Bead Soup Party

So I am participating in my first Bead Soup Party and I am super excited. My partner is the super talented Eva from Hungary (Blog:http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.com/). I have already sent her bead soup but I am not going to show a picture (not even a distorted one) until she alerts me that she has received her beads. I can't wait to see what she creates, please visit her blog when you have a chance because her work is awesome.

Just a sample of her latest work

Saraguro Collar - Tendido

Ever since I laid eyes on Anne Severine's collars, I have been determined to make one myself.  Well 2 years later and I have finally attempted and finished my Saraguro Collar (Tendido design).

A little history about this stich can be found on Anne's site (linked ablove), however, I have included a couple of snippets from her site:

The Saraguro are an indigenous people and they are the only native people that produce beadwork in Ecuador. Because they live in a remote region of the Andean highlands, their beadwork has developed with little outside influence. Every woman beads, and wears a 5-6" deep collar daily.

in Saraguro netting, new beads are attached by going around the thread from the previous row and back through one or more beads to anchor the work. This technique is not unique to Saraguro but in this country new beads are usually anchored to previous rows by going through beads without going around the thread. Brick stitch is similar but it results in a tightly woven piece rather than netting.

I loved the outcome of the collar and I am really in love with the Saraguro technique, there are several different designs and I look forward to trying more.

Crystals and Gem Projects

So I completed some pendants and a necklace last week and I just wanted to share because I think they are so awesome.

Each is listed at my Etsy Shop and they can also be customized to fit your personal style.


Peach Swarovski Crystal V-Shaped Necklace

Tear Drop Fire-polished Gem Pendant Necklace

Satin Swarovski Crystal Ball Pendant Necklace

Why do I craft?

Many times I get asked the question, "why?" when people find out that I make jewelry, body products, and many other crafts and the simple answer is because it's fun.

But my explination goes deeper than that because any crafter knows that there is a bunch of work and sometimes a bit of fustration co-mingled with some disappointment that also occurs with a hobby/business of crafting.

So I will start with body products, I started making my own out of a need. I have super sensitive skin and I am always having some sort of reaction to something or another. In addition, I can use a product for a few months with no adverse reaction, just to have the weather change, or a spike in my hormones and I am all rashed up and uncomfortable. So I decided to do a bunch of research and I started making lotion and body butter.

That whole process just railroaded into me making oils and soap and powder, etc. So since I was enjoying my products, I decided to offer them to others. Making body products is HARD work; you MUST get your measurements right, you have to calculate and keep track of your precise recipes and any changes you make but again, the end result is so gratifying and other than burning feet from standing in the kitchen so long and a mess to clean up afterwards, I found the process soothing and healthy.

When my partnership dissolved in the body products business, I decided to try something new and since I LOVE jewelry I started researching beading. I bought some beads and the rest is history, I truly found my niche and I loved the artistic outlet that beading and jewelry making in general allows. From a simple bracelet (See my bracelet post), I expanded into making other types of jewelry using various beadweaving techniques. Now I have moved into polymer clay and resin and while there are still some messes to clean up, patterns or guides to follow and some soreness from sitting up for hours; beading has a calming and zen-like effect on me. It's like zoning out and meditating, I get to think over things and my mind is clear. If I am upset, I bead, and after awhile, I am calm and the matter is resolved, if I am troubled, I bead and my thoughts are instantly switched from negative to positive.

Don't get me wrong, beading, and any other craft,  is not a cure all, it's just MY way of escaping and finding some calm when I really need to think. Some like to sit in a quiet dark room; others may like to sit outside quietly on a bench, bhut as for me, I like both situations, just add some beads or clay or fabric and I am good to go.

I still make body products and I plan to sell them again and I plan to start sewing again and making purses, all of this work just turns into play and all of my frustrations and disappointments are all learning experiences and after I am holding a beautiful product that I contructed from a simple idea and some materials, it all seems worth it.

So this is the reason I craft and why I love it and find it necessary.

Clay Play All Day

My addiction hit me quick, polymer clay is so fun and I just love the versatility of it. I finally bought a toaster oven and I can't seem to tear my self away from baking up new pieces.  I only have pictures of one bangle that I made yesterday, since then I have made several more pieces but I need to wait until day light to take pics.

I haven't completely abandoned beading, I have a few pieces that I beaded up a few days ago, I also have an order to fill for two bracelets so I seriously have to get to work and finish them up so I can get them shipped out.

Lastly, I have been posting a bunch of new beading patterns to my Etsy shop Etsy link for patterns, along with a few new pieces of jewelry http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsofAgape.

Still time to VOTE for your favorite Etsy piece

As you know Etsy Beadweavers Club has a monthly challenge and each month between the 9th and 15th we invite all to vote on thier favorite piece.  I can't express the level of awe I experience each month that I see the cretivity and hard work that has been put into each and every piece. Please visit http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/ in order to vote. I have included a sample of all the pieces that have been enetered. The poll is located in a grey box on the right hand side of the page, scroll to the bottom to vote, or to see the current results.

ENJOY!!!

Voting for for this challenge  is on December 9th - 15th.

PLEASE VOTE ONLY ONCE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ENTRY

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