by Barbara | Aug 31, 2013 | An Aside, Beading, One-of-a-Kind
I’d much rather be beading today…the Parrot Fish cuff wants my attention! But as you can see from this photo, my herb garden is in dire need of harvesting. It’s been a brutally hot summer and has somewhat stunted the growth of my thyme, sage, and...
by Barbara | Aug 29, 2013 | Beads and Materials, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind
Look at these gorgeous “Iris Ice” soda-lime lamp worked beads! They were made by Sarah Moran and I was so fortunate to nab them as soon as she listed them in her Etsy shop. These colors just spoke to me and I love the matte finish! Each bead measures...
by Barbara | Aug 26, 2013 | Art to Wear, Beading, Delica beads, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Seed Beads, Tutorials
There is a plethora of pattern and color going on in this cuff and I believe it is my most ambitious piece to date! The photo shows the first completed section of what will be sweeping “fins” that will flare out along one edge of my zigzagged Parrot Fish cuff...
by Barbara | Aug 23, 2013 | Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Delica beads, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Tutorials
See the new inner sleeve on this bangle? It has made the bangle a bit smaller and given it more body, which is most favorable! While giving “Empress Ming’s Cuff” a face lift, I couldn’t help but compare it to the pieces I’ve made lately....
by Barbara | Aug 20, 2013 | Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Delica beads, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Seed Beads, Techniques
Just as Goldilocks found that Baby Bear’s bed was “just right”, when it comes to beading tension, I think mine is just right…neither too tight nor too loose. But it seems that over time and having been worn often, my bead work tends to stretch...
by Barbara | Aug 17, 2013 | Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tutorials
I’m making progress on my geometric ZigZag design (inspired by the RickRack section of CGB). Writing the step-by-step directions and taking process photos along the way takes a lot of time that I’d normally spend just beading, but in the long run, it’s...
by Barbara | Aug 15, 2013 | An Aside, Beading, Beads and Materials, Delica beads, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Tutorials
I have little sales resistance when it comes to beads and I’m always eager to add new colors to my Delica stash. This luscious collection of 11/0 Delica beads just arrived in my mailbox from BeadsEast.com. The photo does not do justice to these colors, which are...
by Barbara | Aug 13, 2013 | Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Designer Patterns, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Seed Beads, Tutorials
I’m always so thrilled and thankful when customers leave positive feedback for me on Etsy, and I want to thank everyone for the lovely comments they have left. I absolutely adore what a customer recently wrote: “These two designs, Safari Cuff and Sea...
by Barbara | Aug 11, 2013 | Beads and Materials, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Seed Beads, Techniques
I’ve just ordered luscious iris blue vintage (circa 1890 – 1900) nail head beads from Just Let Me Bead. They are a petite 3mm in size with flat backs and domed heads that will be perfect for bead embroidery, which I haven’t done is some time....
by Barbara | Aug 8, 2013 | Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Handmade, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Seed Beads, Techniques, Tutorials
I haven’t had as much time to devote to beading this week as I would like. I’ve been working on my latest geometric ZigZag piece, the “Parrot Fish” cuff (inspired by CGB) and after spending several days creating the colored chart design, I am...