Spring Cheers ... (Post 71)

I love this time of the year, although it may be a little unpredictable, weatherwise. Funny since I started this the weather has taken a turn for the better - full on sunshine, not that I'm complaining.

I've got a lot to show you, its been a busy few weeks.  Where to start?

Mother's Day Necklace

A Norma Jean Dell Design

Last week I showed you the cute russian leaf earrings I made, what I didn't say they were part of a set that I made for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day.  I held back showing it until now, but it is now with its new owner and was greatly appreciated.

A Norma Jean Dell design, incorporating a few new techniques for me.  A magnetic clasp makes it easier to wear.

The pendant is a beautiful Swarovski crystal rivoli.  This has no holes so has to be captured in a net of beads' it is then embellished with jet dagger beads and beautiful little jet crystals.

The neck chain is a lovely zig zag type pattern, and actually looks like a 'chain' but is made with very small seed beads.  The whole necklace is made with size 15/0 seeds.

I'd never beaded around a Rivoli before and found that you had to really give a tight tension to it or it just wouldn't hold; once it was captured it was further captured with the dagger beads.

A Bit of a Regular Occurrence
I was really excited to be given the opportunity, once again, to be a 'Tester' - this time for the very talented Liz Reed of Crimson Moon.  Liz had created a tutorial for a Beaded Bead called 'Corona'.  I have never done this type of bead weaving before but found it so easy - in the main because Liz produces wonderful detailed and well photographed tutorials.

'Corona Bead' as a Pendant on faux suede necklace
A Liz Reed Design

The Corona Bead is very versatile and is sweet enough to be on its own as a pendant, or perhaps as a pair of earrings.

If you want to make this visit The Crimson Moon for the tutorial; or if you prefer, purchase the finished article - take a look at the wonderful colours that Liz has used.

'Corona Bead' as a Pendant on a silver Snake Chain
A Liz Reed Design

Appeal to the child within .... and read all about the arrival of the 'Corona Bead'

Week 10 Earrings
'Corona Bead' - A Liz Reed Design

Week 10 Earrings
I just had to make the 'Corona Bead' into a pair of earrings, which contributes towards my Earring Challenge.  But ... I'm STILL behind!

This week is Week 14 .... I keep getting side-tracked with so many other beaded wonders!

I'm going to close here but still have updates for you.  I'm NOT going to make wild promises ... as I don't want to disappoint you BUT I will try to make it very soon!


'Keep Watching, and I'll Keep Blogging'


Charters

Bead by Bead (Post 45)

A busy week, getting to grips with new beading techniques.  Still doing the nuggetty necklace and an interesting beaded brooch.  But, I digress ...

Finally gathered together everything needed for another tutorial by the Designer Liz Reed of The Crimson Moon.  In fact, I'm proud to say that this is actually my first bead embroidery -as it involves stitching to fabric.

Thanks Liz ... love your tutorials!

Liz's tutorials are in her Etsy Store, I bought this some time ago, with an idea of what I wanted to do. 

The great thing about Liz's tutorials are that they are excellent for giving a 'grounding' in techniques, which you can then build on to create your own designs.  From this tutorial alone I now know how to use brick stitch to create petals, how to work beading onto fabric, do embroidery backstitch and so much more. 

This tutorial is based on you using your own cabachon - or bead or button: the choice is yours.  I love the goddess that's pictured here.  As yet, my polymer skills do not lend themselves to produce such beauties.  I had other ideas ...

Have You Guessed Yet?

This glass bead and the little beads with it reminds me of the sun.  So I thought that as I didn't have a 'goddess' to use that I would create a lovely bright sun with rays dancing out of the edges.  (OK, that was the idea, anyway).

Oops, did the tutorials really say use an 18 mm cabachone?  Well ... its a little larger at 35+ mm.  Did I ever tell you my sense of measurement is poor.  Me, I still think in feet and inches!!

Not to be put off, I thought - the technique is the same, just means I 'll use a few more beads etc.

Not to be deterred, now I'd got this far I ploughed on.  The only setback being 'my being left-handed'.  It wasn't really a problem, and I soon settled in.  It was quite therapeutic.

Sunshine or Sunflower?

I haven't decided yet, whether this will be a brooch or maybe a 'quite mad' necklace.  I'm really pleased with the results though.

I've started another project incorporating some of these techniques, but have another stitch which I think will look fab - a sort of loopy type stitch.  Maybe next time?

Hello and Welcome to: Karen of Kazies Magical Designs

Kazie has some beautiful encaustic art and other 'one of a kind' items; and joins my other virtual friends in producing some amazing work.  Take a peek for yourselves.

And finally, its  Handmade Monday No. 20 today.  Pop over and see what everybody has been up to.

Got 'beading' to catch up with, so until next time ...

