Work Continues

I continue to work on my Caldera bangle from Contemporary Geometric Beadwork. It is slow going and repetitive but I think I am going to love it when it is finished.  I ordered a lot of delicas yesterday - some great colors.  I am dying to try some of the other designs in this book but I always finish one before I start something new.

Caldera Bangle Start

Just so no one thinks I have abandoned beading here is what I am working on.  It will eventually be a Caldera bangle from CGB.   I started this a few days ago and I know it is going to take a long time.  I am dying to move on to some other projects in the book but I started with the ring and this is the next progression - I want to be sure I know what I am doing and how to do things, so I am following the book step by step.  I also have never worked with delicas - so I need to buy a lot of them - I want to wait until I am more comfortable before I place a big order.   I hope I am going to love this - I am not thrilled with the color but this is the color of beads I have right now and it will have to do for my first try. I am off to work on it right now!

Power Puff Ring In Progress

So I received my copy of Contemporary Geometric Beadwork a week or so ago.  I had a couple of project to finish so I just took a quick look.  Now I am done with any beading I needed to complete and can really look at and work with my new book.  I love this book - it is beautiful and well written - like nothing I have ever seen and it is so exciting.  I decided to start at the begging and work through it using it as a learning tool.  As tempting as it is to skip ahead and try to make a fortune teller bangle or a helix I am going to start small and work my way on to bigger things. Above is my power puff ring.  I am just finishing up the band and will attach it shortly. I couldn't wait until it was finished to take my photo!! Next I want to try my hand at a power puff or caldera bangle. I see lots of delica beads in my future in lots of luscious colors.  I really love to learn something new and I think the way the information is presented in this book makes it ideal to learn and grow as a beader - I am ready to roll!!

Another Pendant

So I made another pendant - this one from a pattern by Beverly Ash Gilbert.  Now I have two to choose from for the wedding.  The problem is I like them both - sigh.  This one is black and silver in a heart shape.  I guess when the day comes I will pick one - or maybe wear one for part of the day and then the other - they both look great with my new dress.

Super Duo Pendant

My latest and probably last super duo pendant (pattern is by Ellad2).  The super duos are blue picasso and the center is a hematite rivoli.  I need something to wear with my new dress to a wedding coming up in May - this could be it!!

Imagine - Beaded Bracelet

This is a beaded bracelet I made last night from a lot of left over beads strung on memory wire.  For me this is a good way to use up a pile of beads and also to use up the memory wire I bought a number of years ago. I really hate to work with memory wire - it is very unforgiving - I have cuts all over my hands.  It is finished off with some charms on the loop ends - one has the word imagine on it - hence the name.

Taj - Bracelet

So I have lots of super duos left over and this bracelet uses a few. It is called Taj and is from a pattern by Ellad2.   I don't know if I love it but it was fun to make and I did learn a lot.  I am going to spend time just experimenting with my beading.  I have a ton of stuff for sale in my Etsy Shop so I can bead just for me for a long while.  I am thinking about a change in direction but not sure what that is yet. I have a bunch of ideas just need to zero in on one to get me started.

New Pendant

This is my latest pendant.  My favorite colors and very sparkly - I am keeping this one for me.  It uses super duo beads and was a lot of fun to make.  The pattern is by Ellad2.  I think I enjoyed making this so much because it is so different from my usual work - actually this is the third one I have made and I am just finishing up a fourth turquoise and silver.

Moods & Appetites

My bead embroidery cuff Black Magick is featured in this blog Moods & Appetites here. What a nice surprise and what a great post entitled Royal Pearls -  it is included with some awesome work.  

Here is the image from the article - I am so excited to be included.

Mauveine - Charoite Pendant and Spiral Rope Necklace

Mauveine - charoite pendant and spiral rope necklace.  This is another pendant that I had around for awhile and just never made anything with it.  I am trying to used up some of the stock I have so I decided to pair it with purple and silver seed beads that really match the purple color of the charoite. 

Some interesting charoite info:  Charoite is translucent lavender to purple in color with a pearly luster. It has an unusual swirling, fibrous appearance and that, along with its intense color, can lead many to believe at first that it is synthetic or enhanced artificially. Though reportedly discovered in the 1940s, it was not known to the outside world until its description in 1978. Some say if Charoite is placed under the pillow, it will take away the fears that come in dreams.

