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!
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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.
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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.
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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?!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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Felicity 8-)

My Perdy Necklace

procrsti-knitter: My Perdy Necklace: "Roxana and I went to a local bead fair last week, and I spent too much, suprise suprise. BUT I DID finally make something out of them! Every time I have tried beading I have liked the outcome, but I just don't do it much. I feel like it is kind of a 'cop out' craft 'cause it's so easy. I know I shouldn't think this way, but I do.

I would like to do it more, and get into the crazy stuff like chain maille (sp?) and longer term stuff like that. Still, I am proud of this necklace. But I'm just a freak and I'm afraid it looks too cheap or too home made or too costume jewelryish. Oh well, we're our own worst critics.

Here's a close up!"


What a great effort, I love the colour.
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Felicity 8-)

Talking Woman Beads: Stuff and Nonsense

Talking Woman Beads: Stuff and Nonsense: " I also finished that ruby red net today. That thing just didn't want to get done. I started it on friday, and it took me 3 days to finish it. I'm not sure, but I think IT didn't want to be made. Never had so much trouble with them before....just this one. Ah well, all is good now, and I'll add it here too. "


Some really great pieces.
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Felicity 8-)

henryherald.com

henryherald.com: "Locust Grove woman is big on beads
By Aisha I. Jefferson
Locust Grove resident Helene McDonald has a fascination with beads.
Even when she is not using the beads to make bracelet or necklace creations, the 61-year-old Norfolk Southern Railroad retiree said she buys beads sometimes just for the heck of it.
'They are all unique and different,' McDonald said. 'There's just millions and millions of beads - there's an unlimited amount of beads.'"


Another beading addict! Great story.
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Felicity 8-)

Summer shoes

Bradenton Herald | 07/21/2005 | Summer shoes: "Beaded BOHO
Why this shoe kicks it up a notch: It's pink, one of the year's hottest hues; decorated with sequins and beads, it has an ethnic look.
Wear with: Jeans, solid-color gypsy skirts, cropped pants.
What this shoe says about you: Your taste leans toward bohemian; you appreciate ethnic-looking clothes and accessories; you're laid-back and don't worry about arch supports.
Celebrity sole sisters: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, actresses and media moguls."


Can't say I've ever noticed any media moguls wearing beaded sandals, but anyway....
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Felicity 8-)

Free Beading Lessons by E-Mail

Free Beading Lessons by E-Mail: "Free Beading Lessons by E-Mail
Learn that beading stitch you've always wanted to know. These Free Beading Lessons by E-Mail are delivered right to your in-box and are absolutely free, leaving you all that money to buy more beads! "

Could be worth checking out!
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Felicity 8-)

Matching bracelet & Anklet

Knitting Maniac: New Project! and totally complete WIP Collage ;-): "I dipped my fingies back into the world of beading yesterday. I made a ton of kewl stitch markes :) I love using them for the fair isle! and complicated lace is nice with them too. I also made a bracelet and matching anklet that I just LOVE! I used an old hematite bracelet that I haven't worn for ages ... 20 gauge wire (my first experience using it and bending and twirling it around itself). Anyways, I think it turned out just awesome! "

I love hematite, so this matching set really takes my fancy!
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Felicity 8-)
PS Of course I can never remember whether it's hematite or haematite...

Beaded Impressions Sponsors Beadwork Tip Site at LifeTips.com

Beaded Impressions Sponsors Beadwork Tip Site at LifeTips.com: "Leading online bead and jewelry supply retailer Beaded Impressions� (http://www.abeadstore.com) has signed on to sponsor a Beadwork Tip Site published at LifeTips.com (http://www.lifetips.com), one of the largest online publishers of free tips and advice.
The new Beadwork Tip Site (http://Beadwork.lifetips.com) answers readers' questions about beading and jewelry supplies. The site provides in-depth advice on selecting different semi-precious beads, findings and supplies. Readers can also subscribe to receive a free weekly beadwork tips newsletter."

Cool!
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Felicity 8-)

Beads...

M's Page: Beads...: "Ever since I was little I have loved beading. While on the hunt for Cavier Beads for my bridesmaids dresses I can across a great site called Bead Needs. It's got some lovely beads. I'm still looking for cavier bead though! if anyone can point me in the right direction I'd greatly appreciate it!"

A great resource!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)