Monday Musings

This morning while surfing for inspiration and eye candy. I came across this beaded bead by Gwen Fisher.

I've been a fan of Gwen's for many years and envy her ability to use mathematics as a base for her many beaded beads. 

This tutorial isn't a free one, but it's worth the small price as it includes some variations to the basic bead.

On another note, I haven't given up on the Mirror Mirror tutorial. This time it isn't just ripping out what I've beaded, it's erasing two whole rounds of embellishments on the tutorial. Strange how I could draw two rounds without noticing the discrepancy. However on the third round I found that there was a gap between the start bead and the last one. 

Well, OK then. That had me scratching my head and thinking the sore shoulders and back from sitting too long at the computer were all in vain, but upon careful inspection I discovered I hadn't done a very good job of rendering a 3-D drawing of the bead. Perspective was a little off, so I'm starting over on the 12 or 16 illustrations.  I think the second time around will be easier. . .I hope.

Mirror Mirror Update

Mirror Mirror tutorial is coming along slowly.  I've tried to do a step by step pictorial, but found that when I got to the embellishment part I just couldn't get a good tight shot and it was confusing to me. What would it be to a customer?  So I did a little rethinking about illustrating and came up with a way to illustrate it, but it's taking a long time.  

I'll have to add pictures of the finished round at intervals, but I think it will be comprehensible when I finish.

I thought seriously about getting a "bamboo pen" type stylus for drawing the thread path, but from what I can gather, they only work on a computer with an interactive screen. I have an old, refurbished laptop. 

In the meantime, here's a free tutorial from Mikki Ferrugiaro. Crystal Corners features tila beads and crystals. It's a versatile design that can be used in many ways, only limited by your imagination.

It's Monday. . .Again

Where did the week go?  Today's been a relatively productive day in spite of everything.  I've finished mowing the yard and worked on Mirror Mirror a little bit.

I gave up on illustrating the tutorial and took step by step pictures to make a pictorial.  I spend most of the morning editing the pictures for the first seven steps and finishing up the peyote on the second side of the pearl.

I'd bragged about not doing so much frog stitch on this project. Bragged too soon.  When I got to the next round I found the two rounds before it wouldn't work.  There just wasn't anywhere to go from there.  It's frustrating, but I like it so much I won't be giving up yet.

I've abandoned the purple and gold one in spite of the fact the colors are my favorite.  It's so sparkly and shiny I can't see it. Maybe by the next post I'll have a finished piece to show you.

Progress

Still not a great picture, but I'm making progress. The last row I've worked needs some tweaking, but you can see the Czech beads give a whole different look from the Japanese ones.  Both colors of the size 15's are Japanese beads.  I still need a round or two or maybe even three.  I'm getting slower and slower, but on this one I'm not ripping out as much as I have on some of my more recent ones. 

Yard work and a back that doesn't want to hold me upright in a chair for very long are slowing down my beading and tutorial making, but I'm very thankful to still be somewhat productive.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Sneak Preview

Here's a sneak preview of what I'm working on. . .third or fourth try. Yes, it's purple, same as my last project.  

The potential name is Mirror Mirror, but depending on the ultimate outcome, that may change. 

Of course, as usual, I chose multiple shiny finishes.  While it looks beautiful in person, it's very difficult to get a good picture.  I'll have to make the tutorial, then work another one in less blingy colors.

I've worked a bead woven bezel around an 8mm pearl and am going from there for the look of a baroque or rococo design mirror.

Well. here it is as promised.  The inspiration, Dini Alvis' necklace and my Pendant.
This has been one of the most enjoyable challenges I've ever taken. I've delved into my creative spirit and done something new for me and made a new friend in cyber space.
I really love Dini's necklace and the way it captures the essence of the picture as well as the colors.
It is for sale in her Etsy shop, BedazzledofOregon.
I haven't decided if I'll sell my pendant as a one-of-a-kind piece, or make a tutorial for it.

Challenge

A few days ago I saw this beautiful picture on a FaceBook friend's post. I made the comment the purple and aqua were beautiful colors for beaded jewelry and added I thought Dini Alves was rubbing off on me.

I promptly got a challenge from her to make a piece of jewelry with these colors. If you know Dini, you may know her work "Colors of my World".  As I don't know her personally and am in awe of her work, I was greatly honored by her challenge.  When we've both finished we'll post our results on FaceBook. I'll post mine here as well.

I would say mine's almost finished, but I know better than to do that.  Just as sure as I do, I'll run into a problem and have to start over.  The challenge was a bright spot in my life at this time and the challenge sparked my creativity.