Bead Chronicles

Roadrunner Pouch and Beaded Dangly Earrings

2013-04-23T22:42:00.002-07:00

Some of my beaded work. The roadrunner is my newest design.

Hearts displayed on a floating shelf I made of oak and rattan and moss.

Close up of roadrunner leather pouch.

Green Beaded Star

2013-04-23T22:20:00.002-07:00

I think to succeed every artist needs patrons. Those that see the value in what the artist does and don't mind laying down the cash to keep the artist going. Those that understand each piece is one of a kind and made by hand. I've never found those patrons, and most artists I know haven't either. You know, that one person that checks your shop daily and can't wait to see and buy whatever you list next.

More Hearts

2012-12-06T14:44:00.001-08:00

I finished two beaded heart pins and got them listed in my Etsy shop called Hypnotic. I'm at the library though and only have access to one of the photos. But at least it will give you an idea. Or you can look to the right and scroll down in the sidebar to see the link to the shop.

Beaded Heart

2012-11-20T13:09:00.001-08:00

I really enjoy making beaded felt items. Right now I'm working on hearts. They can be used as ornaments, pins, brooches, and hat bling.

Slightly larger than actual size.

New beads

I found a cute little bead shop in Apple Valley. The first time we dropped by they had just closed. The next time they were open but she said she was going out of business at the end of the month. Sad face. Business was just too slow so after 7 years she was calling it quits. Stupid economy.

Then this morning I found another shop that carries leather and beading supplies right here in Lucerne Valley, CA. So hope springs eternal.

There is also a Hobby Lobby in Victorville but I haven't gone to that one or any Hobby Lobby for that matter. If I only had a car right now I'd be dangerous.

Pearl Valentine

2012-02-21T01:45:00.000-08:00

After some major reorganizing of my work space, I finally have a table I can do beadwork on again, with enough fancy lighting so that I can work even when the sun goes down. I just need to get in the habit of doing a little beadwork each day.

For Valentine's Day I made this valentine with fresh water pearl beads. The holes were so tiny, I could almost never get a needle through them, so I found a project with no needles required. I glued them straight to the card. When I figured out who to give it to, I personalized the front with her name. She liked it so much, she wants to frame it.

Pesky Peyote Stitch

2012-02-21T01:19:00.000-08:00

I'm struggling with some new Peyote Stitch beading techniques. It should be a piece of cake. I must have some kind of mental block. I'm going to keep trying though. I did finish one bead on Saturday, but I ad libbed it after losing track of where I was on the chart. I chose a color scheme of purple, pale green and yellow. It's so time consuming that I start feeling guilty that there must be better uses for my time, like making a living. At the rate I'm going, I'd have to charge a million dollars for each necklace.

Peyote Stitch Beadwork

2012-01-05T22:50:00.000-08:00

I haven't gotten to work on beading in ages, so I was happy to pull this out of a tin of beads and start working on it again. I did some of the pastel part and all of the gold tonight. Peyote stitch is very time consuming so I consider that progress in the right direction. See how the gold goes off at an angle? I'm splitting that part into two 'rivers' of beads that will cross later on.

I can't remember if this was meant to be a bracelet or a necklace or a watchband, or if it was just an experimental piece I was toying with.

Working With Delicas

2011-09-21T14:43:00.000-07:00

I'm trying out my new Delica beads. Even though these are size 11 and the beads I've been using are size 11, these seem so much tinier and harder to work with. Three rows into the design I spotted a mistake on the first row. It will be too time consuming to redo it all. I'm just going to start over after resting my neck, shoulders, and eyes for a while. If these come out I'll sell the chart on Etsy.

Spiral Beading

2011-03-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

This video I made for my grandson shows some of my beading.

Spiral Vessel

2011-03-10T09:10:00.000-08:00

I got the spiral vessel I was working on a while back out of the bin and started working on it again. I've put in too much time to let it fall through the cracks. But this morning I woke up and remembered some beaded feathers I was inspired by at an archery shoot last year and I'd like to start one of those as well.
We have some amazing pheasant feathers I can use.

It looks like it will be a bright sunny day so I'll be able to work outside where the light is best.

Bead Graph Paper

2011-03-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

If you want to design your own bead work, it helps to have beading graph paper. http://www.beadandbutton.com/How%20To/Free%20Graph%20Paper/2007/06/Free%20Graph%20Paper.aspx is one place.
And here is another: http://shala.addr.com/beads/resources/graphpaper/

Make sure you grab the right one for the type of beading you are planning.

Embellished Collar

2010-08-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while I was waiting for people at the archery range, one of the things I brought with me was the orange collar necklace I'd had on the back burner. I got to add quite a few buttons and seed beads before the gang showed up.

If you decide to tote your beadwork around, each and every time make sure you take a beading needle, beading thread, and scissors. Without any one of that trio, you won't be a happy camper. I never forget the beads though.

Love Making Those Right Angle Weave Earrings.

2010-06-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

I was a good girl today and got 6 new pairs of right angle weave earrings listed on Etsy. Whew, glad to make some forward progress. I could just see myself making 100 pairs of earrings and never getting any of them to the market where I might actually sell some. I've probably made 25 pairs already. Some are for gifts though. And some are 'seconds' that I'll happily wear myself. My Etsy shop is listed on the side bar if you want to see the photos.

