Happy Thanksgiving

Spring Bouquet - Freeform Netted Bracelet

Just finished this new freeform netted bracelet called Spring Bouquet - I also added some fiber to this one. One of my favorite bloggers is Beverly Ash Gilbert. I love her blog, of course for the beading, but also for the amazing posts about color and the wonderful photos she posts. Beverly has a book coming out in January - which I have pre-ordered - called BEADED COLORWAYS: Freeform Beadweaving Projects and Palettes. She makes the most amazing freeform netted jewelry so I thought I would like to try this - this is my fifth bracelet, they are fun to make, feel great on and are just beautiful with the combination of colors.

Silver Swirl - Cellini Spiral Bracelet

This is a Cellini Spiral beaded bracelet called "Silver Swirl". It is made with silver, pearl and black seed beads size 8, 11 and 15. The spiral and dimension of this bracelet is achieved by using different size beads. This bangle will roll over your hand and fits a size 6 1/2 inch wrist. This is the third cellini spiral I have made - I love the look but they make up pretty slowly.

Christmas Party - Peyote Cuff Bracelet

This peyote beadwoven bracelet is called Christmas Party. It is made using size 6 green seed beads in a 2 drop peyote stitch as the base. It is trimmed with size 11 gold seed bead picots and the focal is a white and gold poinsettia flower. It also has a handmade loop and toggle closure. This bracelet will fit a size 6 1/2 inch wrist and would be perfect for this Holiday season or that special Christmas party. I am trying to make up a few pieces for some Holiday craft shows I am doing. I love making these simple peyote bands and then embellishing them.

Artist Profile

Well this is shaping up to be a good day. Cyndi Lavin has profiled me this AM on Jewelry and Beading. It is a great interview IMO but then I guess since it is me I better think so! I want to thank her for the profile - it was exciting to do and even more exciting to see. Here is the URL so you can go look for yourself and leave a comment:

http://www.blisstree.com/jewelryandbeading/artist-profile-jean-hutter/

Purple Diagonal - Peyote Cuff Bracelet

This is a peyote stitch bracelet called "Purple Diagonal". The darker violet beads are size 6 and the lavender pearl beads size 8. It also has a handmade peyote stitched loop and toggle closure. This bracelet will fit a wrist size 6 1/2" to 6 3/4".

I made another one of these diagonal bracelets awhile back and of course didn't write down how I did it and I had a hard time figuring out the stitch sequence - did I write it down this time - NO. Once you get it going it is easy to do but you have to get it going right in the first few rows.

Christmas Tapestry - Peyote Cuff Bracelet

This is a new bracelet I just finished - I am really going strong with the red, green and gold for the holidays. I am doing a craft show Thanksgiving weekend and I am hoping some of these holiday pieces might sell. This is a peyote bracelet made with size 6, 8, and 11 seed beads with a few cube beads thrown in. It has a handmade loop and toggle closure. I sure hope I sell this one because it is way too big for me - 7 1/4 inch wrist.

Christmas Flower - Peyote Bracelet

This peyote beadwoven bracelet is called Christmas Flower. It is made using size 6 green seed beads in a 2 drop peyote stitch as the base. It is trimmed with size 11 red and green seed bead picots and the focal is a red and green poinsettia flower. It also has a handmade loop and toggle closure. This bracelet will fit a size 6 1/2 inch wrist and would be perfect for this Holiday season or that special Christmas party. I love this bracelet - think I will make another - maybe with a white poinsettia.

Christmas Earrings

I am doing a craft show Thanksgiving weekend so I am doing some small Christmas things to sell. I just finished these earrings and another pair which I will post tomorrow. They are fun and so nice for a holiday party.

Blue Ice - Freeform Netted Bracelet

Another freeform netted bracelet - this bead soup was all different shades of blue. I really like making these bracelet and they look and feel great on the wrist. This one is a bit larger and will fit a size 7 1/2 inch wrist.

Christmas Party - Freeform Netted Bracelet

So this is my second freeform netted bracelet - I made my bead soup with various red, green and gold beads. I decided to call this one "Christmas Party". It has button and toggle closure and it will be perfect for a holiday party. I hope I get invited to one!!!

Patchwork Purple - Peyote Bracelet

This is a new peyote cuff called Patchwork Purple. It is 1 1/2 inch wide and 7 1/2 inches long plus the closure. It is made of size 6 and size 8 seed beads in different shades of purple and lavender. This bracelet has a very nice feel - although it is too big for me - I am doing a craft show and am trying to make some larger size bracelets.

Freeform Netted Bracelet

Well I have been struggling with beaders block or lack of inspiration for awhile. I wanted to bead but just kept putting it off not knowing what I wanted to do. I look at a lot of blogs everyday and one of my favorites is Beverly Ash Gilbert. I love her blog, of course for the beading, but also for the amazing posts about color and the wonderful photos she posts. Beverly has a book coming out in January - which I have pre-ordered - called BEADED COLORWAYS: Freeform Beadweaving Projects and Palettes. I can't wait to get my hands on this book but in the meantime I thought I would try my hand at making a bead soup and doing a freeform netted bracelet.

This was just what the bead doctor ordered. Making the bead soup was such fun - combining different colors and types of beads - I was pretty conservative on this first one. Beading the freeform netted bracelet was the most fun I had beading in a LONG time. I also had just the right little button to use as a closure. I love the way this bracelet came out, it was a pleasure to make and I am wearing it now - this one is for me!!!!

Next I want to make a Christmas bead soup - I can see it already, reds, greens and golds - later today and then a beautiful Christmas bracelet for me to wear to some holiday parties - everyone will be so jealous!!!

Thank you Beverly for getting me back on track - I am so glad to be excited about beading again.

Fear of Beading

Is there such a thing as fear of beading or just a reluctance to get started again?? Is this reluctance due to lack of inspiration or just being lazy??

This is the position I find myself in now that I am back in NJ. I haven't done any serious beading in a long time - almost 3 months. I am finding it hard to jump back in - I say I want to - but am not putting the beads where my mouth is.

These are the things I have tried so far:

• cleaning and reorganizing my bead room - always a stalling technique for me
• writing down a list of projects I want to do - another stalling technique
• starting a bracelet - step in the right direction but that was 3 days ago and only an inch done and it is netting
• looking at beading books - good for inspiration but not giving me any

So I just don't know - well I really do, like Nike says "Just Do It". If it is fear, fear of what?? I keep going round and round like a dog chasing it's tail and I am getting nothing accomplished and I am getting more and more frustrated - not good.

Use The Muse

I entered the Use The Muse II contest awhile ago. It is now over and the winners have been announced so I can reveal my entries. The "muse" was the pendent used in my necklace. The way this works is everyone gets the same kit and you design what you want - the only rule is you have to use the "muse" piece in your design. Lots of fun and some really great entries - congratulations to the winners!