Saturday, January 18, 2014

Bead workshop

Here's a picture of the pink bracelet I made at the first beading workshop I held at home as a trial with one other person, two were supposed to be coming but one was sick and couldn't make it at the last minute, which was a little disappointing as I wanted to study the dynamics of teaching a couple of people at the same time.

Anyway, she seemed to really enjoy herself and as a raw beginner did really well - this is a great style of bracelet to be shown how to make as it looks so lavish and complex yet is really quite easy.

I made this one in pink which is nice and girly and frothy, I used vintage buttons as the clasps.


This picture shows the same style of bracelet in 3 different colourways, I can't really decide which ones my favourite - what's yours?



Saturday, January 11, 2014

My favourite necklace

Although one thing which I would say most defines my jewellery is colour, probably my favourite ever necklace I made is this monochromatic beadwovenfreeformbrickstitch creation, which is the one which received the most compliments and comments. It was a bit of a challenge for me to work mainly in neutrals rather than the bright shades I'm used to but I managed to cram in as many shades and textures of black, white, grey, ivory, pearl, gold and bronze that I could find.



It has now gone to a loving new home to an owner who loved it so much she nearly made me cry with her generous praise and I must admit it looked sensational around her neck! It took me ages (and a few pricked fingers) to complete, but I think the end result justified the effort.


To make it, I began by making the first 5 (top row) full circle medallions, by brick stitching around a bead, then I stitched the 5 together, then began to work freeform brick stitch around them until it was the right size and made smaller brick stitch circles each one formed off the one before as the neck chain part. Its a really big bib style collar and a complete conversation piece - a real statement necklace. I am going to make another soon - just trying to decide what colours to use this time - any suggestions welcome.


Monday, January 06, 2014

Teal temptation freeform circular brick stitch bracelet

As I haven't been keeping up to date with my blog much lately I intend to blog about items I've made over the past year or so which got missed out, most of the ones I'll be featuring are still available for purchase if you like anything and want to buy it and its not currently in my Folksy shop leave a comment or email me.

First to be featured is this lovely freeform bracelet in shades of teal, turquoise, aqua, bronze and gold, stitched in circular brickstitch around larger beads it is perfect for anyone who doesn't like to wear any metal next to their delicate skin as it is created entirely from glass and acrylic beads and even the easy to fasten clasp is handwoven from beads.











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