Week of March 11-17, 2007

Ackkkkk! I just realized I didn't post to my blog last week! Bad blogger, bad bad bad.

Okay, I'm done beating myself up. I had a busy week, what can I say. Tuesday of last week I started my sewing class. We're a small class of 3, which is nice. We chose our patterns and our fabrics Tuesday night. I went with some simple elastic waist sleep pants. I chose a light spring green fabric with little daisies all over it. I needed a pattern that wasn't "one way", like a stripe or plaid, so I chose daisies-all-over. Tonight is class two. We'll be laying out and cutting out our patterns/fabric and hopefully be able to start sewing. We'll have the week to sew and I assume class three will cover putting in the elastic waistband (elastic waistband is required) and finishing up the pieces. I'm enjoying it so far. My sewing machine isn't quite so complicated and scary now. I still tend to push down all the way on the pedal and sew faster than the Tasmanian Devil, but I'll get used to the pressure eventually.

I got no bead work done last week. Honestly, beyond sewing class and my database class, I don't recall much of what I did work on last week. But over the weekend, I redid the Very Cherry Earrings I have for sale on Etsy. When I made them, I was not an expert with crimps. So I just put some crimp beads on, flattened them with a needle-nose pliers, and called it good. Since learning more, and since buying a crimp tool, every time I look at the picture of them, it drives me nuts to see that poor crimp job. So I practiced over the weekend, made a number of new pairs, with nice crimps. I'll need to take new pics and replace the old with the new.

I also attempted to make a clasp using head pins and polymer clay. I have a specific piece that needs the right type of clasp, and so far, I haven't found something like it for sale. So I decided to try to make one. Turned out okay, but looked messy and unprofessional. Going to try something similar, only it will be entirely wire. I have some other ideas too, involving space bars. If any of them works, I'll take pics of the various attempts and post them later this month.

Beyond that, not much beading last week. I should have a little more time this week to do some, but we'll see. My goal for the week is to finish up a beaded belt for my MIL. I've been toying with various layouts and trying to figure out how I would finish it off. So tomorrow and Thursday I will string a couple of different layouts and see how they look (and if I have enough beads for them).

We got a new foster dog yesterday. Her name is Dorothy . RESCUE lists her as a 5 year old Corgi mix. I agree on the 5 year old part (she has some gray on her chin like my 6 year old min pin does), but I don't really see corgi. Actually, I kind of see Doxie. Doxie and something taller of course. She did great her first night with us. Didn't really interact with the min pin, avoided the cats (they seem to intimidate and scare her a bit). Enjoys snuggling close and just chillin'. She's very cute and well behaved. I don't see her staying with RESCUE long before she's adopted. You have to look at her photo gallery and check out those ears! Yes, one always flops down and the other is always sticking up or out straight. They are too cute. I love dogs with funny ears. :D

Well that about wraps it up for now. Thanks for reading and happy beading!

Photo Updates

My order from PMC Supply! Isn't it lovely?!

And here are some shots of the hobby bench, finally. I got the room all straightened up and everything organized. Its a good feeling. The close up shot is of the Button Drawer.

Etsy Spotlight - February 18-24, 2007

If you're an artist trying to sell your work, you know that one very important and often difficult aspect of that is: PROMOTION! PROMOTION! PROMOTION! Getting the word out about your work, without exceeding an often minimal (if at all existent) budget. As I mentioned in a previous posting, I opened an Etsy shop this month. I only have two items in there for now, but over the coming months I'll add more. I didn't want to just open an empty shop. Since opening my shop I have had plenty of time to spend browsing their oh-so-helpful (and oh-so-addictive) forums. I have seen a lot of great shops and more beautiful handmade works than I can fully comprehend. I am learning so much from those friendly folks. I have also made a few purchases myself (beefing up the ol' feedback a little, create a presence for myself) and I am taking note of my buying experiences for future reference. From the convos with the sellers, to packaging, and the little extras sellers include as a thank you for your purchase, I'm taking note and getting ideas.

So this week I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite shops. Some of these I have purchased from, and some just have great works that I admire and love to look at, even though I may never actually purchase something from them. I hope to do a special Etsy Spotlight once or twice a month so I can help promote my fellow artists and craftspeople that are the Etsy Community.

The first shop I wanted to highlight belongs to insidedesign. Currently, insidedesign specializes in handmade jewelry and banners and avatars for Etsy sellers to use in their own shops. I purchased my awesome desert scene banner and cactus avatar from her. She created a custom design for me, based on a very vague idea, and came up with a great design for a very reasonable price.

The second shop I want to highlight is one I have not yet purchased from, but I love to browse and see what's new. uppity woman designs creates the cutest sock animals ever! Of course, she sells a number of other handmade crafty items, but its her sock animals that drew me in.

And the third shop I want to highlight this time is JPATPURSES. JPATPURSES specializes in quilted handbags and accessories. I have been drooling over one of her bags for a week or two now, but she has a number that I wouldn't mind owning.

Just going to spotlight three shops this week, as my hands and brain are tired from a long week of computer work.

But be sure to visit the shops I have linked to and then visit the Etsy homepage and check out the newest listings. Visit the forums, especially the Promotion and Critiques section (where sellers can post links to various items they want to promote at that time). I know you'll find something you'll love and will want to buy. And I know you'll find some favorite shops of your own. You'll be supporting artists across the country and around the world, and also just helping to further promote and keep alive the world of handmade arts and crafts.

Thanks for reading and happy beading!

What a Wonderful Week! - February 18-24

I had a wonderful week this week!

