Beading Babes ~ Project 4 update

How is everyone doing with their pieces for Project 4?

I have made one pair of Paisley Drop earrings.

I have to admit I struggled with the pattern at the start. The use of the words "picot" really threw me as I have never heard that phrase being used in peyote so it took me a few goes to figure out what they were referring to.

After that little hurdle I didn't have any dramas with the pattern at all and these earrings really do come together quite quickly and nicely too I might add.

I found my second earring was much better than the first...not a big enough difference to unpick the first but I could see that my tension was better.

It's a really lovely pattern and I think I will be making more pairs in the future, if not for the reveal.

~*~

I ordered my beads for the Ruffled Chain Bracelet but unfortunately the beads I received didn't quite exactly match the beads pictured on the supplier's website...therefore didn't match the crystal bicones I ordered...ughhh!

So I am back to the drawing board.

I have two sets of 8mm beads sitting in a shopping cart.

Completely different to my original choice.

My first colour choice was black, red, green and gold.

The beads that arrived were black, gold and an awful shade of purple. 

My second choice are orange beads...my third multi coloured!

The new colour choices couldn't be further apart from each other let alone even further away from my original colour choice.

So I guess you could say I am in a bit of a conundrum as to what colourway I am going to go with.

~*~

So....onto the Trellis Necklace.

I don't know if the moon is in a funny spot right now but it seems I am in a bit of a rut with my colour choice for this piece too.

I had a colourway in mind but I also have these colours in mind for another piece so I am trying to decide whether to do two pieces in the same colours or choose new beads for the Trellis Necklace.

This of course would involve me buying more beads...hmmmm....it's a tough decision!

Reflecting back on similar situations in the past buying new beads has always won the battle...but will they win this time?

Don't forget to post your progress on your blogs!

Happy Beading!

♥

Beading Babes - Project 4 ~ March/April 2012

Welcome to Project 4
of
Beading Babes!

~*~

This month there is no need to vote on which pieces you would like to create.

We have 3 on offer!

I am so happy to announce that the lovely and ever so talented, Nancy Dale, has kindly offered her gorgeous pattern as one of our choices.

Nancy is an incredibly talented, self-taught bead artist with around 20 years experience.

She has won many beading competitions including a finalist in the very famous Bead Dreams and one of her necklaces will be showcased in the upcoming book,
Showcase 500 Beaded Jewelry:
Photographs of Beautiful Contemporary Beadwork (500 Series)
so we are indeed in fine company!

Thank you Nancy.

So without furtherado here are the choices for Project 4.

~*~

1. Trellis Necklace by Nancy Dale

Look at this gorgeous example of how you can showcase this stunning rope...WOW!

Ohhh how I do love ammonite.

Materials

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

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

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

10-12g size 15/0 seed beads (netting colour)

2g size 15/0 seed beads (accent)

5-7 x 8-12mm crystal rounds or rondelles

30-42 x 3mm crystals

If you choose to create Nancy's gorgeous Trellis Necklace then please let me know and the pattern will be emailed to you.

Please check out Nancy's other gorgeous patterns available through her Etsy store, NedBeads.

~*~

2. Ruffled Chain Bracelet by Laina Goodman

(Beadwork - February/March 2011 - page 68)

Please click on image for larger view

Materials

5g size 15/0 seed beads (A)

5g size 15/0 seed beads (B)

2g size 11/0 cylinder beads (C)

30 x 3mm crystal bicones (D)

13 x 3mm crystal bicones (E)

6 x 8mm rounds (F)

1 x 15mm glass button

~*~

3. Paisley Drops by Jane Lock

(Beadwork - August/September 2010 - page 68)

Please click on image for larger view

Materials

8g size 15/0 seed beads 

2g size 11/0 cylinder beads (A)

1g size 11/0 cylinder beads (B)

2 x 6mm crystal bicones

6 x 4mm crystal bicones

1 pair of ear wires

~*~

I've covered all bases this month...necklace, earrings and a bracelet with the Ruffled Chain Bracelet including instructions to make a matching pair of earrings!

Remember there is no pressure to create all three projects but if you feel you can then 

by all means please do!

Most importantly don't forget to share your progress on your own blogs, via my blog as I post updates on my own progress/any issues that may arise whilst creating the pieces or on Facebook.

The reveal date will be

Sunday 29 April

so that gives us around 7 weeks.

As in the past I will wait until most of you have posted pictures of your pieces and then I will showcase them here together.

Also don't forget to get your Beading Babes badge for your blog (if you haven't already done so) by simply clicking on the Beading Babes image at the top of this post and saving it to your computer as an image.

It's so lovely visiting your blogs and seeing the badge displayed!

I can't wait to hear what you think of the projects chosen for this month!

Happy Beading! 

 ♥

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

Copyright Disclaimer
All patterns used within this group will be purchased by the beader, with the exception of Nancy Dale's pattern which she has kindly donated. All patterns will not be copied.

All credit will be given to the designer.

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!