More Dragonflies

My wonderful friend from school asked me to make a set for a friend of hers. So Dragonflies were the go.

These are made with Serpentine and plated findings - and dragonflies a plenty :)

And some earrings

These are to go with the previously mentioned necklace piece.

Vintage Orient - re-worked boho cameo necklace

A friend of mine (that would be Lyn) asked me to make her a necklace like one she had seen in a catologue. Another friend of mine (That would be Robyn) had made the exact same necklace and didnt actually like it in the end and suggested I could give it to the first friend. I told the first friend I had the necklace but wanted to add some stuff to it. This was WELL over a year ago. Anyway, I am seeing the first friend this afternoon so true to form I have done some last minute making. And a close up of the focal area.

Beaded Cameo

New beaded Cabachon. This one is a Cameo style.

New DQ

It is time for the new DQ entries to be shown. Voting will occur next week.

The title should actually show DQ # 14 not 12.

Dragonfly Pearls

Again this piece started as a bracelet. It just wasnt working very well. So with some fiddling, this is what has become.....

New Term, New Project

So much to do so little time!

I have Community College starting next week (hopefully) so I have been putting together projects and kits for that. It will be a basic course with 7 projects.

I have to decide and create samples for the Craftworks Retreat by Thursday.

I have to organise kits and projects for a workshop at the end of August.

And I have just completed this term's Craftworks project. Robyn so kindly helped put the kits together on this one too. Just in time for Registration on Thursday.

So..... Here we have this terms project. We are creating a beaded cabochon on a spiral rope necklace. The stone is Kiwi Jasper.

It has happened...Hell has frozen over

Either that or my brain took a little sanity break BUT.............. I beaded a cabachon!!

I know I know, don't fall over. Can't say I am addicted like those other wierd seedie women but I did enjoy it and it challenged my perfectionism I can tell you.

Don't hold your breath though... not sure you will see another one too soon. But I can tell you I am likely to do another cab before I get those leaves on my lavender.

Lavender.... with no leaves

This is the lavender we made in class...... not my favourite project, but it turned out well anyway. I havent attached leaves yet. I thought if I waited to do that you would never get to see it :). I doubt you will be seeing a pot full of these babies from me any time soon.

Winter Solstice Bracelet Exchange

The latest exchange on the Forum was a bracelet exchange. The theme was Winter Solstice.


This is the bracelet I created. The ispiration was from these pictures I found of stonehenge in winter solstice.

This is the gorgeous icy bracelet I received from Sarah. Isnt it beautiful! Thanks to Sharyel for organising this exchange.

Chan3l's Wrapped Focal Bangle

Chanel from the Beading Forum is going to have a tutorial in the next Beads Etc magazine for this gorgeous bangle.

I helped her out today by following her tute as she wrote. This is the result. Quite like this one.... cept it is too big for me :(

Thanks for sharing Chanel, It was lots of fun, easy to follow and best of all..... I got to use my drill coily tool :)

Rose bud

Here is my completed piece entirely created and assembled by moi. I am very proud of my rose bud :)

Now we have embarked on lavender..... If I dont tip over the edge threading the beads on, I may even have it finished next craft day.

NEWSFLASH

As of term 3, I will be teaching a beginners beading class for the Nepean Community College at Springwood Highschool!!!!! Stay tuned for class time confirmation but so far I will be teaching on Monday nights.

Designer Quest 13

Eureka! Beads sponsored DQ 13. The packs were outstanding and the challenge for this quest was to use all the components!!!!



The choices were black/silver or red/gold

Here is my entry (which didnt win by the way :) )

I called it the Conquest. I sat down and started, 3 hours later I emerged having used everything besides 1/2 an inch of tiger tail and 6 broken seed beads. What a mammoth effort.

The next DQ is being announced in the next couple of weeks.... looking forward to that.

More Maille and a new camera (YAY)

Finally, we can dispense with the scans, the video camera captures and relying on other peoples photos. There is a new camera in da house! It has an awesome super macro feature too.... just perfect for jewellery. The lady at the shop did look at us strangely when we started testing photos of her computer keyboard keys. Anyway.... enough of that.... I certainly need to learn how to use it to the functions to get optimal visual pleasure but I will just have to play :)

On to the chain maille.

The bracelets in a clockwise direction are:

A parrallel helm weave using plated rings in silver and gold colour. This is beautiful and a bit blingy. It looks quite stunning with the 2 colours.

Floral lampwork beads (chinese mass produced, but pretty all the same) with flower chain links.

Lampwork beads (not sure who made these but they are from an Aussie Artisan) with Czech glass and flower links.... this one hasnt worked so well. The "links" with the beads are too long and sits a bit rigidly. This one needs re-designing.

SUCCESS!

I have been trying to design a pendant made from buttons.

I have finally worked out how to give them a useful bail arrangement!

See the trouble is that a button "hangs" in the middle.... I needed it to hang from the top - neatly and gracefully LOL.

Here we have - Button Pendants!

Beading project extrodinaire!!

Congratulations to Julia, Kath, Clarinda, Yvonne and Robyn!!!

We have all contributed (only 3 lots of rose petals from myself) to make this gorgeous bouquet for Julia's wedding.

I made Julia's chainmaille bracelet that (hopefully) matches her dress. I can't wait to see the wedding photos!

Chain Maille Bracelets

Sorry for taking so long to put up a new post! I have DQ 13 pictures to come at the end of march, and the ladies at craft have okayed me to take some pictures of their pieces to put on here as well..... so there will be more new soon.

BUT, for the latest obsession now..... Chain Maille.

I apo0logise for the appaling pictures, I have had to resort to scanning because, for some reason, the camera didnt like being dropped :(.... so now I need a new camera :(

I dont know if there is a name for this weave, but it is the rosette weave I am teaching the ladies and I have created 2 lengths of "chain" and joined them with 2 rings into each rosette. The clasp is a paua shell 2 strand clasp from Felicity at Vine Creative .


This one is a Euro 4 in 1 weave... just what they make chainmaille armour from. Certainly doubt I will attempt that whole suit after this effort though. A 3 strand gemstone clasp again from Felicity.


All of the rings are 20g 6mm OD silver plate from FMG.
Except the 4mm rings I have used to attach the clasps.

A new year, a new term, a new project for craft classes

Imagine my suprise when I saw I was taking the "advanced" beading class this term at craft works LOL.

Well after agonising over creating a project suitably complex and time consuming I have come up with the following "Charming Piece of Wearable Art". The chain by the way is some chain maille that the students are going to have to create as part of their piece.To aid the students in visualising a piece in different shaped and coloured beads, I have also made some sample variation pieces for them to see. The previous truquoise piece was made in the same way so that will be a sample for them to view as well. Samples are shown below.

Wish me luck, class registration is tomorrow!

It has evolved some more

The bracelet/necklace in my previous post has evolved some more... I wonder if I have gone too far?.... Better stop now..... but maybe another charm or 2 right down the bottom there.........

Started as a bracelet... finished as a necklace

Some dyed howlite, swaros, fresh water pearls and plated findings all charmed up into a bracelet......................... no wait, now it is a necklace!!! I like the necklace better. Now I just need a lobster clasp :)