Last week I bought myself a number of lovely handmade items from Etsy. Two headbands by Nestlings, a resin pendant with a polymer clay koi in it by BabaYagaDesigns(its too cool), a cute dog print fabric zipper pouch by Christina's, and a soy candle (fresh cut grass scent) and some soaps by MartinsvilleEmporium,(which all smell amazing!!). These all arrived on the same day earlier this week. They also arrived on the same day that the box of beads from the Bead Circle Bead Swap arrived!! Oh the decisions I have with that. And the next day, my order from PMC Supply arrived!! I'm going to be home all weekend so I will get to play with all my new toys and treasures. Can't wait! I'll be able to cross off a Crafter's Resolution soon (buying the PMC starter kit and making some pieces). I'm still figuring out Bead Creator Pro. I've tried bringing some images in, but I have to read up on how to change the palettes and set it to only use certain colors and all that fun stuff. So no news on that front, no fun patterns yet.
Over the long weekend I managed to fill up the rest of the drawers in my new storage unit. And I got the room straightened up and organized. I can actually find the beads or tools or projects that I am looking for. What a concept! Now I just need to get some photos of it to share with you all. Its wonderful. I still have some space in some of the drawers, to grow. I did find I needed to keep most of my tackle boxes of beads for now, but that's okay. I was able to empty all of the plastic shoe boxes I was using so there's less stuff stacked up on the work space.

Obviously, it doesn't take much to make me a happy crafter.

I also managed to sign up for the sewing class this week. Starts March 5th. You can read about my sewing class angst in a previous post. I will need to do some shopping for some additional supplies I don't have yet, but otherwise, can't wait. I'm just so excited about taking the class. We can make either sleep pants, shorts, or a skirt. Think I'll go with the sleep pants. That way, if I mess up and make one leg longer than the other, I can still wear them (because no one but my husband and I will see them). So in a few more weeks, that will be yet another resolution I can cross off!!! Its the sort of thing that makes you feel good.

And to top it all off, our little foster dog Buttons went to her forever home on Tuesday. Her adopter was so excited to get her that he called earlier in the day to see if it would be alright for him to stop by earlier than planned to pick her up. He just couldn't wait. That was just so great to know she's going somewhere where they are just so excited and happy to have her. I know she'll be loved and spoiled rotten (but in a good way).

Add to all of that having Monday off work for the holiday and Tuesday off work to attend a seminar, leaving only 3 days of actual office time. So all in all, its been a wonderful week.

How was your week?

Thanks for reading and happy beading!

Website of the Week - PMC Supply

Yesterday I celebrated the big 3-0, so happy birthday to me. We celebrated by going out for dinner (steak, mmmmm) and when we got home, I ordered my birthday present - goodies from PMC Supply. So I figured, why not highlight them as Website of the Week?!

Since it was one of my Crafter's Resolutions for the year (see January post) to buy a starter kit and begin working with PMC, I figured I'd take advantage of my birthday and do just that. I purchased the basic kit and some other tools and a book, to get me started. Hopefully that will arrive next week and I can start sharing my experiences with that media.

The website itself is great. Not only can you shop (they require a minimum $25 order, but you get free shipping on orders of $100 or more), but they also have instructions, tip and tricks, and free online instructional videos. You can buy all you need to get started, from tools to metal clay to firing options (torches or kilns), and even extras like gemstones and dichroic cabochons and silver findings. There's even a Wholesale page for those of you out there lucky enough to have yourself a license.

There's a wonderful gallery of finished pieces by various artists. Its eye candy for hours and inspiration for days. And their instruction and project sheets are easy to follow and include plenty of photos so you can really see what they're talking about.

If you're even just interested in learning more about metal clay, check the site out. Do some reading, and see what you think. I enjoy working with clay in general, so I'm looking forward to using the metal clay. I already have some ideas for first projects floating around my head (and a few I've gotten down on paper).

Look for more entries on metal clay in the future!



As for beading this week, I managed to finish a choker I was asked to make. But I may rethink how I finished it. The choker is a simple even-count peyote band, using pearl-white, clear and clear-AB size 6 seed beads (its about 1 1/4 inch wide). It looks nice in general, but I'm not happy with the clasp attachment. I'll probably work on it some more tonight. I have that and a couple of other pieces I'm working on for someone, and my goal is to finish them before Sunday evening.

I also finished up some more of my Rawhide earrings. I'm going to put two pairs up for sale on my Etsy shop, see how they do. I'll donate the proceeds to RESCUE if they do sell. I plan to post those later today (if the photos I took last night turned out that is). So look for them later today or sometime over the weekend.

Speaking of RESCUE, our little foster dog Buttons was adopted on Saturday. She's spending the week with us while her new dad is out of town, but she'll be heading off to her forever home on Tuesday, so wish her luck.

That's all for this week's edition. Thanks for reading and happy beading!

New Organizational Tool, Etsy, Foster Dogs and So Much More!

Since my last post, I have not had a chance to touch my bead crochet. Maybe later this week. But I have good reason. On Thursday, I picked up our new foster dog. She's a stumpy legged little dog with a major overbite (her lower jaw is about almost and inch shorter than her upper, but she eats and destroys toys just fine). Her name is Buttons, and so far, she's been a great little foster dog. Good with our Miniature Pinscher and great with our two cats. She's even tried to help me bead a little bit. When we got home Thursday night, I spent the evening bathing her and then just watching her adjust to home life (ie. making sure she didn't pee anywhere she shouldn't and didn't have a desire to chase cats).

