2012 Battle of the Beadsmith - my entry revealed!

Now that the first round of the 2012 Battle of the Beadsmith is under way

I can finally reveal my entry.

A Nomad's Journey 

The large metal focal piece as well as the metal charms at the bottom were actually from a necklace I bought specifically to pull apart for this piece.

I had already decided that I was going to use the main cabochon and the metal component underneath it so when I saw the necklace I knew I had to have it to deconstruct!

I've used brass beads, seed beads, lapis and coral beads and the cabochons are made by an Australian clay artist, Natalie Fletcher-Jones, at Peruzi.

Voting is now underway and although I am  not confident I will get past Round 1, I can't wait to see the results.

If you haven't already treated yourself to a visit to the Battle of the Beadsmith Facebook page then be sure to pop on over and take a look at all of the entries... a whopping 80 of them!

Just click here and you will see that the photos are organised into "battles".

Enjoy!

Happy beading!

♥

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!
 

♥

Dimensional Bead Embroidery - A book review...

I was so excited to see Jamie Cloud Eakin was releasing another book that I  pre-ordered a copy way back in May and it finally arrived this week!

I have to admit that her first book, Beading with Cabochons, is one of my all time favourite beading books and one that I have spent many hours drooling over not to mention using as a reference.

But back to Dimensional Bead Embroidery...

You might be wondering if this is a re-hash of her first book.

Well, simply said by Jamie herself...

"Let me just say NO!! The edges, bezels, attachments, etc are new ones! These are new techniques and tools for your beading enjoyment and design possibilities"

Well put!

Jamie says "Even if you can barely sew on a button, you can do this"!

You can read more of what Jamie has to say about her new book on the Lark Crafts site.

Jamie addresses three areas in this book:

