Bead Chronicles

Peyote Stitch Beadwork

2012-01-05T22:50:00.000-08:00

I haven't gotten to work on beading in ages, so I was happy to pull this out of a tin of beads and start working on it again. I did some of the pastel part and all of the gold tonight. Peyote stitch is very time consuming so I consider that progress in the right direction. See how the gold goes off at an angle? I'm splitting that part into two 'rivers' of beads that will cross later on.

I can't remember if this was meant to be a bracelet or a necklace or a watchband, or if it was just an experimental piece I was toying with.

Working With Delicas

2011-09-21T14:43:00.000-07:00

I'm trying out my new Delica beads. Even though these are size 11 and the beads I've been using are size 11, these seem so much tinier and harder to work with. Three rows into the design I spotted a mistake on the first row. It will be too time consuming to redo it all. I'm just going to start over after resting my neck, shoulders, and eyes for a while. If these come out I'll sell the chart on Etsy.

Spiral Beading

2011-03-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

This video I made for my grandson shows some of my beading.

Spiral Vessel

2011-03-10T09:10:00.000-08:00

I got the spiral vessel I was working on a while back out of the bin and started working on it again. I've put in too much time to let it fall through the cracks. But this morning I woke up and remembered some beaded feathers I was inspired by at an archery shoot last year and I'd like to start one of those as well.
We have some amazing pheasant feathers I can use.

It looks like it will be a bright sunny day so I'll be able to work outside where the light is best.

Bead Graph Paper

2011-03-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

If you want to design your own bead work, it helps to have beading graph paper. http://www.beadandbutton.com/How%20To/Free%20Graph%20Paper/2007/06/Free%20Graph%20Paper.aspx is one place.
And here is another: http://shala.addr.com/beads/resources/graphpaper/

Make sure you grab the right one for the type of beading you are planning.

Embellished Collar

2010-08-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while I was waiting for people at the archery range, one of the things I brought with me was the orange collar necklace I'd had on the back burner. I got to add quite a few buttons and seed beads before the gang showed up.

If you decide to tote your beadwork around, each and every time make sure you take a beading needle, beading thread, and scissors. Without any one of that trio, you won't be a happy camper. I never forget the beads though.

Love Making Those Right Angle Weave Earrings.

2010-06-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

I was a good girl today and got 6 new pairs of right angle weave earrings listed on Etsy. Whew, glad to make some forward progress. I could just see myself making 100 pairs of earrings and never getting any of them to the market where I might actually sell some. I've probably made 25 pairs already. Some are for gifts though. And some are 'seconds' that I'll happily wear myself. My Etsy shop is listed on the side bar if you want to see the photos.

Beaded Earrings

2010-06-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

I've been an earring making fiend lately. I made earrings Thurs., Friday, and Sunday. Sat. I was out of town at a SCA event and even though I took my beads, I never had time to use them. Today I made 3 pairs for my daughter. It costs so much to ship things, there is no point shipping just one pair when I can ship a bunch for the same price.

SCA Gyldenholt 30th anniversary

2010-06-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

I've been making right angle weave earrings like crazy lately. But today I was at an SCA event and never had time to even open my box of beads. I did get to enjoy some other amazing embroidery and beadwork on various outfits I saw yesterday. One of the archers had quite a lot of bling on his tunic. And the Arts and Sciences competition had quite a few examples to enjoy. The Barony of Gyldenholt has many amazing artisans.

First thing this morning I was back to making earrings again though. I told my daughter I'd make her some.

Right Weave Earrings

2010-06-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

I bought some right angle weave earrings from a friend on Etsy to help her out. Then I realized I missed making them. I was pretty sure I'd done right angle weave before, though it might have been on a bracelet. So I found a tutorial on line. And I just made myself four pairs of earrings.

