bead-a-long

September Bead-A-Long

2006-10-06T19:04:00.000-07:00

Oops. Yeah, right. It helps to actually post when I've finished a project.

Initially, I thought September's challenge would be a cinch since I like to go through my beads now and then and make use of some of those fuglies that have been hiding out in dark corners. It serves as a dual purpose to both avoid waste and to give me an excuse to buy more beads. I did struggle more than I thought, mostly because I realized that, well, sure, I can use any ole beads you want, but would I actually make use of what I created or just toss it in some closet, box, or bin to be ignored there, instead?

My first try was a perfect example. Part of my idea for this challenge was using materials I wouldn't normally use and specifically bringing out the beauty of the materials. (Read: making something I would use/wear.) This first one is getting much use, but I sort of cheated by making it for my daughter. Let's face it... what looks absolutely adorable on a five-year-old may look absolutely hideous on a thirty-two-year-old. Still, here's my "take one" - a simple "floating" necklace made with plastic beads:

(For a larger version, go here.)

Later in the month, I stumbled across some sort of funky (*cough* junky?) glass beads I've been sitting on for awhile. I'd always thought them just a little too funky for my own tastes, especially in that they came in a rainbow of fruity colors. Leaves should not be fruity. Ever. I considered giving them to my daughter, then realized, well, duh, I don't have to use all of the colors. I can just pick out the few I like and play with those. Coupled with some fire polished beads and some seed beads, I have a new favorite necklace that I really do enjoy and especially fits the season:

(Larger pics here and here.)

Extended Challenge

2006-10-06T17:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, folks. I'll be posting my Sept. in a few moments.

The next challenge I'll bump forward for a target of Nov. 15th finish, - sorry for my flakiness on this!

What I'd like you to do is to think of the things you get out of doing beadwork. Maybe it's patience, connection to your culture, stress-relief, attention to detail, healing, frustration, vanity - try to be open to negatives, positives, and otherwise.

Pick three of these ideas as design concepts for a single necklace. Make sense?

Beaded Pillows

2006-10-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

This is my first bead embroidery project, and I just kind of made up the design as I went along. My "low" materials were those plastic gems with the shiny bottoms. The other beads are size 11/0 gold seed beads. I made these to go on the futon in my bead studio. I had to sew the tassels in by hand since I cut them from a tasseled trim border. I made curtains from the same striped fabric, and a lampshade with the green fabric, bordered with the tasseled trim. I also added a brass elephant candle holder to the side table. It all gives the room a Morrocan feel. Now I just have to figured out what to do with the blank space on the wall....
Thanks for looking!

September "Trash to Treasure" Challenge

2006-09-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

This wasn't my original plan for this month's bead-a-long, it just worked out that way:

I have another piece I'm also working on that was my original plan for this bead-a-long. While working my piece for the 2nd Annual Face Brooch Swap however, this face cab kept jumping out at me. It's one that I would have never used in a million years (ok, maybe not that long). I received the cab as a gift but didn't know what to do with it. It's too cutesy for my taste and I'm not a big fan of holiday specific beading; they always get hidden away until the next year. But this little ceramic face just begged to be used and the ideas flowed easily from the minute I picked it up.

Bead-a-long August Challenge

2006-09-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

I decided to move my post here since I think I'm going to close down my mostly dead bead blog. For those who've already seen this, forgive the duplicate posting.

Bead-a-long August Challenge

Larger photos:
here and
here and
here

(I'll work on getting photos of my September bead-a-long up soon!)

The First Rule of Bead-A-Long

2006-09-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

You need never apologize for bead-a-long. Or bead not-quite-a-long.

Craft guilt is never an option. So you're late. Post it anyway. As long as you don't stiff someone if we ever do decide to do a swap - this is purely about getting a little more excited about your work than you would be on your lonesome and having fun. That's it.

Feel free to sit out a challenge that doesn't do it for you, throw out your own challenge for the following month, take the basic challenge and push it into a different direction.

Beads and fun and productivity, that's it. Yay!

textile-influenced leaf amulet

2006-09-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

Finally done here. I think my favorite thing about this is the jump rings.

Celtic Amulet

2006-08-31T12:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I think I'm finished = ) I couldn't decide what kind of fringe to add, and I thought maybe I'd like it better without it. I'm open to suggestions, and if I see a good idea I'll use it. The bag features a square-stitched Celtic symbol, and the colors are reversed to create the back. For the strap, I used the colors randomly. First I stitched a long ladder chain, and then added picots to each side. Most of my work has balance, so I like the "asymetricalness" of this piece. Does anyone else make up words to descibe their work? Thanks for looking and comments are appreciated!

