Quilted Crystal Cuff

  I couldn't resist making this beautiful cuff, pattern by Kassie Inman. It was featured on the cover of this month's Beadwork magazine. Of course, I used what i had handy and these brown marroon tone tila beads just happened to be on my bench. The 4mm Bicone Crystals are a mix of color; Amethyst Satin, Black Diamond, GriegeAB, BurgundyAB and Volcano. These bugle beads used might be 1mm longer than the pattern called for, however as a trial I used them anyway. It still worked out fine. The pattern calls for three rows across, I wanted a little more bling, of course, so added one more row...I think the next might be five rows across. It was a great pattern and I'm thrilled for Kassie, it's her second published pattern, look for more of her work on the Beaded Butterfly. What a fine accomplishment.

Vintage Keys with Beaded Beads

Well, one is a Vintage Key, my skate key from way back when and the other two are a beautiful set in antique brass. This month's challenge to create a Beaded Bead for the shop was facing a writer's block, (or the equivalent for a beader!) until I spied these new keys on display. One thing led to another and this peyote beaded bead accent was made for our Bead of the Month program.

It was easy to create the beaded bead pattern with my favorite beading program, Bead Tool 4.5. It still is a time intensive process, involving the testing of the pattern, redrafting and final critique but it is well worth the process. 

This pattern has a short bead, five Delica beads wide by eighteen rows for the little key and the diamond pattern which is twenty six Delica beads wide by twenty two rows long that fits the long key. All is worked in Odd Count Peyote with a two needle start. There are several ways to turn at the odd count side, my personal favorite is the traditional figure eight type of turn around. However, it is much faster to work the turn with the chain stitch that loops around the previous rows' bead or by using two needles to complete the odd turn.

I hung all on pre made chain and connected Round Swarovski crystals, the color is Indicolite, as well as 6mm bicone #5328 crystals from the various chain links. The crystals were easier to move when I attached them to small jump rings...this was discovered after moving items a few times. It sure helped that I have a full size mannequin on which to hang these pieces. That would be a most useful addition to your workspace.

Check out our Bead of the Month program at Monica's Quilt and Bead Creations...the pattern is free when you buy the supplies! We sure have fun at our Monday night Sit-n-Bead sessions!!!

See the current newsletter online today.

Two Simple Twin Rings

Oh look, thinking in twos already! One ring for my daughter, one for my DIL, both pregnant with our first grandbabies!

Simple right angle weave or even easier cross-weave technique is the method of construction for these little beauties. Fast to finish, a great way to use up left over crystals and put a little BLING at your fingertips. When using so many Swarovski bicone crystals, I highly reccomend Fireline or Wildfire beading threads for a bit more lasting power. Notice how the colors are accented with a brightly colored metallic spacer. I wish they were gold, but nowadays Vermeil will just have to do! Adding a spot of gold or Silver to your piece gives it a bit of life...keeps the eye moving around. The biege color is Sand Opal, a special coating, I think, because no one seems to know where to find them again (great)...The other in a pretty green called KhakiAB.

Old World Netted Cuff

This is one is for the record books! I think it has taken me five years to complete the finished product. How about a big cheer...one more UFO finished. Hey, it's a great accomplishment for such an ADD beader such as myself....oooh, look another shiny object over there!!!! I'm a crow for sure!

Well, the good news...These beautiful Oval Swarovki Crystals, #4127, are very popular right now.

Alot of bling for your wrist! The capture for this stone, in Fuchsia, is a little unique, first a right angle bezel , then an added peyote row...Next add a bit of Bicone crystal trim and a few picots edges with some very tiny 15/0'one cuts...which are tinier than the Japanese 15's...Of course, the seedbeads are hard to come by, vintage true cuts (somewhere between an 11 and 10) which I purchased at Monica's Quilt and Bead Creations about 7 years ago... I have a collection of some colors, it was easier to find them 5 - 10 years ago.

I'm most proud of the connection of bezel to netting...the focal piece is not just set on top of the bracelet...it's all built as one piece! really..how can that be???? well, stay tuned, secrets to be revealed in due time. Classes, of course, are the easiest way to get inside my head...HA-HA!

Oooh, wouldn't this be a pretty ring!!!! and a BIG one, Too! Hey, we'll see about that.

