is such a handy tool I may make some for my beading pals too.

With both the Quick Start Peyote Card and the Starter Strip you will need to remove the starter piece from the Peyote project. To make it easier always use a different color thread for the first row and put a stop bead on the thread when you start the row and another stop bead when you end the row. To do the return row (row 2) use thread best suited to your project and put a stop bead on the tail and work the row. You can leave the starter strip on until you complete your Peyote or remove it after several rows are complete. Remove the stop beads from the thread used to do the first row and then gently pull the thread away.

To learn more about the Quick Start Peyote Cards and the different sizes of cards available go to Deb-Moffett Hall’s website. http://www.patternstobead.com/ Good service and fast response.

To make your own Starter Strip you can find the pattern on Suzanne Cooper’s website. http://suzannecooper.com/free/measure.html

To understand how to use the Starter Strip go to http://www.vacacita.com/tutorials/peyotestrip.html

My Delica Bead Peyote Starter Strip

 

 

 



February 2013

February 2013

Work in Progress
Still working with Odd Count Peyote and designing Bitty Beads.  I have completed a second necklace using six Bitty Beads made with Toho and Miyuki regular size 11 seed beads. I modified two of my previous bitty bead designs and created three new ones for this necklace. The difference between using Delicas vs regular 11s is in the length and diameter of the finished bitty bead. The bitty beads in this necklace are 1 1/8 inches long and the inside diameter is slightly less than a 1/4 inch. To give the beads support I used 1/4 inch plastic tubing. I cut the tubing in pieces less than the length of the tube, cut through the length of the piece of tubing and removed a sliver of the tubing to make it fit inside the bitty bead. The style of the necklace is similar to the Netted Bead Tube necklaces from the Ukraine or Africa and I am calling it the Bitty Bead Blue necklace since the predominant color is blue. The bead colors used in the necklace are a dark transparent Sapphire blue #151A (two 6 inch full tubes), White Pearl #420, Sunflower #4, and Silver-lined Crystal #1.

I have carried the Bitty Bead Designs a bit farther and created a design for a beaded cuff. I modified two of the bitty bead designs I used in the Bitty Bead Blue necklace and created a cuff design with diamond, hexagonal and X shapes. I used an aluminum cuff blank with this bracelet and switched back to Delica beads to get a smoother feel and better fit. I stitched the bracelet using Odd Count Peyote. To put the bracelet on the cuff blank I first created a cuff blank and bracelet templates which I used to cut the backing for the beaded piece and the leather backing for the inside of the metal cuff. I used Aleene’s Tacky glue to attach the leather to the inside of the cuff blank and anchored the completed beadwork by first stitching it to 70 weight non-woven interfacing then gluing to the metal blank. To keep the beadwork in position while the glue dried I used binder clips protecting the beads with thin pieces of sponge. The Tacky glue worked great; no fumes and non-toxic. Once everything was set I trimmed the excess interfacing and leather leaving just enough to stitch the two sections together. I added a Picot trim along the edges. I have a large wrist and the finished bracelet topside measurement is 8 1/4 inches by 1 3/4 inches; I used an aluminum cuff blank cut 7 3/16 inches by 1 ½. I have a large size wrist and special ordered my cuff blanks from Beadwork Supplies.com http://www.beadwork-supplies.com/index.html good value and quick delivery.

Here are photos of the Bitty Bead Blue necklace and the Blue, Gold, and Silver Cuff.

 

January 2013

January 2013

Hope everyone is getting off to a good start for the New Year.  

Brand new this year is the Seed Beads and More Facebook page. This was started by Anita Adamson and is a great place for beaders to meet new people, share projects and ideas, gather tips and information, participate in beading challenges and have more beading fun. Here is a link to the Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/465805706810440/

The Seedbeadersters Group have started  the Bead Along for January/February. The project is making Bitty Beads using the Flat Odd Count Peyote Stitch. There are thirty-four graphed and charted designs available for the members to use in creating their bead tubes and finished jewelry pieces.

