'Fluffy' Bracelet!

This is adapted from a pattern in the first ever issue of Bead magazine. I have altered it a fair amount as it is a really basic pattern otherwise. I think that the colours work really well and it will soon be appearing in my Folksy shop (link to right of page).

Chinese Knotting DID Get Finished!

I still don't like the work, but I wanted to finish them. My mum said that she liked the purple one, so I gave it to her. I was glad to see the back of it as it just reminded me of impatience and frustration. She likes it though...

The glass beads were made by Wendy at my beading club. Her daughter has just also won the Beads and Beyond 'Beader of the Year' for the bead-weaving category. A talented mother and daughter pair!

Lariat For C&G Course

This is one of the pieces that I had to complete for my course. It was actually a nice necklace to make as it worked up really quickly and I almost got it finished during the session at college. It is maybe not something I would wear, but I do like it and it does reflect the light really nicely. The colours were also out of my usual style, but the mix worked well.

Finished...

Bracelets!

The top two are (probably obviously!) the same bracelet - both have labradorite in them. The second bracelet has coil end caps that I made myself. I bought some Tiger's eye chips and garnet nuggets today, so may do another wire-work bracelet with them. It seems to work so well.

I cleared my Folksy shop of items a couple of weeks ago, as I was just not selling anything, except to people who I know from the Crafter...oo forum. I was getting disillusioned with my items and am intending on cutting a lot of them up. However, I may put a few of my favourite, recently made items in, just to see whether I can sell much this time.

Another Wire-Wrapped Bead Bracelet

And look what it did to my poor little hand! I have to lay off the wire-wrapping for a few days, until the blister goes down...

The bracelet is made from 6mm glass pearls, 3mm glass pearls, MOP discs, 6mm fire-polished glass beads and 10mm fire-polished glass beads. I am not usually a fan of green things, but I love this. I added a little feature dangle on the clasp, to give a bit more interest. I even had a go at making my own jump-rings, with 1mm wire. I think 0.8mm would be better, but, at least the one I used is really strong!

Odd Count Peyote from 'Dare To Bead'

Great book and, as I have really only just learnt odd-count peyote, I thought I would give it a go. Lovely pattern and it will be made into a key fob when finished.

The Thursday Night Project - 2 July

I have been playing with netting today, for one of my course final pieces. Unfortunately, this pattern was too damned difficult to pick up easily, as it only came in diagram form. I was not as impressed with the look as I had hoped from the original picture, so I have stopped and will be keeping these pieces for samples in the write up!

And Another...

This time it is made in 8° beads. I decided to use a bead instead of a toggle for the closure.

C & G Course/TTNP

Last Friday's project was to make an amulet bag from tubular peyote stitch. I used delica beads as I love the way the finished item looks like material - smooth and sleek. Peyote is my favourite stitch so this week was great for me! We will eventually have to make two amulet bags (one with netting), and both have to have different straps and fringing. I decided to use faceted beads in the fringing and matched it in the strap, which still needs to be finished. This strap is going to double up as my TTNP for the Crafter...oo forum.

TTNP - 7th May

Yes, I know it is Saturday! A little late, but...here are the before and after shots...

Earrings

These beads are fairly large (about 2.5cm long) and have a lovely pattern to them. They look stunning as earrings. I have recycled them from an old bracelet that I never wore.

Necklace - Spiral Rope

I made this today, very simple and relaxing - just what I needed today after a hellish weekend. Mark and Max went out for a bike ride and I enjoyed the sunshine and quiet! I am now making one in blues for a commission. The lady wants something simple and fairly plain, for her mother. I think this will fit the bill nicely.

Ogalala Bracelet

The whole thing













The tail end

The toggle and closure loop

Pretty Bracelet

My friend had bought a kit from The Bead Merchant about a year ago and needed some help. So, she brought it round the other day and I sat and made it up at the same time as her, so I could see how to work it up. It is a very simple pattern and quite sweet, but a bit too 'pretty pretty' for my taste. My friend really liked the mix of beads that I used but they were just a 'grab something quick' selection and not what I would normally wear.

Charm Bracelets

Two made from my lovely new beads. They are really easy to make but seem really popular. They do look nice on the wrist - all jangley and beady, almost good enough to eat!

Three Bracelets

A friend very kindly offered to have a jewellery and card party for me next week. I realised that most of the things I had in my stock were bead woven and might not appeal to some people. So, I decided to get my pliers, crimps and chains out and make some different styles of things. Although the photos are not the best, you should be able to see what I have done. For some reason, the macro setting on my camera would not comply!

Egyptian Style Necklace/Choker

This was made from a pattern I bought at the bead fair at Five Lakes yesterday. The necklace takes about 6 hours to make but I think is worth every second. I bought some bulk beads from GJ Beads too and wanted to use them, so made it in green beads. Not normally my colour but I might be persuaded after this!

I have tried it on and it is just longer than a choker and sits in the hollow of the neck. It will go into my Folksy shop soon, when my fingers have recovered!

Peyote Bead Bracelet

Cube Bracelet

This bracelet is based on previous ones I have made form the Bead and Button Books. However, I changed it slightly and am really pleased with the way it came out. I think that the colours are lovely together, with the black really benefitting from the petrol sheen.