The Haberdashery Hop Reveal

It's finally August 2nd!
Time to reveal my 'makes' for Melissa Trudinger's beadrecipes Haberdashery Hop!

Just a quick reminder of our goal in this Hop: use components from the haberdashery department - including buttons, ribbons, lace and more - in a jewelry design.  

I knew right away what I wanted to do!  The technique I chose might seem very simple. However, I was 'oohhh so scarey-cat' to give it a try prior to Melissa's Blog Hop idea.

Lately, I've been studying tutorials and YouTube videos on basic knotting techniques. My original goal was to learn ways to create neater finishes on my pieces that used Irish waxed linen or other fibers as their foundation. It just seemed like I could/should do a better job on my finishing. After going down a glorious path of creating, filled with gorgeous beads and other beautiful elements, the 'finishing' touch was sometimes a struggle for me. Amazingly, there are tons of excellent videos out there. I quickly became glued to my iPad screen and learned a lot!  :)   Thank you, everyone!

Tie this together (no pun intended) with a lucky purchase of very pretty variegated DMC floss found during a recent family visit to Bethlehem, PA.  Roaming down the isles of an A.C.Moore Arts and Crafts Stores located in another town is always a great adventure, yes?!??  Never know what new goodies might be found that you've never seen at home??? YES!..those 'out-of-town' floss bundles nearly jumped into my cart all by themselves (notice I said 'cart'...oh dear...always a bigger purchase than first intended!).  Those floss bundles came right home to Delaware with me!

So..my haberdashery element is 'floss'.  The technique I wanted to use was simple macrame. But, what else?  If you've been reading my blog, you know that I'm currently obsessed with peanut beads...so I grabbed some of those:

Lastly, I wanted to create the macrame around a firm foundation...so decided to use this:

OMG..I have not seen nor thought of my Memory Wire (MW) stash in about 8 or 9 years! I was never a big fan of it, until now! Multiple loops of MW are right-on-trend with the current stack-able bracelet craze!

Ready! A quick turn of a simple loop at one end of the MW got it started (easy!).  I wasn't really sure how much floss to use per bracelet, so decided to played it safe..better to have too much rather than not enough. I cut about 70-80 inches (ok, maybe a little more) for about 2-circle lengths of MW.

My first knot of floss was a simple overhand square knot, made at the mid-point in the floss, to anchor the floss to the MW.  This knot was made using the MW as the middle 'leg' of the macrame work.  I pushed that knot snuggly against the MW loop (a drop of beading glue is a good way to strengthen the connection, but is optional).

Then the painstaking task of adding beads began..yup, just a few at a time, sliding them on all-the-way from the opposite open-end of the MW. This took a while for each bracelet, but was worth it!

slide, knot, slide, knot, slide knot slide...repeat...keep practicing those knots until perfect..and until reaching to within about 1/2 inch of the MW end.  After making sure my bracelet was filled with lots of beads (no gaps, please!) and had a nice twisting motion in the floss weave, I tied-off the floss in last simple overhand square knot, twice.  (again, dab of glue is optional).  A turned loop in the MW closed the end. The floss ends could either be cut right there, or, be used to add a few more beads for fringes.  I tried both options.

These 3 bracelets are a result of my first weekend!

When the Sage Green and Hot Pink peanut bead versions were completed, I decided to splurge on a Swarovski Crystal version using Amethyst and Capri Blue shades to compliment the floss. Since we were haberdasher-ing, a tassel was also required!  This one is hand-made..also my very first!

Last weekend, I decided to try Japanese Seed beads in smaller size 8s (the golden and the burnt sienna versions).  Lastly, it seemed like adding an Artisan Bead might be a fabulous idea! In the coral piece below, I added a one-of-a-kind wobble bead made by Rebekah Payne of TreeWingsStudio..a perfect color match. The dangles on the golden and sienna pieces are vintage beads from my stash.  You might also notice that I became confident enough to use an extra length of MW!

The possibilities seem endless, with just a few simple knots!
I still have this selection of floss colors to experiment with!

I had a great time exploring this very simple technique..one that I believe I've almost mastered and can build upon to create more complex designs. These were well worth the time and effort!

My heartfelt thanks go out to our Host, Melissa.  I would never have tried without her Hop inspiration!!!

Here is the full list of everyone who is hopping!  I know I'll be visiting each and everyone one!