This is a Valentine necklace I made with the Bitty Beads and is followed by one of the designs available to the members of the Seedbeadersters Group.

Valentine Heart Bitty Bed

 

Row 1&2 (L)  (1)Red, (1)White, (1)Red, (13)White, (1)Red, (1)White, (1)Red

Row 3 (R)  (2)Red, (6)White, (2)Red

Row 4 (L)  (9)White

Row 5 (R)  (2)Red, (6)White, (2)Red

Row 6 (L)  (3)White, (1)Red, (5)White

Row 7 (R)  (2)Red, (3)White, (2)Red, (1)White, (2)Red

Row 8 (L)  (2)White, (3)Red, (4)White

Row 9 (R)  (2)Red, (2)White, (3)Red, (1)White, (2)Red

Row 10 (L)  (2)White, (4)Red, (3)White

Row 11 (R)  (2)Red, (1)White, (4)Red, (1)White, (2)Red

Row 12 (L)  (3)White, (4)Red, (2)White

Row 13 (R)  (6)Red, (2)White, (2)Red

Row 14 (L)  (3)White, (4)Red, (2)White

Row 15 (R)  (2)Red, (1)White, (4)Red, (1)White, (2)Red

Row 16 (L)  (2)White, (4)Red, (3)White

Row 17 (R)  (2)Red, (2)White, (3)Red, (1)White, (2)Red

Row 18 (L)  (2)White, (3)Red, (4)White

Row 19 (R)  (2)Red, (3)White, (2)Red, (1)White, (2)Red

Row 20 (L)  (3)White, (1)Red, (5)White

Row 21 (R)  (2)Red, (6)White, (2)Red

Row 22 (L)  (9)White

Row 23 (R)  (2)Red, (6)White, (2)Red

Row 24 (L)  (9)White

If you like working with seed beads I hope you will stop by the Seedbeadersters Group Home Page and see who we are. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedbeadersters/

During November and December I worked on jewelry projects to give as gifts. I made two bracelets for my Daughters.  I used Tila beads, 4mm Swarovski Crystals, and seed beads in one and used the new Twin beads, Tila beads, and seed beads in the second bracelet. Here are photos of the two bracelets.

 

I like using the Tila beads but since the beads are raised on one side it does make it a bit difficult to keep them aligned properly when stitching. The Tilas and the Twin beads work great as spacers, but I am not completely sold on the Twin beads. I have been looking at beading patterns using the Twin beads and in most cases the beading thread is exposed.  I do not consider beading thread, especially the fishing line I use as attractive. When I design a beading tutorial or pattern I work very hard to keep the thread exposure to a minimum.  Here is a photo of my most recent tutorial called Star Corona Earrings, and I did use Twin Beads in the design.

 

The tutorial is available here http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/CSDDesign/5594077/star_corona_earrings_beading_tutorial/design/jewelry/earrings/beadwoven



In addition to the bracelets I also made some beaded rings. There are some terrific ring tutorials on the web. Here is a list of a few of my favorite ring tutorials with pictures of the ring I made using the tutorial:

Briolette Flower Ring from Beadifulnights  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmzIw6CPvf0

 

Cocktail Beaded Ring from Beadifulnights   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqtw_OpuDTw

Hugs and Kisses Ring from Beadifulnights  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZQ25T-LfNw

There is also a Hugs and Kisses bracelet tutorial available http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f9nznt1eSk

Deluxe Diamond Ring Off the Beaded Path http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB0W_eEMrDg

 

I added Tree of Life pendants to my gift list and for these I used Artistic Wire 18 gauge to make the Tree of Life Ring and 24 gauge wire to attach the gemstone chips. The Artistic Wire is a soft wire and will bend when you work with it, but in making the tree rings I discovered I liked having the bends; each one is unique. Funny, the very first Tree of Life pendant I made is the only one with the circle shape. Here are photos of the different pendants.

Currently I am working on another Bitty Bead necklace with a different color palette and some different designs. I will post a picture of the finished piece in my next blog.

Happy Beading Everyone!