B&B Bangle with a catch

Charming photography, don't you think? My honey is doing a great job, wait 'til I find him a great camera, then he'll have a good time!

This bracelet, constructed with 3mm Swarovski Pearls, Tila Beads and 4mm bicones has a circular bead path and tension is key here to help form the shape. From the January issue of bead & button, this piece caught my eye, but alas, I don't wear bangles well. So, my change-up or "catch" is the magnetic barrel at each end, which I covered in cirular peyote.

This particular magnet is simple in shape and has a deep hole in which to sink a head pin, crimp or stop bead. A circle of sixteen (16) Delica Beads forms the even count base for the build up. A set of twelve rows covered the whole magnet and hides it fairly well. Now I'm on the look out for a cube shape that might mimic the outside shape of the bracelet.

How sweet it is...

It is just so sweet when a plan comes together. A wonderful friend has a very clever beau, he ordered a matching necklace to complement the jewelry she had worn at her daughter's wedding last year. I had also created some of the jewelry for the bridal party. Such a great idea!

This beautiful piece combines the simple crossweave technique with the more complex triangle right angle weave. All created with Fireline and each crystal is buffered with a small silver size 15 seed bead. Some of the Swarovski crystal colors include Light Amethyst, Amethyst, Purple Velvet, Indigo, Tanzanite2XAB, Blue Metallic 2XAB, Cyclamen Opal AB, Cyclamen Satin, Fuchsia2XAB and Vitrail Medium...whew! Over 200 crystals make up this piece, which sits just about the collarbone. It looks gorgeous on her! I may have to make a black and silver version for myself, time permitting, ummmm, would that be sometime in July?

Tangerine Dream

Another beautiful piece for a Birthday Gal...This to coordinate with her lucious robe and gorgeous dress. It is comprised of Swarovski Crystals and loads of bicones, rondelles and other sparkly trinkets! Done in a monochromatic warm color theory, like many theories that can be found in Beverly Ash Gilberts Beading Colorways, an awesome display of color info.

The wirework was looped and secured and looped again...painstakingly placing the crystals...a joy in discovering the wonder for aspects of orange. See the little loops??? The wire was pulled as a thin ribbon would be, causing it to curl and wiggle. Fun!

This piece rests gently on the neck and lights up the room.. perhaps the birthday queen will send us a photo? This is perfect for showing off a glowing smile....Happy Birthday, La Terra!

Orange Sunburst Earrings

A classic and yet innovative look at bezeling those beautiful Swarovski Crystals. Led by the influence of Laura McCabe, these sunburst earrings were just the right accessory for a beautiful friend for her Birthday Bash. Adding yet more bling, the row behind all the bicone crystals supports one more row of bling, top drilled bicones in 6mm Hyacinth. The center Rivolis are 16mm Chili Pepper, the crystals for the otuside bursts are Sunflower, FireopalAB and Indian Red. The seed beads used were DB 043, DB603 and gold334. The little picots were created using size 15 seed beads in #471, make sure they are permanent or duracoat.

Notice the backs of the Rivolis are completely closed. The method for this enclosure involves a series of shifts from one stitch to another. The circular peyote moves to the back and after two rows of size 15 seed beads, a repeating stitch of one bead up and one bead down is worked around the circle. This sets up the next stitch which is a three bead netting, which sets up again for either another row of netting, with a skip, and then peyote with one bead to close the tips. I find it rather important to close the back of the Rivolis or coat them to protect them and prolong the life of the crystal. Small tiny nicks in the back (often called flea bites in crystal) actually affect the front of the stone and interfere with the reflection of light. We want our Swarovski's to last as long as they can and keep their brilliance!

For more on these beautiful crystals, check out Laura McCabe's book, creating beautiful Crystal Jewerly with Swarovski. Of course, check out my classes at Monica's Quilt and Bead Creations in Palm Desert, where I show you a quick start with two needles and you can find those tiny, tiny size 15 vintage one-cut seed beads as well as lots of colors and sizes in Crystal Rivolis.

Oh, and I made these to be interchangable as well....look closely at the connection of the two earrings components. The links holding them together can be removed and each piece could be reattached to a new earring finding, making two sets of earrings. Add a bit of bling on the bottom of each and ta-da, a new look for both...one casual, one fancy.