Then I was looking at the earrings I bought, comparing techniques and I realized one of the earrings has a mistake on it that I didn't notice before. Two of the seed beads are missing. Glad to know I'm not the only one that makes mistakes. Now do I tell my friend there's a mistake? Or just live with it? I probably won't say anything. I'm trying to lift her up, not tear her down. I doubt anyone else will ever notice the mistake. My head is between my ears so it's not like they are going to be studying both earrings at once. Come to think of it, I can always take them apart and fix them myself.

Evolving Jewelry Metamorphic

2010-02-15T02:26:00.000-08:00

It's almost 2 AM but I have a new jewelry idea and I have to write it down before I forget it. I will make some simple sweet necklaces and list them on Etsy for a low price. If someone wants to snap it up at that price, then great. But then as time allows I will add to it bit by bit, making it more interesting and letting it evolve. The new price will reflect the changes I made. So if the person doesn't buy it when they like the way it looks, it will soon be different and more expensive as more time and materials get added to it. It will go into my http://www.cherrymoondrops.etsy.com/ shop. I think it's a great fun and challenging idea. And with the various evolutions, anyone can afford to get one of them. They will cover low, medium and high price points. I can't wait to begin. But doing bead work after 2 AM is not a good idea. After a good night's sleep we'll see how it goes.

I think the first one will be shades of white and cream and the second one will be reds in different shapes and sizes.

One Bead At a Time

2010-01-24T23:01:00.000-08:00

I'm still working on my beaded collar. Here are some current photos I took while the sun was shining today.

Beaded Brooch

2010-01-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

Right now I'm working on a beaded brooch. Yesterday I finished adding the beads. Now I need to figure out how to put the back on it. And I don't know what to do around the edges to make it look nice. If it ever stops raining I'll get better photos. This is the fourth day of rain. We need it though. CA has been in a drought. I've added a lot more beads since I took this photo.

Bead Weaving

2010-01-19T12:48:00.000-08:00

Sunday at the archery range I started putting together a new freeform organic necklace. It's mostly pink and green with some peyote stitch. A bit tricky but fun like a jigsaw puzzle.

Beaded Collar

2009-11-07T16:39:00.000-08:00

I've been focusing on a collar done on green faux suede. I took photos of it last night to share. It seems like everything I make lately is green. I think that's to make up for years of ignoring that color. But it also has some blue areas, and some areas with a color I like to call 'rootbeer', and it has a black and white section. I'm using some of my favorite hoarded beads in this one. It brings back memories as I think of the people that gave me some of them, or of the stores I bought them at. It's like a little walk down memory lane every time I make something. It's good to use up the stash.

I found I had to glue down a few of the bigger focal beads to make them lay flat and not worked their way into some lopsided position.

The collar is not cut out yet. I find it easier to do beading on a larger piece. I basted the shape of the collar and I'm beading within the lines. Later, after all the beadwork is done, I'll add a lining and a back piece to protect the knots.

One of the hardest things about beadwork is how do I price it? The beads alone probably cost $100. but it's all the time invested that it's hard to recoup.

Beaded Embroidery

2009-09-28T00:42:00.000-07:00

I just sewed some beads and sequins onto an olive green t-shirt. It's a fruit/garden theme with lemons, vines, leaves and lace. I'll probably put it in my spankytease shop on Etsy. If I ever finish it. Embroidery is so time consuming.

Kokopeli Quiver Bead Patch

2009-09-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

When I was working on my gourd rain stick I found this other kokopeli in my bead case. It's for a quiver I'm making. It's not quite done. My projects kind of got out of order there.

Upper Arm Band

2009-09-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

I was making a leather band for my gourd rain stick. I used a copper colored concho. But today when I went to glue it on the gourd, I found the flat concho would not work well with the curve of the gourd. So I had to start all over again and bead another band in the right curvature. Not to worry though. I'll finish up the original piece as an upper arm band.

