Buzz-A-Roni

Buzz-A-Roni: "One of the Mom's in the group is starting a home business of beading parties. I came on this event sort of late, but it was a Mom's night out where you'd make your own beaded bracelets. If you wanted to make a mother's bracelet, she would order these cute little sterling silver cube alphabet beads.
I picked out lots of purple beads... different shapes and sizes, two Swarovski amethyst (no not her birthstone, but I'm not a fan of rubies, which is my birthstone too!) crystals, and some sterling silver round beads. "

This sounds like a really interesting idea - can anyone tell me what exactly a mother's bracelet is??
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Magnets-Beads-Photography-Life � Blog Archive � Finally, a journey home

Magnets-Beads-Photography-Life-Blog Archive-Finally, a journey home: "My first big bead project is going to be my beaded Santa Claus faces, Christmas Trees, Wreaths, and Snowflakes. I loved doing these and they sold quite well for me in the past. My sister, Jan, has someone at Chrysler interested in seeing them as well. And as Jan wears her pairs, I asked her to be a walking advertisement for me. Also, there is a new web site just for the earrings. www.holiday-earrings.com There will be holiday earrings for all seasons as the year goes along, but right now, it's just Christmas stuff."

I really enjoyed reading the full story of this beader's journey.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

It's Holiday Time

Hi everyone!
Well, I know for most of you winter is fast approaching, but here in Australia summer has arrived, the end of school year bedlam has just ended, and it's time for my family and I to head to the beach.
So I hope now you have lots of cold nights to stay inside and keep warm, you all get lots of beading done!
I'll be too busy spreading sunscreen on my kids and playing in the sea! And even better, having a REST!!!!
I look forward to catching up with all of you again in a week or so.
Happy beading!
Felicity 8-)

Octopus Garden 10 (creativechick.blog-city.com)

Octopus Garden 10 (creativechick.blog-city.com): "I finally finished up the last in my Octopus Garden series this week."

"Octopus Garden 10" 2005

6" x 4"
Mixed media Collage on Fiber

Hand and machine sewn, hand dyed, painted and printed fabrics, beads, and embellished.

On sell at http://creativechick.etsy.com


This is a stunning piece of work!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Lauren's Blog - Another finish!

Lauren's Blog - Another finish!: "Well, it's done! It's a little crooked - the wreath's off-center, because I miscounted and didn't feel like ripping out most of the border. I love beading so much - the scan just can't capture how much the beads sparkle in the light. I really enjoyed working on this, even if the beading needle pricked me 5,000 times "


Another fabulous way of using beads. I think we've all experienced the old pricking of the fingers with the beading needle! Ouch...
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Heather's Little Haven: Some Finishes

Heather's Little Haven: Some Finishes: "I did this last night around 1am, I couldn't sleep

I had to keep taking the thread out the needle as I haven't any beading needles (well I do, they're just AWOL). I've done this one many times in the past, so it didn't take me long to do at all. "

Wow, another great use of beading techniques, I've definitely NEVER thought of something like this.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

yuliacrystal: it's all about beads now, apparently

yuliacrystal: it's all about beads now, apparently: "but, heck, beads! anywhere you'd look they were twinkling with all imaginable colours in places you wouldn't have seen before on a piece of clothing, even in a costume shop. I actually saw garments that were made completely out of beads and sequins, attached to a finest shadow of a material you won't really call fabric.
in a daze, I walked through three levels of clothing, touching things here and there. it will probably sound funny coming from me (and I hope that none of my beady buddies would read this), but it was all a bit too much for me. the sparkle, the colours, the sizes, the amount of beading on a square centimetre of a fabric... I tell you, they've gone mad! =) "


I have to say I've noticed the same thing!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Dolphinately Delightfully Designed Doodads: Welcome to My Beading Blog . . . .

Dolphinately Delightfully Designed Doodads: Welcome to My Beading Blog. . .: "Here is the first triple grouping of necklaces for layering I've designed. I call it Winter's Crystalline Nightfall."

This is a great effect. Pretty colours, too.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Pie-Bolar Served w/ 3 Flavors of Anksia Tea: "First Holiday Snowfall" Necklace

Pie-Bolar Served w/ 3 Flavors of Anksia Tea: "First Holiday Snowfall" Necklace: " I call this necklace, First Holiday Snowfall. The white Howlite beads scanned a bit bright, some have some pretty grey veining. And the silver beads were kind of reflecty. And some of the pinks ended up twice as saturated as they actually are. Being glass beads, it scanned them and picked up not only the surface color, but added in color all the way in to the core, being a translucent bead. I tweaked it some in Adobe, but I'm no expert. So it's not a bright or deep pink. Well it's kinda bright, definitely not pale, but not intense or shocking . . . a pretty translucent Christmas berry color. See the beads on the lower left side? It's more that pink berry color. And some are even paler than that. But somehow most of the rest kinda turned out way intense, tho they aren't. The glass beads are called Christmasberry anyway, and they are crackled."

Just in case you hadn't realised there's less than a month to Christmas... gulp....
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Red Instead BLOG : Adventures in Beading

Red Instead BLOG : Adventures in Beading: "I have been enjoying beading and find it's a great activity to do while watching TV. Nothing like a bit of multi-tasking to keep a busy crafter happy!"

How true is this! Some great photos of finished pieces at this blog - take a look. Of course my favourite is green... hehehe
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Victorian Beaded Lampshade

Victorian Beaded Lampshade: "Beaded Fringe Adds Life to a Plain Lampshade
Lynne Quinn posted some pictures of her Victorian Beaded Lampshade a while back that have brought a ton of e-mails asking her to share her beaded lampshade secrets. Not surprising seeing as how it's absolutely gorgeous! She has very kindly allowed me to help her share her knowledge of this beading technique with you. Here are the Complete Instructions for making your own Victorian Beaded Lampshade."


