My Creative Space...

Over the past week or so I have been working on the first of my Beading Babes projects for 2012,
Runway of Pearls by Barbara Falkowitz.

Sadly I am still waiting on my bead order to arrive which contains my wee little pearls I need to continue on with this piece so this is far as I have got.

I have used 2mm Jet Czech fire polished beads instead of the triangle beads and have used matte silver grey size 11/0 beads and black size 15/0 beads.

I think I will make my reversible so I will be stitching the other side in black and silver.

I did originally use all black beads but it was just a bit too bland, even with the sparkle of the Czech beads.

It has worked out a bit of a pricey piece as I had to order 400 Czech beads costing me $20.00 but the sparkle is worth it!

~*~

This is a pendant I finished last week.

It is based on Marcie Abney's Looking Glass pendant.

I ended up adding a few extra rows which resulted in a frilled edge which I quite like!

These pendants are so quick and easy to stitch up and really do make nice gifts!

What's making an appearance in your creative space this week?

♥

Books..books...books

I treated myself to a few books today. Why? ....why not!!

I've had to pre-order the first two as they aren't being released until April and May of this year but the earlier you order the cheaper they are so it's a win win situation!

~

So far I have every book in the Beadweaving Master Class series by Lark so this one was a definite must.

Add to that the fact that Sabine Lippert's beading is beautiful, inspirational and fits into the "I must make that now" category was even more reason not to pass this one by.

~

Virginia Jensen's first book, Cube Bead Stitching, is still one of my favourite beading books and I have made many pieces from that book. The projects are quick, easy and I just love the look of cube beads in my pieces.

When I saw she was releasing another cube bead book I knew I had to have it...only disappointment is that it's not available now!!

~

Thankfully Maggie Roschyk's new book is available now!

I've had my eye on this one for a few months and was considering pre-ordering this one a while back.

I finally confirmed with that little voice in my head that this too was a must after seeing her project, Helena Elements, in the current issue of Bead & Button magazine (pg 48 - February 2012).

I absolutely can't wait to get my hands on this one...in about 7 days time!

Better go order some more cube beads!!

~

And finally a book for Spencer.

Spencer's niece, Lily, received this book for Christmas and was kind enough to let Spencer colour a few pages.

The illustrations are fantastic (as shown on the cover) and you really can spend hours "doodling" by adding your own designs to the pictures as well as on the blank pages.

I reckon I might just have to order one for myself to use during those times when I am feeling a little stressed, frustrated or looking for some creative inspiration!

Everyone loves to doodle, right?

~

What's on your reading list for 2012?

♥

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.

At a stand still creatively

I don't know where my creative juices have gone but I wish they would come back.

I have two pieces I need to complete within the next 2-3 weeks - one being my Use the Muse piece which I am terrified to admit to myself is going to be a huge waste of time. I have had delays on even starting this piece as I have been waiting on some components to arrive from the USA and then a bead order I was expecting by Express Post on Friday didn't arrive...grrrrrrr.... obviously not enabling me to work on the piece over the weekend. I just feel that I am not meant to create this piece.

My other piece is a seed bead bracelet I am making as part of a swap on a beading forum. I managed to get the cab beaded (after beading and unpicking it and beading it around 5 times) and am now onto my 4th bracelet as I  just haven't been happy with the results.

Ohhhhh I hate it when I feel like this.... it's smelly and stinky and makes me feel like crap...