Yellow & Golden Fringed Pendant

I love making these fringed pendants using left over beads.  I have lots of left over beads so sometimes I get a matching batch together and make a pendant.  I string them on ball chain and I have instant gratification.  This one is so sunny and warm with golds, creamy yellows and ivory   I love it - makes me think of sunshine. This pattern is by The Jade Dog.

Blue Bird - Pendant and Bead Necklace

Made this necklace last night.  Sometimes I just like to do some stringing and I had the beads and the pendant sitting for a long time.  The pendant is a Sodalite stone in a silver setting and it measures 1 1/2 inches plus the bail.  The beads in the necklace are 8mm sapphire melons.  I love how this piece came out - I think it could be worn to something fancy or for everyday with jeans. Here is some Sodalite info: A light, relatively hard yet fragile mineral, sodalite is named after its sodium content; in mineralogy it may be classed as a feldspathoid. Well known for its blue color, sodalite may also be grey, yellow, green, or pink and is often mottled with white veins or patches. The more uniformly blue material is used in jewelry, where it is fashioned into cabochons and beads.

I love the spirals around the cab and on the bail - so I paired this with a beautiful silver loop and toggle closure with spirals. This piece is listed in my Etsy Shop here - but I don't know how sad I would be if this doesn't sell - I sure do like it. There is something very magical about this necklace.

Update to this post - I sold this necklace on Etsy sad but it is going to a good home ; )

Sixteen Moons - Beaded Pendant and Necklace

I finished my beaded pendant and necklace using the mystery cab.  I sure have a lot of mystery cabs and in the future I need to make a notation of what the stone is.  I am looking for pictures like this one - so far nothing and I don't even remember where I bought this from.  I am calling this piece Sixteen Moons.  This title is from a book I recently read Beautiful Creatures.  I think it fits it well - I originally had a different name picked out for it but I like this one better.

I sometimes like to combine spiral rope with my fringe and I also like to combine beads and spiral rope in the necklace.  I especially like to do this if I do not have enough beads to complete the necklace.  I love the coloring in this piece - the matte black, lime green and yellow  - this is not a combination I usually work with but it sure is pretty.  This piece is listed in my Etsy Shop here.

What I Am Working On

Now that I have recovered from the freeform blog hop I have started a new project.  I had this cab in my stash and have always loved the markings and the coloring.  But as usual I don't know where I bought it or what it is - why does this always happen?  I do know it is going to be the pendant part of a pendant/necklace combo. 

Here is my beading tray with the cab and a few beads that may or may not be included in the final piece.  I already have the name picked out and it is a good one.  I actually had 2 names picked out so I have a good name for another project down the line. I don't think I can go wrong with this gorgeous cab! 

Freeform Peyote Choose Your Own Adventure Reveal

 
Karen Williams and Mandi Ainsworth came up with the idea for a challenge - create a freeform peyote piece and share it for all the world to see. Today is the big reveal and I couldn't be more excited.  I can't wait to see what everyone created.  They also started a Facebook Group as well with lots of great people and wonderful ideas and tips on freeform beading. This was a fun challenge for me because although I have beaded freeform pieces before I haven't tackled one in a long time.  It got me thinking about colors and shape again. So here it is my freeform bracelet called A Taste of Honey.

I  usually do my freeform vertically rather than horizontal (I have done a few horizontal) but I am more comfortable in this format.  I get a much more fluid piece this way. I chose a very warm pallet of soft violet, soft oranges, pinks, bronze and golds.  For the focal I chose a small jasper that I bought at a shop in Pennsylvania.  It had a very warm color that went well with the seed beads.  I am happy with the results but for my next adventure I think I will try the horizontal format 

I can't wait to go have a look at what everyone has created. Here is the Adventurer Roster:    

Mandi Ainsworth - Adventure Guide
Karen Williams - Adventure Guide 

Bobbie Rafferty
Sarah Meadows
Katherine Gale
Mandy Duffy
Leanne Kirsch
Jean Hutter

Nancy Dale
Judy Riley
Natasha Wiegelman
Pam Chesbro
Stephanie Woods
Romana Tschunko

Bette Greenfield
Mary Harding 
Melody Marie Murray
Shirley Moore
Marj

Sally Russick
Therese Frank
Tanya Goodwin
Christine Altmiller
Lea Paličková
Ivona Šuchmannová

Jennifer Chasalow VanBenschoten
Kay Haynes
Tammy Bowman  
Alisa Lehman
Lori Callahan 
Tami Norris

Jane Kettley
SaraBeth Cullinan

Julie Schmidt Bowen
Tammi Clapper
Cynthia Machata