tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18152938528059685582024-03-13T14:40:22.249-05:00Riverlea BeadsSo many beads, so little time, but this pastime keeps me busy as a bee...and happy doing it...Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-53342254881720925812012-08-30T13:22:00.003-05:002012-08-30T13:22:21.231-05:00Something else to bead....a needlecase!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My jewelry drawer is getting overfull, even though I give a lot away, so I was looking for a new beading opportunity. I had seen some cylindrical wooden needlcases in the past, and finally found some to buy. I found several delightful patterns by Beth Murr at her website <a href="http://www.untilwebeadagain.com/index.php?p=1_43_Needle-Case-PATTERNS">Until We Bead Again</a> . On her site are also links to YouTube videos for construction, and they are excellent. After ruminating over which of the lovely designs I would do from her 12 pattern package I purchased online, I chose the merry go round case. <br />
The basic construction is cylindrical peyote, and the challenge on this when using a diagram is that the start point travels sideways as you bead due to the step up. Beth also has a great video explaining how to mark the diagram. The pattern is flawless and I found the beading really fun as the picture emerged, I couldn't wait to finish it! <br />
My case turned to be a little shorter than the pattern, so I just left out a few rows that were not critical to the design. I suspect my case is metric sizing, so beware of this. The other little discovery was when I got to the top. I started to bead and realized the beads were not fitting, then remembered a line on her site about looking for flush cases that did not need to be sanded. So, I got out sand paper and sanded down the sides so they were flush with the base. <br />
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The tops are beaded seperately then zip stiched to the sides. I think it would be possible to do the beading all is one piece, but maybe the cylindrical shape is more challenging to do that way. Since then I have been looking at other needlecase designs, and there are several other designs available. Have some fun and do a google image search ans see all the cases you find. One other construction note, she does not bead the bottom, but I did because I did not catch this in time. Mine stands up ok, but I think I won't bead the next bottom as the flat wooden bottom is more stable. <br />
Anyway, please take a look at Beth's lovely designs, and try this for a fun diversion and great gift idea. Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-56204430944415899052012-08-20T16:47:00.003-05:002012-08-20T16:52:20.319-05:00My beaded bead kick continues...I'm still on a beaded bead kick, and here are a few of my latest. In the first picture the round beads are an adaptation of La Boulette by Flymouche, available on her lovely blog: <a href="http://flyblog.canalblog.com/archives/schemas/p10-0.html">Flyblog</a> . It is very difficult to get exactly the right size wooden beads, so I
find I have to adapt and sometimes add a couple extra rows. I usually end up putting a bead cap or other bead to cover the hole, so it is really not that critical to cover the end completely. Having said
that, it is also important not to crowd the beads too much, or you get
bulging.<br />
The starburst is a new pattern by Cathy Lampole called Flower Power, available on her blog: <a href="http://www.thatbeadlady.com/beads?category=pdf%20bracelet%20pattern">That Bead Lady</a> . This pattern went together quite nicely, and it is quick, so I think these would make great gifts. It is really fun to vary the embellishment. I made two different version of this in about an hour. I'm not sure what I will make with these, but I am learning that if you make the beaded beads in a common colour palette there is hope that they wont sit permanently in a jar on my bead shelf!<br />
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The next batch is a design by Puca, <a href="http://perlepuca.canalblog.com/">Les Perles de PUCA</a> a link to where to purchase the pattern, a site called Dawanda is on her blog. Puca has some really interesting designs. I also purchased her pattern for a pin cushion (porte aiguille) and it is darling. I'm not happy with the form I made it on, so I will post it when I have refined it. These round beads were on 20mm wooden beads, and went together really easily. They are a little larger, so I think they will each be a focal bead on a necklace. Stay tuned to see what I end up making!<br />
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<br />Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-79673579736367336842012-08-06T19:31:00.004-05:002012-08-06T19:31:59.454-05:00La Premiere in Pearls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My original design for this little motif described in the previous post was done in pearls. This is such a quick and easy motif, and it really has some body so it is not flimsy like some simple motifs. The pearl version using 6mm pearls very flat. The version with doughnut crystals in the previous post cups more like a flower. Here are a couple pictures of the pearl version. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DY9CfLF2CFfDAXkzQj1mbyERN6nOeZ1uHKtdwA6IB2lJXp7xUJs89x-2Mmi0FgftIVb16gHesrTUC6vCm3refgXLXZyKaouLLQCkFo6LOchwpyiTgrw5eZ3TbmVYwdJTa6X9OJGNRaPP/s1600/IMG_6103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DY9CfLF2CFfDAXkzQj1mbyERN6nOeZ1uHKtdwA6IB2lJXp7xUJs89x-2Mmi0FgftIVb16gHesrTUC6vCm3refgXLXZyKaouLLQCkFo6LOchwpyiTgrw5eZ3TbmVYwdJTa6X9OJGNRaPP/s320/IMG_6103.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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The green example has a little margarita crystal added. The bottom is three 4mm crystals. The pink has a cone bead added for the accent. The proportions of the actual motif are better than the picture, my angle of the photo must have been a little skewed. The back has a simple little addition so the motif can be threaded through a ribbon or other string of beads. <br />
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I feel I have been so fortunate to have been given patterns by so many talented beaders, especially the many French bead blogs which I have followed for several years, improving my French at the same time. So, here is my first pattern, and it's free!! Comments appreciated. <br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/102201225/La-Premiere-c">La Premiere Pattern by Shelley, Riverlea Beads</a><br />
