Some different beads...

Lori Anderson Designs: Bead Mercantile: "But by far the best thing was a set of porcelain beads by Joan Miller -- for ME! I met her at the Bead and Button show in Milwaukee -- very nice lady who I actually met on the plane on the way over because I admired her necklace. At Bead and Button, I bought one of her beads for someone as a gift but ran out of money before I could buy something for myself. I'd already purchased some very cool, unusual (and expensive, yikes) 'jacks' silver beads from her, and these beads will go with the silver....

I love how eclectic they are! And these are so not my colors -- well, the purple is, but I was looking for a set that was a total mix of colors and patterns and textures. "

These are gorgeous - I've never seen beads like these before.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

FluffyKnitterDeb: By special request, Beading Made Easy!

FluffyKnitterDeb: By special request, Beading Made Easy!: "As promised, here's the scoop on beaded knitting, crochet style. I much prefer this method because it saves me from having to string hundreds of beads onto my yarn, a pretty onerous task if ya ask me! Plus it saves wear and tear on the yarn since you don't have to slide all those beads along the length of the yarn as you do with the knitted on method. Lastly, I feel this method 'seats' the bead on the knitting better because you place the bead over BOTH legs of the stitch, unlike the knitted on method where sometimes the beads slip to the purl/private side and are difficult to see in the knitted fabric. So let's begin...."

If you are interested in learning how to add beads to your knitting, then I recommend you click on the link to read this lady's blog, it's a fabulous explanation. I've included a photo of some beaded knitting she's done as a sample.
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Felicity 8-)

More on beaded bookmarks....

EZ Crafts - BLOGestates.com - FREE BLOGs for the PLANET: "Beaded Bookmarks
Materials
17 inches of 3/8 inch wide double-faced satin ribbon for each bookmark
Scissors
Beads with large openings

To Make A Fringed Bookmark You Will Need:

Beading needle
2 silver beads
Silver seed beads
White beading thread
Silver-lined, large rocaille beads

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Tie a knot 1-inch from the end of the ribbon. Slide bead (or beads) from the opposite end of the ribbon up to the knot. Tie a knot on the other side of the bead(s) to hold in place.

2. For the other end of the bookmark, measure 10 inches from the inside knot and tie another knot. Put on the bead(s) and slide up to the knot. Tie another knot against the last bead.

3. Trim the ribbon ends.
Concept from Sierra Pacific Crafts

Hints
1. To personalize a bookmark, write a name on the ribbon using a permanent marker.
2. Make both beaded ends the same and use your ribbon as a gift tie to cinch up a surprise sack.
3. Use alphabet beads to spell a name or word. Wisdom, Love, Friends etc.
4. Make a fringe with seed beads and mirrored beads and sew to each end of the ribbon.
5. Use school colors for quick 'n easy fund raiser projects.
6. Make up a batch of these and award them to friends for Thank You gifts."


I thought these instructions might be useful!
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Felicity 8-)

tinkerhell gets buff: Chill day

tinkerhell gets buff: Chill day: "Kristin, MIL and I have been doing some beading (I have an embarrassingly disorganized collection of beads of various types and sizes) and that's actually been quite a bonding experience. MIL designs Nepali jewelry and she brought along some beautiful stones (plus some awesome jewelry for me -- emerald drop earings and a lovely matching necklace). Fingers x'd it continues to go well!"

Getting along with your mother-in-law is always a good thing. Hooray for beading!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

New Pearl Earrings - The Jewelry and Beading Blog

New Pearl Earrings - The Jewelry and Beading Blog: "I've made a few pair of threader earrings for her daughter who works at the court house, and now "mom" decided she needs a pair too. The pearls are round freshwater, very nice quality, about 8mm. I got them from the last wholesale show I went to. I strung them on 24-gauge soft gold-filled round wire, and included a gold-filled corrugated bead on top. I used the wrapped loop technique to attach the beads to the threader component."

