Busy, Busy, Busy

While not teaching much in this month of December, I have been incredibly busy.  One of the most important things I did was to enter the Etsy Beadweavers Challenge; Simon & Garfunkel Songs of Inspiration.  I chose "Cecilia" as my inspiration.  I created a gorgeous beadwoven bracelet using copper bugles, copper colored seed beads, and indicolite Swarovski bicones. I was so pleased with the bracelet outcome that I then created a pendant to accompany it.  I have both items listed in my Etsy shop.  I have had two requests to write up instructions for the bracelet.  That is what I am currently working on.

I have also been busy designing and writing instructions.  I know that come January, I will be back into the swing of teaching so I took this time to be creative.  Here are some of my new designs.  I hope you like them.

Bling Ring

Duchess Earrings

Laura Ring

Angelina

Happy Beading!!!!

New Learnings from One Master

Taking classes from some of the masters can be real inspiration!  I finally finished Huib Petersen's 'Russian Summer' that I started in August at the Southern Bead Retreat.  It turned out wonderful and I learned many new things!!! Huib used color combinations that I would not have used, plus he makes Russian leaves different from me!  The Russian leaves are very ingeniously made, especially the way he connects the tops together.  The star flowers used an interesting 3D approach that I found could be incorporated into making other items. After finishing 'Russian Summer', I was chomping at the bit wanting to use some of my new learning in making my own designs.  Below you will notice the necklace with the captured cabochon.  I used Huib's 3D approach to embellish the cabochon with drops that fit nicely inside the lacy bead embellishment.

I loved Huib's star flowers but wanted to change them to make them more blingy so I added a crystal rivoli and matching bicones.  Here is a photo of a necklace where I used these new star flowers.  Also, notice the Russian leaves.  You can see how different they are from Huib's.

Currently, I am working on a new bracelet using a modification of my new star flower.  I have three links done but I wanted to post these photos to show how one idea can morph into many different designs. 

Learnings gathered from the master beaders can push your own beadweaving into a higher more evolved level.  I encourage everyone to take classes and continue to learn.  I am off to finish my bracelet and then maybe finish Cynthia Rutledge's kit that I started in August.  I wonder what new learnings will come then!!!

Etsy Beadweavers' Monthly Challenge

As a member of the Etsy Beadweavers Team, I always looked forward to the monthly challenges.  They were fun and encouraged my creativity.  Then came summer vacation...our wonderful month in China.  It was fantastic!  However when I came home I had just a few weeks before the Southern Bead Retreat in Callaway Gardens, GA.  No time to enter the challenge!  After the retreat, excitement was at an all time high!  My teaching side of beadweaving was taking off.  I was so busy writing instructions and trying to finish already started projects that I had little time to enter. 
I have finally caught up...until next month...so I entered the challenge this month.....Here is my entry!

It is called Holiday Posie Necklace.  It uses my posie pattern as the central flower focals.  I used a deep rusty red with a hint of blue glimmer Czech rondelles coupled with faux pearls and  bronze and yellow seed beads.  The  leaves are also woven from Czech rondelles and lovely earthy green delicas intertwined with a beige satiny delica. 

The rope uses bronze seed beads along with a complimentary green 4 mm Czech bead, a satiny gold seed bead and lots of tiny OD green seed beads.

 There are tiny little buds on the closure.

The necklace would be lovely with a flowing black dress for the Christmas season.  The theme for our contest this month is Holiday Treasures.  I'm sure this necklace fits!  Our contest is open for voting starting  November 9 th and lasting through the 13 th.  Please come vote for your favorite at http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com  There are so many beautiful designs to choose from!!!

Color Choices

Have you ever noticed yourself choosing similar or same colors!!  When I go shopping, I usually end up buying something the same color as I am wearing.  I wonder if it makes me feel safe or I just lack imagination.

As I was photographing my new pieces, I noticed the same phenomenon.  The last three pieces are all bronze!!  They are very different styles but contain similar or same colors.  Some beaders would say that I am finding my colors, but I think there may be more to it!  What do you think?

Writing Instructions

I have been hard at work writing instructions for some of my designs!  It takes me a long time to get the instructions the way I like them.  First, I write them in longhand in a notebook as I make the item.  This process is slow because I am also taking pictures of my work as it progresses.  Next, I download the pictures and type up the instructions (I type about 30 words a minute with many mistakes).  After I proof my typing, I edit and add the pictures.  Last, I email my instructions to a great friend in Minnesota named Kim.  She proofs the instructions for me. 

This is called Oceanid's Bracelet.

This is called Elfin Evening Star.

I will be teaching these classes the first weekend of November at Bead Bayou in Alpharetta, GA.  I will also be teaching them in Maryville, TN at a later date.

Inspiration Can Be Simple

I have an instruction packet in my ETSY shop that I use to teach a class. It is called Pearl Medallion. I taught the class many times and had several partial medallions made. What could I do with these medallions? I arranged them on my work mat and inspiration struck!!!!

I could combine them to make a different style necklace. Here is the fruit of my labor!! I hope you like it. I am very pleased with how it came out!!

Contest Rings

While at the Southern Bead Retreat, the participants were given baggies of these wonderful black rings.  We were told it was a contest.  Our mission, should we decide to accept, was to use these rings to make something lovely and beaded!!!  Here are the pictures of my progress!  I hope the contest sponsers, The Beadcage in Columbus, GA enjoy seeing this post.  If you would like to order some rings to make your own necklace or just try your hand at beading them, just contact http://www.thebeadcage.com/index.php

Just trying out my design before beading it.  I kind of like this idea!

Done.  Below you can see the whole necklace and the closure.  I hid snaps inside the triangle!

I call this necklace Royal Rings.  To find out more about it, please visit my Beaders' Showcase spot. http://www.beadersshowcase.com/profile/NormaJeanDell