Beading Babes ~ Project 6 - July/August 2012

Welcome to Project 6 

of

Beading Babes!

This month I have decided to challenge you...which is what this group was aimed at doing!

This Project we have 4 spectacular projects on offer - all to challenge you in techniques you may not have already tackled.

You will note this project I have also included the techniques used in the designs and the project level (i.e. beginner, intermediate etc) to help you when deciding which project/s you might like to tackle.

Just a reminder that you don't have to complete all of the projects listed below. You can do as many or as few as you like... you can even do more than one of the same project...it's up to you!

Also please discuss the projects on our Facebook page or on your blog and feel free to post your progress shots too... the more bead chat the better!

So without further ado here are the projects!

~*~

1. Retro Daisies by Janice Chatham

(Bead and Button -  April 2012 - page 88)

Also available at Kalmbach Online Store for $3.95

Digital copy of this issue can be purchased from Zinio HERE for around $6.00

Techniques: Crossweave/Fringe

Project Level: Beginner

Materials

4 x 4mm round crystals in 2 colours (total of 8 beads)

40 x 3mm round firepolished beads in 2 colours (total of 80 beads)

7-8g size 15/0 seed beads (colour A)

2-3g size 15/0 seed beads (colour B)

Clasp

2 x jump rings

~*~

2. Ripple Effect Cuff by Sherry Serafini

(Beadwork - June/July 2011 - page 31)

Digital copy of this issue can be purchased from Zinio HERE for around $6.00.

Techniques: Backstitch embroidery, peyote, brick-stitch edging

Project Level: Intermediate

Materials

5g size 15/0 seed beads (A)

5g size 15/0 seed beads (B)

5g size 15/0 seed beads (C)

5g size 15/0 seed beads (D)

5g size 11/0 seed beads (E)

10g size 11/0 seed beads (F)

3g size 11/0 cylinder beads (G)

144 x 4mm fringe drop beads (H)

46 x 3mm glass rounds 

68 x 400 pearl rounds 

1 x 25-30mm cabochon

1 x bar clasp

2 x 7 beading foundation

2 x 7 Ultrasuede

~*~

3. Soutastic Soutache Earrings by Amee McNamara

(Bead and Button - June 2012 - page 22)

Digital copy of this issue can be purchased from Zinio HERE for around $6.00

Techniques: Soutache bead embroidery

Project Level: Beginner

Materials 

1ft (30cm) soutache in 3 colours (total of 3ft/60cm)

2 x 6mm hex cut beads

4 x 4mm fire polished beads

2 x size 8/0 seed beads

4 x size 11/0 seed beads (colour A)

1g size 11/0 seed beads (colour B)

4 x size 15/0 seed beads

2 x 6mm jump rings

1 x pair earring findings 

~*~

4. Josephine's Collar by Jill Devon

(Beadwork - June/July 2012 - page 44)

Digital copy of this issue can be purchased at Zinio HERE for around $6.00

Techniques: Flat and tubular peyote and brick stitch

Project Level: Intermediate

Materials

8g size 15/0 seed beads (colour A)

8g size 15/0 seed beads (colour B)

5g size 11/0 cylinder beads (colour C)

5g size 11/0 cylinder beads (colour D)

10g size 11/0 seed beads (colour E)

10g size 10/0 triangle beads (F)

9 x 3mm bicone crystals

2 x 4mm bicone crystals

2 x 5mm bicone crystals

1 x 8mm round crystal

1 x size 22x30mm oval pointed back crystal

16 inces of 4.25 inches wide silk ribbon

~*~

I hope you like what I have chosen for this project.

Many of you had mentioned that you would like to try soutache and bead embroidery so this is your chance!

~*~

The reveal date for Project 6 will be

Sunday 16 September 

Happy Beading!

 ♥

-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Copyright Disclaimer
All patterns used within this group will be purchased by the beader.
All patterns will not be copied.

All credit will be given to the designer.

Beading Babes - Project 5 reveal tomorrow!

Just a reminder that tomorrow, 

Sunday 24 June,

 is the reveal day for 

Beading Babes - Project 5!

Here are the fantastic projects that we have been working on featuring the talented and not to mention, lovely, Helena Tang-Lim.

Echoes of Nefertiti

(tutorial available in Bead & Button - June 2012 - page 48)

Four Leaf Clover Cuff

(tutorial available at Helena's online store - www.manek-manek.com)

If you haven't visited the Beading Babes Facebook page, drop in and say hello. 

We are now 126 members strong and growing every week!

