New Projects Update

It's been a somewhat productive Monday. I finished the tea light cover I was working on.

Looks like it's back to the drawing board on that one. I wanted it to come a bit above the tea light, but not that much. I also wanted it to fit snuggly, but it's so snug it's hard to slip on.

The Purple Iris cuff is coming along nicely. As you can see, I changed a bit more than the background color from the original. The lighting I used to take the picture doesn't do the colors justice.

This is my first try at designing with 2 drop peyote and I must say I like working it up. It goes quickly.

Now that I've sat as long as my legs will let me sit, and beaded til my eyes won't look at beads any more, it's time to get up and do some housework.

New Projects in the Works

It's the day after Christmas and I'm still stuffed.  I had a wonderful time with my son and daughter-in-law and their family.  She's such a great cook, I sometimes hesitate to bring my simple country cooking, but everything was well received.

I placed my order to redeem my Art Beads gift card on the 21st of December and received the order on Christmas eve. What a wonderful Christmas gift!

I usually order Swarovski crystals and pearls from them, but this time I ordered mostly delicas. I have made this pattern for a 2 drop peyote cuff and am anxious to get started on it. I've changed the background to a cream color to show up the purples better.

I've decided to try making tea light covers and have made a couple of patterns. I have one started that I think will be wonderful for Valentine's Day. It's called "Anchored Hearts". I'm almost finished with it, then I can start on the Purple Iris cuff.

It's been cold and dry here, not any of the bad weather so much of the country is having, but I'm ready for spring! The bearded Iris were the first flowers that bloomed in my Mothers flower garden when I was growing up. This is in rememberer of her. Maybe it will keep the depression away. I still have problems with that even though she's been gone over 30 years.

I wish all of you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.


 

Stitch Tutorial Library Links Updated

After discovering that one of the sites where I had published my stitch tutorials was not functioning, I have been busy publishing all of them to Squidoo.  I'm pretty sure it's not going to go away any time soon.  I still have to put the tutorial for Puffed Bezel on Squidoo, but I have all the others so that the links work. I'm having to redraw the graphics to make them compatible with the new site so it's taking a while.
For all of you that clicked on the links and got an error message I apologize.  If you find any of the links don't work now, please notify me.

I hope all of you got your $10 gift certificate from Artbeads.com. Keep checking back as they have wonderful promotional sales throughout the year.

It's cold and windy here on the high plains of Texas, but no snow in the forcast, so I guess we won't have a white Christmas this year.

Here's wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and a very prosperous New Year.  Be safe and warm through the Holidays.

Artbeads.com Free Gift Card Giveaway!

Hurry!  Promotion ends December 22, 2010.  Artbeads is giving away $10 gift cards until December 22.  Every Artbead customer is eligible to share this opportunity with a friend, so get on over to Artbeads.com and find out how to share in this $100,000 giveaway.


And, as if that was not enough, they just kicked off a giveaway for a new Apple iPad! They even bought the iPad with 3G capability so you can get online just about anywhere. It would be so exciting if you won!


Everyone who places an order between now and the end of the year will get an automatic entry for a chance to win. There is an alternate way to enter for those who don't want to place an order. Here's the link to more info about this:  http://www.artbeads.com/ipad-giveaway.html

The Hunt is ON!

The hunt is on for graphics to qualify you for a Bead Bling Bingo card at Bead Patterns Boutique.  If you're not already a member of the forum, click on the link above and look for the Yahoo Groups in the lower right hand corner of the home page.  Join the forum and look for a post by Marie Starr titled "The Hunt is on! Qualify for Your Bingo Card Now" for complete instructions.

Remember you only have 2 days to hunt for graphics and get your bingo card, so get on over to BeadPatternsBoutique and start hunting.

Purple Heart Choker

I finally finished!  This heart toggle ring gave me fits, but I finally got it to work. You can find the pattern with more pictures at BeadPatternsBoutique or click on Buy now to purchase it directly.

Quantity:

I haven't gotten the choker added to my ArtFire Studio yet.  I need to take some more pictures first.  Right now I'm going to lay down with an eye pillow over my eyes for a while and rest them.  This has been a loooong week.