In a previous post I talked about these great little drawer units that came with a matching desktop. Well, I bought them, and over the weekend I set them up. They look great! They don't come with quite enough drawer dividers (you need two long and two short to have really stable separation, there are 8 drawers, 12 long dividers, 15 short dividers - - you do the math), but my FIL had said earlier that he didn't use all of his so I'm going to see if he still has any to spare. I filled a couple of drawers with my various seed and bugle beads (these beads were living in a clear shoebox before, as I ran out of tackle boxes), and one with all my wire and wire tools. Now I just need to fill the rest of the drawers, finish straightening up the room, and then I can take pictures. I didn't take any yet, because the rooms looks like a cyclone has passed through. And I didn't want you to see that. I want you to think I'm organized. Yeah, that's it. Anywho, moving on.

I also set up an Etsy Shop today. I called it Beaded Desert Designs, of course. I need to come up with a banner still. I tried creating one, but I had issues with sizing, so that is a work in progress. But I decided to post one item anyway, just so I had something there. My "Very Cherry Earrings" (not original, but its fun to say, so that's why I'm using it) are my first piece up for sale. Now I have that much more motivation to get some more nice pieces completed and offer them up for sale. Creating an Etsy shop was not on my official list of Crafter's Resolutions, but it was there in my mind, as something I wanted to do later this year. But I had other motivations to get it going now. More on that in the future (you'll just have to keep checking back now woncha ;D).

So did I get any beading done this weekend? But of course my dear, but of course. I am working on a little bracelet actually, that I designed myself. I used peyote stitch to create some beaded beads in a bright spring green. Then I dug out these large glass flower beads I have (almost like buttons). I'm attaching a vine of bead to each flower, then I'll string the beaded beads and flowers together, like a large vine/branch. I'm still working out some kinks with the flower and vine part. I have some other projects that MUST be done this week though, so this one will probably sit on the back burner for a bit.

Well, that's about it for now. Just trying to keep my resolution of weekly posts. Thanks for reading and happy beading!

The Further Adventures of Bead Crochet

Well Monday night I finished loading all the beads onto the thread. Took most of the evening, I kept getting distracted by a loud, colorful box across the room from me (the TV). I'd probably get more done if I didn't work in front of the TV like that, eh? So last night I was finally able to start trying to crochet with it. I have no pictures to share, as I ended up pulling it all out last night and will start it again tonight. But I'll share my experiences anyway, you'll just have to use your imagination and visualize the process.

First off, my arch nemesis, tension, was an issue. But I think I got the hang of it after a few rounds, it started to even out. But then I decided that if I was using a slightly smaller crochet hook, it would probably be easier and the stitches could be a little tighter. But otherwise, it looked pretty good. The beads were lining up nicely and forming a nice spiral pattern (I'm using two colors, a silver-lined teal and a copper-lined black). No beads were "inside" the tube. So I was pretty proud of the 1.5 inches worth I did last night. But I decided to pull it out and try again tonight using a smaller hook. We'll see how that goes. I think I'll surf around later today too, and see what the smallest size hook available is, just out of curiosity. I imagine that if I want to use some finer threads, that I'd need smaller hooks??? I'll have to do some more research on bead crochet myself, see what is recommended. I have some projects in some magazines I plan to dig out, see what they suggest.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading and happy beading!

Learning to Bead Crochet and Other News

Mandi, over at The Bead Circle Blog, posted about a great new site the other day, Bead Pattern Central. I saw "Pattern" and was all over that in a minute. Its really a great little site. They offer patterns for sale, and most are at what I would consider to be reasonable rates. The website is easy to use, easy to navigate, and doesn't take too long to load. But what I like best is that they offer free tutorials on some basic techniques, and some of the tutorials are actually animated! I spent a little while over the weekend watching the tubular bead crochet animated tutorial. I also want to try out the Russian Spiral, looks like a neat stitch that I don't think I've seen before (well, I may have and they just called it something else).

I decided after watching the tutorial over and over again, that tubular bead crochet doesn't really look that difficult. So I printed out the instructions and gave it a try yesterday afternoon.
The tutorial has you using 45" of beads and an additional 36" of thread. Sounds simple enough. So I spent an hour or two loading beads on the thread I was going to use (I was using a fine crochet thread, think its #10 or something like that, and size 6 seed beads). I still don't quite have 45" worth on there. My hands started to cramp up after about 2 1/2 ft of beads. I'll finish loading beads tonight and try the stitching part. If I manage to make something, I'll take some pictures and post them, hopefully later this week (but then again, you know me, it may be later than that...).

I also finished off my first real project using a Knifty Knitter yesterday. I made a little handbag. I'm going to knit a little flap to use for closure, which I want to attach with a button. Then I plan to attach some beads along the bottom seam to give it some sparkle. And I think I may just do a spiral rope for the handle/strap, further carry the beadwork into the piece. I haven't decided if I want to try to create a liner yet or not, but I probably will, so I can actually use the bag (I carry a lot of little stuff). I used a brown, tan and blue variegated Fun Fur yarn, so the bag is fuzzy and the colors wrap around it in diagonal bands. That part was accidental, it just happened, but its one of those happy whoopsies. I'll take pictures when its all finished.

