Best First Time Entrant.....

 I have to blow my trumpet just a little here.  I was recently voted best "First Time Entrant" in the Connect   triangle bead challenge.  It was a challenge organised through the Bead Society of Victoria via their in house magazine Connect.   Whilst I have won a small challenge before, voted by my beading forum peers, this one was judged outside of the forum.   I was so pleased to have been recognised.  The necklace had originally been designed for cubes and fire polish czech crystal however once I saw details of the competition I decided to do it with triangles instead.  I incorporated St Petersberg, brick stitch and a spiral rope.  Materials used were : seed beads sizes 11 and 6, triangles Size 11 and a mixture of Swarovski   3mm, 4 mm and 6 mm crystals.  The findings are antique gold.  My brain finds it so hard to create something that is not symmetrical so it was a true challenge for me.  

Technique - Right Angle Weave (RAW)

I am going to start adding techniques to help anyone needing visual assistance to learn a stitch.  Sometimes it all comes together when you can see what is happening rather than trying to struggle with the written word and diagrams.  I am starting with my nemesis Right Angle Weave or RAW as you will often see it written.  For some reason I struggle with it and every time I see a tutorial using RAW I cringe.  Sometimes you'll find you are following a tutorial and doing it without knowing.
See what you think of this video.  Hopefully it will help to explain the secrets of RAW

Simple Things....

Sometimes the simple things are the hardest.  I know there are those of you out there who have you own ending off techniques.  We all do but I think this one is worth sharing as well.  So simple for those at the beginning of their beadweaving journey.  When I first started out I was always terrified my woven thread would escape the beads and be sticking out of my work.  I tended to overdo it and weave, knot, weave, knot all over the place.  Come to think of it, I probably still do!  Beadsfriends is a lovely little site, especially for novice beaders.  I don't feel it is a site for the advanced beader although I still pick up things here and there, like the beading of a square crystal just recently viewed.  Sara has a natural way about her. Sometimes she has a bit of a chatty intro before she gets to the tutorial so I often fast forward to where I want to be.  


Share your favourite ending/adding thread techniques here.

Sometimes....

Sometimes you just want instant gratification.  I was up early this morning and thought I would just whip up these.  Made with some swarovski drops I purchased recently and chandelier earring findings I bought, oh I don't know, maybe 5 years ago!

Hmmmmmmm....

I am going to step into unchartered waters here.  I have decided I really need to use some of the bits and pieces I have collected over time.  I bought some great stones to use as cabochons and they were still sitting in the bag I bought them in.  Always seems a bit more daunting than picking up those little seed beads to make something.  Out came my book "Beading With Cabochons" by Jamie Cloud Eakin
I bought it ages ago thinking I would give it a go but so far nothing has eventuated.
Well I am fired up now.  I hunted out some backing material and tipped out the stones to drool over once more.  I selected a couple of buttons I had purchased when last in Melbourne and proceeded to trace around them on a piece of paper.  I was too scared to cut a shape out of the material and thought if I did it on paper I could get a bit of an idea on the actual design.  Being brave I traced onto the backing and then stuck the stones and buttons on.
Here is a pic so far.  Stay tuned for the next stage.  Knowing me it could be weeks before I get up the nerve to actually start beading around them!!!

And Here Is The Bracelet

  

"Floral Elegance Bracelet"

http://bead-tutorial.livejournal.com/36030.html#cutid1

I think she has done such a beautiful job.  Definitely going to give this one a try.


If you don't have any roses these ones at Over The Rainbow would be fine to use.  I think you could probably use lucite flowers as well.
http://www.polymerclay.com.au/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=FB-4158++&x=15&y=6

Isn't This Pretty...

I think this is really cute.  It is by a Japanese designer but look what BeeJang has done with it.  She has a gorgeous bracelet using the motifs.   Very pretty.  I've often wondered what to do with those wee roses.

http://bead-tutorial.livejournal.com/35660.html