Bead Mavens Challenge

Congratulations to the winners in the latest challenge. Here is my entry. Perhaps a little utilitarian, but it was meant to give the wearer multiple options. The sections of rope (upper r and l) can be looped onto the main rope with a Hercules knot, to form 2 different lariats.

More beaded beads

Gradually working my way through my collection.  Over the past few months I've tried to find as many different patterns as I can for beaded beads. Here are some that are a variation of "Rose Window" from Beadinfinitum.

Beaded beads

These are from a pattern from DeEva design: http://www.etsy.com/shop/deevadesign?ref=ss_profile

The instructions make the very large focal bead (rear) which I later modified to make a smaller versions.

Beaded Beads

Finally took some time to post photos of the different types of beaded beads I've been working on.

Honeycomb Bangle

Lenore from http://www.2beadornot2bead.com.au/ 
mentioned that some people have found Cynthia Rutledge's pattern frustrating because of the difficulty in fitting the rondelle/donut beads.
By sheer good luck, the first one I made using amethyst coloured chinese rondelles worked perfectly.  I used a base of 43 units (big hands!) and the beads sat beautifully in the prepared band.
Decided to make the next one smaller - 41 units but couldn't find rondelles of the same dimension. The cobalt blue ones sat in the band with about 2cm of space, but when all the cross beading is completed, the space was absorbed.

Cynthia Rutledge's site has a pdf for download that has some extra info about making this bracelet, but I have found the surest way to see if the rondelles are appropriate is to string them and try them on your wrist - if 38-42 beads make a length that is way too long for a bangle, each bead is too wide and simply can't be made to fit. Beads that are too narrow can be eased along the bangle and the spaces are disguised by the overlay.

Odd Count Peyote

Some photos of my latest bracelet based on a design by Met Inmon. It proved to be a great exercise in odd count turns.  The button I used could be counted as vintage since I'm pretty sure it originally came from Mum's button box. Can't decide whether that confirms that you should never throw anything away or that I am a tragic hoarder.

Chrysocolla Rope

This one is a departure from my long ropes.  It's a double strand and more symetrical with the various beaded beads of chrysocolla and carnelian.

More Ndebele

Some photos of the ndebele ropes I have concentrated on lately. There are details of the bronze necklace 'Aurora' in previous posts. The aquamarine/purple/green is called Asrai - gaelic for water nymph. Sewing is often a lot easier than naming!

Shopping

In this close up of the Aurora necklace you can see the czech irregular rounds used as feature beads - they really are much prettier than the photo.  Once I'd used some, the hunt was on to find more.  I was lucky to find two really great sites in Australia that stock beautiful czech beads:

1. Avedis - a really yummy collection of special czech beads

     2. Which colour beads?- a great site, organised by colour with some czech and lots of other tempting stuff at terrific prices

Royal Easter Show

Decided to enter two categories this year-off loom bead stitching and 'other' folk art.  Anyone who knows me won't be surprised that the painting was done in a last minute rush.  Both pieces are called Aurora and I hope they are the first of many duets-jewellery and containers to match. I need to work a lot more on my painting skills after such a long break from fine detail painting.  Will post a photo of the necklace soon.

Tropical Break

Have been away for a while and though there is nothing more boring than other people's holiday photos I am posting three for inspiration. The hibiscus and coral may end up in a lariat in the future if I can work out how to bead a convincing hibiscus. There is no such thing as a bad hair day on a tropical island once you tuck a flower behind your ear-might look a little odd on a commuter train.

Adventures in Ndebele continued

These are the later examples of Ndebele ropes.  The black and white are assymetrical and include large beads between sections of stitching,  The bollywood orange and pink uses caged pearls and the white pair grew from a purchase of assorted magatama drops.  I think the one on the left proves that a little black makes even the brightest colours more harmonious.

Adventures in Ndebele

Here are some of the pieces I made to learn Ndebele.  It quickly became my favourite stitch because of the beaded bead effect and the economy-beads aren't hidden or disguised and just a few special beads can be shown to good effect.

Chachani Bracelet

Here is my version of the lovely Laura McCabe design.  I used volcano, cathedral and fuschia rivolis, so named it chachani after the volcano pictured behind the Arequipa Cathedral in Peru.

It Started with a Kit - (apologies to Hot Chocolate)

Sofia - a single or double strand necklace that morphed from a "Byzantine Bleue" bracelet kit of caged beads.  They were such fun to make that the whole project just grew and grew.  Thanks to Nikia Angel at http://www.buythekit.com/ for starting me on another obsession -beaded beads.

Beading Interrupted

More beaded beads

New Old Work