Monday, December 21, 2009

Two Beadwoven Bracelets

First up is a freeform peyote bracelet in various shades of black and various shapes/sizes of seedbeads. The closure is an antique button from my collection. I had plans to embellish the bracelet, but I like it plain for now. I love this type of bead weaving as it reminds me of crazy quilting-pretty much anything goes and no two are ever the same. Want to make one of your own? I learned how to do this from an online tutorial at whimbeads.com. I would post a hyper link, but it appears the site is currently closed for updating.


Second is a beadwoven bracelet, pattern from a recent Bead&Button magazine. It is actually made in 2 long halves, then it is joined in the center afer the two haves are made. It was just a bit advanced for my newish beading skills, so I took my time and I think it turned out well.


Tuesday, December 15, 2009

New Jewels

Again, long time no blog, mostly because it's been very difficult to upload pictures. Who wants a post without pictures???Hopefully this one works.


This is a set I made recently just for me. I made three necklace/earring sets for the quilt shop's annual Christmas party and I thought it was time I had something new too. I followed a beadweaving pattern using Czech firepolished round beads and seed beads from the book "Mastering Beadwork" by Carol Huber Cypher.

The beadwoven area of the necklace was supposed to be the bracelet, but it just looked too chunky for my wrist. I decided to make the section into a necklace instead. I made the bracelet witht the same colors of beads, same pattern, but used smaller 4mm firepolished and 11/0 seed beads. It is lacy and delicate looking, just like I wanted.

The chain area of the necklace and the earrings were made with antique-finish brass eye pins, strung with the Czech firepolished beads and seedbeads, connected with brass jumprings. I love it all and it looks great with my brown silk tshirt.