Green Beaded Star

I think to succeed every artist needs patrons. Those that see the value in what the artist does and don't mind laying down the cash to keep the artist going. Those that understand each piece is one of a kind and made by hand. I've never found those patrons, and most artists I know haven't either. You know, that one person that checks your shop daily and can't wait to see and buy whatever you list next.

Beaded Heart

I really enjoy making beaded felt items.  Right now I'm working on hearts. They can be used as ornaments, pins, brooches, and hat bling.

Slightly larger than actual size.

New beads

I found a cute little bead shop in Apple Valley. The first time we dropped by they had just closed. The next time they were open but she said she was going out of business at the end of the month. Sad face. Business was just too slow so after 7 years she was calling it quits. Stupid economy.

Then this morning I found another shop that carries leather and beading supplies right here in Lucerne Valley, CA. So hope springs eternal.

There is also a Hobby Lobby in Victorville but I haven't gone to that one or any Hobby Lobby for that matter. If I only had a car right now I'd be dangerous.

Pesky Peyote Stitch

I'm struggling with some new Peyote Stitch beading techniques. It should be a piece of cake. I must have some kind of mental block. I'm going to keep trying though. I did finish one bead on Saturday, but I ad libbed it after losing track of where I was on the chart. I chose a color scheme of purple, pale green and yellow. It's so time consuming that I start feeling guilty that there must be better uses for my time, like making a living. At the rate I'm going, I'd have to charge a million dollars for each necklace.

Working With Delicas

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

Bead Weaving

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.

Brick Stitch Earrings

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

Work in Progress Freeform Peyote Necklace

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

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

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.

Czech Seed Beads

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

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.

Current beading projects

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

Spiral Heart

Hypnotic beaded heart pin.

Bookmarks

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

First Post

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.