1. Expanding on surface stitches

2. How to incorporate other items instead of just using cabochons

3. Expanding on other areas which made Beading with Cabochons so popular.

~~~

At the beginning of the book we are provided with an introduction into Materials and Tools which covers things such as beads, needles, thread, backing materials, stabilisers, glue... the list is endless.

She then covers basic techniques. 

If you have her first book and have been a bead embroiderer for a while then you may think that none of this will be new to you but again Jamie doesn't fail to please and includes some great instructions and photos on preparing a cuff as well as ways to ensure the components of your piece are centred. 

The section on Surface Stitches is quite detailed and covers pretty much every stitch including one-bead stitch, stacks stitch, backstitch, picot stitch, loop stitch and lazy stitch just to name a few.

The book also contains a project section where she spoils us with 9 projects complete with photos, diagrams and fantastic step by step instructions.

The  projects include:

Classic Chic Earrings

Cosmic Party Bracelet (cuff style)

Celebrate Spring Necklace

Woodlands Secret Purse

Traditions in Lavender Brooch

Autumn Elegance Post Earrings

Midnight Waterfall Necklace

Sunset on the Beach Bracelet

Ceremonial Dance Necklace

The last project mentioned, Ceremonial Dance Necklace is the piece that appears on the cover.

O    M    G    ! 

These projects are more than just gluing down one cab and beading around it... they are amazingly beautiful pieces that at first glance might appear a little intimidating but when you read through the instructions you realise that they are definitely works of art that you can create.

As a teaser Celebrate Spring Necklace, Classic Chic Earrings and Sunset on the Beach Bracelet also appear on the cover.

But I think my favourite section of the book is Edge Treatment Stitches.

I really feel how you edge a piece can really take it from wow to incredibly amazing so I always love discovering new techniques when it comes to edging.

I especially love her Lace Ruffle Edge and actually had to take a second look because at first it looks like the edge has been crocheted with fine cotton rather than size 15/0 seed beads.
Amazing!

At the end of the book we are rewarded with a 12 page Gallery section jam packed full of bead embroidered eye candy by other amazing designers.

 Spoilt!

Thank you Jamie for another beautiful book.

I strongly recommend you get your hands on a copy.
Like any of the books produced by Lark Crafts it will be another treasured addition to your collection and definitely one book of mine that will be drooled over may times.

Perhaps they should start printing the books with plastic pages rather than paper!!

♥

My first bead embroidered cuff

This is my very first bead embroidered cuff, which you may have already seen in a few of my recent My Creative Space posts...
...but this time...finally finished!

Please click on images for more detailed view of the beadwork

I have used an Eagle Eye Agate cabochon as the centre piece and then some gorgeous 

Desert Picture Jasper tear drop and oval cabs adorned with a mixture of seed beads, cube beads, delicas, Czech glass beads and wooden beads.

I wore it on the weekend and it was so comfy to wear... the deer leather I backed it with is super soft.

I can't wait to make another cuff and as mentioned in a previous post, I've already purchased the cabs!

If you love bead embroidery haven't already treated yourself to a copy of Sherry Serafini's new book "Sensational Bead Embroidery" then I suggest you do so.
This book is full of bead embroidered eye candy and definitely an inspiration.
Thanks Sherry!
I hope I have done your book justice...

♥ 

My Creative Space

Here are a cute little pair of earrings I have been working on over the past couple of days.

The cabochons are onyx and I have simply used size 15/0 and size 11/0 seed beads as well as Czech fire polished beads and drops. 

I have backed them with some incredibly soft deer leather.

I love the simplicity of these... perfect to wear to work or will look quite stunning for a night out on the town!

I am thinking a ring to match might be in order!

I am impatiently waiting for my cabochons mentioned in my last post to arrive. I already have many ideas in my head as to how I am going to use these and can't wait to get started.

How is your Creative Space looking this week?

♥ 

Slight heart failure and the dilemma of a clasp!

As you might already know I've been working on this cuff for a few weeks now. 

I am so happy with the way it's come together. 

The earthy tones are definitely me and as this is my first cuff I will definitely be keeping this one for myself!

BUT before I finish it I need some design help from all of my wonderfully talented friends.

I want to keep the cuff flexible and soft so I won't be adding it to a metal cuff base but I am not sure what kind of clasp to add.

I have this toggle clasp which I thought I could attach with some beads.

But then I thought I could do a peyote toggle but thought that might be ''too much".

I also have some antique brass and copper lever clasps which I just ordered but they are a lot smaller than I had anticipated so I don't think they are going to work.

For the first time EVER I actually cut through my thread when trimming the edges...you can see the section where the beads are missing in the photo above...just near the clasp...
I can't believe I did it...
I think I was just rushing to trim it so I could photograph it in the last of today's daylight and get it posted here to ask for your help.
Thankfully it is easily fixed but the sound of the beads falling onto the table still gave me slight heart failure!

Ok. Now that my heart is back to beating normally.

Any suggestions on what kind of clasp to use?

♥ 

My Creative Space

I've wanted to create a bead embroidered cuff for as long as... well as long as I've been beading!

I have always been inspired by the exquisite cuffs designed by the likes of Sherry Serafini and Heidi Kummli and since becoming the proud owner of Sherry's latest book, Sensational Bead Embroidery (and yes.. it IS sensational) I have been even more inspired to get cuffing!!

I've decided earthy tones are in order so I couldn't go past this gorgeous 40mm x 30mm Eagle Eye Agate cabochon as my focal piece surrounded by Desert Picture Jasper tear drops which I have had in my stash for a year or so now but have not wanted to use because I l♥ve them so much
(click on the photo if you want to see these gorgeous stones up close...sooo pretty)!

I can't wait to get stitching.

The tigers eye beaded cabochon in the background is in the process of transforming itself into a ring!

Watch this space!

♥

Ice Queen - A Bead Mavens challenge

I think I have spoken about the Bead Mavens Ice Queen Challenge enough over the past few weeks so without further ado here is my entry.

(click on images for enlarged view)

This is the first collar piece I have ever made and it was designed and created specifically for this challenge. 

The piece features a gorgeous Czech glass button as the main focal, Swarovski crystal bicones and rondelles, Czech glass beads, freshwater pearls, bugle beads and lots of seed beads! 

The necklace consists of silver links and velvet ribbon and the piece is backed with leather.

I wanted the piece to have a definite icy feel so I have used lots of transparent beads as well as Swarovski crystal and Czech glass.

The silver galvanised beads were used to depict the cold, icy feel an Ice Queen would experience living in the snow.

The Czech glass button is reminiscent of a snowflake and the freshwater pearls represent snowballs.

Wish me luck!

♥

Ice Queen Challenge - another sneaky peaky

I am making steady progress on my collar piece which, as you will know from previous posts, I am entering in the Bead Mavens Ice Queen Challenge.

A few of my original design plans are now...shall I say... on the wayside... but I am still happy with the result so far.

All that is needed to do now is back the piece with leather, attach the edge beads and construct the necklace.

I am hoping the leather isn't too much of a bother to stitch.I usually use ultrasuede but silly old me didn't check to see whether I had enough cream suede and yep you guessed it... I don't have enough!

I figured I'd have plenty, not taking into account that this piece is a lot bigger than my usual pendant size embroidered pieces. Not to worry. I think the leather will give the piece a luxurious feel!

Mental note for next time though is to check how much suede you have before you start stitching the piece if you have a deadline to meet!

I've thoroughly enjoyed working on my very first collar. My crystal ball sees a few more collars in my future!!

Entries for the Ice Queen Challenge are due 28 November so I will be sharing the final product with you in a few days!