<br />Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-43370628124079206452012-08-04T13:19:00.004-05:002012-08-06T19:35:15.107-05:00Beginner's Bracelet.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I needed an easy project for a workshop I am doing for some friends who have never beaded, but they sew. I find people who sew pick up beading fairly easily, probably because they can manage a needle! I
decided to use size 8 beads for a simple 8 stitch peyote band, then add a
motif. I used a combination of matte and AB beads in the same colour, and it worker quite well. After trying a couple patterns for a motif and deciding they were too hard for beginners,
I developed a motif on my own, and made my first original pattern in
Word. Now I'm trying to figure out if I can attach as word or Pdf
document to this blog. As soon as I can figure that out I'll post the
pattern.<br />
Guess what, I think I figured it out with the help of the internet.<br />
The pattern should be here.<br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/102201225/La-Premiere-c">Pattern for La Permiere, by Shelley, Riverlea Beads</a><br />
Please let me know how you like the pattern.Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-62805324004992317692012-07-19T12:21:00.001-05:002012-07-23T16:46:08.105-05:00Peyote InstructionsAlthough peyote is a basic beading stitch, it takes lots of practice in different manifestations of projects to gain true mastery over all of its forms and capabilities. In this post I have collected some links to the best descriptions I can find of the techniques needed when constructing a beaded peyote bead. Personally I find I learn best by seeing the animation, having picture references, and trying samples as I go, but everyone has different ways of individualizing their learning. <br />
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<b>Animations</b> are a great way to understand a stitch. Here is a link to some animations for basic flat peyote. It is really important to understand the flat peyote first, and the concepts of up "up beads" and "down beads":<br />
Silverhill Designs: <a href="http://www.silverhilldesign.com/tutorials/PeyoteStitchTutor.html">even and odd count flat peyote animation</a><br />
Click the triangle on each little screen to start the animation. There are also links to some nice but fairly easy patterns. <br />
Here is a good flat even count peyote diagram from Suzanne Cooper, who has an excellent website with lots of free patterns and instructions:<br />
<a href="http://www.suzannecooper.com/classroom/flat/flat_class.html">Suzanne Cooper's peyote diagram</a><br />
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A <b>step up</b> is used in tubular peyote. Tubular peyote is the stitch used for some beaded beads and for amulet bags. Here is a picture of that the step up looks like: <a href="http://beadwork.about.com/od/beadingstitchtutorials/ss/Tubular_Even_Count_Peyote_5.htm"> From About website</a><br />
Below is a picture of a step up in action as the last bead is added to a row. Basically to do a step up you go through 2 beads: the usual "up" bead to create the last stitch, then through the first bead you added in that row. When learning step ups it is much easier if you use different color beads until you learn to recognize the pattern. Occasionally missing the step up is a really common mistake, even for experienced beaders. <br />
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Finally, below is a link to a video showing tubular peyote and a step up. There are also written instructions in detail below the video. <a href="http://video.about.com/beadwork/How-to-Do-Even-Count-Tubular-Peyote-Stitch.htm">Tubular video</a><br />
If you are doing a larger project based on tubular peyote, this free tutorial from i-beads explains how the starting point moves diagonally across the beading chart. There is also a good chart for a step up in step 5.<br />
<a href="http://i-bead.com/peyoteinstructions.html">peyote tutorial</a> from i-beads.<br />
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So, I hope these links will help increase skills and comfort level with tubular peyote, and a successful beaded bead. <br />
<br />Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-6694950593842912472012-07-18T17:11:00.001-05:002012-07-23T16:44:50.284-05:00Beaded Beads and I'm Beading Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I didn't bead much this winter because I got hooked on machine embroidery and was also back to my porcelain doll reproductions, but I seem to have the beading bug this summer and will do some posts again. There are so many wonderful bead blogs that mine seems pretty ordinary, but I was astounded the last time I checked my stats, so I guess I have a few readers. <br />
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I love doing beaded beads and recently offered to teach one for my beading group. I have made many beaded beads but often just end up throwing them in a jar, because although I enjoy making them I just don't always get around to making something with them. My challenge to myself was to create at least one usable item from some of by beaded beads as one of the things I showed the group.<br />
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I have taught beading informally to friends over the years, but until I started in this beading group my beading social networks were mostly the internet and beading books and magazines. It has been great to meet with others who like to bead. For the workshop, I developed what I thought was a reasonable set of instructions for a beaded bead with a wooden internal centre done in circular peyote. Well...... je me trompe!!<br />
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Although these little structural wonders are fairly easy once you get the hang of them, for the type we made knowledge of circular peyote, and of how peyote works in general is really important. After a few minutes into the workshop I realized that this foundational knowledge was needed (and in my instructions I had assumed people had circular peyote experience), so unfortunately I think some people left a little frustrated. So, I stewed over what to do, feeling I had let them down (and remember that my professional expertise was as a teacher, so maybe I had really lost it!!) <br />
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So after getting over my ruminations of what had gone wrong, I redid my instructions into what I hope is a "teaching" set, where more detail is given and things like step ups and reductions are explained. I also am making a larger set of teaching beads (I might even use straws and yarn!!), so I hope to have more happy campers when we meet next week. <br />