Melissa Trudinger (Our Host!) - http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Ann Schroeder - http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com
Tammy Adams - http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html
Amanda Wacasey - http://mandyinmystic.blogspot.com
Dolores Raml - http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com 
Divya N - http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Michelle McCarthy - http://www.fireflydesignstudio.BlogSpot.com
DiYana Brooks - http://agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com/
Robin Kae Reed - http://willowdragon.blogspot.com
Andrea Glick - http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Karin Grosset Grange - http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr
Mitzie Crider - http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com
Janine Lucas - http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Rosantia Petkova - http://bairozan.blogspot.com/
Susan Kennedy - http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Leithleach Alainn Seodra - http://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com/
Kathleen Breeding - http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/
Shiraz Biggie - http://secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com
Chris Eisenberg - http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Heather Richter - http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Lennis Carrier - http://www.windbent.net/
Rebecca Anderson - http://www.songbeads.blogspot.com
Jenny Kyrlach - http://anafiassa.blogspot.com
Rita Toltec Jewels - http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Mischelle Fanucci - http://www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Karen Mitchell - http://overthemoon-design.com
Carol Briody - http://Cbriody.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan - http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Carolyn Lawson - http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Lori Anderson - http://www.prettythingsblog.com/
Jami Shipp - http://www.celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com
Lili Krist - http://pcbylik.blogspot.com/ 
Evelyn Shelby - http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/
Raissa de Guzman - http://www.abloro.com
Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Keren Panthaki - http://vasdea.wordpress.com

 

Art Jewelry Elements - July 2014 Component of the Month Giveaway/Challenge

I was so completely honored to be chosen as one of three Reader Winners for the July 2014 Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month Giveaway!  Still dancing & skipping gleefully here!  That will likely go on for quite a while!

Earlier this week, I revealed which Francesca Watson cabochon was sent to me.  Oh, it's beautiful.  Lovely greens, slightly sage, slightly minty, hints of grassy green.  It also has glimmers of blue and copper, with small black flecks.  Awesomeness all around...my favorite color and tons of style.

My first challenge was to select 'the perfect beads' to coordinate. During the week my cabochon was expected to arrive here in Delaware, I decided to visit one of my favorite vintage bead shops at Etsy, named beadbrats. The shop owner is Marie, who carries a marvelous selection of vintage bead stock. After filling my shopping cart with several options, I mentioned the AJE COM news to Marie. She included a few extra beads with my order, in a slightly different colorway..and look what happened!..these are right out of their shipping wrappers (beadmat-spur-of-the-moment pic):

Did anything ever go-together so perfectly the first time!?!  Thank you, Marie!

What to do next?  To compliment the gorgeous shimmer of both the cabochon and these beads, it seemed that rich, mellow copper components were needed (silver was too 'cold'; gold a 'no-go'). At my request, Francesca had drilled a stringing hole at the top of the cabochon. I remembered purchasing a detailed Tierra Cast copper pinch bail at a bead event years ago! Thinking that would work for my design, but not remembering exactly where it was stashed (oh no!!), a great search & find mission began within my beading room walls. Whew, found it!..along with a bunch of other forgotten lovely things! That moment was immediately followed by selecting a batch of swirling copper beads, also purchased many many years ago. These had mellowed with a soft patina that everyone loves in copper.  YAY!

Then...for days afterwards, I struggled to 'make' something. Perfect colors and components were sitting in front of me, so what was wrong?  Stringing, un-stringing, re-stringing...different design..too complex...not complex enough..where had my muse gone?

Finally, on a whim, I pulled this out of my collection...

...and my 'first ever' attempt to use Sari Silk was realized (about time, too!).  Also included are a handful of size 8 green/coppery Japanese seed beads and copper SoftFlex wire. I decided to keep the whole process simple and soft in order to let the vibrant color and beautiful components shine:

This was such a wonderful experience. Here's what I learned:

"Keep it simple, soft...let the colors and beads speak"

Thank you to AJE, Francesca and Marie for this wonderful opportunity!