~~~~

Just a reminder also that if you haven't voted in the

Artbeads

"What Inspires You''
contest

then be sure to drop by and take a look.

Voting is open until 8 December but vote now as you may forget later!

Here is a link to the piece I entered

Happy voting!

♥

My Creative Space... and a sneek preview!

I've been beading up a bit of a storm over the past week as I am frantically trying to complete a piece I am entering in the Bead Maven's Ice Queen challenge.

As previously mentioned it will be a collar style necklace and is my first collar piece I have ever created so that in itself will be a challenge.

The piece is stitched with transparent and silver galvanised seed beads with a few Czech glass and Swarovski beads thrown in here and there as well as some freshwater pearls for good measure!

I have to admit I normally steer clear of transparent beads so they too have proved to be a challenge!

Here is a sneak peek of the front

and the back

I am making steady progress and feel relatively confident I will meet the 28 November deadline.

Watch this space!

♥

Wednesday Wisdom

I recently came across this great blog, Life, Craftiness and Everything Else, who have just started a weekly thready called "Wednesday Wisdom".

What is Wednesday Wisdom?

A way for fellow Etsy sellers / crafters / bloggers / entrepeneurs (and anyone else who cares to join in!) to share the wisdom that they have collected in their creative adventures.

Short and simple; easy and quick to write and to remember.

Helpful, but not necessarily "new information" to absolutely everyone who reads it: It WILL help someone, you can be sure!

 

~~~~

 

I think this is a fantastic idea so here is my
Wednesday Wisdom
for this week.

 

E6000

 

 

 

Do you use E6000 glue?

As I do a lot of bead embroidery using cabochons I use E6000 to attach my cabochons to my felt and then my ultrasuede to the back of my piece.

 

One problem I have always had with using this particular glue is that it dries out rather quickly. It doesn't actually dry out to the point where it becomes solid - it just becomes very rubbery which makes it hard to squeeze out of the tube and also difficult to spread.

 

If you've used this product you will know that it's pretty smelly so I tend to plan my projects in advance so I can glue 5 or 6 cabochons at a time and avoid having to use the glue several times. Because of this my glue can sit for a few months before it is used again.

 

To prevent your glue from going rubbery, when you get your new tube, place some Vaseline (petroleum jelly) or Paw Paw Cream around the top of the tube.

   

   

 

This will act as a lubricant and will prevent any glue sticking to the sides of the top of the tube or inside the tube cap and creates a perfect seal which won't allow any air to get into the tube.

 

EASY!!

 

I tried this with my latest tube of E6000 and so far it's working a treat!

My 'oh' My

I named this piece My 'oh' My as that was the first thing that came out of my mouth when I finished this piece today...

I've been working on this piece on & off since Christmas so I'm very relieved to have finally finished it.

This piece contains a lot of firsts for me... fringeing, bead embroidery, Magamatas not to mention the dreaded bail that I had no end of trouble with.

The piece consists of a gorgeous Chrysanthemum cabochon adorned with delicas, sz 11 & 15 seed beads, rice pearls, red Tigers Eye at the top and bottom of the cab with the fringe containing seed beads and triangle beads.



The edge row is Magamata beads and I have to say although they were a bit fiddly to attach I am really happy with the effect created - I tried using a regular edge and even a picot edge but they both just didn't seem quite enough.



I'm still not 100% happy with the bail so I'll wear it a few times and see how it goes :D

A special THANK YOU to my beadie friend, Chanel, who listened to my frequent rants and raves of frustration whilst making this piece. She encouraged me to try new techniques and to basically just keep going... as she said to me a few times "you can always unpick it" lol... thanks Chanel ♥

Please excuse the rain drops on the bust... we are predicted rain all of this week so I took the pics whilst I could...hee hee