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The brown beads above were made from a pattern on Flymouche's blog called "<b><i>La Boulette</i></b>" and her French instructions are terrific if you understand circular peyote. Here is a link to her site <a href="http://flyblog.canalblog.com/">FLYBLOG</a>. The pattern is in the archives for August 2009, but please have fun looking at her wonderful blog. The necklace is what I made for my challenge. The central bead is from Beadwork beaded bead #2 in the "Cluster Beaded Bead" by Gwen Fisher, April May 2012 issue. It is really nice. A little complicated, I think I have way more thread because I got mixed up and had to get back to the right node a few times, but this is the second one I have made and I really like it.<br />
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In my next post I will add some links for my bead group about circular peyote and step ups.Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-58405255611433167442011-09-13T14:19:00.001-05:002011-09-13T14:19:10.025-05:00The "Lard 'Tunderin Jesus" Bead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just received my copy of the latest Beadweaving Master Class series from Lark Publishing, <b><u>Maggie Meister's Classical Elegance</u></b>. This is a terriric book with many useful techniques and projects. I was fortunate to have been able to take a class with Maggie and she is a real inspiration for beaders looking for a both new ideas and challenges. I chose the "kilim" beaded bead for the first project to make out of the book. </div>
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So why is this post titled as it is? There is a well known cartoon in Canada where I live in which a canoe is....well, see the cartoon. The caption is usually "Lard 'Tunderin Jesus!", an oft heard expression in the maritimes from which I hale.</div>
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This bead has a very intricate construction, with a framework built first and brick stitch panels added into the structure. The framework went fairly easily, although I admit having had the class with Maggie it helped that I understood some of her construction methods. The first two panels went in easily once I reviewed brick stitch, a stitch which I like but don't use as often as others. The third panel was getting a touch more difficult due to the overall space between the ribs. When I finished the first half after a few ripouts I sat back to admire my progress when I noticed that there was a rib behind that I had missed. </div>
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So I ripped out again, attached the panel to the right rib, and eventually finished the bead. This was a terrific project, and this is a must have book for serious beaders.I apologize for the strings remaining, but as usual with beaded beads I love making them but they often sit in my beaded bead jar for admiration before they get made into something useful!</div>
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Anyway, I hope this gives all you beaders something to chuckle about today!</div>
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<br />Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-42394755232730518442011-05-18T12:59:00.000-05:002011-05-18T12:59:31.185-05:00Loomwork with Delicas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlUZIUko4vSApGHvWnAJNWIA6SNK-gJeQzkqbgojaRc8ihdXwvLL3zUUpRwC5e4XRFpDUnf6QuZSWuqqEObgIoVOhmzTXdPxHUOSdgxYPg5PeSsX0QrPRv0dVSR4kMCYmh69iyFBDnW2Y/s1600/_MG_0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlUZIUko4vSApGHvWnAJNWIA6SNK-gJeQzkqbgojaRc8ihdXwvLL3zUUpRwC5e4XRFpDUnf6QuZSWuqqEObgIoVOhmzTXdPxHUOSdgxYPg5PeSsX0QrPRv0dVSR4kMCYmh69iyFBDnW2Y/s320/_MG_0793.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>My interest in loomwork continues. I love the evenness of the loomwork, and am still addicted to the little pop as the beads slip into their place in between the warps. This is a bracelet adapted from a Bead and Button pattern "Capture the Spirit of the Victorian Era with Floral Patterns" for a split necklace by Jennifer Creasey.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDSXnbalAWmaFRnSHtFb_BSUjUyPivsIASWrWXpDcwy6PKNkAofqIC4tfMBcqtLFBMsI3fo07jCQ0o-B_-Lj6rCxixBBFNoMD-S-bsNqHgVSnWp9BzKQwzPowANfXUWUO-FfJdr46YkIs/s1600/_MG_0808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>The little rose motif is easy and quite nice in terms of how the colours of the rose make the image seem natural. I continue to be thwarted by the warp ends. I tried to sew these in but finally resorted to gluing a piece of fabric to the threads. I have signed up to be in the Bead Interventions group on Facebook and am hoping I to learn some better ways to deal with the ends. In the photo below I added a three bead picot edge with size 15 seedbeeds and the overall effect is very dainty. <br />
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Our regalia pieces for the project are coming along very rapidly. The students doing the loomwork are getting quite fast, and seem to enjoy it.<br />
My little homemade loom works very well, and now I am giving it to the artist mentor to do her next regalia piece, so I am working on my next prototype. Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-76119925715955327252011-05-02T16:46:00.001-05:002011-05-02T16:50:39.689-05:00Loom Work Pendant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcKNarEfLc7DCpwPnHEBMjUaQFd0xgcCndCGSYRMsaviJBEFnqRcpoEC9GlBrOTlVEvPCWow9zCrtgJqPJcqHatFQ-O0fzG6k-OxfH1NUWglCXxs-EA8kVkPvcuJyeHqeEXl9tTW8oFF4/s1600/_MG_0759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcKNarEfLc7DCpwPnHEBMjUaQFd0xgcCndCGSYRMsaviJBEFnqRcpoEC9GlBrOTlVEvPCWow9zCrtgJqPJcqHatFQ-O0fzG6k-OxfH1NUWglCXxs-EA8kVkPvcuJyeHqeEXl9tTW8oFF4/s320/_MG_0759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is a picture of my homemade loom with a pendant started on it. After looking at pictures of various looms, and also understanding that you can warp a loom in a way that you don't have ends to deal with, I designed this one with the help of my very talented husband. There are still some tweaks to do on the design, but overall it works really well and can be used with various techniques.<br />
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I learned a technique for doing the warp from the artist mentor who is leading the beading project. She uses one continuous thread rather than tying off individual threads. I have tried to use a no end warp technique as well, but although the concept works, the actual process is so far a lot of trouble, and I am not happy with the tension, so I have done my first 2 projects with the traditional approach (which means a lot of ends to deal with afterwards!)<br />
