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!
 

♥

My secret fetish...besides shoes and handbags!

What can I say ...I l♥♥ve cabochons. 

I don't think I have ever seen a cab that I haven't loved...

...ok that probably isn't entirely true as I am not super duper keen on the plastic variety but....there are so many gorgeous cabs on the market in many shapes and forms, colours and sizes and textures.

I thought I'd share my latest Etsy adventure with you.
I can't wait to receive these beauties.

I have another cuff in mind for these gorgeous blue opal cabochons.

These Picasso jasper cabs are going to be perfect for earrings.

Not to mention these gorgeous picture jasper drilled cabs.

And these stunning labradorite cabs are going to be showcased in an extravagant collar piece!

Let me know if you're' interested in the seller's store. 

I am not associated with them in any way...just happy to share some beady cabochon goodness with you all!

Now please excuse me while I go wipe the drool off my chin!

♥ 

Just a wee bit excited!

I have just ordered two books and cannot wait to get my hands on them.

The first is 

The Jeweler's Studio Handbook

and the second is

Soldering Made Simple

After my last post I decided that the craft I really want to do the most is metal/silversmithing.

This is something I have wanted to do for around 5 years now but I have always had a passion for silver and gemstones.

I remember my Geography teacher calling me a "gypsy" back when I was about 14 years old... because of all the silver rings I was wearing. 

I had a ring on nearly every finger, some fingers adorned two rings, and the stones included turquoise, amethyst, lapis, citrine and onyx.

I then developed a passion for gemstones not only for their beauty but their healing qualities.

I am looking forward to incorporating my own glass fused cabochons into the pieces to create unique, one of a kind pieces.

Today I started cleaning out our garage to make way for my work area. 

I already have a corner set up for my glass fusing so the metal/silver area will be a continuation of my existing space.

In the mean time I am keeping myself busy researching tools, checking out Ebay and comparing the prices of everything I need... not to mention admiring all of the beautiful gemstones available.

I am excited...to say the least!

♥

Wednesday Wisdom

Take a photo of your piece before and after fusing it in the kiln

When doing any kind of glass fusing I find it very handy to take before and after photos of my pieces. 

I have made quite a few pieces which I have, without tooting my own horn too much, been very happy with and have wanted to create a complete set of the same cab. 

Nothing is more frustrating than being happy with a piece you have created, wanting to make another one just the same only to forget what frits you used and how you positioned the frit and/or glass.

Simple pieces aren't too much of a problem if it's just a matter of sprinkling on the frit but if you are building up a piece with glass or trying to create a mosaic effect then this idea comes in very handy.

Here are some before and after shots of some easy cabs I made. 

I'd show you some pics of my more creative pieces but that'd just be giving away my secrets!

~~~

- Citrus Zing cabs before going in the kiln -

- Citrus Zing cabs after -

Be sure to check out Life, Craftiness and Everything Else for more 

Wednesday  Wisdom.

In the mean time here are a few more of the cabs I have made in the past. 

What do you think?

♥

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!

Glass fused cabs to give away...

You might remember a little while ago I mentioned I would be having a giveaway to celebrate that 

100 people in this big wide world follow my humble little blog. 

Well today is the day to launch my giveaway!

I have 8 cabochons up for grabs and I will be running 4 separate draws with 2 cabs going to each winner. 

All cabs have been glass fused in my microwave kiln using COE96 glass and a range of frits.

You can use the cabs as a centerpiece in your next bead embroidery project, you could attach a pendant bail to create a gorgeous necklace...in fact you can use them however you like!

~ Here are the sets I am offering ~

Draw 1

Draw 2

Draw 3

Draw 4

**  To win one of the sets above  ** 

just follow these  

3 easy peasy steps:

1. Follow my blog.

2. Then leave a comment to validate your entry - it can be about the giveaway, my blog, the weather...anything really.

3. Tell all of your friends about the giveaway - the more the merrier!

If your email isn't linked to your profile be sure to leave an email address so I can contact you if you win!

The winners will be drawn on 

MONDAY 12 JULY 

(Australian time) 

the good old fashioned way with my little man pulling 4 names out of his Ben 10 hat!

Note: Please be aware these cabs have not been annealed however are very hardy ...let's just say some of mine that I have used in my pieces have survived being dropped on my garage floor which is concrete...and not a crack in sight! 

Unfortunately I don't have easy access to a kiln which is the only reason they haven't been annealed. 

I use my cabs in my creations all the time and I've never had any issues with them breaking however if you feel you need to anneal them then please do so.

GOOD LUCK 

and thank you so much 

for following 

my blog 

♥

Raku Bones

I finally did some glass fusing a few days ago and here are the results... some gorgeous cabochons!

I absolutely love raku. I only ever had a really chunky raku frit but I recently got given some finer grade and it is soooo nice. 

Rather than sticking with the usual shaped cabs I make in round or oval I consciously stopped fusing these ones before they started to form to achieve this different look.

My little man thinks the first two look like dog bones!

Beads...GLORIOUS beads!!

Look at the latest addition to my endless collection of beads...

Gorgeous turquoise and Amazonite
















Tiger's eye, Tiger Iron and natural Howlite
















Gorgeous turquoise cabs as well as Tiger Iron and Howlite pendants




















Stunning lampwork beads made by my friend and one of my favourite lampworkers, Sally from Happilyeverartist
















And something practical - magnetic and lobster clasps

Glass... glass... and more glass!

I have been enjoying using my glass fusing kiln so much lately... thought I'd share a few more pieces I have made recently...

New glass fused cabochons made by moi ♥