The next  big Beady Bling Bingo game is coming up at Bead Patterns Boutique.  The hunt for images in order to get your bingo card will start tomorrow, Monday Dec. 13, 2010.  If you're not already a member of our forum just go to BeadPatternsBoutique and click on the Yahoo Groups icon in the lower right hand corner.  Only forum members will know how to search for the images and get in on the game, so go now and sign up.  It's Free!  Marie will be sending out the announcement tomorrow, and only forum members will get it.

Purple Heart Necklace

As promised, I've begun the Russian Lace Heart pattern. This one is a little different from the red and cream one, and I still have a few more adjustments to make before the pattern is ready to be published.

I'm making this one with purple and gold seed beads, 3mm amethyst Swarovski crystal bicones and 5mm freshwater button pearls. So far it's looking good.

The Purple Heart is a medal awarded to our soldiers wounded in battle, so this necklace is a tribute to them, but it's also a tribute to families at home waiting for their loved ones to return Their lives are forever changed and their hearts are wounded, knowing the uncertainty of life during war.

Purple is said to be the color of royalty as well as good judgement.

Pearls signify the best within us, honesty, integrety, wisdom. They remind us to live our lives with dignity.

I hope to have the necklace finished and the pattern ready to publish in about a week.

Cyber Monday Sale

It's here! Cyber Monday. Everything in my ArtFire Studio is on sale at 50% discount for 12 hours only. 7 am to 7 pm central daylight time, US.

This sale comes at just the right time to have a combined Grand Opening and a Cyber Monday sale combinede. My ArtFire Studio was opened in October 2010 and is filled with beaded jewelry and beaded jewelry patterns. The jewelry ranges from the elegant simplicity of these Elegance Squared earrings to the grandly ornate Labradorite Ripple necklace.

Come on by and take a look. Patterns will be e mailed to you within a short time today as I'm babysitting this site like a mother hen during the sale.

Happy Cyber Monday and may you find all the Cyber deals you're looking for.

Black Friday to Cyber Monday Sales

ArtFire is sponsoring a huge Black Friday 2010 deals promotion. I went to ArtFire to see what the Beaded Jewelry artists were doing. Typed "beaded jewelry" into the search box and got 1245 pages of deals, mostly stringing and wirework. Typed in "beadwoven jewelry" and got 10 pages.

That gave me a big clue as to niche key words for my ArtFire shop. All of mine have beaded, jewelry in the tags, but not all had beadwoven. I'm finding this SEO really hard to grasp, but occasionally I see the light here and there.

Speaking of Black Friday, BeadPatternsBoutique is having a huge buy 2 get one free sale on bead patterns Friday, November 26th through Monday, November 29th. Twelve designers are participating in this sale so you can find a wide variety of patterns. Read all the details in the BeadPatternsBoutique Shop Blog. This is definitely not a sale you want to pass up. We've had this type of sale occasionally, but this one has the largest participation among the designers.

I hope all my US friends are having a very happy, safe Thanksgiving Day, and to the rest of you I hope you're warm/cool (depending on your location) and safe for the weekend.

New Bead Pattern Sneak Preview

My mind's been racing even though my fingers don't want to hold a needle, my eyes don't want to look at beads or the computer screen, and my behind doesn't want to sit for very long at a time. We've definitely got a cold front coming in and it is playing havoc with this old body.

When I finish with the Christmas ornaments (I've still got one and a half to do) I'm going to start on a tutorial for the Russian Lace heart necklace in the picture.

In the meantime, I've been busy trying to get in the Holiday spirit. I wanted to make pumpkin bread for Thanksgiving dinner this year. I usually make a pecan pie, but nostalgia took over. I remember my Mother-in-Law's pumpkin bread and it was delicious. Back in the day, she used to bake them in 1 lb coffee cans. When they were cooled they went back in the cans and were sealed. Wonderful! A cooking and storing vessel all in one. I looked and looked and couldn't find the recipe I got from her, so I went online and found one I thought sounded about right. It turned out great. The house smells like pumpkin and spices. That helped lift my spirits.

Today I'm going to carefully crack open some walnuts, clean them out, put a hanger on the shells and glue them together for my granddaughter to paint when she gets home from school. Gotta pass on the handmade tradition ya know?

Don't forget to take a look at my ArtFire shop. I'm still adding beaded jewelry items and patterns, trying to get everything loaded by Cyber Monday. On Cyber Monday everything in my ArtFire shop will be marked 50% off. This will not apply to shipping.