If this sort of beading takes your fancy, this is a great opportunity to grab the instructions on how to make a beaded lampshade.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Make Time to Bead

Make Time to Bead: "Some days it's bedtime and you feel like you've accomplished nothing. Housework need to be done, errands run, meals prepared, bosses appeased, etc. Of course there's no time to pull out your beads, let along spend time in bead contemplation and serious work.

Here are some creative ways to find just a little more time to enjoy your beads and beading. Who knows, maybe you'll create your own beaded masterpiece over a series of lunch breaks at work! "


This article contains some clever ideas to help you find time to bead. Of course, my personal favourite is just to forget the housework! hehehe
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Craftapalooza: Insert witty title here

Craftapalooza: Insert witty title here: "I came across some ring findings at a local bead store recently and even though they're not made of sterling silver or gold plated (I think they're nickel) they look quite nice. They are 'one size' ie the band is flexible. So I had a play last night and came up with these, probably the happiest I've been with any of my bead work for ages."

Yet another fascinating way to use beads. If you go to this website you'll see lots more photos.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

A Crafty Bookworm's Coffee Nook

A Crafty Bookworm's Coffee Nook: "Well, one of the things I'm working on is a metal and jet fringed necklace with matching earrings. This was inspired from a spring necklace done in blue, but I'm doing it in black so it can easily match up for a night on the town.
This is a fairly simple project (I'd say advanced beginner). Since I finished the earrings (I hope I can do pics soon) I'll write about those. I haven't started the necklace yet, but it is done very similarly."

This sounds like it could be a very dramatic necklace. If you click on the title and go to the blog, there are instructions on how to make this.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Pie-Bolar Served w/ 3 Flavors of Anksia Tea: Yet another Beading post!

Pie-Bolar Served w/ 3 Flavors of Anksia Tea: Yet another Beading post!: " These use some black and clear Czech firepolish beads on the one, and Smoke Czech firepolish beads on the other, with light grey Swarovski 4mm crystal pearls on both, and small button shape cultured freshwater pearls on the Smoke necklace.

The Smoke one is about 42' long. You can wear it that long (some do) or wrap it around twice to wear it at two different shorter lengths. Like 24' and 18'.

The Black/Clear one is about 24' or so long, and will have a rock crystal pendant hanging from it (although the bail will be hinged, so you can wear it with or without). "


These are very elegant, would look great with evening or formal dress.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

luvfairisle: Inviting vine

luvfairisle: Inviting vine: "Tami: this is because of you. Thanks for telling me to keep on beading. The bracelet is from Bead and Button, Dec. 2005 by Donna Graves. It was quick and fun to make and I love it because it's not bombastic (I'm only 5'2'). I think this particular issue was very good so I will probably make a few more. "

Another green bracelet! Very pretty design.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Sha-sha Handcrafted Jewelry: Time Flies!

Sha-sha Handcrafted Jewelry: Time Flies!: "This first one incorporates a technique I learned in my beading group (not sure if I can post the name here...). Anyway, I used to do a brick stitch ions ago with college names in them when I was a kid. I sewed little snaps onto the strips of beadweave for a clasp! I love this way of 'zipping up' the strip into a tube!"


These are really interesting bracelets. As I love green, naturally Froggy Friends is my favourite!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Watergirl Studio Four Seasons of Jewelry: Something New From Something Old

Watergirl Studio Four Seasons of Jewelry: Week 5 Something New From Something Old: "The theme for this week is 'Something New from Something Old'. Soon after I started beading seriously but still in my stringing phase I bought the three lampwork beads featured in the focal of this necklace and made a bracelet. I later bought more beads form the same artist, Dana Ivory McLean, and decided to make a necklace. I wire wrapped the necklace with red fun wire and hated the result. This last summer I reworked the neckalce with sterling connectors and was much happier with the results. But still I had some issues I didn't like one of the connectors I made with a bali bead so this week I replaced it with a mini-tornado bead. I'm liking this even better but now I'm thinking maybe the flat bali beads should be replaced too, maybe with a small cuchi bead."


This is a great idea - making something new from something old. Maybe it's time to pull out those old, unloved pieces of beaded jewelry and give them new life!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Creatif: $3 or $14?

Creatif - $3 or $14?: "I have spent the last couple hours or so working on some new things. I used some turquoise and coral in a necklace and a matching pair of earrings. I also used SoftFlex beading wire.

I used some aqua-colored glass pearls and metal spacers in another necklace. I used Beadalon beading wire.

What's the difference?

Beadalon is thinner, better for smaller holes, such as with the pearls. SoftFlex is thicker.

Beadalon is $3 at Hobby Lobby. SoftFlex is $14.

The last time I got wire, I got three of each. I'm honestly not going to use any more of the Beadalon. This spool has never held the crimp, breaks easily, and is generally not worth the money I paid for it. It's turning out to actually be more expensive in the long run.

I'll stick with the SoftFlex. And Acculon, when I can find it."


It's always great to get tips from people using various products and giving feedback.
I can't say I've seen either brand here in Australia, but hopefully this will be of value to some USA readers.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

I've gone crazy!

Hello everyone!
Okay, well not COMPLETELY crazy, but I was wandering around the internet looking for stuff on beading - and... well.... I've just added half a dozen articles to this blog!
So I hope you find something of interest there, I know I've had a great time finding it all.
Happy beading!
Felicity 8-)