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This pendant is a project by Heidi Kummli from <u><b>Bead and Button October 2005, p. 116</b></u>. The patterns has two variations, both of them lovely. I beaded the piece with no problem. The backing technique used masking tape, and I was not hapopy with result, so I took that off and developed my own way of gluing the ends onto lightweight interfacing, then backing the whole piece with ultrasuede. That worked well. I used more info from Heidi's book to help with the finishing, and overall it is a very attractive pendant.<br />
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I really enjoyed the loomwork, and have another project to post soon. Because I had lots of warp thread, I was able to do a little pair of matching earrings on the same warp.<br />
Another helpful book in terms of the actual loom technioque was the one by Margie Deeb entitled <u><b>Out on a Loom, ( </b></u>which is not readily available but I found one in a remainder sale.) It has good info on necklaces and how to deal with increases and decreases.<br />
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That's all for now folks, I have one more loom piece coming soon.<br />
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I have been away from beading pursuing other obsessions for several months, but now I am back to the beads.<br />
I have been working with an artist and high school class who are doing a beautiful regalia, and this has inspired me to learn more.<br />
Last year the class in Native Studies worked on some regalia pieces but also made medallions under the guidance of an artist mentor. <br />
Here is a picture of the medallion I designed and made. The technique is to do bead embroidery applique on a material called tara cloth. It is sort of like a thin oilcloth. After the beading is completed, then the piece is backed and an edge beaded border done.<br />
The dedication of the students was impressive. Their beading designs were very intriguing and they incorporated various personal meanings into the design and colours used.<br />
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In seeing how much the students were enjoying the medicine pouches that were this year's project, I suggested to the artist mentor that we incorporate some loomwork. The loomwork piqued my interest, and my next post will feature the results of my first serious loom piece.<br />
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This is a lovely little bracelet from a pattern by Cathy Lampole that works up quickly and is a great gift. I wanted something for my niece who just got married. She is very stylish and her style is more tailored and modern (as opposed to frilly and girly), and the design of this fits the bill perfectly.<br />
The pattern is from Cathy Lampole and can be found on this website under patternless kits and by designer Cathy Lampole<a href="http://www.buythekit.com/patterns/patterns.php"> Buy the Kit </a><br />
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(Sorry, I tried to put in the direct link but there is some php thing going on that I cant seem to do this).<br />
I tried another clasp with a circle and bar on it but there was not enough slack to get the bar through, so I ripped that one off and used a small magnetic one that works easily and looks delicate. A technique that I highly recommend is to use a different thread in another colour for your clasp. That way if you have to rip it out or replace it you don't ruin the whole piece. I was thankful I had done this when I realized I needed to redo the clasp. <br />
Beads: Size 2 bugles, 11's (Japanese - I used the new permanent finish which are a smidge larger than regular 11's), 4 mm Swarovski's.<br />
I like this so much that I think I will have to make one for myself next!Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-37527592300432444462010-07-25T11:29:00.000-05:002010-07-25T11:29:59.973-05:00Bracelet with Rivolis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoi6Lt7H7DqyNwekV82shsWN0jDpIje8cZ5b-PwwaCoW1VjgnbmJoHHIxeuDCVB2rc_H6EDBybZTB_bvlBW5czV68wAscU-qU58v9_36SPP0faNqB8pRJJ81eTubagt4xhEOXILmP5zqD/s1600/_MG_0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoi6Lt7H7DqyNwekV82shsWN0jDpIje8cZ5b-PwwaCoW1VjgnbmJoHHIxeuDCVB2rc_H6EDBybZTB_bvlBW5czV68wAscU-qU58v9_36SPP0faNqB8pRJJ81eTubagt4xhEOXILmP5zqD/s320/_MG_0475.jpg" /></a></div>This is the bracelet I made from the recent article in Beadwork by Melanie Potter. As usual, Melanie's patterns are excellent, and this went together easily. I had trouble finding 8mm rivolis, but finally found some acceptable substitutes in Chinatown at Arton Beads. Unfortunately I did not buy enough of them, so I adapted the pattern to have less rivolis and I added embellishments using a size 8 bead in the middle surrounded by 13mm charlottes. The final bracelet is really nice, I may try another one when I can get enough rivolis the next time I am in Toronto. Instead of the 2mm bicones, which are also pretty hard to find here, I used five 3mm bicones around the edge. The clasp is just a loop of peyote that fits around one of the cabochon settings. <br />
Overall, a great project with much potential for variations. This would make a terrific gift for someone special.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7jpDTx7_1PrSHHCGjFEFeipnKxZiOvWWCAUubJbW0YggmEPulRh8NL_LUJ0VHlrQwu9NWxPRurBMM8mhDm1O1XCjEeNyFX2HQnAZxBBolEqduJpyHdMj4czw23YB7UKEAoPiipMAWum8/s1600/_MG_0474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7jpDTx7_1PrSHHCGjFEFeipnKxZiOvWWCAUubJbW0YggmEPulRh8NL_LUJ0VHlrQwu9NWxPRurBMM8mhDm1O1XCjEeNyFX2HQnAZxBBolEqduJpyHdMj4czw23YB7UKEAoPiipMAWum8/s320/_MG_0474.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh794btsLSYkrCMme-ncW_-pdeiFU4meME1CcCuvy615yrDapCrssXA5Kw5VX5jWElWxetd2yvybxShCBwo9j0HW83PNBKkmOhGozrH5pm1lSUh6H5m6LoNdEPgSeZ4T3zzfC8KBGuSlGoO/s1600/_MG_0472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh794btsLSYkrCMme-ncW_-pdeiFU4meME1CcCuvy615yrDapCrssXA5Kw5VX5jWElWxetd2yvybxShCBwo9j0HW83PNBKkmOhGozrH5pm1lSUh6H5m6LoNdEPgSeZ4T3zzfC8KBGuSlGoO/s320/_MG_0472.jpg" /></a></div>See Melanie's other work at her website <a href="http://www.melaniepotter.com/">http://www.melaniepotter.com/</a><br />
I was fortunate to be able to take several of Melanie's workshops at Bead Junction in toronto, and she is an excellent teacher.Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-65763141643656088792010-06-09T10:27:00.000-05:002010-06-09T10:27:51.313-05:00Grenada Pendant<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGnsXqnrPMjRAD-C0G4d-wMnAnlA22TgAs8maGPui42y2HBpS4FdC4GwXcyiVirfxkJDpQYvba7xxCACMRJbXhyphenhyphen2fbvUkHa6qfMYF-YR6TB6n1Ifz2fuHYkQJvIl3RNwHDisKasobr8YY/s1600/_MG_0374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGnsXqnrPMjRAD-C0G4d-wMnAnlA22TgAs8maGPui42y2HBpS4FdC4GwXcyiVirfxkJDpQYvba7xxCACMRJbXhyphenhyphen2fbvUkHa6qfMYF-YR6TB6n1Ifz2fuHYkQJvIl3RNwHDisKasobr8YY/s400/_MG_0374.jpg" width="317" /></a><br />