Artfire Beadweaver's Guild: Silver & Gold Challenge

Artfire Beadweaver's Guild: Silver & Gold Challenge: "Angelque Creations  Beads and Blooms Artisan Originals   Krafty Max (SOLD) Eclectic Jewelry Designs 3 Peeps Designs"

Artfire Beadweaver's Guild: Silver & Gold Challenge

Come by and see all the new entries.Artfire Beadweaver's Guild: Silver & Gold Challenge: "Angelque Creations Beads and Blooms Artisan Originals Krafty Max (SOLD) Eclectic Jewelry Designs 3 Peeps Designs"
We've got some great designers entering this challenge.

ArtBeads After Thanksgiving Sale

Art Beads is offering an advance "sneak peek" to their After Thanksgiving Sale that will be running on their website next week. Here's a sneak peak coupon for you, my faithful readers. But hurry, this coupon will expire November 28, 2010.

Just use ZZ-THANKSGIVING-SALE at check out to receive 20% off any order over $60.

Also, this is your last chance to enter your own inspiring design in the Artbeads ‘What Inspires You?’ Necklace & Beading Contests. You can enter a design in each category if you like, ‘Necklaces’ and the other ‘General’ category which includes other pieces like bracelets, earrings, accessories, apparel, home décor and crafts. You may also enter any prior or current design you have created through the Design Partners program. The winners will receive awards ranging from $100 to $500 to spend at Artbeads.com! 

Entries submissions must be received no later than Monday, November 22, 2010 at 11:59pm PT. Voting starts Tuesday, November 23, and ends Wednesday, December 8. Winners will be announced Thursday, December 16, 2010. Make sure to encourage your friends, family and blog readers to vote for your design if you are participating in the contest.

Etsy Beadweavers November Challenge Winner

Congratulations to Miriam of Cielo Designs. Her "Wreath of Good Tidings" necklace is the winner of the Etsy Beadweavers November Challenge.
Check out Etsy Beadweavers Blog for the runners up.

Don't forget to check my ArtFire Shop on cyber monday for big, big savings.

Christmas Ornaments and ArtFire

I'm almost finished with the family Christmas ornaments. I only have two more of these cute drums to bead, and I'll be finished. I'm not very disciplined, as you can probably tell. When I have a "deadline" for finishing beading, I can think of all kinds of things that I want to tell you, my readers. I spend more time blogging and writing articles than I do beading. I guess I just love working under pressure. You can find the pattern for this drum ornament at Bead Patterns Boutique .

I've been working steadily on my ArtFire Shop and have added quite a few new items.  I've added a pattern section and it's growing.  Today I added these beautiful, sparkly, red and crystal Elegance Squared earrings and an All Occasion Earring pattern collection.  My shop has a wide range of jewelry with an equally wide range of prices.  Something for all budgets.

Be sure to drop by my ArtFire shop on Cyber Monday, November 29, 2010. I will be running a sale for 12 hours only from 7 am to 7 pm central daylight savings time US.  Everything will be marked down 50% for these 12 hours.  In the meantime I'll be working hard to get many more items listed.

I'd like your feed back on my shop.  What would you like to see in it?  More ready made jewelry?  More patterns?  If patterns, what stitch do you prefer?  

Happy beading all. 

Artfire Beadweaver's Guild: Newest Members

Artfire Beadweaver's Guild: Newest Members: "These are our latest members over the last few weeks. I will be making a page as well for our challenge entries and will post them all in a ..."

Come on by and see the works of the new members.  We've got some very talented people in our guild.

Frosty Morning ArtFire Collection

I've been browsing through the ArtFire Beadweaver's Guild member shops on Artfire and found these frosty treasures.

Frosty Morning

Curated By: TheBeadDoodler

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Etsy Beadweavers November Challenge

The November Etsy Beadweaver's Challenge "Holiday Treasures", has been posted and is awaiting your vote!

Voting will be open November 9 through November 15.

Come on by and cast your vote.  Tell your friends so they can vote too.

I didn't enter this challenge, but I've enjoyed seeing all the entries and getting a glimpse into holiday traditions of other cultures and countries.