Beaded Earrings

2010-06-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

I've been an earring making fiend lately. I made earrings Thurs., Friday, and Sunday. Sat. I was out of town at a SCA event and even though I took my beads, I never had time to use them. Today I made 3 pairs for my daughter. It costs so much to ship things, there is no point shipping just one pair when I can ship a bunch for the same price.

SCA Gyldenholt 30th anniversary

2010-06-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

I've been making right angle weave earrings like crazy lately. But today I was at an SCA event and never had time to even open my box of beads. I did get to enjoy some other amazing embroidery and beadwork on various outfits I saw yesterday. One of the archers had quite a lot of bling on his tunic. And the Arts and Sciences competition had quite a few examples to enjoy. The Barony of Gyldenholt has many amazing artisans.

First thing this morning I was back to making earrings again though. I told my daughter I'd make her some.

Right Weave Earrings

2010-06-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

I bought some right angle weave earrings from a friend on Etsy to help her out. Then I realized I missed making them. I was pretty sure I'd done right angle weave before, though it might have been on a bracelet. So I found a tutorial on line. And I just made myself four pairs of earrings.

Then I was looking at the earrings I bought, comparing techniques and I realized one of the earrings has a mistake on it that I didn't notice before. Two of the seed beads are missing. Glad to know I'm not the only one that makes mistakes. Now do I tell my friend there's a mistake? Or just live with it? I probably won't say anything. I'm trying to lift her up, not tear her down. I doubt anyone else will ever notice the mistake. My head is between my ears so it's not like they are going to be studying both earrings at once. Come to think of it, I can always take them apart and fix them myself.

Evolving Jewelry Metamorphic

2010-02-15T02:26:00.000-08:00

It's almost 2 AM but I have a new jewelry idea and I have to write it down before I forget it. I will make some simple sweet necklaces and list them on Etsy for a low price. If someone wants to snap it up at that price, then great. But then as time allows I will add to it bit by bit, making it more interesting and letting it evolve. The new price will reflect the changes I made. So if the person doesn't buy it when they like the way it looks, it will soon be different and more expensive as more time and materials get added to it. It will go into my http://www.cherrymoondrops.etsy.com/ shop. I think it's a great fun and challenging idea. And with the various evolutions, anyone can afford to get one of them. They will cover low, medium and high price points. I can't wait to begin. But doing bead work after 2 AM is not a good idea. After a good night's sleep we'll see how it goes.

I think the first one will be shades of white and cream and the second one will be reds in different shapes and sizes.

One Bead At a Time

2010-01-24T23:01:00.000-08:00

I'm still working on my beaded collar. Here are some current photos I took while the sun was shining today.

Beaded Brooch

2010-01-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

Right now I'm working on a beaded brooch. Yesterday I finished adding the beads. Now I need to figure out how to put the back on it. And I don't know what to do around the edges to make it look nice. If it ever stops raining I'll get better photos. This is the fourth day of rain. We need it though. CA has been in a drought. I've added a lot more beads since I took this photo.

Bead Weaving

2010-01-19T12:48:00.000-08:00

Sunday at the archery range I started putting together a new freeform organic necklace. It's mostly pink and green with some peyote stitch. A bit tricky but fun like a jigsaw puzzle.

Beaded Collar

2009-11-07T16:39:00.000-08:00

I've been focusing on a collar done on green faux suede. I took photos of it last night to share. It seems like everything I make lately is green. I think that's to make up for years of ignoring that color. But it also has some blue areas, and some areas with a color I like to call 'rootbeer', and it has a black and white section. I'm using some of my favorite hoarded beads in this one. It brings back memories as I think of the people that gave me some of them, or of the stores I bought them at. It's like a little walk down memory lane every time I make something. It's good to use up the stash.

I found I had to glue down a few of the bigger focal beads to make them lay flat and not worked their way into some lopsided position.

The collar is not cut out yet. I find it easier to do beading on a larger piece. I basted the shape of the collar and I'm beading within the lines. Later, after all the beadwork is done, I'll add a lining and a back piece to protect the knots.

One of the hardest things about beadwork is how do I price it? The beads alone probably cost $100. but it's all the time invested that it's hard to recoup.

Beaded Embroidery

2009-09-28T00:42:00.000-07:00

I just sewed some beads and sequins onto an olive green t-shirt. It's a fruit/garden theme with lemons, vines, leaves and lace. I'll probably put it in my spankytease shop on Etsy. If I ever finish it. Embroidery is so time consuming.

Kokopeli Quiver Bead Patch

2009-09-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

When I was working on my gourd rain stick I found this other kokopeli in my bead case. It's for a quiver I'm making. It's not quite done. My projects kind of got out of order there.

Upper Arm Band

2009-09-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

I was making a leather band for my gourd rain stick. I used a copper colored concho. But today when I went to glue it on the gourd, I found the flat concho would not work well with the curve of the gourd. So I had to start all over again and bead another band in the right curvature. Not to worry though. I'll finish up the original piece as an upper arm band.

Hair fascinators

2009-08-30T02:01:00.000-07:00

Last time I went to San Luis Obispo, CA I bought some things to make hair fascinators out of. I made two or three on the trip and then once I got home I had no time for it. So finally tonight I sat down and made a new one in shades of green ribbon with the palest pink feathers attached to it. I found just the combs to sew it onto in a supply shop on Etsy tonight. I added some seed beads around the circle to give it a bit more sparkle. I'm torn between attaching it to a barrette, a side comb or elastic. It's super light weight now, so I don't think I want it on a big clonky metal barrette. We'll see.