Granada Blossom

What a fun process this Blossom has been! Following a fabulous pattern by Sabine Lippert of Trytobead.com (Germany) this creation just looks better and better each time I work it in different color schemes. Since we're playing at the beach this week, I've been insipied by all sorts of colors, the base starts with the Coral Swarovski Pearl and then gets embellished with beautiful turquoise, lime and lavender Swarovski 4mm crystals. Some 3.4mm mini drops were also used in part of the accented parts. A delight in color theory, each placement of a new color changes the look of the piece. I created this piece in just about an hour...with ideas forming for a necklace of a different sort and perhaps a bracelet with a similar picot treatment.

Visit her website for an amazing look at a very talented artist. I think she is scheduled to teach at the Bead Fest Philly Show. Pattern and or kits are very reasonable, her detailed instructions are availiable in English and quite understandable.

Look for my Black and Silver version coming later this week!!!

Crystal Bling Ring

Have been experimenting with the granulation theory of Right Angle Weave...first touted by Shelly Nybakke in the June B&B of 2007. Here is a sample of the Crystal Bling Ring I created using RAW as the base, then fashioning a Cubic RAW top of beautiful Capri Blue 2XAB Swarovski bicone Crystals. Wow! Turned a simple Ring into a big Bling Beauty! I like the vertical nature of the center's position better than the other crystal ring I did last week. The base made using the Metal Seed Beads, here using size 8's.

Layered Bling Ring

This Right Angle Weave creation was inspired by the bangle bracelet by Shelley Nybake, in Bead & Button magazine from June 2007. Anxious to work with the silver Metal Beads, but not wanting to spend time doing the whole bracelet, I thought of creating a square on top of a beaded base. Now you see where this is going don't you? A simple square was not enough, so the next layer became full of Bling thanks to Swarovski 3mm bicone crystals...here in Olivine 2xAB and then another layer of Metal Beads...next, I was thinking of making another ring with the square placed more vertically on the base, it will look nicer on my short fingers, ha!

From the deep blue sea...

Here is the lovely necklace I wore as Mother of the Bride, now called Mermaids Delight. Aptly named by the mermaids father (who was also Father of the Bride). This piece was created with our dauther in mind, the lovely Dawn aka the mermaid, on the occasion of her lovely October wedding to the young man of her dreams, Jeffery. Her shoes happened to be tall, beautiful satin heels of this deep oceanic blue...well, it was all the inspriation I needed to begin this creation.

It's elements include fresh water pearls, Swarovski crystals in Peridot, EmeraldAB, IndicoliteAB, Jet2XAB with a few Vintage Margaurites and two-toned 18mm Electra Rivilois. Various seed beads in sizes 15, 11 and delica beads were also used. A right angle weave base supports several clusters of flowers and leaves to form the bouquet style necklace. Each peyote stitched flower took about an hour to complete with several of the large ones taking a few days working on them here and there. Total time to complete estimated at two months. My dear friend and fellow Bead Chick, Jeanette helped me in crunch time and made the sprial rope, so delicate because it's all made with 3mm crystals and size 15 seedbeads.

I actually added a small element on the lower corner, if you look at the photo (of the necklace being worn) there seems to be a space where the point should end. I did mean for it to be asymetrical, however, it was a little off at the point so I added the small flower bit and it is much better now and complete.

So I'm happy to say that John took a photo and we entered it in the BeadStar contest...should know by June if it places in the finals. Hip-hip-hooray. I actually followed through on something and completed the paperwork, that in and of itself makes me happy!

Two Rivoli Earrings

Another day, another way...to capture and showcase Swarovski Crystal Rivolis. Here displayed as earrings, the Blue/Purple set above are captured with the technique made popular by Nikia Angel. Made with an 18mm Rivoli in Meridian Blue and Sapphire Bicone 5328 crystals using a netting stitch. A quick, rather painless way to wrap up a rivoli surrounded with 4mm Crystal bicones. See Beadwork magazine, Summer 2010, for more details.

The second set of Earrings are competely covered in the back with circular peyote and then points of 3.4mm Mini drop glass beads are set around the perimeter. All created using size 11 Delica cylinder beads and size15 seed beads. This pattern is my original design and is one of many classes I teach at Monica's Quilt and Bead Creations in Palm Desert, CA. As I get more tech savvy I hope to offer this as a downloadable pattern, with more to come.