I love these - so simple and yet so elegant.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Clean Sweep Jewelry Studio - The Jewelry and Beading Blog

Clean Sweep Jewelry Studio - The Jewelry and Beading Blog: "Here it is...the top of my jewelry making desk! This is where I make most of my jewelry in what I call my corner studio. After Rocky and Jasper went ballistic, I had to put everything away. Of course, now the challenge is to get back to work. It looks so nice and clean. I can't remember when I've seen the top of the desk like that before. "

This is just plain scary.... hehehehe!
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Felicity 8-)

Jewel Mine - Semi-precious Stone Pebble in Wire Wrap

Jewel Mine - Semi-precious Stone Pebble in Wire Wrap: "I have a batch of semi-precious stone pebbles, rose quartz and cintrine, all without a hole to string through, rough cut but smooth surface.
Bought it during a cryatal shop closing down sales, quite a good bargain, so without second thought I just bought a bag (about 20 pieces in one bag).
After brought it home I seriously have no idea what to do with it, it didn't come with a drilled hole, smooth surface, not a single cut on the surface for the wire to hold.
Since I don't do soldering, the only way I can think about to hold the beads is wire wrapping."

The original blog entry has a great photo too! Very pretty.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Those beaded bookmarks...

Hi everyone!
I've had a few people ask me how to make the beaded bookmarks mentioned in an earlier post, and the author of that blog post has very kindly passed on some information about how they are made. I hope you find it useful
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

I learned how to do the beaded bookmarks in a basic beading class I took. They're really simple. You put seed beads in the middle so it fits in the book. Then you put a design of lager beads on either side, which will hang outside the book. You just string them on basic beading wire and place a crimp bead on either end. I like to finsh off the ends with charms but it's not necessary.

Laura

The Basics: Weaving Beads on a Loom

The Basics: Weaving Beads on a Loom: "One of my favorite beading techniques is to Weave Beads on a Loom. You can make bags, purses, tapestries, necklaces, bracelets and more. There are so many beautiful pattern books for loom weaving, including Out on a Loom by Margie Deebs, Designs for Beading on a Loom by Don Pierce, Those Bad, Bad Beads by Virginia Blakelock and The Little Coin Purse by Carol Devlin. "

Some good references there.
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Felicity 8-)

Lingfield Park Beadworkers Fair July 2005: Seed beads

Lingfield Park Beadworkers Fair July 2005: Seed beads: "Two lots of seed beads bought from The Bead Merchant. I like the way they put colours together in their boxed sets of beads.
The green and blue beads are delicas. I'm not 100% sure what they'll be used for - I have several projects in mind for them!
The pastel tones are size 15s (the size of seed beads refers to how many in an inch - so the larger the number, the smaller the bead. 15 is the smallest size made today, although you can find older beads for sale that go down to size 24!). I'm planning on making a spiral rope lariat from them, inspired by a necklace on display at the Beadworkers Guild stand."

I couldn't resist this photo...
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Felicity 8-)

Tiara tips

test �: "The 5 pieces of heart shape crystal was from Swarovsky Crystal, pretty expensive but worth the price, because it really gives a real sparkling effect. And this crystal will turn yellow tint when place on the black background, and turn blue when place it on white background, pretty cool shade.
The pearls is glass pearl from Czech, it look more real than the usual plastic pearl we got from the market, also the weight of the glass make it look more solid than the plastic. "

My daughter would LOVE this!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Something from nothing...

ljpinko: la de da: "i got out some beads and other things then the idea hit me when i was looking at a bunch of old purses i had saved- i should make a purse. basically my idea was to re-craft the outside of a purse to make it look totaly different and then add new straps to it too.

i basically did this all day.. from like 1 to 5 i was making this purse. i actually got pretty into it with sewing and beading and all you could tell i was quite bored but atleast i was doing something other then watching tv lol. the finished product turned out pretty... for someone who made a purse. i mean obivously it doesn't look like anything out of a magazine but hey wutcha you gonna do."