Not quite done

2006-08-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

I'm almost done. I don't really like my piece much, but I should be done by Friday. I'm working on the handle right now, and I'm about to run out of beads, so it may be a very short strap. Then just doing the fringe and I'm done.
I figure the second half of the strap tonight.
The fringe tomorrow night.
And posting on September 1st, just in time for the deadline.

September Challenge

2006-08-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

As we're winding down August, I think it's time to forge ahead with the next bead-a-long.

As beaders we are very taken with beautiful, shiny, and often (let's admit it) costly little round things. I have always considered myself kind of a snob and kitsch-challenged. I also have a base metal allergy, and my ethos has normally been if I can't wear it why should anyone else?

Recently I came across this when I googled the phrase "plastic flowers."

September's bead-a-long encourages us to incorporate the "low." Whether it's a cheap or recycled item that would normally be "beneath" artistic consideration, or imagery you hate to love, find some way to put a little mass culture love into your art.

Any size, any kind of item, obviously make it about beads.

bead-a-long

2006-08-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Finished...
thanks for the challenge...it's been fun to do this one!

Progress Report

2006-08-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

Now that the shekeres are finished, I can put some serious effort into my little bag. I can't believe I flip flopped ideas (I thought I was set with a traditional peyote stitch bag) but now I'm not only challenging time but a new stitch for me.... RAW!!! Stay tuned.

Finished Item

2006-08-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

I just got a link to this post from Liberty in my email. Seems she's completed a bag already and boy, it's a beauty. I love the decreasing towards the top that gives it a really elegant taper. A very pretty little item.

Links

2006-08-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

I just want to remind all bead-a-longers that I'm happy to post anything you are involved in (if you have a store, love a store, found some bead art you love) in the sidebar links - your blogs, your favorite blogs - anything bead related. Give me a heads up and it'll go on there.

And I do plan on expanding those myself, yes, but I figured everyone has their own favorites and I'd start by opening it up. So take a peek at your blogrolls and let me know!

Need To Get A Move On

2006-08-13T04:22:00.000-07:00

I've been a bad beader (been working on finishing 2 beaded shekeres for dear friends), but this week I'm getting started on my amulet bag. PROMISE!

Liz's graph

2006-08-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

She may opt to tell us more about it. I think it's gorgeous and I can't wait to see it realized in beads!

Pattern Blahs

2006-08-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

I am not feeling so into my graph lately, and I've been plenty rushed in non-beading life lately, so I really haven't given this the kind of time I'd like till today.

I've been thinking more and more about the jewelry here and the patterns in the Scandinavian pottery that inspire her. I enjoy the aesthetic and it's not one I've really explored at all in my own work, so I thought maybe it would be fun to riff on some of the found pottery patterns in beadwork. I even had a tube of matte white seed beads that has been going nowhere for the longest time.

Challenges really teach you what kind of beader you are and what kind of beader you are not.

I am:

not the most organized
not the most mathematical
and hopeless with a chart

Even if I draw the chart, I find that I wind up tweaking it, making repeat motifs out of certain elements, playing around way too much.

This image will make sense in light of that statement.

Amulet

2006-08-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

Day 3 or 4

2006-08-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

Here is the beginning of my amulet bag...she has a bone face cab that I've bezeled with charlottes and 3 cuts...embellished with tiny carnelian ovals, green garnet faceted drops and amethyst cubes...the cotton fabric I'm beading on has the same colors as the gemstones, lavender, orange and mossy green...

2006-08-03T08:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, I’ve got a few people on board via email, but not much in the way of pics yet, understandably. However I’ll post what I have so far, which is a graph I plan on using.

The white may not be white when I actually do this. I’m assuming I’ll have a little space for embellishing along the edge, as well.

GingaNic on craftster.org is going to use this awesome stash:

Don’t be scared to email me to join in - any time before the 15th for this month!

redthread@redthreadarts.com

August Bead-a-long

2006-07-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

Bead-a-long August Challenge

This is the August challenge - an amulet bag (this is basically a miniature bag form, has to have 3 sides and a closed bottom.)

Make it smaller than a 3M post-it (ie. smaller than 3 inches by 3 inches) and you need to make it primarily out of beads. Embroidery of a small pouch is ok, but I want to see LOTS of beads!

…and we’ll share the photos as we progress and share finished photos after august 31.

Email me to join in: redthread@redthreadarts.com

If you have NO clue how to go about an amulet purse, don't be scared, you have a month! There's a great tutorial in the links.