Please take a look at what everyone created!  That's where I'll be!
Here is the full list of designer links:

Guest Designers

Deb Fortin  - www.studiok24blogspot.ca

Toltec Jewels - wwwJewelSchoolFriends.com

The AJE Team

Caroline Dewison - blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk

Susan Kennedy - www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Melissa Meman - melissameman.blogspot.com

Jenny Davies-Reazor - www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Kristen Stevens - kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Francesca Watson - www.francescawatson.com

Carol  :)

My Pups Bracelet

It's been a really long time since I made jewelry for myself!  You know how it goes..you're focused on other things...working, kids, house & home, the world...lots of other things...

Every once in a while tho, you find Artisan beads that are so special, they just demand that you 'stop and make'. Bonus: finding a wonderful Artist who makes 'custom' beads', just for you!  Awesome!

That's what happened when I found Rebekah Payne at TreeWingsStudio on Etsy (WARNING: be prepared for ultimate cuteness and beauty when you visit her shop!). Several months ago, I asked Rebekah if she could make beads in her style to resemble my dogs (you've seen my girls in prior posts - Mindy, Cherry and Poppy).

Rebekah said absolutely!  All she needed was a few pictures of my girls. That was easy! When my beads arrived, I was amazed.  Rebekah created beautiful mini replicas of my dogs!

Then, I got stumped...should they be in a necklace?  a bracelet?  which style?  which color?  So, these lovely beads sat, for a while.  Bad me.

Last week, while reading one of my favorite Blogs, Heather Powers' humblebeads, a style became clear!  Heather's post was focused on a specific design challenge (please see her July 22, 2014 post for details - Designing Dilemma).  However, I knew her style would work wonderfully with my pup beads!  It combined my current peanut bead fixation with a simple style to allow focus on Rebekah's beads.  Best of all, this style would prevent the pup beads from spinning to the backside of my wrist where no one would see them.  Don't you hate when that happens?

First, using memory wire cutters, I cut about 2-circle lengths of memory wire. Always use memory wire cutters with memory wire...otherwise, you will ruin your expensive wire cutters! (been there, done that). The number of circle-lengths is up to you, based on how full you want a bracelet to be.  More lengths=more fullness, more wraps around the wrist.  I wanted my bracelet to be slim, so 2 circle-lengths was perfect.

Then, I turned a simple loop at one end of the wire.  For a better fit and more comfortable wearing, I like to turn my memory wire loops facing 'outward' rather than 'inward' towards the wrist.  Next, I made a lovely 'peanut bead soup mix' in colors/finishes to coordinate with my pup beads...blue, violet, blush, grey, metallic green/black and soft beige.  I wanted my pup beads to lay on top of my wrist, so I added them after stringing the first 1/2 circle of peanut beads.  In order to create some space and wiggle-room, I added 4 peanut beads between each pup bead..that seemed to be the right number of peanut beads to keep everything centered as well. After re-checking the spacing of the pup beads, I continued adding peanut beads until reaching within about 1/2 inch inch at the memory wire end. Turned another simple outward loop..and wa lah!

Yesterday, everyone at work loved this bracelet!  I even coordinated my outfit around it! This is sure to be a favorite, much-loved piece in my collection..one that I will wear often because it is so stylish, comfortable and easy to wear.  My girls can be with me all the time, too!

Thank you Rebekah and Heather for these fabulous beads and for the super inspiration.

See what you can do with this idea?!  I'm 'gonna do more for me!

On your mark....

It's almost time for Blog Hop and Challenge 'reveals'....  Yay!  I've been busy creating.

On Thursday, I will reveal my AJE July Component of the Month creation.  One of Francesca Watson's beautiful glass cabochon's was the focal inspiration.  I received the piece towards the top left-of-center in the picture, triangular-shaped, with coppery and shimmery green colors:

Hint: my piece is vibrant green and incorporates lovely sari silk with gorgeous vintage beads from beadbrats at Etsy. It was like these 3 components were made for each other, right from the beginning.

On Saturday, it's time to reveal my Haberdashery Blog Hop creations! I made several pieces, all using the same 'technique', but each with a different color-way or with different bead assortments. It was a first time for me to try this 'technique'...I've always been a bit scared of it before. However, this Hop gave me the courage to try. It was also really amazing to see how much a design could change by using different sizes, shapes and textures of beads, even tho I kept the foundation elements exactly the same.  Quite an eye-opener for me.

Hint: here's a picture of a few of my design elements.  I've had a real love-affair with peanut beads recently (these came from Fusion Beads). The DMC floss was one of those spur-of-the-moment purchases from A.C.Moore Arts and Crafts Store during a recent trip home to visit family.  A few more skeins of floss in my stash can't hurt, right?  OK..can't say more until Saturday...