I have been visiting the website Try to Be Better for some time now. Sabine Lippert has a wonderful design sense, and terrific patterns, and some of them are even free. I purchased this pattern, called "Grenada" from her internet store <a href="http://www.trytobead.com/index.php?id=158">(Link is here)</a> The pendant is the pattern. The pattern uses 6mm pearls, delicas, 15's, drops, and 4mm crystals. The bail not in the pattern but is just two triangles woven together at the top with a row and a half of right angle weave with delicas. <br />
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The technique for this pendant is really interesting and goes together really well. It is basically a version of right angle weave, and the embellishments of the crystals and 15's seed beads are done right as each motif is woven. Sabines patterns are very well explained, and most of them are also available in English. There are several free patterns that she also has on her website. I highly recommend a visit to <a href="http://try-to-be-better.blogspot.com/">Try to Be Better</a>. Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-61607213338955801932010-01-16T13:33:00.002-06:002010-06-29T10:33:11.411-05:00Spanish Stars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9ulc7lGV4-TsuSkCrzASgkADvudWohZg0rnVVvAwNwhQSC9XeRiYlMLhk7AEIZP18F7JFMQqrN5YlKwsyfQ-ax7M0evqlNY2fLBT_T7ssl_puVba2jBh5FQ121N5afrF7cRD3V9KdwBc/s1600-h/_MG_0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9ulc7lGV4-TsuSkCrzASgkADvudWohZg0rnVVvAwNwhQSC9XeRiYlMLhk7AEIZP18F7JFMQqrN5YlKwsyfQ-ax7M0evqlNY2fLBT_T7ssl_puVba2jBh5FQ121N5afrF7cRD3V9KdwBc/s320/_MG_0159.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are planning a trip to Spanish speaking area soon, so I have been researching some Spanish bead blogs. There seems to be communication across Spanish and French sites, and I found this one through my favourite French forum <b><i>Ile aux Perles</i></b>. A great Spanish site that was referenced recently in Ile aux perles is called <b><i>Quienlodira Creationes</i></b>. This is a well developed site and includes both examples of projects and some patterns.It also gave me a chance to practice my very rusty Spanish. After cruising the site, I found a very attractive star necklace, and then made several other visits until I found the pattern. To save you some time, here is the link to the pattern, but please make sure you look around this blog, it is lovely and artistically presented with many interesting pieces. Website: <a href="http://quienlodiracreaciones.blogspot.com/">Quienlodira Creationes</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did have the link to this pattern, however this website has changed so you will have to look through the main website. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The little star was made directly from the pattern for the most part, but I added a round of size 15 beads to surround the pearl in the middle (I added 9 beads on each side, then went through again to solidify the circle). The larger star is my adaptation in which I added a few more rows to the star, and also some silver peyote and 4mm firepolish to the back. I added a back loop so that this can be put on a chain. I will update this post later to when a finished piece is ready. The stars are really fun to do and work up very quickly, I highly recommend this pattern. </div><br />
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<div id="refHTML"></div>Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-38820032589239263232010-01-14T15:50:00.000-06:002010-01-14T15:50:34.181-06:00Seed Bead Fusion Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4H27CUOQmucu5V91mWb1WEYAr1HUTBWV3-kTDDYG36zXPbwaHajC4wu0ncHxmL1yBPAMJKZdZYnrbTa3fxq1WkjnyG0jqM83Gb6tohRTlfqiSkZPG9VFEfsgTdl3D2s0kRyLxIZOSiBhB/s1600-h/IMG_8345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4H27CUOQmucu5V91mWb1WEYAr1HUTBWV3-kTDDYG36zXPbwaHajC4wu0ncHxmL1yBPAMJKZdZYnrbTa3fxq1WkjnyG0jqM83Gb6tohRTlfqiSkZPG9VFEfsgTdl3D2s0kRyLxIZOSiBhB/s320/IMG_8345.jpg" /></a><br />
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I have admired the work of Rachel Nelson Smith for a long time, and was very pleased that she has now written the book <i><b>Seed Bead Fusion</b></i>. The book uses a combination of diagrams and photos to explain the techniques. Many of the projects use the technique that is in her well known and very sculptural cuff bracelet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrjGGBTnu293uxUSpYpw9N_qPrhUmODp3BqGvcomSL-Ku-tegWOVu8Mrmryjgm6yQIjmCZ7ePnFhqVuVLvvrGDfIeaZAzyPjQUILG8E7Al0_yKu86FlBlfCxE8J8_BoqCy40vnL0xuXMn/s1600-h/51bCHLDM3IL._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA115_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrjGGBTnu293uxUSpYpw9N_qPrhUmODp3BqGvcomSL-Ku-tegWOVu8Mrmryjgm6yQIjmCZ7ePnFhqVuVLvvrGDfIeaZAzyPjQUILG8E7Al0_yKu86FlBlfCxE8J8_BoqCy40vnL0xuXMn/s200/51bCHLDM3IL._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA115_.jpg" /></a>The first project I made was a small “bede” which gave me the chance to learn the technique in which the right angle weave areas are then built up using peyote technique. Understanding where the colours will end up is a challenge, but after the first experiment I was ready for something larger. The picture is of the project called “<i><b>O. Bernstein Component Necklace” p. 84</b></i>. This worked up very well, and I made it into a pendant. The chain is simply three strings of size 11 Japanese seed beads put through a glass bead at regular intervals. Like the cuff, this pendant is very 3D and I plan to make a few more in other colour schemes. It can easily be made in an evening, and I would like to try a thicker chain compliment to the pendant.<br />
And yes, I made the bear during my miniature bearmaking era from several years ago.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa1ent2UsN_V8NTeP4O4U6MsfKiO7qniOvhnWbpXM87EwnMYT_d3nMcGECdVrIGxp5kt25s8C7TTMIVkYC4VlwrWzCskFKIYYrlijYVyy8fpmasn9e0f13DttmnnHtao1_TcT3PR8KTs5/s1600-h/IMG_8352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa1ent2UsN_V8NTeP4O4U6MsfKiO7qniOvhnWbpXM87EwnMYT_d3nMcGECdVrIGxp5kt25s8C7TTMIVkYC4VlwrWzCskFKIYYrlijYVyy8fpmasn9e0f13DttmnnHtao1_TcT3PR8KTs5/s320/IMG_8352.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-77058044477498391212009-12-30T10:46:00.006-06:002009-12-30T11:04:05.417-06:00A Little Triangle of Fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicREC_Nte6vBT-GAR8EiFK0WnR0rcCrqthkN9gA71UPVAKB1KyRE8qko1thtXjaGcmswUH5isLChIhrEU9yokLi4MVcQKX7IUae7gSYJQZsBZ-1Y5h7nx_BqHFwwa_hQ70nziB8jSWyUa5/s1600-h/_MG_9966.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicREC_Nte6vBT-GAR8EiFK0WnR0rcCrqthkN9gA71UPVAKB1KyRE8qko1thtXjaGcmswUH5isLChIhrEU9yokLi4MVcQKX7IUae7gSYJQZsBZ-1Y5h7nx_BqHFwwa_hQ70nziB8jSWyUa5/s400/_MG_9966.