32 posts tagged “beading”
Now available at http://stores.lulu.com/busycrowstudio Stitch up a sunny little seahorse in shades of orange, and he will make a cute amulet or mini-wall hanging. This even count peyote beading chart includes the full color chart and the word chart to make a 1-3/4" x 3" design with Delica beads.
Browsing around in a small bead shop the other day, I was surprised that I couldn't find one thing to buy (I went by the criteria of did I need it? did I want it? -- and the answers were just no for both!). However, the shop did have two large baskets of 'junk jewelry' to dig through; the kind of jewelry treasure that you used to be able to find in a thrift shop, a tightly packed plastic bag full of all the costume (and sometimes better than costume!) jewelry both whole and bits, for about $5.00. Those days are no longer; most thrift shops know now to sort and pick through their costume jewelry and try to sell it all individually in case there's a collector out there. I still got a deal on this assortment though, the signs over the baskets invited you to fill a small bag for three dollars.
The other reason I think I
couldn't find a thing to interest me other than those baskets was the
fact that I've been involved in the hobby of beading and jewelry making
for more than 30 years, so it sometimes seems like there's 'nothing new
under the sun' as they say. So digging through those junk jewelry
baskets was a nice exercise in imagination. I selected some random
items, and I'll show you what I'll do with them in upcoming posts.
Maybe if you are getting a little 'jewelry jaded' like me, it can help
inspire you to rescue some jewelry from the junk pile!
Kitty Pearl is a 6" wool felt cat doll that is wearing her favorite outfit (a pearl dress!) The tutorial includes a full size pattern for the doll, and instructions to make her pearl dress. Look for designer Busy Crow Studio at www.bead-patterns.com to find this tutorial...
I teach beading and craft classes because I really enjoy when people find their creativity. One of my recent beading and craft students, Caroline, has made two beautiful projects - one an embellished wooden box and the other a beaded bracelet she made from one of my tutorials. She has made my day!
Use your beading loom or square stitch to create a colorful parade of rain forest frogs. Use the chart to design a unique bracelet or belt, use one motif for a mini amulet bag, or use three for a pendant...the full-color chart is numbered and uses only six colors. The chart is available at:
http://stores.lulu.com/busycrowstudio
The tutorial for the Pearl Window beaded bracelet is now available. The design features a gleaming window of bugle beads and freshwater pearls set against a chocolate brown beaded band. The tutorial includes instructions and photographs, and is available at my Lulu Shop, Bead-Patterns.com, and Etsy (look for Busy Crow Studio).
I will be teaching a beading workshop on Square Stitch at the Art Pod in Rancho Cucamonga, California, on Sunday, March 29, 2009. The project is "Southwest Fire" beaded pendant, and the workshop fee includes all materials, and begins at 10:00 a.m. For more information, visit:
http://www.meetup.com/crafty/calendar/9697359/
This tutorial includes instructions and photographs to make a beautiful bead bracelet with two rows of 'bugle bead entrelac' embellished with crystals. This tutorial is available for download at:
http://stores.lulu.com/busycrowstudio
I've started a contest at www.bix.com; all you need to do is gather your purple beads, stones, crystals, wire, and/or more, and create a piece of jewelry or home decor item. Upload the picture, and the winner will be the picture with the most votes. The winner will receive The Bead Fairy, a wand with an art doll topper, and the words Live Love Laugh beaded into the staff.
To enter the contest (it's free!), visit this link: http://bix.yahoo.com/contest/42488
Create a fabulous beaded egg with 'Carnival Glass' color and flair. The tutorial ePattern includes instructions and photographs, and is provided in a downloadable PDF file format. $8.99
