Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Peyote Beaded Beads

For a while now I have been wanting to learn to make peyote beaded beads around a wooden core, but was lacking a good tutorial. While blog hopping recently, I found a link to one, finally! It was in Hungarian, but had what I needed - a chart that listed how many beads in each round for what size core bead! Here is the site that had this information. Below I have translated it to English for you. If you translate the original site, their next post goes over some information on how bead type and finish impact these numbers. I really suggest visiting it for more informaiton!

chart

While doing the first couple of beaded beads, I found it very difficult to hold everything together while I stitched. So I came up with a nifty way to stablize. I took a headpin, put a rubber earring back on it. I then started my beadwork. Once I have the first few rows, I sew in the tail thread, then I add the bead work to the headpin. Next add the bead, then another earing back. The rubber earing backs stay in place and hold everything firmly together. Plus, they are soft on the beadwork!

2011-09-27 21.32.53

I found that this configuration not only kept my hands from cramping, but allowed me to easily set the work down if I need to take a break! If you don't have the rubber earring backs available, you could try cutting the erasers off of pencils and using those.

2011-09-27 19.14.50

Really handy for the tiny 6 and 8 mm beads! Also of note, you don't have to use a wooden core. You can use any old round bead. Above you will see that I am using a glass pearl. My first attempt (not pictured) was over some plastic beads!

Quote: Life is like one big Mardi Gras. But instead of showing your boobs, show people your brain, and if they like what they'll see, you'll have more beads than you know what to do with.
Ellen DeGeneres, Tulane Commencement Speech, 2009
Pin It!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Challenges and how far we've come

So,I completed my entry for the October Etsy Beadweavers challenge today. The challenge was to create a beadwoven piece that was inspired by the works of Pablo Picasso. I knew of Picasso but not much more than that he did paintings with some really messed up faces. So, being the internet junky that I am, the first think I did was a Google image search. Whoah! This guy did a lot more than just some tripped out paintings. The thing that really struck me was his sculptures. While the paintings play with perspective in a flat way that doesn't really speak to me, the scuplture did. The idea of walking around a piece and seeing something different from each angle really intrigued me. So, I made this trinket box.

SAM_1105

On another note, while doing some sporadic cleaning in my studio area I found one of the first peyote pieces I ever made. It was made with beads that had been given to me, before I discovered Delicas or Tohos. They are shiny and that is about all they have going for them. Really shiny. If you look closely at the pictures you can see where the beadwork has some major flaws, parts that look like they are about to fall apart. Strange how far my work has come in just a few years.

SAM_1120
SAM_1121

Quote: Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working.
Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)
Pin It!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Talk Like a Pirate Day! ARRRR!

Ahoy there, matey! Welcome aboard to International Talk Like a Pirate Day! ARR! Here there be some pirate type booty to suit your fancy and adorn yer personage. Feel free to pillage and plunder to yer heart's content!
sea_serpent_ringring_jolly_rogerring_waves

Talk Like a Pirate day be a day to delight in the speech of the dirty dogs of the sea! It be all in good fun (ARRR!) and no referring to actual pirate types is intended, as they be bad sorts the likes of which few have seen!

Iffin ya be looking for some other fun ways to celebrate the day, might I suggest a round of Pirate Scrabble? Any word goes so long as you can say it in pirate-like voice and you have enough r's (ARRR!).

And for yer edumacation purposes, a link to the Offical Talk Like a Pirate Day site!

Here be some additional places to view the treasures of the deep!

Lady Choas

Creative Chaos

Nut Kitten’s Jewelry

Crafty Hope

Handcrafted Baubles

Wings N Scales

blog by salla
Pin It!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Bead Soup is Ready!

So the day has finally come to reveal what we made with our bead soup. This was not an easy one for me. I think I remade my item at least 6 times and I am still not entirely sure I am happy.

Before I do the big reveal, lets first review what I got and what I sent.

Here is what I sent to my partner, My So Called Junky Life:

098

And here is what I recieved from her to work with:
20110820151116

To be honest, when I got this I had no idea what I was gonna do with a handful of pearls! I never work with pearls, so it took some thinking. I was also unsure of the metal focal and charm, as the focal was not made to be a focal and had no obvious way to attach it to a necklace, no bail!

I ended up making two pieces. The focal combined with some chunky chain and and became a draping necklace that I think is very reminicent of some of the pieces I saw on my partner's site.