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421071859053205330" border="0" /></a><br />I absolutely love the designs of Cynthia Rutledge, so was very pleased to see the article in the <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">December / January Beadwork</span> and the patterns for the <span style="font-weight: bold;">cascading links bracelet (p. 81</span>). I did not have the faceted zirconia beads nor the gold drops, but wanted to try the pattern, so I just adapted to what I could find in my stach (which is getting big enough for me to start my own bead store!). So, I made a little motif, then decided it would be a sweet little thing on a delica triangle base. I used a 8 mm pearl for the centre, the colour was not perfect, but ok for this little motif. I will try this pattern again with a faceted stone centre. I hope I can go to one of Cynthia's workshops some day when she is closer than the west coast.<br /><br />Anyway, this is a really quick little tidbit, good for when you need a quick gift. I ended up finding some more drops in the local bead store, but hope I can eventually find some in my favourite 22L bronze colour which I love and which makes a great goldtone neutral.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-36997033441967852262009-12-30T10:33:00.004-06:002009-12-30T10:45:17.972-06:00Crystal Drop Necklace<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p82G6CGmYyv961fCHLxztOb8IMOOYGQtPIG0JpzlaEafondyjIkNomTIAOJ4cX6vo4sklafEuCwFsbLFAP1G-bpG6xLaKVswv2hWj6msl0R0R-Snh1YVs82_3gKx30SGtJTW-Ej5jUsD/s1600-h/_MG_9969.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p82G6CGmYyv961fCHLxztOb8IMOOYGQtPIG0JpzlaEafondyjIkNomTIAOJ4cX6vo4sklafEuCwFsbLFAP1G-bpG6xLaKVswv2hWj6msl0R0R-Snh1YVs82_3gKx30SGtJTW-Ej5jUsD/s320/_MG_9969.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421070318156537650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTd_p5KBoZjJzaJ3pzjkwEMQyQAI7zxCFfEBIrqYm03a3cHBY4QengB_tKIAwy_98eO83kYtw0ahUWu34ysqELoEYSCv1RxdI__jcFZFHO-gO5Z71IScZv57cixcwDY9Y8FKW0UigKZoq0/s1600-h/_MG_9973.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTd_p5KBoZjJzaJ3pzjkwEMQyQAI7zxCFfEBIrqYm03a3cHBY4QengB_tKIAwy_98eO83kYtw0ahUWu34ysqELoEYSCv1RxdI__jcFZFHO-gO5Z71IScZv57cixcwDY9Y8FKW0UigKZoq0/s400/_MG_9973.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421068555066702194" border="0" /></a>I was in Cathy Lampole's store, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">That Bead Lady</span> a few months ago, and she had a lovely necklace on display with terrific beaded beads, and the store manager A. explained that the design had been submitted to Bead and Button for publishing later this year. When the magazine came out, I recognized the beaded beads, but they had changed the design to an asymmetrical one instead of the balanced one Cathy had in the store. Frankly I really like Cathy's original a lot better, so it is too bad they did not use it on the cover instead of changing it. The beaded beads were what interested me most, so what I did here is make the medium bead and added a sterling silver bail as this was a Christmas gift for my daughter.<br /><br />The instructions are in Bead and Button <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">October 2009 (Issue 93)</span> and as usual with Cathy's designs are easy to follow. I made the top beads go further to make the pearl in the interior less visible by adding a few more rows of reduced peyote, which worked well. The crystals are a dark blue (Montana) AB and compliment the silver well. I added three drops to the bottom, with sterling 22 gauge wire for the head pin.<br /><br />This makes a really elegant beaded bead that looks great on it's own on a silver chain. I think I will make some more of these for gifts. The bail is Bali silver from Cathy's store, and really raises it up a notch, so the bail is well worth the expense.<br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-10623332991398476752009-12-30T10:24:00.003-06:002009-12-30T10:30:31.722-06:00Scallop Variation - Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwW78NiyNyjCoY736VhvE54nZTD2xqHB0YfM_ONhlrNLPN7MV3zTvP9iAkZIc5nreuazAHARhlp0zbY4a-DDNHvtW3s5fXa5bhNjJJM9CW1tJ9m5d0AckIGaO_NHMOQupCtAU6sINeK1A/s1600-h/_MG_0025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwW78NiyNyjCoY736VhvE54nZTD2xqHB0YfM_ONhlrNLPN7MV3zTvP9iAkZIc5nreuazAHARhlp0zbY4a-DDNHvtW3s5fXa5bhNjJJM9CW1tJ9m5d0AckIGaO_NHMOQupCtAU6sINeK1A/s400/_MG_0025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421067374036521282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_T54Os9XeT72Aj1iSM7jK29RFr7gAVW7WDcA-o7vZ347t6ticgXzOxgLyY46ppdtDwWdfHD__olW2otXcxGpz9jkpqwYDBVWqclIS66j2xxOzde_4afvTSqWR0VsxPLbhdEbxX9gD9jgL/s1600-h/_MG_9976.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_T54Os9XeT72Aj1iSM7jK29RFr7gAVW7WDcA-o7vZ347t6ticgXzOxgLyY46ppdtDwWdfHD__olW2otXcxGpz9jkpqwYDBVWqclIS66j2xxOzde_4afvTSqWR0VsxPLbhdEbxX9gD9jgL/s400/_MG_9976.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421066979547405698" border="0" /></a><br />For Christmas I gave my son a certificate for a necklace of his choice for his girlfriend. He really liked the one I made his sister (posted above), so wanted to pick out a new colour scheme. After messing my bead area up totally as he looked through all the colours of beads, we finally decided that the critical element that worked well in the original was the opaque colour of the accent crystals, so I made a red variation for L. Same technique, but I used a magnetic clasp, and varied the chain design a little.<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-3339099441472947192009-12-30T10:04:00.004-06:002009-12-30T10:15:52.248-06:00Inspired to Bead Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAHoyhhg7hia1lmCTse8T2910-e6tQIO8NODZqqVzfNbCotC7gJcn6ZHh3zjah3lzfEC6ORMpaC_i3suLtwo1PZfUZVbqQoHl9qnRh8bWd1Mp0_eyVBUJKi4uJUez8BChfEaHrtY3jFcS/s1600-h/IMG_6866.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAHoyhhg7hia1lmCTse8T2910-e6tQIO8NODZqqVzfNbCotC7gJcn6ZHh3zjah3lzfEC6ORMpaC_i3suLtwo1PZfUZVbqQoHl9qnRh8bWd1Mp0_eyVBUJKi4uJUez8BChfEaHrtY3jFcS/s400/IMG_6866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421062867212481282" border="0" /></a><br />I have had a busy fall, including trips to San Francisco to visit our son, and then a surprise working assignment in the Middle East on a project that took me to the United Arab Emirates, including work and visits in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, a camel safari, and finally an evening in Oman. While this was all wonderful fun and very interesting, when I returned home I couldn't wait to make something and also to cook my own food. So, I have been busy trying out some new bead motifs and will be posting some new beadwork shortly. Also, for Christmas my daughter, who is a graphic designer, redid my food blog using a more sophisticated program so that she will no longer hear me complaining so much about how my picture layouts change when I post.