I've finally finished the last of the Christmas ornament patterns for this year.  This Cheerful Bear carries an armload of joy for your Christmas tree or for a package.

Click here to add this pattern to your BeadPatternsBoutique shopping cart

Or

Quantity:

Before the end of the month I hope to have all the brick stitch ornaments gathered into a collection. I'm still fighting the "tired eye" and not able to be on the computer for very long at a time, but I'm hoping the weather change will alleviate some of that.

New Discoveries and Such

 I learned something today.  I try to learn something every day, but this was by chance. Since I've had cataract and glaucoma surgery on my left eye, it gets very tired very easily.  I've blamed this on the fact that about 40% of the vision in that eye is gone and it just really gets tired trying to focus when I do close work.

This morning I've spent most of the time on the computer updating Squidoo lens, reading e mail, checking my FaceBook and FaceBook fan page, looking at new additions to BeadPatternsBoutique and The BeadCoop, and trying to get some pictures etc. ready to upload to my ArtFire shop.  I've only beaded about 30 minutes.  My left eye is so tired it wants me to just shut it and not make it work any more.

I've come to the conclusion that it's something about the computer and/or TV screens that make it so tired, so I'm going to go rest my eyes for an hour or so, then try to get some beading done. I only have 13 of the 23 ornaments I need for my grand and great grand kids and 7 or the remaining ones are brick stitch, which takes me longer to do than the herringbone stars and snowflakes.

The patterns for my Christmas ornaments are available at BeadPatternsBoutique, and The BeadCoop.

Beadweavers Go Green ArtFire Collection

I have found one of my items listed in another ArtFire Collection, "Beadweavers Go Green" curated by WeaverbirdBeads.  This collection features all members of the ArtFire Beadweavers Guild, and is a representation of a wide variety of stitches and complexity.  All the items in this collection are pure works of art, created one bead at a time with love, care and patience to give you, the customer, a piece of jewelry that will give you years of wear and compliments.

Check out this entire collection by clicking "View this Collection" in the picture.

Beadweavers Go Gr...

Curated By: WeaverbirdBeads

ArtFire.com

Craft Supplies

Russian Lace Celtic Cross

I have finished the Celtic Cross necklace beaded in Russian lace stitch and uploaded the pattern to BeadPatternsBoutique.


Add  Celtic Cross Pattern to your Bead Patterns Boutique Shopping Cart  or

Quantity:

Russian lace is always a challenge for me.  I learned three drop netting using a different color for the juncture bead, or a different color for the top half of the mesh and the bottom half.  The designs in Russian lace are created by placing the colors in a pattern which may or may not conform to that formula.  I had finished the necklace, put the clasp on it and took pictures before I noticed a glaring mistake about one third of the way from the end.  And I thought I was checking each design before going on to the next one!

Well it was fun and it was challenging.  The pattern is illustrated with text instructions mesh by mesh, so if you follow the pattern exactly you will be able to complete this necklace even if you've never worked Russian lace.

Brighten up Your Winter With Beaded Jewelry

I was looking through the Artfire Beadweaver's Guild photo gallery checking out new additions this morning.  This Neon Beadwoven Necklace immediately caught my eye.  BeadsnBloom has used glass cabochons that flash with a multitude of colors to construct this asymmetric necklace.  The seed beads and fire polished beads she has used with them bring out the beauty and flash in these cabochons  made by Lisa Allen of L.A. Art.

I'm so envious of those of you who can cruise the local markets and actually see the beauties you're buying before you buy.  I have to rely on the photography skills of those who sell on line, as the selection locally is limited. Oh well, you know beaders. . . we are going to bead with whatever is available.

If you haven't already, check out the fabulous beaderwoven wonders in the Artfire Beadweaver's Guild photo gallery!  Our beadweaving techniques range from peyote to bead embroidery to just about any other stitch you can think of, plus some free form without names, and all are fabulous beaders.

All Occasion Earring Collection

I've finished compiling the first pattern collection of the year. All Occasion Earring Collection features my best selling earrings of the year,Beads in a Gilded Cage, Full Moon, Fleur de Lis, and Red Hat.

All of these projects work up quickly so there's plenty of time to make them for gifts for friends and family.

The Beads in a Gilded Cage is RAW and the pattern contains step by step illustrations and text.

