Saturday, September 28, 2013

Sequintial Chaos







I made this embroidered bracelet for the Sequintastic September Blog Hop.


Please note that I have NEVER EVER incorporated sequins in my jewelry pieces so this was definitely a challenge for me.  With that said, I absolutely had a blast creating this piece.



I started by cutting out my backing (Lacy's Stiff Stuff) - Please don't judge my messy bead mat - I create best in a bit of disorganization.



Then I bezelled the various cabochons to the backing. 




I started adding beads but I was uncertain when or where to incorporate the sequins so I just decided to let the sequins fall where they may (hence the name).  There is no rhyme or reason to the design, just a lot of beads and some cabs (and let us not forget the sequins).




I trimmed the whole bracelet in matte black seed beads using the picot technique



Then I added an ultra suede backing in a dark purple




And lastly,  I added a hook and eye clasp in black tone


View from the far right side


View from the far left


And a view of the middle of the bracelet



It is a perfect, comfortable fit and I love it!





I am thankful to have found this technique of incorporating sequins into my designs and I am excited to use sequins more and more as I continue to design more jewelry pieces.

Please take some time to look at the pieces created by other participants of this blog hop, I am certain you will find the experience fun and inspirational.


Posted by at 8 comments:

Monday, September 23, 2013

Flight by Night

Anyone who knows me, knows that I absolutely LOVE butterflies.  Hands down, I think they are the most beautiful creatures on this earth.

With that said, when the Animal Challenge was announced by my beading team OTTBS, I was elated to take this challenge by the horns.

No second guessing, I started looking for just the right pattern to bead.  I found an Anna Stacia pattern on pinterest and started my even count peyote journey.


I actually had to start over once I was a fourth of a way down the pattern because I miscounted and doubled up on a row and that threw everything off.  I was truly ready to just throw this in my "unfinished" pile, but the pattern was so pretty I just had to give it another go.


The original pattern has a white background and the butterfly and flower are bright and sunny colored, but I am in love with brown and turquoise so I decided to make a night themed bracelet.


The pattern did not have a directions for the clasp, so I decided to bead a toggle clasp


I love the shimmer from the metallic brown and gold and how it contrasts with the matte turquoise


This photo shows the contrast (and the 2 slightly different shades of turquoise) of the beads a little better and because I used a different camera setting, the background is also a little less pronounced, so that the butterfly stands out.

Now on to my next project...not butterfly themed, but I know I will soon find another project that features butterflies.

Posted by at No comments:

Perception (Horned) Bangle



Even in darkness, light can prevail, nothing is ever all good nor all bad, always remember that joy can come even if you are sad. Both dark and light can coexist, it is up to you to determie which perception shall persist. (Dee Alcalde)


This bangle represents ones perception in life. Sometimes we have a pessimistic, or dark view; while at other times we have an optimistic, or light view of situations. Regardless of ones perception of things, it is my belief that when things appear great, there is still some darkness and when things seem dim, there is always a brighter side.

The bangle is composed of a light side that is speckled with horns and spots that are a darker shade; while the opposite side is composed of a dark color that has horns and spots of a lighter shade (hence my view point explained above).

 
I started by choosing my colors and since I had just came from the bead shop, I choose some of the newly selected colors. I was in a purple, pink, metallic mood.
 
 
The actual shape (heptagon - 7 sided shape) was derived from the Horned Bangle concept found in Contemporary Geometric Beadwork.  The actual bangle in the book is only a hexagon but I wanted something a bit more quirky.
 
 
I love how this simple circle morphs into a whole new shape/design.

 
I made the pink side first and then decided that I needed something to break up the pink, I just did not want a completely pink bangle.

 
 
So I added the darker purple on the opposite side and that got me to thinking about a name for the piece...
 
 
As I continued my work, the heptagon shape and contrast in the colors made me think that some may find this piece ugly, I mean it really is not a normal shape for bangles and the horns just add to the strange quality of the piece.



However, I could not help but thinking that this is one of my most artistic and fabulous pieces.  Not only is it completely unique but I absolutely love the colors I selected and the seamless, imperfect perfection.










Posted by at 1 comment:

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Pearl Blog Hop Reveal



Normally I do not work with pearls, though I have a considerable stash of them; so I was excited to pull out my pearls and create some beautiful earrings:


Materials include plastic pearls (8mm, 6mm and 4mm) embellished on both sides with 4mm swarovski crystals and 11/0 seed beads 


The earrings are finished with rose gold tone hooks and jump rings 


I love the outcome, such a simple, yet elegant pair of earrings.

Please check out the other participants designs for the blog hop:

Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Hop Participants:


MiShel Designs - Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!! Blog Host 

Sadafulee,…Always in Bloom 

Antiquity Travelers
 
Jewelry By Jasvanti

Bead Contagion
 
Back Story Beads

Sharyl’s Jewelry and Reflections

Silver Niknats

Fresh Baked Designs

Lisa Yang Jewelry

Designed by Vera

Serena Trent

Amy Bright

Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

Agape Creations Jewelry

Klassy Joolz

Beautifully Broken Me
 
One Kiss Creations

Stories from the City of  Brass

Make Bracelets!

Carolyn’s Creations

Raindrop Creations Jewelry

Freestyle Elements



Posted by at 14 comments:

Monday, September 9, 2013

50% OFF All Patterns

I am having a sale on all my beading patterns in my Etsy Shop. Most patterns can be downloaded immediately after purchase, only the patterns that offer more than one choice will need to be e-mailed.  All patterns will be e-mailed with 24hrs of purchase (but they will most likely arrive within a few hours)

Beading patterns are offered in peyote stitch or brick stitch and some are offered in both brick and peyote stitches.

There are patterns that range from beginner to advanced.

This sale will last until Sunday, September 15, 2013

Pattern samples are below, please check back regularly, as I will be adding even more fun and unique patterns.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)