<br /><br />The picture is of Dubai, and I thought the mix of old boats and new buildings was very interesting. Now I will return to just beading on this blog.<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-53650876913758827522009-12-30T09:44:00.010-06:002009-12-30T10:21:05.881-06:00Scallop Necklace Variation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89FoQ9MvcTY-_NzeXN99WfgBhshoTrWFAM9qt5_s6LjUWNOr8A7Q8WepeLdA7l5-wsbEjY6zHBUqafIgAJjWaHMtjq7BdSies7uMY6OIk4LfS4IlWQtpmx0spjEk-5ZRLFK-gLjHlXwhT/s1600-h/_MG_9962.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89FoQ9MvcTY-_NzeXN99WfgBhshoTrWFAM9qt5_s6LjUWNOr8A7Q8WepeLdA7l5-wsbEjY6zHBUqafIgAJjWaHMtjq7BdSies7uMY6OIk4LfS4IlWQtpmx0spjEk-5ZRLFK-gLjHlXwhT/s400/_MG_9962.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421064880156211506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4VCVNhp6Tt3pHnsByUQkxMoto2CWhDoSDESQ9j1E6Lpq2CbnCsIluTCqBhAMZAFdAWYH8nM-WEmaPsRrO4O31B9P69Ge2Y17DAkhYP4pCauXURERZheOKpT1Pd3n9rnus-H8WbVGkKKz/s1600-h/_MG_9958.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4VCVNhp6Tt3pHnsByUQkxMoto2CWhDoSDESQ9j1E6Lpq2CbnCsIluTCqBhAMZAFdAWYH8nM-WEmaPsRrO4O31B9P69Ge2Y17DAkhYP4pCauXURERZheOKpT1Pd3n9rnus-H8WbVGkKKz/s400/_MG_9958.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421059824718462754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvQH2O992KrGyhhViU4qWu6ZT8Ga-ZNvsMRIq2PIWibBqij8T7MQQB1nUwxS-KN4R4GbkwFBmazJLenKOngh5WSnavMJOvZU8Xpj7IczXz4El_U7gaVpHDVVQroB-pQHeiDkZ7gCpVJJ4/s1600-h/_MG_9963.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvQH2O992KrGyhhViU4qWu6ZT8Ga-ZNvsMRIq2PIWibBqij8T7MQQB1nUwxS-KN4R4GbkwFBmazJLenKOngh5WSnavMJOvZU8Xpj7IczXz4El_U7gaVpHDVVQroB-pQHeiDkZ7gCpVJJ4/s320/_MG_9963.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421059242748656674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I loved the necklace on the cover of Bead and Button's December 2009 (#94) issue, but it was really too elaborate for your average person to wear, so I adapted it to what I think is a really lovely little pendant necklace. I made the first one in my favourite delica colour, ( Code 22L from my favourite store for Japanese beads, That Bead Lady in Newmarket, Ontario) and an opaque turquoise AB 4 mm crystal.<br /><br />In terms of construction, the scallop curve is a 4 bead ndebele chain in which 2 size 11 beads and 2 size 8 beads create a differential alignment, resulting in a very smooth scallop. The instructions say to go through each of the 4 colouns to set the scallop, and I found it is important to do that carefully and make sure you get each column or the scallop will twist. I followed the directions for one scallop, then added shorted twisted bugles. fort he top, I added a crystal to each side, with a potato pearl in the middle. I added a band of size 11's behind the pearl to make the front top crystals stand out better.<br /><br />For the chain I used size 8's and 5mm faceted Chinese glass beads, with a small right angle weave accent in the contrast colour in size 11's. The chain is delicate and fast, so it makes a good compliment to the necklace. The fast part makes it good for gift giving too. I am not very tolerant of repetition, and really don't like making long complicated chains.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-69783579135486227052009-08-27T11:28:00.005-05:002009-08-30T09:57:14.609-05:00Blogging, Traffic, and Comments<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWohZGOYbvF9bLyx-81P4UUF-WHoF-U5_gu_Pvi69El95z1YP1DaegygogC73ZiGgFy7LQGQB8cirlWYUWZJCA3l0PH5npjjbhgfiVmFY_3JeaLWB4pwnOywX1Jtqeny_eR44G2hZ5qlMl/s1600-h/IMG_5254.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWohZGOYbvF9bLyx-81P4UUF-WHoF-U5_gu_Pvi69El95z1YP1DaegygogC73ZiGgFy7LQGQB8cirlWYUWZJCA3l0PH5npjjbhgfiVmFY_3JeaLWB4pwnOywX1Jtqeny_eR44G2hZ5qlMl/s320/IMG_5254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374685089714522722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I initially started my blogs to learn how to do them. Since then I confess I am now wanting someone to read them occasionally, so I am hoping to get some comments. I realize that in order to do this I need to get some traffic, yet I know my blog pales in comparison to the plethora of very professional looking blogs.<br />However, I was really pleased when I opened up today to see that I have 10 followers now. My daughter, who is a graphic designer, tells me that it often takes three years to get a blog going, so I will perservere. Some days I wonder why I am writing tis blog, but the truth is that I enjoy it.<br />So, please comment, and thank you to those who have. I will try to get some more content on this in the fall when the weather outside is cooler and I am not gardening, travelling (the picture is of Prince Edward Island where my parents live), or having company.<br />To the French beaders, who I greatly admire, I could do some posts in French, it would be good practice for me, so "<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">laissez moi un commentaire si une poste francaise vous plait. Mais, je sais que j'aurais des fautes de grammaire!!</span><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-47092569354531592852009-08-27T11:19:00.005-05:002009-08-27T11:27:20.035-05:00Catch a Star<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVmQT5ORu2GlPG-u1ttxdfDaxt9cpsleIPk7btp5YwjTQbT1nO-QUhLqPD0yGbA3mGLki9IoVEz-ZCT4INfnS-kF3n9NlAGwizV6GNSTSlLeDJ4uMRKJx9vP1lngnBB45hdvfj2Czw21z/s1600-h/_MG_9720.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVmQT5ORu2GlPG-u1ttxdfDaxt9cpsleIPk7btp5YwjTQbT1nO-QUhLqPD0yGbA3mGLki9IoVEz-ZCT4INfnS-kF3n9NlAGwizV6GNSTSlLeDJ4uMRKJx9vP1lngnBB45hdvfj2Czw21z/s400/_MG_9720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374680577003876322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohRpKwYWjZAFifw6wgAo101Rnx41QJbpvxRLPTJztXapjPLHT7lXPDgXSPdEZOG5EXX_npkz5sPWSWqdDDn2cR1On5tifevzvUQ8N_0HaMsoq_zyA8D0DQx2mx1rhijSqhlpSHbkbnES0/s1600-h/_MG_9721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohRpKwYWjZAFifw6wgAo101Rnx41QJbpvxRLPTJztXapjPLHT7lXPDgXSPdEZOG5EXX_npkz5sPWSWqdDDn2cR1On5tifevzvUQ8N_0HaMsoq_zyA8D0DQx2mx1rhijSqhlpSHbkbnES0/s400/_MG_9721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374680571287672386" border="0" /></a><br />It has been a busy summer and I have taken a break from much beading. Here is a little pendant I tried. The pattern is from <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Bead and Button August 09 - Issue 92.