Free Beading Patterns: Solar System & Butterfly

It's always nice to get a lil something free, just e-mail me at:

dalcalde@creationsofagape.com

Solar System Peyote Stitch Pattern 5.54x3.45

Freeform Brick Stitch Butterfly Pattern 4.37x3.02

Take one or both patterns, Happy Beading!dalcalde@creationsofagape.com

Very Busy Bee That Is Me

So I have been sick and now my husband is sick again, seems like we keep passing the same symptoms back and forth. I can't wait until the winter is gone!

With that said, I am actually feeling better (hopefully it lasts) and so I was able to get back to beading. I am participating in the 7th annual Bead Soup Party and glad to say that I am almost done with my creation, however, the reveal date is not until March 30, 2013, so stay tuned to see how I took a few choice beads from Hungarian artisit Eva, and introduced my special twist of artisitc capabilities.

In turn, I also have a bracelet to deliver, a metallic version of my Rainbow Feathers Bracelet:

The colors really dazzle in the light, however, I finished this late at night so the picture is quite muted.

 I used snaps on this bracelet, and I think they will be a staple for my bracelets, they lend a neat and seamless look to the bracelet and I love the security of a snap.

In turn, I have also completed a little wire pendant experiment. This piece was actually a complete accident and really, I went so far, I felt I might as well finish because to waste so much wire is unthinkable in my book.

One good thing about this is that I was able to practice my wire-weaving skills, which is always a plus and I was able to play with pigments, which lended some color and opened up some ideas for future projects.

Moving on, I have decided that I am going to take part in two (2) Etsy Beadweavers events:

* The first is the Etsy Monthly Challenge, which is Shades of Scheherazade and centers around the maiden who attempted to save her life by telling 1001 tales to the king. I did extensive research on this and finally found my muse:

Persian Cornflower

I will debut the finished piece by April 5, 2013 in my Etsy shop.  In addition, voting for the Etsy challenge will begin on April 9, 2013, so follow the link and vote for your favorite piece http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/.

* The Etsy Swap is another event that I have signed up for, this event allows us to be partnered up with another team memeber, mine is Ginny, she is a geologist who lives in New Mexico. Her shop Njema features beautiful pieces, so I am excited to see what she creates.  A hint as to what I am working on involes the following:

 Geologist Hammer

Tiger Eye Stones

I don't want to ruin the surprise so I will just let you r imagination wander until I reveal my piece on April 30, 2013.

Lastly, I am going to try to submit a piece for the Art Bead Scene March Monthly Challenge, where a piece of art is chosen and we are to creat a piece featuring an art bead that manifests the nature of the art work.  March is featuring an oil canvas painting ("Deer in the Forest" 1911) by Marc Franz.

I am going to try to submit a OOAK bead made by myself but if it turns out a disaster, I am going to abandon ship immediately and just wait for the April challenge.  I will post my finished piece on March 27, 2013.

I am keeping myself busy but I don't mind too much, as long as I can still maintain all my other responsibilities, the months of March and April will be extremely eventful and full of color, unique jewelry from yours truly.

Until next time, Happy Beading/Creating/Living

Bead Soup arrived via Hungary

I am super excited, my bead soup arrived today!!!!

First I want to thank Eva my AWESOME partner, she sent me soooo many goodies, I can't wait to play:

Check out those awesome Fimo cabs and that cool fish closure (never have I seen a closure like this), I also included a sample of the mineral beads and cab, as well as the swan beads.  The colors are so beautiful and I am in awe of the talented Eva, she sent me a gift too:

What a beautiful piece, THANK YOU SO MUCH EVA!

Stay tuned, my reveal date is March 30, 2013....

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.