And the biggest news from the weekend. My husband and I have been fostering a dog for almost 2 years now (it would be two years February 9th or thereabouts). The dog came to RESCUE around the New Year two years ago. His name is Tango and he's a Queensland Heeler mix (we think with some kind of terrier). Well, he was finally adopted, officially, on Saturday, by a wonderful woman. We are so happy he has finally found his forever home. We will miss his funny little face, his goofy antics, and his Wookiee-like grunts and growls, but we know that he chose this adopter himself (he just had to wait until she could open her home up to him, her previous dog passed away some months back and she was finally ready now). And we know she will give him the exercise and mental stimulation that he needs, she'll give him the additional training and discipline a herding dog thrives on, and she'll love him unconditionally. (She even lets him sleep on the bed, he's going to be spoiled :D). We'll be getting a new foster dog tomorrow possibly. Hopefully, this one won't take so long to find his/her forever home, but we'll happily shelter and love him/her until that time comes, just as we did with Tango.

So Tango, we'll miss you dearly, but we know you've found your forever home and that makes us the happiest foster parents ever!

Thanks for reading and happy beading!

Website of the Week January 21-27 - D&I Beads

Today I wanted to sing the praises of one of my favorite local bead shops, D&I Beads.

They are located at 7420 W. Cactus Road in Peoria, Arizona. The shopping center they are in is located on the northeast corner of 75th Avenue and Cactus. Lucky for me, I live on the west side of the Valley, so they're only a short drive away!

They have an online store as well, with free shipping to Arizona shoppers. And they only require a minimum $25 order (not a hard amount to reach to when you're buying beads). I don't see myself buying much online, since they are so close, but now I can look ahead of time to get an idea of pricing and such for certain types of beads. Love that.

D&I have a fabulous selection of beads, of course, but they also have a pretty extensive selection of yarns (for the knitters and crocheters out there), with prices comparable to you big chain hobby supply shops. In addition, they offer classes and wonderful customer service. Every time I walk in, I'm greeted. If I look lost or confused, someone spots it and asks if I need help. Usually, I'm just trying to decide if something is more pink or purple, more green or more blue. Or if I already have those beads at home. But anywho. The staff are also very helpful when it comes to selecting items for a specific project you might be working on, giving you advice on what might work instead, and even helping to show you a few simple, basic techniques, right there at the counter. Gotta love that. And you can't beat their sales, which they have regularly, along with their coupons (which appear in various Valley publications but are also available for printing from their website)!

What I love most about their shop though is that everything is hanging on hooks, for the most part (the metal beads and some findings, crystals, and specialty bits are in the glass case/counter). You walk in and the walls are covered in strings of beads. They have a few aisles set up, like short little walls, all covered in strings of beads. Love it!! I can touch the beads, hold them next to other strings of beads, see them from all angles, feel them (I love the feel of beads). Beats Internet shopping anytime. And when it comes to the natural stone beads, you can look them over for flaws or for interesting irregularities (I actually love the flaws and irregularities, gives the stone character), and chose the string that works best for you.

You can see photos of their fabulous showroom here: Walls of Beads (IE. Pure Heaven)
and here: "Beads, Glorious Beads!".

And their seed bead aisles? I usually spend the most time there. Seeds in everyone color and finish. And all the necessary sizes. They also carry Delicas and the like, but I still love my size 11 seed beads.

They also have a large "bin" of glass beads, 15 cents each I believe. I love to dig in that bin, to feel the beads roll over my hands and through my fingers, to hear them lightly clink together. Kind of like when you were a kid and enjoyed digging your hands and feet into the sand. Same thing, only now its beads. I usually spend a few minutes picking out a handful that go together, mostly to make earrings. Its not an easy task, finding ones that go together or "match", but its fun to try.

So, if you're ever in the Phoenix Metro area, and you're looking for a fun little bead shop with great selection and great prices, and don't forget great service, check out D&I Beads. You won't regret it. And you might just run into me, experiencing beaded bliss in the big glass bead bin. ;D

Thanks for reading and happy beading!

Not Much to Say...

Well, to make up for not posting anything last week, I'm posting something now. I actually have a entire entry written up (showcasing a local bead shop), but I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to type it up and post it. Will do later this week.

Started a course at a local community college Thursday night, had a small event on Saturday for RESCUE (which I was busy preparing for during the week) , then I had training for new volunteers both Saturday and Sunday, and so by yesterday morning, I was worn out, literally. I even took the day off from work and just snoozed and made myself take it easy. Sometimes, you just have to listen to what your body says (especially when its whining, complaining or throwing an all out temper tantrum) and rest finally. Still feel tired, slight cough, but better.

So after a week of running about preparing for the weekend, and a weekend where I was hardly home, I didn't get much beading done. I did manage to complete a Lotus Necklace which I did in purple seed beads and crystals. Essentially, it is a string of seed beads with petal shaped extensions of seed beads, and in the petals are drops of crystals. Turned out cute. Need to make some adjustments on the number of beads used in the central petal, but overall, nice easy piece. I found the pattern on about.com (I won't link to it, I'm sure you hate pop-ups as much as I do). But if you look for free bead patterns on that site, you'll find the project. Going to create another one using a different shade of purple seed beads.

I also started working on a simple peyote-stitched-beaded-bead bracelet. This project comes from the Beading Pattern Desk Calendar. Its a great little calendar, especially if you are new to beading. Cute, simple projects with very easy to follow directions. They cover many of the most common and basic techniques in beading, from knot tying to simple stringing and simple to complex beadweaving. They even cover wire and other media. Also helps you to keep motivated and inspired, with new projects every day or so. I know I'll end up keeping many of the projects just as reference for future projects of my own.