I want to send a loud shout-out to AJE/Francesca Watson and to Melissa Trudinger/beadrecipies for these wonderful opportunities!  Thank you!

GET SET......GET READY.....  :)

July 2014 ABS Challenge Creation

Wow..has it really been almost 2 weeks since I've posted?   Well, let's get caught up, right away!

I just posted my inspiration piece to Artbeadscene for their July 2014 Challenge.  This will always be a thrill for me!

At first, I thought to use a very appropriate sea-green or aqua color pallette to compliment The Little Mermaid artwork (by Edmund Dulac)..but things just didn't seem to jive for me...ugh, these were beads I had been chomping-at-the-bit-all-week to use (does anyone else know that feeling?!).  My first selection was not meant to be for this particular project...back to the beady drawing board.

Ultimately, the goldens/topaz, deep cool purples and a bit of sage green were my inspiration and everything just clicked..happy happy :)

This artwork connector is from Pajego Art House at Etsy.  It was lovingly stored in my stash, just waiting for the right inspiration.  It is a fabulous creation meant to resemble an urchin tidepool.  Also, this beautifully-shaped vintage Lucite Topaz shell bead from beadsellergirl at Etsy, was stored-away in my 'favorites' collection.  The ABS Team and Heather Powers have a great way of getting us to make sure all of these lovely items are seen, not stored!

The Antique silver shell dangle chain, Swarovski bi-cone crystals in Satin Tanzanite, plus a variety of silver/sterling sea themed charms found their way onto my beadmat.  It's so hard to find a demure mermaid?, but I was successful.  To find out more about why there is a 'bone charm' on this bracelet..take a closer peek a the artwork..you will see why!  I've wanted to use a bunch of Farfelle seed beads in a design..and this was it.  It seemed wise to add a real pearl, too?

Ok..so up next are:
1.  ArtJewelryElements Component of the Month Challenge Reveal on July 31 - I just received some excellent beads to go with this from Marie at beadbrats/Etsy.  'Creation' begins this weekend.
2.  Haberdashery Hop Reveal on August 2 (my pieces are done and photos are ready!)
3.  I just found out I was accepted to the Resin Crafts Klik Collaborative Challenge which will be revealed towards the end of August!

Whoo hoo and see you soon!
Carol

Art Jewelry Elements July 2014 Component of the Month

Hello there everyone,

Here's my scoop for this week.  I was so thrilled with the piece I made for Melissa Trudinger's Haberdashery Hop over this past weekend, that I made 3 versions! The Haby Hop reveal date isn't until August 2nd, so I can't post any pictures here just yet.  Please promise that you will come back?

Instead...here's 'my girl' Poppy with white paint on her head!...she is too quick, always into something...including the fresh paint my hubby put on a wall!  Don't worry, it's latex and temporary!

Last week, I entered my name into Art Jewelry Elements July Component of the Month Giveaway. Imagine my complete surprised to hear from Francesca Watson last Saturday morning saying that I am one of 3 Readers chosen to participate in this challenge!  I'm still so OMG excited that I almost can't breathe!..it's such an honor to be selected!  

Francesca is hosting the AJE Giveaway this month.  She made these beautiful, yummy glass cabochon pieces.  I'm not sure which one is coming to me, but that is a GOOD thing because I never would have been able to choose just one..they are all so gorgeous!  Look at those colors and that shimmer!:

Our challenge is to make something wonderful with our cabochon and to post the finished piece on our blog July 31, 2014.  So, I'm watching my mailbox and need to get cracking, asap!  Which one do you think will arrive?...ohh, the red one?...or one of those bright turquoise ones?...how about that orange one?..or the lime one?...or..... :)

Happy beading,
Happy dancin' in Delaware!
Carol

The July 2014 ArtBeadScene Challenge is posted!

ABS revealed their July Challenge artwork today!  It's another beautiful piece, of course.
The Little Mermaid, 1911 by Edmund Tulac:

I was hoping for something in a range of blues..and my wish was granted!

This is not 'Ariel from Disney'....but rather is inspired by the the original story from Hans Anderson, which has a slightly darker and more mysterious tone.  Check-out the full story of the piece over at artbeadscene.

Happy beading,
Carol