Set a Goal

I've told you before that one of my goals was to be published in Belle Armoire Jewelry.

It was a real stretch for me because they tend to take pieces with more advanced techniques or an especially impressive sense of style.

Also, most of the submissions are series, meaning the artist creates two or three pieces showing how the similar techniques can be used.

Well, last year I sat down to stretch my creativity and my embroidery technique to create something that was a mixed media version of bead embroidery and submit to Belle Armoire Jewelry.

I didn't want to do a necklace, while necklaces are gorgeous, I wanted to really show other applications for bead embroidery.

This is the series I came up with a Steampunk-inspired, embroidered parade of bangles and baubles.

And, I'm very pleased to say that the whole collection was published in Belle Armoire Jewelry for their summer issue!

The article, Frozen in Time, will take you step by step through my method so that you can make your own version of these Steampunk sweeties.

Oh, and also included is a fourth piece that you'll have to nab the mag to catch a glimpse of.

Lesson learned:

Set a goal and go for it, and remember, if it doesn't work the first time, try, try again.

Enjoy your weekend!



Full Speed

I haven't made any jewelry in probably a week.

We're still painting and cleaning and decorating.

I purchased a waist high cabinet with lots of drawers for bead storage. (Something that I haven't had before) I'm gonna work really hard this week to try to get the spare room painted so that I can bring in the beads!

In the meantime, I wanted you to know about a few new e-books from Interweave that are really great if you're a new beadweaver.

The first is called 10 Quick and Easy Peyote Stitch beading patterns and I have two designs featured in this mag.

The first is my Arabic Motifs Cuff (seen below), and the second is my Nesting Bracelets (on the cover!).

Both of these were in Beadwork at one time, but they've been reprinted here for your convenience. Just click the photo of the e-book to take you to the site. 

The last book is a collection of favorite projects from the Simply Seeds column.

I also have two projects in here.

The first is my Color Swirls bracelet (seen below in ice blue). It is a super easy pattern to follow and requires absolutely nothing but seed beads in one size. Which means you could probably make it today if you wanted to!

The second is my Winter Solstice Cuff which also only requires seed beads, but this time you'll need 11's and 15's.

The concept behind this book is that all of the projects are about 99% seed beads, however there are only three projects that are 100% seed beads and two of those are the patterns I've contributed.

The upside?

Instant projects with no waiting on findings to arrive, or speciality beads like bugles, drops, daggers, etc. If, however, you have some of those specialty beads on hand, their are also some amazingly beautiful projects to create using those beads as well.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your week, and be sure to visit the Interweave Website for more info on the e-books that they offer, or to find an instant downloadable gift for Mom! 

Have a great week! 

Day of Rest

I've been going non-stop for the past seven days. Full out.

Every day has been spent painting, cleaning, painting and cleaning again.

I feel like I'm in some manic rush to get the house done before the wedding and guests arrive.

So, when I was told to take a day and rest, I agreed that it was probably needed and I'm glad I listened.

After a much needed nap, I found some time to take some photos of my newest piece.

I'm calling it the Rising Star.

The cabochon is from Caroline Fung who sent me the most gorgeous collection that she handmade. (Thank you, Caroline!)

I'm finding myself really trying to push my creativity when it comes to bead embroidery.

I'm finding ways to incorporate depth and texture into what might otherwise be a very flat piece.

Can you see the depth I've created around the cab by incorporating beadweaving with bead embroidery? Under the bright red/fuschia layer of beads in the center is actually a layer of small bugle beads which supports the red/fuschia delicas and helps them to sit higher than the surrounding layers.

I've also started adding rows of beadwork after I've already backed the piece, working off of the existing row in little picots to hide the edge beads just a bit, but also to create the look of beadweaving with the weight and softness of bead embroidery.

This piece is definitely a hybrid of the two.

The art of embroidery, attaching the beads to a solid surface to hold them in place, and the art of weaving, attaching the beads to each other to create patterns and texture that aren't always possible in embroidery.

I added some little dangles and fringe for some movement and a little interest around the neck.

If you'd like to see more of this one, I've listed it here.  

Enjoy the rest of your beautiful weekend and don't forget that Mom's Day is coming up!

It's not too late to get your gift to her!

I'll be shipping all week!

I have been painting...

For two days straight.

We're in the new house, well...we're working on the new house.

It needs a lot of paint and a lot of deep cleaning and a good amount of love, but it's coming along and it's really beginning to feel like home.

We're very self sufficient around here which means all the painting is being done by us, along with new light fixtures and even some tile laying. It saves so much on labor costs, plus a ton of pride in what we've accomplished.

I haven't worked on jewelry in three days, but last night I sat down and finished the edging for a new (very large) embroidered pendant. I'm going to try to finish it if I get a snippet of time tonight and maybe post it tomorrow. In the meantime, here's sneak peek!

I hope you're enjoying Spring!!

The weather here is beautiful and we've got all windows wide open while we paint.