My father-in-law is a hobbyist like me. His hobby involves tiny pieces of wood (he builds model ships), but he understands the need for a great workspace and storage unit. He bought these great little drawer units, with side panels, that make great storage. Knowing about the need for attractive storage space, he showed them to me over the weekend. They also accommodate a desktop or can be stacked. So they can be used just for storage, or do double duty and be part of the workspace. And they come in a lovely wood color, so they look nice (unlike my current set up of a plastic card table and some plastic rolling carts with drawers, along with countless tackle boxes stacked on top of said table). The best part though is the side panels. They're like little doors that swing out and inside the door panel are hooks, where I could hang finished pieces of jewelry and/or tools!!! I've been contemplating them all weekend and I think I'm going to get them. If I do, I'll post pictures. We've been trying to figure out how we can rearrange the room where I store all my craft stuff, and still have my stuff be accessible yet attractively stored away. My husband even agrees they'd be great for this. We'll see.

Wish I had more to share in the way of beading. But really, I need a nap. Guess I had more to say than I originally though...

So, thanks for reading and happy beading!

Website of the Week: Gold Onyx Beadweaving Supplies

This Saturday, January 6, I went to Joann's to sign up for a sewing class. It was Class Preview Day and I got there just as the event was starting. I first went to talk with the instructor to see what class might be best for me. She was great and I was really looking forward to taking the class later this month. Then I went up to Customer Service to sign up. Both the January and February sessions were filled!! How can that be?! The preview event had only started 30 minutes ago?! Turns out you could start signing up for classes the week before. I did not know that. So now I have to wait until their March/April schedule comes out and see if there might be a class that fits my schedule. I was so bummed. But to make matters worse, earlier in the week I had told my husband that what I wanted for my birthday (which is in February), was to take the "Solder 101" class from the Metals Edge Studio on February 17. He kindly pointed out that the day of the class we have tickets to the Improv to see our favorite comedian, Jeff Dunham perform. And that by the time I'd get home from the class, shower, change, etc, we'd be late for the show. So I had to scrap taking that class as well for now. I'll have to wait until their May - ?? schedule comes out. And after Joann's I had issues with the ATM at the bank (let's just say I was standing outside the bank yelling at a machine, with a small audience forming...). Thankfully I had a breeze at the video store for once. But all in all, by the time I got home that afternoon, I was not a happy crafter.

So how did I make myself feel better after that? I went online and shopped for crafting supplies of course. How silly of you to think I would drown my sorrows in liquer and food (well, actually, I did do that as well, went to Red Lobster after I shopped and enjoyed a giant Lobsterita, but I digress). I did a search for Bead Creator Pro 3.0 and found a site called Gold Onyx Beadweaving Supplies. They also happened to sell C-Lon, something I was going to start looking for in the local bead shops . So I ordered both the software and two spools of C-Lon (for micro-macrame projects I want to learn).

The website is pretty basic in its layouts and graphics. But it was still quite easy to navigate and find what I wanted to buy. I went with the cheapest shipping option, First Class (1-3 Days). They offer a couple of ways to pay online, including the ol' standby, PayPal. I thought that was interesting. After I placed my order I received my confirmation emails, from them and from the online payment service (2Checkout). Always a good thing. Then they sent another email when they had shipped the order. Unfortunately, they ship using USPS, so you don't get a tracking number like you would if they used UPS or FedEx. (I get a kick out checking the tracking on the day it goes out, to see what time they actually deliver it, I'm weird). But, USPS is cheaper, so I really can't complain now can I. I should get it maybe today, more likely by tomorrow. I'm very excited.

Bead Creator Pro looks like a fun piece of software. I'm looking forward to trying it out. I really enjoy peyote stitch, but finding patterns I really like isn't always easy. I've tried creating some of my own with graph papers, but am learning that's not my strong suit. I'd love to make an amulet bag or small purse with my dog on it. And I have some other graphics I created that I'd like to translate into beads but just haven't figured it out myself yet. As I create patterns, I'll be posting them here from time to time to share.

Thanks for reading and happy beading!

Happy New Year! A Crafter's Resolutions

A new year has begun, and I'm still trying to figure out where most of 2006 went! I am looking forward to a great new year full of learning new techniques, completing many great new projects, going to fun events (and maybe hosting one or two myself), and increasing my skills and talents in all areas. And of course, with a New Year comes that grand ol' tradition of New Year's Resolutions. Yes, in the past I would make the typical resolutions we all make. You know, that ones that no one ever keeps but still make year after year. So I stopped doing that, figured why beat myself up over it.

But this year, I decided to make a different set of resolutions - Crafter's Resolutions. I wanted to share those resolutions with you this week. Maybe it will inspire you to make a few of your own.

• Complete one amulet bag. (I have so many patterns but I have yet to actually try one out and complete one). [BEADS]
• Learn tubular peyote stitch and complete one piece (necklace or bracelet). [BEADS]
• Learn Ndebele/herringbone stitch and complete one project. [BEADS]
• Complete two complex Eni Oken tutorials (cuff, necklace) and then complete my own variations on her technique. [WIRE]
• Buy kit/supplies for PMC and complete two pieces. [CLAY/METAL]
• Complete one new metal jewelry piece (cold connection or soldered). [METAL]
• Take "Solder 101" class from Metal's Edge Studio. [METAL]
• Learn basic crochet. [KNIT/CROCHET]
• Learn to crochet using beads and wire. [KNIT/CROCHET, WIRE]
• Paint "Zoo" sign letters and Coca-Cola tray. [OTHER CRAFT]
• Woodburing: complete two simple projects such as wall plaques or a trinket box. [OTHER CRAFT]
• Learn to sew using the sewing machine (that I bought after the New Year 2006....). [SEWING]
• Learn Byzantine weave and at least one other chain maille weave. [WIRE]
• Sell 5 items (not for charity or to family). [BUSINESS/MARKETING]
• Have a small in-home show by August. [BUSINESS/MARKETING]
• Learn to use all the Knifty Knitter looms I have bought in 2006. [KNIT/CROCHET]
• Master some complex macrame knotting (micro macrame) and complete one project.
• Post to Blog at least once every week (and get the links set up, add more pictures, etc).