Hair fascinators

2009-08-30T02:01:00.000-07:00

Last time I went to San Luis Obispo, CA I bought some things to make hair fascinators out of. I made two or three on the trip and then once I got home I had no time for it. So finally tonight I sat down and made a new one in shades of green ribbon with the palest pink feathers attached to it. I found just the combs to sew it onto in a supply shop on Etsy tonight. I added some seed beads around the circle to give it a bit more sparkle. I'm torn between attaching it to a barrette, a side comb or elastic. It's super light weight now, so I don't think I want it on a big clonky metal barrette. We'll see.

Pink Earrings

2009-02-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Here are some earrings I've been working on. I haven't gotten around to listing them yet. I'm going to need to buy some more sterling silver earwires before I can finish them.

Single Strand Necklaces

2009-02-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

I needed to make something easy yesterday to offset all the complicated long term projects I'm working on. Nothing quite like the fun of instant gratification. And sometimes, simpler is better.
I made one in warm colors and one is a cool colorway. And the sun poked it's face out of the rain just long enough today for me to take photos.

Beaded Quiver

2009-02-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

I have been beading like crazy. I'm thinking of working on a snake gourd quiver tomorrow at the archery meeting. I want to do some sort of leather and beads and kokopelli or something. I wish I'd thought of this sooner. It's already almost midnight. Now where did I see that leather needle?

Another Beading Artist

2009-02-10T00:41:00.000-08:00

Amazing Bead Work.

Fireline

2009-02-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

I keep reading about beaders using Fireline. So I googled it up. I assume they mean the fishing line. But I found this mail in rebate if you buy two boxes of Fireline, minimum $10.00 a box. You get $8.00 back. http://www.berkley-fishing.com/media/File/09424009Fireline_8Coupon.pdf Sounds good to me and doesn't expire until July. Normally I just use beading thread to make earrings, but if the majority is using Fireline it's worth looking into.

Blue and White Earrings

2009-02-08T15:39:00.000-08:00

I love the way these look and I've already put them in my Etsy shop. Most anyone can wear blue. It's very comfortable color to be around.

I love long dangly earrings. But I'm sure many people will want shorter earrings so I'll be making some of those as well. I'm sure some workplaces have tight restrictions regarding earrings. Luckily I'm self-employed and can wear whatever I want.

After beading all day I could use a neck massage. I'm right in the middle of two pairs of earrings. One is pink and white and the other is gold and iridescent blue. But I needed a break to rest my neck and eyes.
And I've already finished a pair in aqua and pink. I'm really into this aqua color lately. I get attached to certain colors and can't seem to get enough of them for a while.

Orange Brick Stitch Earrings

2009-02-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

I just finished the beaded part of a pair of orange and blue earrings done in brick stitch. This is about the 6th earring I've made and the first pair that came out okay. It's so easy to get little glitches...too much thread showing here, a strand that just doesn't lay right over there. But I think those problems will smooth out with more practice. Now to glue the knots and weave the excess thread in. Then add the hooks. I think I'm going to stick with the sterling silver ear wires. My ears aren't happy when I use the other kind. They get itchy and irritated.

Beaded Wizard Friendship Pin

2009-02-03T00:19:00.000-08:00

This looks like fun.
Wizard

Brick Stitch Earrings

2009-02-03T00:14:00.000-08:00

A helpful tutorial for Brick or Cheyanne stitch earrings using seed beads or bugle beads.

Work in Progress Freeform Peyote Necklace

2008-12-17T18:04:00.001-08:00

After going to a bead faire I'm always inspired to do more beadwork. So after Sat.'s faire I dug out a freeform peyote stitch necklace that I hadn't worked on in some time and started adding some of my recently acquired beads to it. The color scheme is red and purple with silver accents. I made sure to get a photo of it today so you can see it.

Medicine pouch

2008-12-17T17:40:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a new medicine pouch in peyote stitch. I used a tp tube cut lengthwise and then taped together to make the diameter of the tube. I'm using 2 shades of pink, green and silver for the rows so far. I can't really explain it but tedious projects are more rewarding when I finally complete them. Things that I can crank out quickly just don't mean as much.