'Keep Watching - and, I'll Keep Blogging'

Charters

May's Meanderings (Post 41)

Hope you all had a nice long break; in the UK we not only had Easter but also an additional holiday for the Royal Wedding.  I took advantage and turned it into a holiday touring in France and Devon.  

Its been an interesting couple of weeks and I'd like to start by thanking Debbie of Abracadebra Designs for the two pairs of earrings she very kindly made for me as a Pay It Forward prezzy.

... thanks Debbie, they are, like all your jewellery, just beautiful!

I was a little surprised to see that nobody had picked up on my last Post ... with the offer of Paying Forward.  Maybe its the commitment for 5 gifts?  So, I'd like to revise that ... why not take part and Pay Forward just one little prezzy.  Pay It Forward - to the 1st person who writes a comment

PAY IT FORWARD CLOSED - THANKS TO ZUKIESTYLE FOR TAKING PART.

Next I would like to welcome two new followers which brings my total virtual friends to that magical number of 50 !!!!!  More on that later ... A very big welcome goes to:

1. Little Harriet  Harriet makes lovely handmade gifts and jewellery and has very recently made that big move of opening her own Folksy shop.  Congratulations with that Harriet, hope its a great success for you.
   
2. Nancy  A very interesting lady with a variety of talents, who calls herself 'the craft lady' but who is in actual fact so much more!  Her blog is very versatile and Nancy is very sharing with tutorials on so many unusual items.

Take a peek at both of these sites, you'll be pleased you did.

Whilst your in the mood for browsing, just a reminder that today is Handmade Monday No. 15 hosted by Wendy.  A showcase of all fellow artists work - always worth browsing.  Why not pop over ...

What Have I been Up To?

I've been teaching myself a new beadweaving stitch - 

'spiral chain'.  Its a tutorial I came across on Tackle That Bead Stash Blog, written by Liz Reed - thanks Liz, lovely clear instructions.

It really is easy to do, once you pick up the rhythm.  I've been merrily weaving spirals to my heart's content.  However, I've yet to finish it and foolheartedly attempted to do a peyote stitch clasp - oooh ... a bit too tricky; so have not quite completed it.  

Undaunted with my new found confidence I went on to make a royal blue/metallic grey chain necklace, which I finished with a beaded loop and clasp.  I've since been given instructions from Liz on a method to use - so my next one should be even better!

The chain matches my blue silk dress just perfectly!  I need to do some earrings to match next.

Still on the spiral chain theme, I'm currently making a chain bracelet or will it be a necklace? (running low on beads ...) for this months OTTBS Moodboard Challenge.  That is ... if I like it when its finished!

Work In Progress .... we'll see

Still To Come ...

I'm planning a 'giveaway' to celebrate reaching 50 Followers ... 

'Keep Watching, and ... I'll Keep Blogging'

Charters

Lazy Days, lots of Fun .... (Post 39)

'Tambourine Treat'

Light evenings, longer warm days ... you've guessed it, less 'me' time - or is that more 'me' time but less 'you' time?

This week I've been looking through old Bead and Button magazines and revived my interest in beadweaving.  

It was only after I'd made up the crystal pendant that it struck me how much it looked like a tambourine!  Albeit a very small one ...

The piece is worked in two halfs, woven in segments which gently allow a 6 mm crystal to snuggle into place.

'Tambourine Treat'

A jump ring was attached and I handstitched a woven thread with matching glass seed beads to give a little weight to it; finishing off with a coiled cord ending and trigger clasp.

Aside from 'Tambourine Treat' I revisited Liz Reed's Fairground Attraction tutorial with some very pleasing results.

Fairground Attraction
Designed by Liz Reed of Crimson Moon
 

Take 2 ...

Following my initial interpretation of Liz's design I felt that I needed to review my steps ....

Not once, mind but twice.  As suddenly, the pattern fell into place.

Voila ... here it is: My 'Fairground Attraction'

I became aware of where the beads should be placed - the right way round for a start!

I consciously separated the beads into their individual sizes, realising on my original interpretation that I had started with a centre bead that was just much too big.

Diligently stitching into each of the little bridges, transformed by the gentle repetitive steps, mesmerised by the glints of light twinkling so 'knowingly' until - finally ... I felt I could acknowledge the true interpretation of 'Fairground Attraction' and no longer hide behind a 'frilly' pendant ....

 'Fairground Attraction

It is of course, due to the excellent tutorial that I was able to analyse where changes were needed and have the confidence to try and try again!

My interpretation of  'Fairground Attraction'

I will be joining you again in the next day or so with an opportunity for you to take part in sharing your lovely work.  I had hoped to mention it earlier but once I get going ... time goes nowhere.

Ooh ... I missed Handmade Monday ... but you don't need to - go and take a peek now.

'Keep Watching, and I'll Keep Blogging'

Charters