Whew! That's quite the list, I know. But I think these are pretty good and attainable goals for the next year. It will be interesting to see just how many I actually complete and what gets tossed by the wayside. I will have to do a recap at the end of the year and share just how many I accomplished. Wish me luck!

So, what are your beading/crafting resolutions for the new year? Setting some goals for yourself, whether its to learn new techniques or just to get more organized or to sell more, are a wonderful way to take stock of where you are, where you are going, and where you want to be in 2007.

Thanks for reading and happy beading!

Photo Updates - Fun with Wire

Okay, finally sat down and took some photos of my work last night. Here are some shots of my adventures with wire. A couple of shots of my Eni Oken S-Clasps. The smaller one, with the copper beads, is actually the first attempt. I tried too heavy a gauge of wire on the second one. See previous blog post for more details.

I am also including some shots of wire-wrapped furnace glass gift beads (see the most recent issue of Beadwork magazine for instructions). These were just so much fun to make and are just too cute!!

More photo updates later today!
Enjoy! Thanks for reading and happy beading!

Favorite Site of the Week - Sonoran Beads

I went to the Gem Faire this weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona. Small event but still had fun and still managed to buy beads (of course). There was a local vendor there called Sonoran Beads, and they are my Favorite Site of the Week. They have these beautiful Kazuri Beads that I absolutely fell in love with. As did others. A woman next to me at the booth was showing me the necklace she made with the beads she bought there the day before. And now she was back for more!! Kazuri beads are simple painted ceramic beads in a number of shapes (Pita Pats, Rounds, Shales to name a few). Some are painted one solid color, others have designs added in other colors or even a gold tone paint. But it was the feel of these beads that got me. Smooth, cool, something you just can't help but rub your finger over it again and again. You see more examples of Kazuri beads at the Sonoran Beads Online Store.

I plan to string my Kazuri beads sometime later this week and will try to get a picture up (though don't hold your breath, I still have pictures from October to take :P).

Still working on holiday themed jewelry. Plan to finish those up this week. Also need to make some jewelry as presents for family and friends. Had a busy Thanksgiving weekend, still trying to figure out where most of it went. Thursday was of course Thanksgiving, and I actually got some beading done. I worked on a Candy Cane inspired spiral rope necklace. I also repurposed a piece of costume jewelry I had gotten in a box off eBay. It was a fun little stretchy bracelet with green beaded charms and seed beads. The cord had obviously broken at some point and they had just retied it. So I took it apart, cleaned up the beads, put the beads onto new headpins (the old ones were discolored and one was actually a bit rusted), created a few new bead charms using pearls and tiny brown disc beads, to fill it out. Replaced the size 10 seed beads (that were between each charm) with 4x4mm cubes. Restrung it all on fresh black elastic cord and now have a fun little chunky charm bracelet. Friday, I got no beading done. It was a day of pulling out boxes of Christmas decorations and decorating the house. Saturday was spent doing the same, but outside. And Sunday was the bead show and a Transiberian Orchestra Concert. So all in all, very little beading got done, but it was nice to have a long weekend.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, thanks for reading and happy beading.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin, Keep them Doggies Rollin', Rawhide!

Okay, finally got a decent picture of the "rawhide" earrings I made (see a few posts back). To recap, I volunteer with an animal rescue organization. I made these earrings to sell at a recent adoption event, with all proceeds going to the organization of course, and they sold pretty well. They are made out of polymer clay and are quite simple, and fairly lightweight. I'm actually quite proud of them, they really do like rawhides you might give your dog.

I hope to get some more pictures up soon so keep checking back.

Thanks for reading and happy beading!

Fun With Wire (Thank you Eni Oken!)

So as I mentioned yesterday, this month is going to be a wire working month. I haven't done much with wire, besides the occasional sad looking wrapped loop, so I'm challenging myself and trying something new. Since Eni Oken's techniques and tutorials get such rave reviews in the wire world, I decided to start with hers. The other night I started one of her round pendants. I ended up making the frame circle larger than her tutorial, thinking that would help me work. But because of that, I found it more difficult to follow her tutorial, since I was working with different sizes and numbers of things. See, when I'm first learning something, I find its best for me to follow the tutorial as closely as possible until I get the technique down. Then the next time I can do my own variations of it to make it mine. But to start, I try to copy exactly, otherwise I tend to get frustrated and give up. So, realizing my mistake, I set it aside and said I'd start a new one later. But I had fun with it none the less, I enjoy intricate and detailed work.

Last night I decided to try a different tutorial, one that involved less beads and more wire, the tutorial for her Double Hook Clasp. It took me about an hour, maybe an hour-and-a-half. And I loved it!!! I'm hooked!!! I may just have to make some more. This first attempt wasn't exactly symmetrical, but it wasn't too bad for a first attempt. Even my husband thought it was cool. I had trouble with the heavier gauge wire, but all in all, it was a lot of fun. I plan to make another one tonight. I'm starting with inexpensive wire, as opposed to silver, so that may be part of the issue. But I want to be sure I enjoy it and will continue it before I invest in real silver wire. So Thank You Eni Oken, for venturing into the wire world and sharing your experiences and your ideas with the rest of us, so we too can learn and love the wire world. Artists like you are a wonderful thing.

