Beads and the Ladies of Downton Abbey

I've gotten into the habit of beading while I watch Instant Video on my iPad. You'll find an eclectic mix of movies and TV shows in my Amazon Watchlist. Among them is Downton Abbey.  Yes, I've caught the bug and have watched the Crawley family and their household staff going through the trials and tribulations of their very prim and not so proper English lives.

My 4th project of the year was done while re-visiting some of the past episodes in preparation for the start of the new season. It reminds me of the long thin necklaces that the Crawley sisters would wear to dinner - a beaded version, of course, but same long and thin design silhouette. I thought I might call it Lady Sybil since it's red and could represent her "radical" views. She's the youngest so I can clearly identify with that, being the youngest of 4 siblings myself.

So here's Project #4 for my 2013 projects journal. Hope you like it!

Busy Beading!!!

I'm glad to report that I continue with my projects for the year. Here's Project #2 and #3, titled "Pillars" and "Diagonals Stacks" respectively.  I've been playing with simple repetitive designs, re-familiarizing myself again with the rhythm of beading and finding satisfaction in completing projects.

I'm glad to be spending more time at my bead table, getting more and more into the habit of creating. My mind's been hopping from one design concept to the next! Just have to make a record of everything that goes through my head!

At any rate, I've started another project and this is a WIP photo. I'm going with the flow on this one, too. Not entirely sure where this one will take me. Exciting!

1 Down, 51 More Projects To Go!

I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions but this year I'm making a commitment - I'm committing to create 52 projects this 2013. It doesn't sound like much but considering I've not created more than a handful of beaded jewelry these past few years, 52 projects is quite a big step up for me.

I'm not like most beaders who are able to devote their 9-5 day to their craft (lucky buggers!). I've got a day job that, fortunately, I love but it does leave me mentally exhausted at the end of the day. My evenings are left to gym time, dinner and family time which I'm also committed to keep. But I'm thinking if I can plan to squeeze in some beading time at night, even if it's half an hour sitting at my beading table, working on something new, my 52 projects should be doable. What do you think? Have you done your own 2013 resolution? I invite you all to enter your comments down below so you can share. Sometimes, shouting it out loud helps to keep you on course.

So my first completed project for the year is Strada Del Merlot - a free form beadwoven bracelet which I finished today, this first day of the new year. This piece will be on sale soon on my etsy store after I clean up the photos and work on the description for the listing.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

50 Shades of Merlot

Last Wednesday, I laid out these beads on my beadmat to start another beaded project. This time shades of merlot with touches of purple, green and amber gold.  All I can say at this point is it's going to be another bracelet - at least that's my intention but there have been times I'd do a complete 180 on myself, un-assemble a project in the middle of it and start all over again on something new. One thing I've learned about the creative process, it can take unexpected turns. You're never sure what you end up with! Happy Beading!

Orange To Eat and Wear

Happy Sunday!

Spur-of-the-moment salad I threw together made with grated carrots and broccolini lightly sauteed in olive oil and garlic, topped with orange wedges, served on a bed of spring greens, and dressed with a splash of my homemade herb vinegar (fresh oregano, thyme and red wine vinegar). Yum-yum!

This reminded me of some of the jewelry I've made that had orange in them. It's a color I seldom use but does give some drama when I do get to use it. So here's the orange stuff to wear!


What have you done with orange, lately?

Shades of Ocean Waters - my BAO Item Of The Week

I can't help myself. This color palette is one of my favorites and I keep creating pieces using these beads. Almost like an addiction. But you've got to agree these are perfect summer colors.

This bracelet is also my play on freeform right angle weave. I love anything freeform and mostly do pieces in peyote stitch but why not right angle weave, I thought, and here is the result. The bracelet came out really soft with the right drape over the wrist. Gorgeous!

I hope you like it. I will be posting this in my etsy store today with more photos so have a peek!

Interpretations

I started a new project the other weekend, playing around with chinese crystal beads. I posted my first attempts on this the last time (click here to read that.). It's interesting to work on the same materials but to come up with as many combinations on technique and color.

My work has ranged from the stringent peyote bezeling technique which requires a prescribed bead count, size and shape to be successful in mounting a crystal on a beaded bezel. Then there's a brick stitch technique, pretty casual but rythmic in its execution. Then there's the devil-may-care freeform peyote technique which pretty much you can do with your eyes closed when picking up a bead and weaving them all together - well, I really didn't close my eyes otherwise I'd risk stabbing my fingers with my needles (I totally hate when that happens!).

Here's some eye candy!

BeadJewelryShopgirl SALE

This is the first time I'm holding a sale since I first opened shop. I've been uploading pieces since yesterday into my etsy shop so please have a peek. A lot of these pieces have never been posted online. I've sold mainly through live craft shows as they've sold more quickly that way. BUT as my life and work schedule and pressure has intensified, I have not scheduled any shows but would still like to get my inventory moving. No sense in hoarding them, right? I need to share the love! So I hope you take advantage of my sale especially with the coming holidays. There's bound to be something special for someone special! Cheers!

Go to my etsy store (or click on the image above) to view items for sale under the category SALE SALE SALE. Have fun!

Locked Into Pattern Mode

My style has always been freeform. I was always the type who never stuck to patterns, who never followed instructions to the letter, always improvising to my own specifications. When I started beading, I worked on designs from my head, never drawing designs like other artists, just picked up my tools and worked away and improvised my work as I progressed. I guess it was basically because I was too impatient. I just wanted a finished piece in my hand! Here's a sample of what a freeform bracelet would look like.Well, it seems I've developed some patience. And stepped outside of my comfort zone. Now I'm working on patterns and even worst (?) I lay out my designs first! I would either drawn or design first on a beading software program before I'd pick up bead, needle and thread. It began with the triangle patterns I developed into pendants and blogged about a few months ago. Now I'm finally executing the different patterns I designed for bracelets. Here I gotta say my inspirations came from my beadweaving peeps SandFibers and Time2Cre8, two gracious and highly talented designers.

The black and white bracelet in the photo below is a zebra inspired pattern. I rarely do anything that is animal print inspired - but like I said, I've stepped outside of my comfort zone. The bracelet next to it is a set of swirls. Yes, just swirls. Something that's a bit mezmerizing to look at don't you think? And finally, the bracelet of vibrant blues, purples and greens reminds me of waves or chevrons but in an irregular pattern (hint of freeform there, don't you think?).

All in a Day's Work!

I had a busy and rewarding day yesterday. I got to make 4 necklaces and 2 earrings. I had a bit of a slow start with a new design - did 3 false starts before I finally got the hang of it - then did a quick trip to the local bead store for some emergency supplies and back to beading again. This is a short post cause I need to get back to work! Hope you are all having a lovely weekend!

Oh Happy Days!

Sun is out finally out, it's a three day weekend and I'm beading like mad again! I have a show to prepare for and trying to remember all the thousand details to get ready for one. Number one on checklist is make more jewelry! So as I prepare for the beading marathon, let me show you some lovelies that I already do have on hand.

The pendant shown on the left will definitely be hard to part with. I hope no one will want it!

We move on from the art deco look to modern and minimalist with these beaded triangle earrings on long kidney ear hooks! What fun!

Finally, I hope to run into purple-lovers who I'm hoping won't be able to resist this bracelet and earrings set!

I almost forgot! I'll be at the Handmade Mart on May 31st, Sunday in Downtown Silver Spring. See ya!