Frilly As A Girl - PART ONE (Post 50)

There are two things that are 'typical' to girls: screaming - that is shrieking with laughter, and in the majority - the love of frills. That's what comes to mind to me. Then of course those girls grow up, but don't necessarily change. Take for instance, being pushed down a kiddies slide in a swimming pool! Yes, I shrieked ... quite loudly. Secondly, looking for that special dress - OK, doesn't have to be frilly as such but sparkly surely? A little 'bling'.

The minute I saw the end product of my red/white bracelet immediately I thought, 'frilly as a girl'.  It sounds like I had only just looked at it - in honesty, I suppose that's true?  Because, aside from knowing the beads I was going to use I wasn't sure what the end result would be. Suitably satisfied, I then produced the purply-black-blue-greeny one!

The pattern is just an 8-bead design, repeated.  Thread a bugle, then 3 seed.  Go back through the bugle and pull tightly, which gives that cute picot frilled edge.  Repeat ... this, what I call top and bottom frill to make the design.  Simples!  Repeat until its as long as you want.  I did a basic loop/clasp finish because it blends in so well.


There we have it ...
I'm not keen on 'long' Posts, (the blogging sort, of course).  So, I'm going to surprise you by making this a double post - I know like buses!  No news in ages then suddenly in the space of a week or so you end up with FIVE ...

Before I go though, I'd like to say 'Hi' to Jill Spain, my latest blog friend. Her blog is really interesting, don't you think - very 'newsy' and friendly.  Jill's expertise lies in Card Craft, running a Greetings Cards Business and regularly attends Events where you'll find all the efforts of her hard work.

* From Wendy's Biography 1st Unique Gifts,
(Host for Handmade Monday)

Have you remembered?  Today is Wendy's Handmade Monday No. 42, why don't you pop over and have a look what everybody's been up to - I love catching up with everybody.  Wendy has had an exciting week, with a newly arrived Granddaughter and has even posted a picture of her.  


Part Two to follow .... don't forget you can follow me on twitter or Charters Creations Facebook.


'Keep Watching, and I'll Keep Blogging


Charters

It Takes Two (Post 47)

Hello and Welcome

A very big welcome to Jenn, of Leftsox who has recently joined us.  Jen is a fellow beader and has sculptured some lovely pieces, whilst also raising 4 sons, a daughter and 2 dogs .... amazing!  Where do you find the time?

Its Handmade Monday No. 23; hosted by Wendy, its a place were you will find a lot of talented like-minded folk.  You too can be part of it if you would like to.  Pop over and take blog hop, guarantee you'll enjoy it.

OK, what have I been up to ... aside from a short break, which I must admit was just perfect!

Dalmation Nugget Twist

I can finally reveal my 'nuggety' necklace that I've been working on.  Which is based on just TWO STITCHES; spiral chain and russian spiral.  The stitches that I very recently came acquainted with.

I used Dalmation Jasper nuggets, metallic grey twisted bugle beads and red and black glass seed beads.

I created little bugle spiral cages and between each a cluster of nuggets; and to keep the theme I finished with the necklace piece in red/black glass beads.  Its interesting to note that the neck piece is the same stitch that I used on the the nugget twist.  Surprising how a different texture can change the look - well it surprised me!

(c) Charters: Dalmation Nugget Twist

I'm really getting used to doing ball cluster and loop clasps, which finished this necklace just nicely.  

Of course, I couldn't stop there - and created matching earrings.

(c) Charters: Dalmation Nugget Twist

In The Pink

Remember my very first spiral chain?  

It was a very delicate pink/green one that I made into a bracelet and very ambitiously I was making a peyote clasp for.  Well, perhaps a little too adventurous for me just yet.  

So, that too ended up with, you've guessed it - a ball cluster and loop clasp.

I thought perhaps a pair of earrings, but not too sure on whether that was a right decision?  They have been labelled as 'sea horses' ... 'the cheek of it'!!!

As you can see I'm keen to add my own stamp to my jewellery and I was very lucky to receive some beautiful bead weaving books for my birthday which I'm hoping will give me a greater insight to working in 2D and 3D.

I'm still picking up basic stitches at the minute and have had a frustrating couple of days getting to grips with one in particular!

Brick Stitch - aka Comanche Stitch
Its a stitch that was used for centuries by Native Americans for amulet bags etc.

This is a very strong stitch which is used in particular as a base stitch for 2D and 3D work, so I've been really knuckling down trying my utmost to learn it. 

Now this is where being left-handed has caused me to get a little mixed up.  But ... never one to give up easily, after 2 days it finally all came together.  This was, to me, amazing! To those of you more experienced, it is probably a simplistic stitch.  I was beginning to think I must be 'really thick', and I can't tell you how many times I've started the technique, only to rip it apart.

I used various books and online tutorials to work it out, each one being 'not quite' legible (to me anyway).  Then ... I don't know why, but I GOT IT ... that's a great feeling.  More so because without Brick Stitch, the chance of doing multi-dimensional work was looking slim.  

And here you have it ... a pair of tear drop, (sort of - I had thought they were going to be diamonds ... or do I mean they should have been?).  Made with a red seed bead with a hint of gold/purple, (I know you can't see it in the piccy but its a very shiny pretty colour).  These were just a 3-row foundation which decrease by one stitch each row.  Turned upside down to complete the 2nd half.

Just the beginning, and more practice definitely needed!  But, hey ... I can do brickstitch!!!  Yippee ....

'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