Bead Work (Post 6)

Before I go any further I would just like to say a BIG thank you for all my 'followers' - I really do appreciate you taking the time to read my blog.  To those who 'pop in' now and again, to see if I've posted any updates - welcome to you as well.   I'd love it if you became a 'follower' as well.

I've finally started to work on my website, so have been concentrating on that this week.  It'll be a little while before its ready though. 

I have just completed a lovely wirework set, and hope to take some pics of it tomorrow, weather permitting.  I like the natural light for my photos.  This will be known as Champagne Maze ... keep watching!

Today, I'm going to post some of my beaded work which I created last year ... and is tucked away, waiting to be displayed.

Blackberry Season

So, this must have been last Autumn ...  I can tell you that beaded work like this is a 'work of art'.  It looks lovely to see the finished product, but I couldn't tell you how many hours it would have taken?  Quite a few.

It's made from nymo thread, size 15/0 glass seed beads in various colours and a VERY fine beading needle.  The clasp is thai silver.  It really does remind me of  blackberries.

I probably thought about this as around us there are the beginnings of ripe blackberries, which will soon need picking for those lovely pies!

Winter Whispers

I'm very proud of this set, as I designed it myself, based on the 'coral' stitch - I believe. 

Its using those pesky little 15/0 glass beads again, intermingled with green crystals.



I think these alone took me a couple of hours, but I am a methodical worker!

They are a very rich colour and complement each other well.  Certainly a stitch I'll experiment more with.

Now, you can guess at how long the necklace took!  Mind you, one thing with beadwork like this, it can't be rushed and will not earn you millions either.  But ... it is very satisfying to make and you do settle into a rhythm with after a while. 

Great for weight watching as well, you daren't stop and eat because you might lose your momentum!  I would say for anybody looking to do this type of work, you must have plenty of time patience.  Oh, and ... good eye sight or strong glasses!  

There are plenty of magazines out there for inspiration. 
One of my favourites is Bead & Button (no not just about buttons - although it does mention vintage buttons etc).  It has some amazing patterns in there and projects and there's load I'd just love to do ... but that's another day.  As you probably see, I do like to vary my projects - so time is not something I have a lot of.

Have I mentioned Mookaite Jasper?  I don't think I have, but it is an absolutely beautiful gemstone.  I came across some in my magical mystery box of beads and will be creating 'something' with it over the next week.  What I don't know until I start ... I know, but that's me ... full of surprises, (even surprise myself most of the time).

Don't forget, Champagne Maze coming up soon ... hopefully in the next day or so.  Keep watching and I'll keep blogging!

Charters
 

Knitted Harmony (Post 5)

Its been a week, or something like that, since I last posted to my blog.  I don't know about you, but that seems TOO long!  So, I've now finished my knitted bracelet and said I'd give you an insight to the spiritual properties around this unusual stone.  Is it unusual?  Well, it is to me.  I tend to use materials that I am attracted to, be it colour, size or type.  To me, this seems a natural thing to do - how could you work with materials you didn't like and create something of beauty?

Knitted Harmony

 Unakite was first found in Unakas Mountains, North Carolina, USA.  Although it is now also found in South Africa, China and Brazil.  It is an altered form of granite, being a mixture of pink feldspar, green epidote and quartz. 

It is associated with the heart of our body, related best with calmness and positivity.

I chose it because it is a very pretty stone.

It is known as a balancing stone which helps to unify the emotional, spiritual and mental aspects of ourselves.  Considered to be excellent at removing obstacles to your personal growth by providing gentle release of blockages.  It also has a subtle action of sending out peaceful vibes to those nearby.

 I knitted this bracelet with fine pure copper wire, as I thought it went so well with the pinky/green gemstones.  Little did I realise, until researching it later, that the spiritual properties of copper totally matched the properties of the unakite - gosh, I'm a natural!

Copper is known to improve blood circulation and is an excellent energy conductor; it overcomes lethargy and revitalises and sends and amplifies thoughts.

It is said to be a 'bestower of good', bringing benefit to its wearer; allowing one to recognise the barriers which are in the path of one's development.  A perfect balance with unakite!

The clasp I designed to almost 'grip the wrist in a hug-like fashion'.  I thought the chunky solid look of the clasp just worked well and the round beads also gave it some solidity.

I lost count of the gemstones, but think it was something like 150 nuggets and over 100 little glass beads which I worked to a pattern of my own making.  Got a feeling, I'm going to love knitted wirework!

OK, for those of you who read my blogs - last time I asked why I had a pasta machine hidden in my wardrobe.  I think most of you, especially jewellery designers, would have known that this is because I want to design jewellery using polymer clay.  I'm building up to it ... quietly.

If you are enjoying my blogs, leave comments and I'm likely to post more often!

In the meantime, keep watching - and I'll keep blogging!

Charters