It's amazing what you can do when you start.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

The Ultimate Bead Lover's Guide

The Ultimate Bead Lover's Guide: "I've just released an amazing new ebook called 'The Ultimate Bead Lover's Guide'. It covers everything you need to know to start getting addicted to beading.
When I first started beading, I was completely confused. There were so many choices to make, and I had NO IDEA what I was doing.
Which needle, thread and clasp should I use for the beads I liked?
Which equipment did I really need?
How was I going to work out how many beads I needed to make the piece?
My list of questions seemed endless! Let alone worrying about how to make my piece come out right, finish it in a professional looking way, and make sure it didn't break the first time I wore it.
My head was spinning!
Imagine being able to shortcut all of these questions and decisions!"

I'm so excited that this is finally available!
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Felicity 8-)

Rapidly growing trend

- toledoblade.com -: "Julia Robertson disagrees with her landlord�s assessment that her third expansion in four years was simply the result of poor planning.
Instead, she said, it�s the result of underestimating the beading and jewelry-making trend in the hobby world.

�I didn�t expect it to take off as quickly as it did,� said the owner of the Meant to Bead store, in 2,100 square feet of space at 6540 West Central Ave. in Sylvania Township. It has more than 8,000 items.
The draw of beads, in all shapes, sizes, and textures from countries all over the world, is increasingly felt in Toledo and beyond, with Bead & Button magazine estimating it is a $2 billion industry.

Craftrends magazine said participation in beading increased in all age groups from 2002 to 2004, and roughly 35 percent of all crafters participate in the hobby."

Interesting look at the business side of beading.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Random thoughts: On the beading front:

Random thoughts: On the beading front:: "Today I spent all day in a WONDERFUL class at Crystal Bead Bazaar.
The teacher was Sherry Serafini and she taught a bead embroidered broach.
Every one was different and here's mine.

I've finished the initial beading. Now I need to decide which way is up. :-)
I have decided it will be a pendant, not a broach. So I'll be making a strap to hang it on after I figure out which direction is up. I'm also likely to put more fringe on it as well as hanging off the bottom.

The big cab is a paua shell, the small ones are turquoise. There are also two silver pearls.

This was SO much fun to do and the class was a great experience!"

This is gorgeous, I've always loved paua shell.
Anyone want to suggest which way is up?!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

VioletBeadBlog: Unshelling the hermit in me

VioletBeadBlog: Unshelling the hermit in me: "It�s amazing how good I feel when I have been beading. I am energized for everything. It both enhances and interrupts my sleep! It�s just an all around good feeling to be creative again. "

It's amazing what being creative can do for you.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Beaderheads??

: "Bob and Gail Anderson are 'beaderheads.'
Beaderheads are die-hard bead addicts who like to seek out bead shops.
For bead addicts, it's not just looking or browsing. These people view trays or strings of blue lace agate, Dalmatian jasper, crazy lace quartz, blue tiger eye or African jade as priceless.
Bob and Gail Anderson are part of the local beader community. They would rather run their fingers through strands of beads than win the lottery.
Well maybe not, but it's close.
Beaderheads covet unique beads "

What a great story!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Fascinating artwork

Sonji Says...: Bundle Sunday in Front of the Fan: "So, I sat in front of a fan today and made bundles, read the paper, did some beading. It was too hot to even fuse some ideas together."

These are gorgeous!
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Felicity 8-)

Getting organised...

jamelah.net:blog: "I spent five hours on Saturday cleaning off my beading table and organizing things into labeled bins. Did I really need to spend five hours doing this? Well, no, but if I'm going to organize something, I'm going to do it right. While I am glad that everything is in its place and all is right with the world, I really wish that beading didn't involve so many tiny individual pieces. Is there such a thing as a hobby that doesn't need supplies?"

Any suggestions?
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Felicity 8-)

Look out future spouse....

Gene�eolian: A Day in the Life.....: "And now I'm on this beading kick again - but just not any beads - Swaroski Crystal AB beads. Even better if they are VINTAGE. Man, I am expensive (warning to future spouse). I've even created a spreadsheet to track all the different ones I can find....the differenct cuts/shapes were referred to as Articles. Vintage will be 39, 3700, 346, 340, etc, while the newer ones are 5100, 5000, 5004, 5003, 5040, 5200, 5300, 5301 etc."

Now that's an expensive beading addiction!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)