Peyote Stitch in brown

2008-12-16T11:08:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how quickly the days pass. I did do a bit of peyote stitch. Only one of the photos came out so here it is.

Peyote stitch/gourd stitch

2008-11-29T09:07:00.000-08:00

Peyote stitch practice. If I don't do it once in a while I forget how.

2008-09-08T11:55:00.001-07:00

I just signed up for Tagfoot. http://ping.fm/lfV6m Come see all my links and comments and my wishlist.

Earrings Epiphany

2008-09-02T17:44:00.001-07:00

I'm working on a new pair of cluster earrings. All I have to do now is cut them off the chain and add the ear wires.

2008-08-31T22:35:00.001-07:00

Want to join ping.fm too? Go to http://www.ping.fm.Use the code 'legendofping' and you could have the luxury of posting to all your blogs in one fell swoop like I do. Way more efficient than doing it one by one.

2008-08-31T22:33:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure what 'ping my default' means but I guess I'll find out when I hit send.

2008-08-28T13:39:00.001-07:00

The week sure went by quick. I had a lot more planned but didn't have the energy to do it. My hands are still sore from woodcarving, and so I've had to lay off the knitting and crocheting. I'm looking forward to the weekend. My daughter may visit. We'll see.

2008-08-27T10:07:00.001-07:00

Come view my Flickr photo stream. Over 3000 photos I've taken are waiting there for your pleasure. http://ping.fm/3TTAi

2008-08-27T09:52:00.001-07:00

I just signed up for Ping.fm to make social networking more effiecient.

Pirate booty in a wire cage.

2008-08-13T15:58:00.001-07:00

These wire cages are great for displaying trinkets, beads without good holes in them, shells, marbles and other knicknacks.
They are in my shop right now at http://www.hypnotic.etsy.com.

Czech Seed Beads

2008-08-13T15:55:00.000-07:00

I just got some new Czech seed beads from Crazy Crow. First time I've ordered from them. The beads look pretty even so I'm going to save them for loom beading. I haven't use the loom in a while. There just aren't enough hours in the day to keep up with everything I want to do.

Beaded gourd and neckace projects

2008-07-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

I'm working on two beading projects concurrenty. A beaded gourd and a freeform peyote stitch (gourd stitch) necklace in autumn colors. Most of the beads are playing well together but there are some little clear yellow seed beads that insist on sticking on the needle every ten beads or so. Then I have to unthread a row to get the bugger off the thread. But mostly I'm having a blast. Just have to take frequent breaks to have mercy on my eyes and neck.

Crafts on a shoestring

2008-06-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

Crafts on a shoestring

An article I wrote on saving money while doing crafts you love.

Current beading projects

2008-06-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

Freeform peyote red and purple necklace and right angle weave bracelet.

New Confetti Necklace

2008-02-10T19:11:00.001-08:00

Five strand bugle bead necklace.

Spiral Heart

2008-02-08T00:31:00.000-08:00

Hypnotic beaded heart pin.

Bead and Wire Tree Pendants

2008-02-05T17:31:00.000-08:00

When wires and beads come together, all kinds of cool things can happen.

Bookmarks

2008-01-06T12:44:00.000-08:00

Glamourous Beaded Bookthongs. I just got four new ones into my shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5071215

Book thongs

2008-01-02T12:18:00.001-08:00

Make reading more glamorous. No more paper markers to lose or bend. Or just use it to hypnotize your friends.

First Post

2008-01-02T09:49:00.000-08:00

Up till now my beading projects have just been mixed up in all my other blogs I thought it was time to give them a spot of their own. I've been beading all my life. Now my eyes aren't as good as they once were so beading takes even longer. But I will keep doing it as long as I can.
Beads make many crafts better.