The Lone Beader

New Beaded Golden Retriever Dog Pin

The Lone Beader — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:51:42 +0000

Since I sold my beaded ‘Boston Strong’ pin so quickly, I decided to bead another Golden Retriever..My family had one of these dogs when I was small. His name was Moosie. He was my best friend and my protector, but that didn’t stop him from eating the ice cream cone right out of my hand! :p

This item was made using tiny size 15 seed beads. I layered beaded fringe to create his long flowing hair, and his beadwoven ear actually moves when you touch it! This item is now available for sale in my Etsy shop. Please click the pic to view more photos. What kind of dog or animal shall I bead next? :D

Playing with Tagua Beads

The Lone Beader — Sat, 11 May 2013 14:07:23 +0000

Several months ago, a package of Tagua beads came in the mail from Ecuador! Tagua beads are made from the nut of a palm tree in South America. They can be carved or cut into many different shapes. The Tagua nut’s best known quality is that in its natural state, it looks very much like Ivory, but can be dyed any color of the rainbow. Tagua beads are light weight and eco-friendly!

My favourite Tagua beads are called potato chip beads or slices. They are very thin with one hole on the top. I wanted to try using them as a cabochon, so I glued 3 of them to small pieces of Ultrasuede. Then, I beaded around them using peyote-stitch. I used orange and turquoise blue glass seed beads in size 11 and 15.

After I finished beading my bezels, I decided to utilize the holes at the top of the beads by making my own bails. I did this by peyote-stitching a few rows of beads through the hole and the Ultrasuede at the back of the piece. After creating a second beaded link, I was able to attach sterling silver ear wires. For the third pendant, I stitched an 18″ blue spiral rope chain to match.

These pieces are very lightweight in comparison to a beaded stone or glass cabachon. If you like big earrings, but don’t like them weighing your ear down, these are perfect! This set is now available for sale in my Etsy shop. You can also find a fabulous selection of Tagua Beads at EcuadorianHands.com. Thanks for looking!

*Please note: I have received the Tagua Beads used in these pieces free of charge from EcuadorianHands.com. This is my honest review of the product and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

New Beaded Wire Fox Terrier Pin

The Lone Beader — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:51:08 +0000

Last week, I made a new beaded dog pin pendant- a Wire Fox Terrier! I have always loved these dogs! This bead embroidery brooch was made by stitching tiny glass seed beads to felt 2-3 at a time. This piece is now available for sale. Please click the pic to view more photos at my Etsy shop:

4cm x 4cm

Also, I am happy to announce that my beaded ‘Boston Strong’ Golden Retriever pin has sold today! A portion of the sale price of this item will be donated to The One Fund aiding the people most affected by the Boston Marathon Bombings. I think I will make a new beaded Comfort Dog pin soon!

‘Boston Strong’ Beaded Golden Retriever Pin

The Lone Beader — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:22:32 +0000

This week, I created a new dog pin to benefit the victims and families of the Boston Marathon Bombings..a beaded Golden Retriever pin. This dog is a comfort dog wearing a blue & yellow ‘Boston Strong‘ vest.

This piece was created by stitching tiny Japanese 15/o glass seed beads to felt. Beads were stitched 2-3 at time using a needle and strong nylon thread. Beadwork was layered to create a unique texture. The dog’s ear was beadwoven, and actually moves when you touch it. The dog’s hair is layered beaded fringe which also adds to the texture & dimension. This wearable art brooch is a one-of-a-kind handmade item and will not be duplicated.

50% of the sale price will be donated to The One Fund Boston - onefundboston.org. We are One Boston. Thanks for looking!

Acceptance

The Lone Beader — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:38:04 +0000

Last week, I learned that my micro-beaded collar necklace, Pretty in Poodles, has been juried into the prestigious 2013 Bead Dreams competition!

Pretty in Poodles

I am still pinching myself! :O

New Poodle Beading Pattern for Beginners

The Lone Beader — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:01:07 +0000

A new beading pattern is now available for download at my Etsy shop! Make a cute beaded poodle pin or pendant using size 8 and size 11 Delica seed beads. Learn to work with felt layers using the backstitch & stop stitch techniques. Eight-page PDF file includes: list of beading supplies, sketches which you can print out and use as a template, 24 color photos & step-by-step instructions. This piece is suitable for beginning beaders. Try making one in every color of the rainbow:) Please click the pic for more details. That’s the news for now. Back to beading:)

Floppy Beaded Basset Hound Ears

The Lone Beader — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 14:16:06 +0000

Last week, I beaded a new doggie pin – a Basset Hound – inspired by a Facebook friend’s dog named Bunjy!

This beaded dog was made by stitching several felt layers onto a piece of stiff beading foundation. I used size 15 seed beads for the entire dog, layering them to accentuate his wrinkles. His ears were made using a freeform peyote stitch technique. They are 2cm long and floppy! Finished piece measures 4cm x 4cm.

This piece can be worn as a pin and a pendant. Click the pics to view more photos in my Etsy shop. What kind of dog should I bead next?

Beaded Bichon-Frise Earrings

The Lone Beader — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:37:38 +0000

There is a new pair of earrings for sale in my Etsy shop!

Beaded Bichon-Frise doggie face earrings. I used Japanese size 15 seed beads and tiny glass doll eyes. They hang on sterling silver fish hooks, but they could also be made as studs..

How do they look?

Hot Wheels Bead Art Car

The Lone Beader — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 16:05:59 +0000

Last week, I worked on a new project – one that I’ve been meaning to try for awhile. I decided to cover an old beat-up Hot Wheels car using tiny Japanese glass seed beads! This one happens to be a blue Nissan Silvia. Check it out:

First, I glued a thin piece of Ultrasuede to the underside of the car. Then, I peyote-stitched size 15 seed beads around the car, stitching the edges to the Ultrasuede beneath.

Considering it is my first time beading a 1/64 scale Hot Wheels car, I think it turned out looking pretty cool! Its also a fun way to recycle an old toy that was otherwise headed for the landfill. The best part is, even though it is now a work of art, it can still be used as the toy it was meant to be:) I am currently running this item on eBay for a limited time, afterwards, it will be listed for sale in my Etsy shop. What should I bead next?

Book Feature: Mastering the Art of Embroidery

The Lone Beader — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:04:36 +0000

A new book arrived from the UK today!

Mastering the Art of Embroidery

by Sophie Long.

This is a gorgeous 288-page hardcover book outlining ‘traditional techniques and contemporary applications for hand and machine embroidery’. There are 8 chapters which cover Surface Embroidery, Counted Surface Embroidery, Embellishment, Stumpwork, Whitework, Three-dimensional Embroidery, Free-Motion Embroidery, and Digital Embroidery.

Each chapter covers a number of embroidery techniques including a brief history as well as vibrant photos, illustrations, patterns, and tutorials. I was pleased to see a number of pages about bead embroidery in the Embellishment chapter. I also enjoyed the sections about Canvas Work, Blackwork, and Figures.. I had no idea there were so many stitches to learn!

Each chapter also features a number of inspiring artist profiles which explain their tips and techniques – mine is on page 134! I am honoured that my beadwork is featured in such a beautiful and extensive book about the fine art of embroidery:)

If you are looking for a modern book which covers all aspects of hand and machine embroidery, this is definitely the one to get! You can order a signed hardcover copy directly from Sophie’s website. You will also find a softcover version at Amazon.com here in the USA. Enjoy!