</span><br />The pictures show the front and the back. This is a very quick and easy project, and works up to a good sized star, about 1.5 inches across, great for a little gift for someone. The pearl in the centre was a little small for the pattern requirements, so next time I will try to find a better match. <br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-35531680220785397632009-04-11T12:27:00.004-05:002009-04-11T13:34:58.841-05:00One for All Hexagon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4T9fsdxD8NPvwjmGFUzrjTtdLXFfMsfs_qil0D4pFhkl4VW44FpYd6cLpBwQAVHszfYMaFeoX4qgwUkk8Rrd7D3ZSFrczCJu4CPIRIsv3ehAQHcdDMtCMZeZWGUWbRwEZXWqMx9LZXvqb/s1600-h/_MG_8350.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4T9fsdxD8NPvwjmGFUzrjTtdLXFfMsfs_qil0D4pFhkl4VW44FpYd6cLpBwQAVHszfYMaFeoX4qgwUkk8Rrd7D3ZSFrczCJu4CPIRIsv3ehAQHcdDMtCMZeZWGUWbRwEZXWqMx9LZXvqb/s320/_MG_8350.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323504146493991570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The other bauble I made last night was the octagon version of the pattern from Try to Be Better (see previous post for info on pattern). It worked up really easily, and is a quick pendant if you need a gift in a hurry. <a href="http://www.glasperlendesign.com/product_info.php/info/p1247_E-Book-One-for-All---All-for-One-TRYTOBE-english-version---.html/XTCsid/9710bf0f6568c1b30e655b0468b4ff9c">http://www.glasperlendesign.com/product_info.php/info/p1247_E-Book-One-for-All---All-for-One-TRYTOBE-english-version---.html/XTCsid/9710bf0f6568c1b30e655b0468b4ff9c</a><br />This bezeling technique is easy and really works up nicely.Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-82709778925644108782009-04-11T12:09:00.006-05:002009-04-11T13:33:12.818-05:00A star for Easter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvUb_90qW-wZ9ahKnWZL8gJvJYavujfTDcLTbL9eM55nOQqM2_NaGGNy8vqKSzF09uBA9bE1RiToOIbXhHq7DoLNb6Ra-B62jLnOicGwXp66__rk_DIWLev73VAprj_xcPex_CRS_Yprf/s1600-h/_MG_8346.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvUb_90qW-wZ9ahKnWZL8gJvJYavujfTDcLTbL9eM55nOQqM2_NaGGNy8vqKSzF09uBA9bE1RiToOIbXhHq7DoLNb6Ra-B62jLnOicGwXp66__rk_DIWLev73VAprj_xcPex_CRS_Yprf/s320/_MG_8346.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323503609376610514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I wanted to make some little gifts for my daughter and my niece who are coming up for Easter. I started with the pattern "Yasmine" by Ilde, a French beader. <a href="http://www.lestresorsdildes.com/"> </a><a href="http://www.lestresorsdildes.com/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=2638073">http://www.lestresorsdildes.com/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=2638073</a>You can buy this through the internet and then you get a PDF file. Ilde has several other great patterns.<br />Anyway, I merrily went along making this, then realized it was way too bunched up on the star ends, then looked at the picture again and realized I had double the points needed!! So, as is usually my rule, I ripped it out and cut it up before going to bed. Nothing is worse than having to start your beading with mistakes. Anyway, the final star evolved today, and it is quite lovely, and an underneath structure makes it quite substantial and sturdy. I will add a bezel on the back and make this a pendant. This pattern assumes you know how to bezel a rivoli and make a star setting, so it is not for the faint of heart. If you are experienced however, you can figure it out from the diagrams even if you don't speak French.Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815293852805968558.post-9827385830989101612009-04-07T09:19:00.001-05:002009-04-07T09:51:43.407-05:00New Way to Bezel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp4Xq8rlzMKsPJUu5Kf0gMQUUewHffFukgEhdz2aavMWCKrcBojz1Pv9uE8KMAYfDs8xuwbWA5LYeX1IaHKeE-s0ILZnoZOYp84EfVBvCNyfiYiAiSJx5ZR98ROiTqDED6fq8W1IPB8Bq/s1600-h/_MG_8342.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp4Xq8rlzMKsPJUu5Kf0gMQUUewHffFukgEhdz2aavMWCKrcBojz1Pv9uE8KMAYfDs8xuwbWA5LYeX1IaHKeE-s0ILZnoZOYp84EfVBvCNyfiYiAiSJx5ZR98ROiTqDED6fq8W1IPB8Bq/s320/_MG_8342.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321954313644152626" border="0" /></a><br />I just tried a new pattern (available in English and German) called "One for All, All for One" from the German Website "Try to Be Better" (<a href="http://try-to-be-better.blogspot.com/">http://try-to-be-better.blogspot.com/</a>. Sabine Lippert is the author and designer, and her blog is terrific and includes several free patterns that are great as well. I like to support blogs like Sabines through also buying patterns as a way of thanking the designers for their work and the free patterns they give to others. The website has links to places it can be purchased. I bought this through PDF download from Glasperlen Designs <a href="http://www.glasperlendesign.com/index.php/cat/c137_TRYTOBE.html/XTCsid/9710bf0f6568c1b30e655b0468b4ff9c">http://www.glasperlendesign.com/index.php/cat/c137_TRYTOBE.html/XTCsid/9710bf0f6568c1b30e655b0468b4ff9c</a>. The site is in German, however I sent an English email to them after struggling with my very limited German and an online dictionary, and it all worked through paypal payment. A PDF was then sent to me.<br />The pattern is excellent, clear diagrams and great photos. The technique is terrific (and you need the pattern, there is hidden structure underneath!) and works up into a sturdy square bezeled bead. I used the technique in Diane Fitzgerald's <span style="font-weight: bold;">Shaped Beadwork</span> book of using size D Nymo doubled. This technique eliminates one end to sew in. I would use size B next time as the going was pretty tight after several bead passes through the delicas and 15's. There are two other bead designs in the pattern, and although it is expensive given the current euro / CDN dollar exchange, it has tons of potential for doing some interesting component combinations, so I highly recommend it and am planning to try some other designs from this pattern.<br />I am working on improving my photography, and I see so many lovely blogs that look so professional. I realized today that I need to use aperture priority more, so on the picture for today I experimented, and found that good pictures with better depth of field seem to be with an F stop of at least 5.6, with 7.1 yielding an even better one if you can use a tripod. I used a 50mm macro Canon lens with tripod, and this lense seems to produce the best close ups. I also want to get my daughter, a graphic designer, to make me a branding signature, I am not very skilled at the photoshop text stuff and need to get some tips.<br />Finally, my blog has been mainly a source for me to write about things so far, but I was so excited today to see three comments, wow!!! and one of them from Pencio, a fantastic French designer who I greatly admire!! So, now I am really inspired to improve!!Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629400953490012557noreply@blogger.com1