Please post the pictures of your piece/s on your blog as well as posting them in the Project 5 photo album I have created on the Beading Babes Facebook page.

I will then collect everyone's blog addresses and list them here so that everyone can blog hop and checkout everyone's creations on their blogs.

I look forward to seeing everyone's creations. 

Going by the posts on the FB page over the past few weeks there is going to be some stunning pieces!

♥

-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Copyright Disclaimer
All patterns used within this group will be purchased by the beader and will not be copied.

All credit will be given to the designer.

Beading Babes - Project 3 update ...

How is everyone progressing with their Project 3 pieces?

I have come to a sudden standstill with Runway of Pearls and am yet to start Ravishing Rosettes.

I've run into a few "issues" with Runway of Pearls.



Firstly this bracelet shrinks!

I had it sitting at a perfect length but by the time I had embellished the piece with the size 11/0 and 15/0 seed beads it had shrunk enough for the bracelet to be too small.

Add to this frustration the fact that by this stage I had already used up 388 of my 400 2mm beads I had bought so was in a bit of a panic as to how to lengthen the bracelet.

So.... I decided to use some 3mm Czech beads at each end stitching an extra row or two.

Problem solved!

So I thought...

I then realised that I needed more of the 2mm beads when "zipping" the bracelet closed.

So....I've had to order another 100 beads.

That's a total of 500 beads at a cost of $25.00 so far...without adding the cost of the other beads, thread and clasp!

Hmmmmm.....



I haven't started Ravishing Rosettes as I foolishly removed the 6mm pearls from my shopping cart in my Artbeads order.

My order arrived and I was wondering where on earth the pearls were and why they hadn't included them in my order to discover

I DIDN'T ORDER THEM!
Don't ask me why I removed them from my shopping cart (even I can't tell myself why) so I've had to order more...or should I say some!

Very frustrating to say the least!

In the mean time I've started a bead embroidered project inspired by one of my favourite artists,
Mary Engelbreit.

I discovered Mary's artwork way back in 1990 when I visited the US and my lovely friend, Traci, introduced me to her artwork.


This adorable tote is still on my wish list... but $99.00 to ship it to Australia...I don't think so!

I've loved and collected her art ever since!

~*~

So that's it for me for today.

Hopefully my pearls and 2mm Czech beads will arrive today or tomorrow and I can get started on completing a few of these projects!

I hope you are making better progress than me!
 

♥

Beading Babes ~ Project 3

Sorry I haven't posted in a little while... I've been travelling for the past 8 days so have had very limited internet access...but more details of my trip in another post.

I am sure you have all been waiting for confirmation of the two most popular project choices for
Beading Babes ~ Project 3!

Well... here they are!

Ravishing Rosettes by Smadar Grossman
(Bead and Button - December 2011 - page 38)

Runway of Pearls by Barbara Falkowitz

(Beadwork - December 2011/January 2012 - page 54)

~~*~~

Once again, you don't have to create both pieces but can do so if you wish.

As it's a busy time of the year I think we should allow ourselves a little longer to work on our pieces...therefore the reveal date for
Project 3 will be

12 February 2012
(around 6 weeks)

If you would like this date extended further please let me know.

Happy Beading!

 ♥

-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Copyright Disclaimer
All patterns used within this group will be purchased by the beader and will not be copied.

All credit will be given to the designer.

Beading Babes - Project 3 ~ Dec 2011/Jan 2012

Welcome to Project 3 of Beading Babes!

For Project 3 I have provided you with 5 exciting projects to choose from. We will again choose 2 projects.

Once again, there is no pressure to create both pieces but you are more than welcome to do so.

Here are the projects to choose from for this month.

~*~

1. Cairo Collar by Lynn Davy

(Beadwork - February/March 2011 - page 62)

Materials

1g size 15 charlottes (A)

5g size 11 cylinder beads (B)

1g size 11 cylinder beads (C)

2 bicones 4mm

5 bicones 6mm (D)

6 teardrop beads 12x16mm (E)

~~~

2. Ravishing Rosettes by Smadar Grossman

(Bead and Button - December 2011 - page38)

Materials

21 x 6mm glass pearls

118 x 3mm bicone crystals
2-3gm size 8/0 seed beads (colour A)
5-10gm size 8/0 seed beads (colour B)
10-15gm size 11/0 seed beads in two colours
Clasp
Jump rings
~~~

3. Fashion at your Fingertips (ring) by Aasia Hamid

(Bead and Button - December 2011 - page 86)

