April 2012

Update on the Seedbeadersters: The May Bead Along is starting and the theme is YOU PICK.

Members can select a project from the Bead Patterns and Tutorial folder on the Seedbeadersters Group Link Page. The patterns and tutorials cover a multitude of beading techniques. A member can try out a new technique or revisit an old one.

OR

Members may choose to make an Amulet Bag. There are 40+ links of Amulet Bag Patterns available to the members and the techniques used to make the bags include Peyote, Tubular Peyote, Netting, Knitting, and Loom.

Here is a photo showing a few of the necklaces made by Seedbeaderster members for the April Bead Along. The tutorial for the necklace was provided by Seedbeaderster member, Larry Linson.

If you like to play with seed beads please join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedbeadersters/ or join our group seedbeadersters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Have fun beading!

April Loom Project

Finished my loom project a “Rose Cell Phone Bag”. This should help protect my cell phone in my purse and keep me from accidentally turning it off or calling someone. I used Delica beads to stitch the bag and size 15 seed beads to close the sides. I created a felt inner bag to keep the phone from being scratched. Here is the picture of the finished bag.

Here is a photo showing the completed project on the loom. I used masking tape across the bottom row of paper clips to keep from snagging the thread while stitching.

I really liked working with the No Warp loom. It was easier to use and I was able to work faster. The only drawback with using paperclips is having small loops of thread along the end beads after removing the piece from the loom.  On the cell phone bag I added a row of beads to each end using Square Stitch and pushing the loops to the inside of the bag.

I have a Versa Loom but did not use it for the cell phone bag. The Versa Loom was not wide enough to accommodate the number of beads required.

I plan to make a loom stitch bracelet with the No Warp loom, but this time I am going to setup the warp threads using beads in the same manner as on the Versa Loom.

Earl April 2012

Sunshine and Beads what a great way to have Fun!

One of the seedbeadersters  found the German web site FantasiaBeads http://www.fantasiabeads.de/index.php?XTCsid=93d688a992a11403e2138594b0c7d48f  where she found a tutorial to make a beaded crystal Sea Horse, titled Luis. Her sea horse was so lovely I decided to make one for myself.  The tutorial calls for 3mm crystals.  Not having 3mm on hand I switched to 4mm. I used Metallic Gold Iris seed beads in size 8 and 11, gold metallic seed beads in size 15, and Golden Shadow Swarovski 4mm crystals. With all the gold beads I used I have dubbed him King Luis. Here is his picture.

The Seedbeadersters are busy working on the RAW Choker necklace and finishing up previous projects. Some of the members want to make an Amulet bag or a netted bag with beads as our next project. To that end I am trying to locate free tutorials for both types of beaded bags. I have also designed a bag worked in Tubular Peyote and will make the pattern available to the seedbeaderster members. Plus I am looking for an alternative project for those who do not want to make a beaded bag.

In the meantime I am working on a loom project. For this project I am using the No Warp Ends method. My very handy Son In-law built the loom for my birthday. He used The Best Loom of All as a starting point. The loom he made is smaller but is just right for my looming needs. Here is a photo of the finished loom. As you can see in this photo I have started my project. I’ll post another photo when I have it finished. The plans for the Best Loom of All can be purchased from GGs Design on Art Fire. http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/GGsDesigns

Spring 2012

Spring is definitely on overdrive here in the Midwest.

I have finished the Twisted Tubular Herringbone necklace based on Doris Coghill design “Fresh Twist.” I ended up making two necklaces and I am pretty sure I will be making a third. When you have two daughters one is never enough and two is okay, but three is the best, especially if you want to have one of your own.

Here are photos of the two I have completed.

I have also managed to make two beaded beads based on the Beadwork Beaded Bead Contest designs. The first bead is “Seeing Stars” designed by Melinda Barta and the second is “Cluster Beaded Bead” designed by Gwen Fisher.

The “Cluster Beaded Bead” makes a large size bead if you use 8mm beads as given in the materials list. I am not a huge fan of large size beads so I replaced the 8mm with 6mm and adjusted the size of seed beads accordingly.

