Agape Creations Jewelry

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Bead Soup Blog Party

This is my second year participating in the BSBP .

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

This year my partner is Deb Mckinnis of Willowbridge Beads. You can check out her blog and shop here. I will swap bead soups with Deb and then we will create some special goodies with the supplies we receive.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Rain Rain Go Away Earrings

The weather has been quite dismal and today I wanted to tackle a project that would allow me to release a bit of my down and out feelings. I have been cooped up in the house (snow, snow and more snow) for two full days and I really look forward to being released sooner than later.

But at least something cute came out of my cabin fever:

I used seed beads, bicones and peanut beads for the spiral.

The drops are faceted cat eye turquoise drop beads (that I have hoarded for a couple of years now)

I finished the earrings with silver tone ear hooks.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Edwardian Blog Hop - Guinevere Bracelet

This is my piece for the Edwardian Blog Hop sponsored by Beading Daily. With the emergence of antique styled jewelry featured in television shows, it is no wonder that many are incorporating jewelry from eras that relied heavily on appearance to display their wealth and prestige.

The Edwardian era is one that enabled many to do so since it was a time when there was relative peace and much prosperity. I chose a simple yet elegant pattern by Deborah Roberti called "Guinevere Bracelet" which is a free pattern that can be found here.

I literally found out about this blog hop a couple of days ago and so I wanted something that I could bead up quickly and when I saw this pattern I knew it would be a perfect fit for this hop.

I used bicone crystals for the entire bracelet instead of pearls, I really wanted to evoke the idea of a wrist covered in rare, expensive, and glittering gems.

I finished the piece with a gold tone double toggle clasp to mimic the gilded nature of the era.

I really love the lace effect of the pattern and it is really comfortable on the wrist.

If you have time, click on the link above to see more Edwardian pieces.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Love Me, Love Me Not Bracelet

I felt a bit uneasy since complaining about my last embroider project; which sits unfinished still, however, after completing a flat peyote bracelet, I don't feel so bad. Whipping up that flat peyote bracelet was soooo relaxing and I really had a chance to sit and meditate on some of the more important things in life.

I started with a B&W pattern by KFS that I found on Pinterest:

I chose this pattern because the December challenge for my OTTBS group was black and white with 1 additional color. I really loved the simplicity of the pattern and felt that I could incorporate a single color due to the one central element.

I started with the black and white and then decided to add a pop of teal metallic beads

I really love the end result and I added a simple beaded toggle clasp

This shot is more true to the real color of the teal beads

Now I must digress for a moment, I used some Toho cylinder beads that I bought (on sale) from A.C. Moore. However, even though I have a nice selection of these beads, I have never used them and I hate them. They are so wonky and inconsistent and I had a hard time continuing this piece because the beads were just not uniform. I am used to beading with Miyuki delica beads and truly I am spoiled by the exact nature of delicas. As usual, you get what you pay for, and I will never complain about the price of delicas again because it is obvious that Miyuki delicas trump Toho cylinder beads.

(Note: I am just referencing Toho cylinder beads, Toho seed beads are still #1 in my book)

All in all, I love the piece, but the Toho's are so annoying and I am seriously considering beading this pattern up using Miyuki delicas, but not right now. I am going to work on something else that is relaxing (maybe I will give that bead embroider project another go ;-) )

Monday, December 9, 2013

Cabochon and Button Swap

I am so excited, I have finally have received the cabochon and buttons swap box. There were so many treasures to pick from within the box.

I particularly love the gemstone cabs

The swap box concept involves taking out items you like that others have contributed and then putting in items from your own stash and sending it on to the next person so that they can swap out items.

I put in the following treasures:

I am so happy to share some of my favorite items with others and enjoyed this swap!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Ho Hum Bead Embroidery Aint So Fun

Whoa, ummm normally I fall into a welcomed trance when I bead, however, this project is really challenging for me.

This is a piece that I am working on for the 2013 Bead East Tenth Anniversary Challenge and I am not certain if it is because of the beads or the deadline but I am not feeling this piece.

The bead selection is just not what I would work with, and part of the challenge is to use 75% of the included beads only. The problem I am having is I have to think too much and since this is a freeform embroidery, the design is taking shape as I bead, so I am constantly thinking about where to put what.

I don't hate the piece, I am just feeling bored by it at this point, there are SO MANY BEADS (never thought I would ever say that). I just want it all to be over, but noooooo, I still have a gang of beads all over my board.

Hopefully I will make the deadline, but if I don't, I won't be too upset.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Lampwork and Clay Blog Hop Reveal

My piece features the focal and glass beads from Pineridge, all other materials, I added.

The focal is triangular so I tried my hand at capturing this shape by embezzling it in seed beads

Since the bezel worked, I added the glass faceted beads and the gold tone metal circles

I wasn't certain what I was going to make with this, but then decided to make a brooch (I have never made a brooch before) so I chose this cream colored leather (which was soooo thick and a bit complicated to sew)