Materials

12mm round pearl
14 x 3mm pearls in two colours (total of 28 pearls)
14 x 2mm round crystals
3-5gm size 15/0 seed beads
3-5gm size 11/0 seed beads
1-3gm size 15/0 charlottes
~~~

4.  Runway of Pearls by Barbara Falkowitz

(Beadwork - December 2011/January 2012 - page 54)

Materials

5g size 15/0 seed beads
3g size 11/0 seed beads
10gm size 11/0 triangle beads
80-86 x 3mm pearls
Clasp
~~~

5. Twelfth Night by Carol Wilcox Wells

(Beadwork - December 2011/January 2012 - page 38)

Materials

1g size 15/0 charlottes (colour A)
3g size 15/0 charlottes (colour B)
3g size 11/0 cylinder beads
23g size 11/0 seed beads
25 x 3mm pearls
14 x 6mm pearls
8 x foil backed 8mm round pointed back cabochons
Clasp

~~*~~

I will allow a couple of days for everyone to vote on their TWO favourite designs and will then confirm the two projects chosen.

Be sure to check out the photo album dedicated to Beading Babes which I have created on my Releases by Rufydoof  Facebook page which has pictures of everyone's creations from Project 1 and 2.

Also don't forget to get your Beading Babes badge for your blog by simply clicking on the Beading Babes image above and saving it to your computer as an image!

 ♥

-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Copyright Disclaimer
All patterns used within this group will be purchased by the beader and will not be copied.

All credit will be given to the designer.

BEADING BABES...

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who has shown interest in my little beading group so far. I have already made some new friends which is one of the wonderful benefits of creating such a group.

Secondly, what do you think of my name for our beading group... is it too corny...I am up for suggestions!

Here are a few questions answered regarding how the group will be structured.

Timeline of projects

Projects will now run over a two month period, this way we can create more than one project at a time which I think is a pretty good effort!

From the date the project is decided we will have approximately 8 weeks to complete the piece, but again don't panic if you don't get your piece done in that time. The aim is to share your achievements on your blog/Facebook page not to meet strict deadlines...so please don't stress!

How we will choose the patterns?

Since chatting to a few of you via email and Facebook the consensus of opinion was that choosing patterns from Beadwork and Bead & Button magazine might be the easiest option as we all seem to either subscribe to these magazines or buy it each month.

Both magazines also offer a great range of free patterns on their websites so this might be another opotion for us.

I am also very excited to announce that two published designers have offered one of their patterns to us for free... how cool is that not to mention super generous! Of course we will thank them by mentioning them when we post pictures of our pieces!

Keep in touch!

Feel free to post any work in progress pictures along the way on your blog and/or discuss any issues you may be having with the project.  The more discussion the merrier!

I have been contacting a few of you by email in addition to my blog and Facebook page so, if it is ok by everyone, I will post the projects here and on FB but I will also send you an email with the details of the monthly project just in case you aren't checking my blog/FB page.

Please feel free to contact me by email at any time if you have any questions or just want to gasbag!

Don't stress!

Please do not feel any pressure to take part each month and if you can't get your piece finished in the time suggested... who cares!

The aim of this group is to broaden our beading skills, try out patterns we might normally be too afraid to attempt but most of all to have fun and make some new friends!

~~~~~~~

So I have been going through Beadwork and Bead & Button and I have come up with 3 patterns for us to choose from for our first project, this time all from Beadwork (all images sourced from my subscriber copies of Beadwork magazine).

1. Camelot Cross Bracelet by Carole Ohl

(Beadwork - February/March 2011 - page 58)

Materials

5g size 11 cylinder beads (A)

3g size 11 cylinder beads (B)

3g size 11 seed beads (C)

2g size 11 seed beads (D)

28 bicones 6mm

~~~

2. Cairo Collar by Lynn Davy

(Beadwork - February/March 2011 - page 62)

Materials

1g size 15 charlottes (A)

5g size 11 cylinder beads (B)

1g size 11 cylinder beads (C)

2 bicones 4mm

5 bicones 6mm (D)

6 teardrop beads 12x16mm (E)

~~~

3. Around the Block Bracelet by Barbara Falkowitz

(Beadwork - October/November 2011 - page 69)

Materials

4g size 11 seed beads (A)

2g size 11 seed beads (B)

7g 3mm cubes (C)

36 firepolished round 3mm beads (D)

9 glass pearls 4mm

1 shank button (for clasp)

~~~~

For our first project I have tried to pick 3 patterns which have beads that are easy to find and most of us might already have in our stash, such as size 11 seed beads, therefore only needing to buy one or two of the items in the material list if any.