Not sure yet if I will actually enter the Beadwork Contest but I am having a good time making the beads.

Here is the photo of the two beads.

The April Project for the Seedbeadersters is ready to roll. The project is an “Embellished Right Angle Weave Necklace” designed by Larry Linson a Seedbeadersters member. This is a lovely choker style necklace. The instructions for the necklace are in the Seedbeadersters files but you need to belong to the group to access the file. seedbeadersters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Here is a photo of the April Bead Along Project.

Off to my bead stash. Have fun playing with your beads.

March 2012

Good Day!


Happy to report the Seedbeaderster members are going gangbusters in creating some very pretty Russian Spiral Bracelets. This Bead Along will be coming to an end soon and some have already completed or are busy working on the Tubular Herringbone Necklace which is our March project. If you like to bead please check out our home page at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedbeadersters/ and you can join the fun.
This photo showcases just some of the Seedbeadersters fabulous Russian Spiral bracelets.

Here is a photo of my latest bead project; Splendor Bracelet and Earrings. I used Ruby toned Czech Fire-Polished beads and Metallic Gold Seed beads.

The Tutorial for the bracelet includes instructions and diagrams to make adjustments for different lengths of bracelets. The earrings are designed to attach to ear post, ear wires or clip type earring findings. The tutorials are available in my Art Fire Studio: CSD Design http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/CSDDesign

I have started my Tubular Herringbone and it is a variation of the necklace designed by Doris Coghill called "Fresh Twist" from Beading Daily's Favorite Stitches and Beadweaving Techniques: 5 Free Beadwork Beading Patterns for Seed Beads

 http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2010/11/05/beading-daily-s-favorite-stitches-and-beadweaving-techniques-5-free-beadwork-beading-patterns-for-seed-beads.aspx

The listed materials for this necklace are size 8 seed beads, a Lampwork focal bead, and size 11 triangle beads. I like the way the Tubular Herringbone looks with the addition of the size 11 triangles. I made a test piece using triangles I have. The trial piece worked up nicely; but the colors I have need more oomph. I took the sample apart and am using size 11 seed beads as replacements for the triangles.  The piece is working up quickly and I hope to have it finished in a few days.

February 2012 CSD Design Bead Bits

WELCOME TO CSD Design Bead Bits!

I started my journey with beads in 2005. Working with beads allows me time to be creative and share what I do with family and friends.

In 2008 I started Seedbeadersters a Yahoo Group. The focus of this group is using seed beads to make jewelry, accessories, ornaments and other beaded objects. This year the members are working on Bead Along projects and a Beaded Bead Challenge.

In January the Bead Along project was the Vanguard Crystal Ribbon Bracelet. I designed the bracelet and the members who participated had a lot of fun. The variety of colors they chose made some very lovely bracelets.

The February project is a Russian Spiral bracelet using two colors of size 8 Hex beads, one color of size 8 seed beads, and size 11 seed beads. Once again the members are having a good time and producing pretty bracelets.

In March the group will be working on a Tubular Herringbone necklace. There are some good tutorials on the web and in several bead publications. I can’t wait to see what the members create.

The Bead Challenge for the Seedbeadersters is based on the Beaded Bead Contest Beadwork magazine is running for their 15^th anniversary. The members do not have to participate in the contest to do the challenge, but I think it would be great if the members did.

If you like to be creative and have fun come; join us at the Seedbeadersters. seedbeadersters@yahoogroups.com
Beading friends liked my designs and asked for tutorials. I started doing tutorials and giving them away to friends and members of the Seedbeadersters. I was encouraged by family and friends to sell my tutorials and this led to opening a studio on Art Fire. My studio is CSD Design BeadworkTutorials http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/CSDDesign
I recently designed a Starflower Reversible Pendant with gold and silver seed beads. One side of the pendant is gold and the other side is silver. It's like having two necklaces in one. All I have to do is turn the necklace around to change the look. I am currently working on a new bracelet design and will have the tutorial available soon.