SAM_1089

This may look simple, but it took me forever and 3 different chains to figure out. At one point I had the charm dangling from the end of the focal, at another I had the beadwoven piece that became the necklace below. I even considered making dangly bits of more pearls to hang from the chain. After several days of staring at it, making a change, then staring some more, I finally decided to leave it in the form you see. (note: I did use some paint on the focal to give more of an antique'd look. I tried LOS, but it wouldn't take the patina, so paint it was!)

SAM_1095

Did I metnion I don't ever use pearls? To overcome this, I decided to surround one of the pearls with something I do use - seed beads! I did use a stitch I normally avoid - brick stitch.  It is strung on some simple beading chain and uses the clasp I was sent. I had considered making more of these for a sort of bouquet effect, but decided again on a simple approach. I am saving the charm and the rest of the pearls and hope to use them in a future project, or projects even!

You can see all the BSBP projects by visiting the Offical Site or by clicking on the links below!

The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke

1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York
2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson
3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino
4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner
5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier
6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins
7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor
8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen
9. Amy Freelandand Christine Altmiller
10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare


11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman
12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps
13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka
14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson
15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy
16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price
17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland
18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John
19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel
19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel
20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou


21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase
22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb
23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign
24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall
25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll
26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley
27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala
28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman
29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz
30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle


31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen
32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards
33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson
34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier
 35.  Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander
 36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye
37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock
38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone
39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf
40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi


41. Cherrie Fickand Cathie Carroll
41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick
42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg
43. Chris White and Norma Turvey
44. Christa Murphyand Kathy Alderfer
45. Christie Murrow and Dana James
46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins
47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford
48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis
49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering
50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith


51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes
52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher
53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya
54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk
55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young
56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent
57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj
58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman
59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald
60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick


61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner
62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert
63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez
64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris
65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith
66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday
67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman
68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore
69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones
70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz


71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim
72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable
73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag
74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post
75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton
76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter
77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride
78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller
79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley
80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson


81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor
82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen
83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman
84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy
85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora
86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg
87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann
88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay
89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh
90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski


91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan
92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean
93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis
94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt
95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski
96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio
97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts
98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker
99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford
100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck


101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto
102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark
103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika
104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen
105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec
106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson
107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long
108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson
109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney
110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson


111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger
112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy
113. Laurel Stevenand Mary McGraw
114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher
115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca
116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser
117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse
118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington
119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton
119.  Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter
120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson


121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir
122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank
123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks
124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron
125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe
126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon
127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore
128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller
129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke
130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson


131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum
132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr
133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp
134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara
135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James
136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz
137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi
138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman
139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper
140. Mary Hicks and Laurel Steven


141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner
142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners
143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy
144. Missy Rappaportand Mags Sarri
145. Molly Alexander and Poranna
146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell
147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry
148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson
149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna
150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers


151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari
152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan
153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag
154. Pat Haightand MaryShannon Hicks
155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka
156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe
157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain
158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins
159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub
160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya


161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs
162. Rochelle Brisson and Teri Baskett
163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell
164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams
165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin
166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small
167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner
 168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk
169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley
170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley


171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman
172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin
173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor
174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa
175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton
176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin
177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones
178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser
179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk
180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager
181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad
Pin It!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Heart Keyhole Ring

Ok, so last post I mentioned that I was working on a heart keyhole ring that I wasn't really happy with as it reminded me of a vagina. I have spent a good part of the week working with the design to see if I could make it better.

First, let me say that after polling my friends, I was apparently the only one who saw woman parts. Not sure what that says about me, but... Anyway, regardless of my perception of the first ring, the concensus was that the design was flat and really didn't do what I wanted it to, ie look like a heart with a keyhole in it.

SAM_0993


My next step was to play with colors. I had some bronze toned Delicas that I hoped would help with giving the heart a metallic feel, to lend to the keyhole theme. But they didn't really contrast enough with the black background I was using, so the next step was to change to a more contrasting background. I had a off white that I thought might work.

SAM_0992

Then I took a bathroom break and had an epiphany. What I really needed wasn't just a metallic feel, but some more texture. I happened to have some copper seed beads I had picked up for one of the Russian spiral bracelets I was making and I knew I wouldn't need all of the tube for the bracelet. Perfect!

SAM_0995

By mixing cylinder beads with more rounded seed beads I was able to create texture, depth, and color contrast! I have said before that what beads you use depends upon what effect you want and I really think that this project is a great illustration of that.
Quote: Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations. Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011)
Pin It!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...