In fact, for each challenge I will always try to choose pieces that won't cost too much to make, i.e. pieces loaded with Swarovski crystals!

Let's choose!

Check out the projects above, the material lists for each and let me know which one you would prefer and the most popular out of the three listed above is what we will kick off the beading group with!

If you have any suggestions of projects you have seen that you would like to try or just general suggestions for the group, like a better name, please feel free to post them here or drop me an email!

Let the creative fun begin!

♥ 

-----------------------------------------

Copyright Disclaimer

All patterns used within this group will be purchased by the beader and will not be copied. 

All credit will be given to the designer.

Encouraging others to learn

Over the past few weeks I have made a lot of new friends through the magical world of Facebook and blog land.

Due to this blog and my Releases by Rufydoof Facebook page being predominently bead related the majority of these new friends are fellow beaders.

What I've noticed about these new friends is that they are also new beaders...fresh to the beading world.

I remember entering the beading world way back in 2003 when I started out making very simple strung pieces. I was overwhelmed at how many different beads were available, slowly learning what tiger wire and crimps were and along the way asking lots of questions of my sister-in-law who introduced me to my new obsession.

Taking on anything new can be extremely overwhelming and at times intimidating. Sometimes if you aren't given guidance, assistance not to mention encouragement along the way some things in life are very easy to give up on.

What am I leading to?

I would like to create a beading group to

assist and encourage new beaders and established beaders alike.

No matter how experienced we are I think each and every one of us always has something new to learn.

What will the group involve?

A group that encourages beaders to step out of their comfort zone by learning new stitches and techniques and tackling patterns and projects that they would normally admire but not dare attempt.

Each month a project will be chosen and those in the group will make the piece and then share their creations.

We can discuss stitches and/or patterns we would like to try.

I can choose the project or we can take it in turns...it's up to you!

We can choose patterns from magazines such as Bead & Button and Beadwork or patterns from books that we all might own (no purchased patterns).

You don't have to have a blog to take part but a Facebook page would be handy so that you can share photos of what you have made.

With the permission of those taking part I will then share the photos of everyone's creations each month on my blog and Facebook page.

The group will be a great way to make some new friends, meet other beaders and increase your beading skills with the support and encouragment of other beaders.

The group will be all about fun so please don't feel there is any pressure to take part each month or to meet any strict deadlines.

What inspired me to think of such a group?

I would like to, I guess in a sense, repay all of the wonderful people that have helped me along the path of my beading journey so far.

In addition, last week I met a lovely beader, Christine. She commented on my Dragon Bangle I was working on and said she too wanted to make it. I told her I had had a few dramas with the piece and that if she had any problems I'd be happy to help her out. We have been chatting ever since.

Since that first conversation she too has made a Dragon Bangle. Christine told me that she is "still learning" and how much she appreciated my offer of help and it took me back to how many people helped me when I was first starting out.

I think this group will be a great motivator for everyone...including myself!

So.... if you are interested please express your interest here or contact me via my Facebook page!

I look forward to sharing this journey of creativity with you!

♥ 

Gonna get me some bling!

As much as I L♥VE Swarovski crystals... and I mean seriously who doesn't... apart from my hubby who just

"doesn't get what all the fuss is about"...

or should I say

''they just don't excite me the way they do you Karyn''....

...WHATEVER...

I am one of those beading gals who prefers to keep her crystals close at hand, organised in their little container fearful of ever using them.

UNTIL NOW!

The lastest copy of Bead & Button arrived in my letterbox yesterday and what a gorgeous issue. I have already marked 3 projects I am going to make - one being the Rivoli Twist necklace on page 70. 

In addition I was drooling over Marcia DeCoster's book, Beaded Opulence, and decided to take the plunge and create something opulent. Having taken the time to read the supply lists for a few of the projects I plan on tackling I now understand why this book is called Beaded Opulence... one piece has over 350 bicones! Ouch!

So with $65 worth of gift cards burning a hole in my pocket I placed an order with Artbeads for a selection of Swarovski bicones in assorted sizes, rivolis as well as some fire polished beads and of course the obligatory seed beads!

I am so excited to create some new styles as far as my beading goes and especially using Swarovski crystals. Perhaps I should just keep buying more and more of them and then that way they won't seem so special anymore and I won't be so scared to use them.

The person who created this piece certainly doesn't have a fear of using too many crystals!

Opulence with a capital O!