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Bead Embroidery The Beginnings of Project #1

Sodalite Cabachons with seed beads.
This is what I have accomplished so far on my bead embroidery bracelet. I am just not sure where to go next with the band of the bracelet. As you can see from all my markings on the fabric I have tried several different designs and have ripped them all out. So far I have ripped 3 times and now have decided to wait until I decide what to do with the rest of the band. This is certainly where my inexperience with bead embroidery shows, with experience under my belt I would know where to go from here.

Here are the beginnings of some doodles for future projects.
Is this what you would do to plan out your next project?

Until Next Time
Jean9

Beads and More Beads

What to do with them all?

My jewelry making style has changed a lot since I first started. In fact I am into my third big transition. I have a mountain of beads that I don't or won't use, so I have been wondering just what I can do with them? I have given a bag full away to a crafty niece already, but still have a lot left. So the idea of putting together jewelry kits was born. These kits are geared to kids. I have designed packaging, I am still developing my packaging as new ideas are born. Next was writting out the instructions for 3 different bracelet styles . Then getting the beads, findings and stringing together into packages. I also intend on making some necklace and bracelet kits. If I find that the kits sell I will branch out into more styles, as well as more difficult levels of kits.
This is the inside of one kit: Instructions, beads, elastic string thread and the top hanging label.

This is the back view of the kit. I have not got the front of my package label ready to unveil just yet! It needs work.

Until next time
Rock On!
Jean9

I Have Been Tagged

I have been tagged by BeaderJoJo from Unique You Handmade gifts and Wearable Art with this fun meme.

So, here is how tagging works:

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog. 4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Facts about Me

1) When I get into an activity I am obsessive, especially in creating. When I sewed I needed all the bells and whistles. Whether it was cross stitch, painting, brazilian embroidery, sewing and now lapidary and jewelry making. I have to have the equipment et al! I can't do my craft with a minimum of supplies. There is so much more that I would like to try but am afraid to right now because of how I am. (More like I can't afford to!)

2) I am mostly a home body, but I have always dreamed of going on a South Seas cruise, that would be my ultimate romantic relaxing holiday. Hopefully one day that will come to pass.

3) I am a healthy eater, but every once in awhile I go into a total junk food feeding frenzie.

4) I like to have dessert foods for breakfast. You could not tempt me with dessert after a meal, but in the morning OH YES!

5) When I am feeling creative I become a night hawk, I feel very much more creative late at night then I do during the day time.

6) I was raised on a farm, but am a leary of most animals other then cats and small dogs that don't bark!

7) I am a coffee addict, when I don't have any coffee for an extended period of time I get the worst headaches.

I will not be tagging anyone, but it certainly would be nice if you tagged yourself, this is an opportunity for your readers to get to know you a little better.

Until Next Time
Jean9

Quilt Give Away at Pigtails and Snails

I sooo want to win this beautiful raw edge applique quilt being given away over at Pigtails and Snails . The pattern, titled "spring up" is a Lizzy Anne original. The pattern will be given away as runner up prizes for second and third.

Hurry on over, the contest ends at 7 pm MST on Friday October 17th. Only a couple days left.
There are several ways to enter, go on over and check them out.

Enter the contest but also take the time to browse around Pigtails and Snails it is a very interesting read. Something for everyone, check out some of her great links as well. Join me in wishing her well with her Lizzy Anne original pattern.

Until Next Time
Rock On!
Jean9

Inspiration To Learn Bead Embroidery and Bead Weaving

Since I have started dropping Entrecards I have admired some very talented bead weaving and bead embroidery artists. I have been wanting to try both of these techniques out, so I am jumping in with both feet. I have done a little bead weaving but have not done any bead embroidery. I have done a lot of reading on line and I have purchased some books at McNally Robinson and at Chapters. I find all of the books that I have bought very helpful both with technique and inspiration.

One book that I have purchased is authored by Heidi Kummli and Sherry Serafini . The projects and stitches are well explained. Both artists give their own personal preferences for different techniques.

I have also purchased Beadweaving Brilliance 2 by Kumiko Mizuno Ito and The New Beadweaving: Great Projects with Innovative Materials by Ann Benson.


Here are a few of the bead weaving and bead embroidery artists sites I read that have inspired me to start.
Triz Designs
Beadalicious
MaryLou's Art [Ad]venture

Beading Times There are some really great tutorials on this site.
Jewelry Tales
De Perle en Perle A french blog that may be translated, what an amazing site.

There are many sites that inspire.

I have also purchased a lot of beads but am finding that I need a whole lot more! Isn't that the way? I like to have everything I want for a particular project when I want to start the project, but am finding that I have to reign in here or go broke. How do you purchase beads? Do you purchase your beads by the project or do you have a very wide variety of colors on hand? I purchased some of my beads from Artbeads, I like that they have $1.00 shipping to Canada. Any other good ideas for places to shop online?
Until next time
Rock On
Jean9