I hope to figure out how to work my camera soon and get some pictures up, as this blog is quite dull without some visuals. Be patient, I'll get there.

Thanks for reading, happy beading.

November Already??!!

Okay, where did July go???!!! I cannot believe its already November! And I haven't even thought about holiday themed jewelry yet. Wow, I'm slipping (well, maybe not, I bought holiday lights beads and snowflake buttons on Sunday...). But in my defense, I've had a busy past couple of weeks. My brother got married earlier this month so I was up to Minnesota for that. Then the animal rescue group I volunteer with had its first three events of the fall season last month so I had a lot of volunteer coordinating to do. On top of that, I made earrings to sell at one of their events (an "adopt-a-thon"), with all proceeds going to the organization. I managed to make, I think, 8 pairs of earrings, and sold 5. More on that in a minute. Then, when I could fit it in on the weekends, I was finishing up a course I'm taking at a local community college. So all in all, I had little free time to blog or to bead much of October. But I'm back and I have lots to talk about.

First, the charity earrings. I kept one pair for myself, and so I could get pictures and so I'd have a model to work from in the future. I made some simple pieces using shrink plastic and beads. Basically they were just circles with dog or cat graphics on them. One pair had a dog in a wash tub getting a bath. They shrank less than round, slightly oval, but were otherwise cute (sold). Another pair had a cat in front of a TV. I called these my "Murry Line" in honor of a cat the group had at one point that love to watch TV. He was adopted some time back, but the earrings didnt' sell. They too didn't shrink up round, and I realized when I was putting them out on the table that one had a little burn mark on the back. I'll just have to try making them again. Another pair were white circles with a stylized cat, and I used pink fiber optic beads that had rhinestones set in them for accent. Very cute, they sold. Another pair were tiny little brown circles that had a bone shape punched out of them. Accented with a little turquoise bead. They didn't sell. Think it was because they WERE so small that no one could really tell what they were. And then the remaining 3 or 4 were all my "rawhide" earrings. Basically I took polymer clay and made miniature rawhide bones (like you'd give to your dog, the ones with the knots at each end), stuck a headpin through them, attached earwires, and viola! They sold like hotcakes. Plan to make more for events in January. When I get a picture, I'll attach it, I'm really pretty proud of the rawhide line.

My idea for organizing myself and narrowing down my month project choices has changed slightly. Of the five projects I wanted to complete in October (spiral rope necklace, woven bag with bead accents, cherry earrings, wire necklace, and the grapevine bracelet from Bead Unique magazine), I completed one. I completed my first spiral rope and loved it. Have plans for more. The woven bag instructions were difficult to understand and I gave up. I worked on the vine bracelet but only completed one of the five leaves (will continue to work on this though). The wire necklace was pushed aside for experiments with wire, since I'm not great with techniques yet and decided I needed more practice on the basics (my wire wrap loops still leave something to be desired, but they work). And the cherry earrings, well, I only touched them to move them out of my way a few times. So for November, I decide to narrow it down to just two projects. If I finish them, I have two "alternate" projects waiting in the wings, but out of sight. That way, I only see the two projects I want to work on and that's all I work on. I won't get distracted. So for November, my goal is to complete an Eni Oken tutorial (wire wrapped pendant) and to make a simple S-loop wire bracelet with charms (from Beading Help Web). If I complete both of those this month, my alternate projects are another wire wrap piece (cage bead) and a chain maille piece (simple weave to start). November is offically a wire month for me. I started last night on an Eni Oken piece, loving it so far. I like the sculptural aspect of it I think.

Continuting to work my Muses of Beading projects. My ideas for Urania include some difficult wire wrapping, hence my need to hone my wire working skills. The deadline for that project has been extended to January 1, 2007, so there's still time to join in!!

That's it for now. Until next time.

Finding Your Muse (Its not always easy)

The Bead Circle is having a little challenge called The Muses of Beading. You can read more here:
Muses of Beading Challenge

I was inspired by this challenge and have decided to give it a try. I've never participated in a beading challenge before so this should be fun. Here's hoping I can actually come up with something and complete the project before the deadline next month.

The first step was to indentify with a muse. While each muse has played a central role in my life, artistic or 0therwise, over the years, I had trouble deciding who seemed most influential to me the majority of the time. So I did what any good web-junky would do. I Googled for Muses quizzes!

I took a couple and kept getting the same results for the most part. Seems that Polyhymnia, the muse of hymns and sacred poetry, is the most influential. According to one quiz, she is my influence 75% of the time. I can see it. I'm quiet and contemplative much of the time. I really think things through, I'm a born planner. Okay, sometimes, I overthink and overplan, but that's part of my charm. And according to the Bead Circle, as a muse of beading, she wears a simple pendant necklace. That's me. My jewelry, both that I make and that I wear, is most often simple and subtle.

Clio, the muse of history, also came up on two quizzes. For one, she was the most influential, and the quiz actually suggested I try archaeology due to my love of history. I laughed, as this was my major in college and I work for an archaeological consulting company. I'm a big believer in the importance of studying our history. We need to learn from our mistakes in order to move on and better ourselves in the future. As a muse of beading she wears vintage components. I love that.