Full Moon earrings is a modified St. Petersburg Chain and also contains step by step illustrations.  These two patterns are written for beginners, so if you don't know these two stitches you can learn while you make the earrings.

Fleur de Lis and Red Hat are free form brick stitch.  You must know how to work brick stitch and how to increase and decrease.

This collection represents more than 15% savings over buying the patterns separately, so come on by BeadPatternsBoutique and get your copy.


On another note: BeadPatternsBoutique blog has published a very indepth look at spam and how to handle it. As we all depend on our computers to stay in touch with the world and buy and sell products, this is some must know information.

Beaded Russian Lace

I’ve been looking through my UFO and salvage boxes lately looking for beads and looking at some of my earlier work.  I found some practice pieces that I’d done in Russian lace. 
Russian lace is three drop netting with “slits” for lack of a better word, in the outer edge that lets it form a natural curve for necklaces.  I found a classic Karmen necklace I’d done in purple, green and amber and an adaptation that formed a heart and had pearl and Swarovski crystal bicone drops.  I also found a doodle I’d done trying to make a Celtic cross.  I’ve spent a couple of days working and ripping out trying to make the design work.  Finally got it right and got a pattern worked up.  Now it’s smooth sailing.  There are two places that I had to take out on nearly every repeat because I’d get the bead sequence wrong.  As soon as I get the necklace finished, the pattern will be available.

Beader Skill Level Guide

What skill level are you when it comes to beading?  Do you know?  BeadPatternsBoutique blog has a great definition for each skill level.  This will help you as a beader to know if a pattern is one you will likely be able to work.  It will also help designers know how to designate the skill level.

All the designers at BeadPatternsBoutique are dedicated to producing tested and proven patterns and presenting them to various skill levels to help beginners learn and to keep skilled beaders challenged.  If you're learning to bead from tutorials and forums without the benefit of a face to face teacher, you never have to feel that you are alone when you purchase a bead pattern from BeadPatternsBoutique.  Designers all have contact information on each pattern so they can be contacted if you need help. 

Come on over the BeadPatternsBoutique and see what we've got.  Join our lively, fun, informative forum.  It's the next best thing to getting together in person to bead and discuss beading.

For the Love of Andrew Thornton Etsy Treasury

I told you about Andrew Thornton, a fellow beader, who has had a bout with cancer resulting in large medical bills.  Andrew has no health insurance, so the Etsy Beadweaver's Team has gotten together and donated items for sale to benefit Andrew. These items are in an Etsy Treasury named "For the Love of Andrew"

All the proceeds from the sale of these items will go directly to Andrew.  We need your help.  I'm not asking you to buy, (but do if you can,) I'm asking you to view the treasury, click on the pictures and comment.  This will help keep the treasury at the top of the list where buyers are more likely to see it.

The treasury went up yesterday and six items have already sold.  Beaders are awesome and have huge hearts.  New items are replacing the sold ones, so check back often.  Thank you for all your help.

Andrew Thornton Medical Fund

Fellow beader/blogger, Andrew Thornton, has recently been diagnosed with cancer and has had surgery. Andrew doesn't have any medical insurance, so several members of the Etsy Beadweavers Team have decided to donate the proceeds from sales of certain items in their shops to the Andrew Thornton Medical Fund. A treasurey will be made in November so all those items can be seen in one place. I'm donating the proceeds of my Autumn Fantasy bracelet and several more beadweavers have committed to this cause also.

Take a moment to get acquainted with Andrew. His blog is really quite interesting and informative.

Featured in a New ArtFire Collection

Beadwoven Autumn ...

Curated By: beadsforever

ArtFire.com

Indie Design

I've been busy trying to clean up a few websites, write a few articles and clear my beading table today.
I was trying to compose a blog post in my head and was coming up blank until checked in at ArtFire to find that my Crystal Apache Leaf bracelet was featured in a collection! Thanks beadsforever!

All the Colors of Autumn

All the Colors of...

Curated By: TheBeadDoodler

ArtFire.com

Unique Gifts



I've spent the afternoon learning my way around ArtFire and in the process, found many artists working with the wonderful colors of fall that I so love.  I created this collection from the most impressive of them.  Take a look.  These artisans are wonderful.

Now I just have to figure out which size "widget" will fit well on my blog. LOL