Urania also came up as quite influential, though she's not the most influential (she was tied for second with Clio, after Polyhymnia). She is the muse of astronomy and science so that makes sense. I'm a logical person much of the time, even when I'm being creative. I have a love of the stars and planets, though I prefer to just enjoy their beauty rather than study them. As a muse of beading she wears a necklace that incorporates many beading stitches all worked together (I assume in a logical pattern).

So now what? Well, I've been brainstorming on some project ideas that would either be worn by the muses, or would pay homage to them and be something they would be honored to have inspired. Oddly enough, I have plenty of ideas for Clio, a number for Urania, but not much for Polyhymnia. Maybe I'll just have to invoke her for some divine inspiration. I may end up making something for all three, or maybe I'll do something to incorporate all three into one piece. I'm not sure.

Over the next couple of days I'll post some of my brainstorming and the ideas that have come out of it. It will help me to organize my thoughts and will likely create even more ideas. Maybe you'll have some ideas to add to mine. Maybe you'll find your muse and want to join the challenge too.

Favorite Site of the Week "Bead Circle" - October 1-7, 2006

I think I may have to do this sort of thing now and again, if anything, it gives me something more to blog about. I'm always surfing around trying to find great new sites on beading and jewelry making. One of these days, I'll actually set up some links.

I found some great beading blogs here and through them, many great new sites I had never visited before. I'd like to highlight one of them today: Bead Circle. Bead Circle is a small but very friendly little online beading community (forum). Due to the small number of members, you don't feel like you'll get lost in the shuffle and you get a stronger sense of community (its easier to get to know a smaller group than a larger group). I've read every post on there so far and its been such a friendly place, everyone is very supportive. It is a diverse group of folks, of varying experience levels and areas of expertise. I've only posted once, but I plan to get some snaps of my very first beading attempts to post there, along with some recent creations, to get some feedback. You can find this super great group here: http://www.beadcircle.com/

Oh, and be sure to check out their blog, it has some great articles, information, and ideas.

Happy Beading!

Setting Goals and Dealing with Information Overload

One thing I have discovered upon getting back into beading and jewelry making, is that there is just so much out there now in regards to this hobby/art form. Its almost overwhelming really.

I decided to get back into beading about 2 years ago, when I found a couple packets of old seed beads in a craft supplies box (the things you find after moving 4 or 5 times in as many years). I remembered how much fun I had beading and decided to start up again. So of course, my first step was to find out what's new in beading, where to shop for supplies, and to find some inspiration to get me started. I turned to my computer. And boy did I find what I was looking for. And then some. I spent hours searching for sites that provided tutorials and patterns. I scoured sites selling handmade jewelry (to see what was new, and what folks were charging for their pieces). I printed out hundreds of pictures for inspiration, countless patterns and instructions for projects. I joined a number of jewelry making forums and groups. Then I promptly went to my local craft store and went nuts. I bought beads, wire, ribbon, buttons, thread, needles, organizers, more beads, findings galore, tools, a wire jig, more tools, a few more buttons, some finished pendants, polymer clay and supplies for that, and more beads. It wasn't long before I needed a bigger craft box.

It was also at my local craft store that I discovered all the beading and jewelry magazines available today. Along with all the books and pamphlets. I bought an armload and devoured each and every one. Then I took out subscriptions for most of the magazines.

Now, two years later, I have boxes and files chock full of ideas, instructions, patterns, and inspirations. I have piles of magazines and a shelf of books (though I must say, one can never have too many books, of any type). I even have half of a spare bedroom carved out just for my work table and craft boxes. Its an obsession. But a fairly healthy one I'd say (though I may be biased). But I stare at these piles of inspiration and am I inspired? No!! I'm absolutely overwhelmed! There are just too many great projects I want to try, too many gorgeous patterns and ideas I want to implement. And way too many forms of media to chose from (from simple stringing to complex stitches, crocheting with beads and wire, wire wrapping, metal smithing, polymer clay, fibers, glass, etc). I'd need at least two clones of myself in order to do all the projects I want too. That is, if I could actually decide on a project, stick to it, and see it through (lets not talk about my box of started projects, or the beads I specifically bought for a project but have yet to use over a year later....).

So last night, during my hour-and-a-half-commute, I had an epiphany (I like that word, I don't get to use it often enough). At the next red light I grabbed out my mp3 player, which has a voice recorder, and spent the next 23 minutes of my drive laying out my plans for getting projects done. I spent the remaining 67 minutes singing at the top of my lungs as I passed through the lovely industrial district that is my drive home, but that's something for another time.

What was my big idea you ask? Excellent question my friend, excellent question. Let me tell you. I decided that I needed to narrow down my choices. But how? My plan is to pull out a large bulletin board I have at home that is just collecting dust currently. I will attach the name of the month, because its an excuse to be crafty. Then I will randomly select one magazine or three printed project sheets from my collection. I will photocopy the first page of three projects from that magazine that I want to try. Then I will put all three copies up on the bulletin board. After I figure out my shopping list I can purchase supplies I may be lacking. The goal will be to finish all three projects in the month. If the projects are big and intensive, I may drop it down to two. If they're all really small and simple, and I find I finish them before the end of the month, I'll put up two or three new projects to fill out the month. This way, everyday when I walk into or past the craft room, those projects will be staring at me from their place on the bulletin board. It will help me to buckle down and get some work done. But it will also narrow down my choices. These are the only projects I can work on that month. Nothing else. All other projects are off limits, out of sight and out of mind.

Think it will work? I don't know. But I plan to set it up this coming weekend for the month of October. Wish me luck!