Beaded Cuff Bracelet

This one is in shades of ivory and terra cotta. Shopping for those was fun. Who knew there could be so many shades of ivory! I think the cab is some sort of agate. If you recognize it, please let me
know.
I added a few copper accents, which I really like and just made up the stitching as I
went along. Like a crazy quilt.
I used a 1 1/4" aluminum cuff blank to maintain the shape. I flatten the area where the
cab sits. And I used a soft flannel
for the backing. Feels good on the wrist.

Snowflake Bracelet

The Swarovski Snowflake pendant element is gorgeous. What a sparkler! Photos can't do it justice.
I used the silver leaf chain and added Swarovski pearls and rounds with bead caps. I also used some filigree snowflakes. I made the clasp with a larger silver bead and chain loop.

The rest of the bracelet is tubular peyote stitch with Delica Bead # 851, Matte Transparent Crystal AB and DB # 551, Bright Sterling Silver Plated.

Twisted Herringbone Bracelet

I finished beading this quite a bit ago. I wanted to put caps on the ends but finding just the 'right' ones took awhile. I really like these cones and the S hook, both in copper.
The bracelet is done in herringbone twist in Miyuki #40 copper, #21 steel, #1 gunmetal and #35 galvanized silver. Very simple to make and very pretty.

Winter Nights

Starlight, Starbright, or Starry Nights, both names are over used, I guess. How about Winter Nights? The stars seemed the brightest here in the winter. The tubular beads are stitched in peyote, using delica black #310 with an occasional bead of #551 for a sparkle. Silverplated stars, 10 and 12 mm and Swarovski stars, 20 mm and 28 mm are strung along a silver chain. I even found a star clasp.
A couple of hints.
Keep silver in a sealed bag when not in use. It will help keep the silver from tarnishing. Walmart sells polishing cloths that remove tarnish easily on small pieces.
When making tube beads, it helps to string some smaller beads inside the tube to keep it's shape.

Squaresville

Here is another project that I just needed to assemble and add a clasp. I found the Jet crystals at a flea market. Someone had made a bracelet on stretchy cord. I paid $1.00 for the bracelet, knowing I was cutting that baby apart as soon as I got home!
The center square is reversible. Red on black on one side and black on red on the other.

Fringed Geode

I started this late last winter and didn't finish the necklace portion. All done now. I made
the necklace portion long enough to just slip over head, so no clasp was necessary. I love
how the fringe beads pick up the blue from the geode. You can see more on the beading around
the geode here
http://queeniesbeads.blogspot.com/search?q=geode
I have another geode piece in mind. Different shades and finishes of white.

Russian Triangle

Someone passed this pattern onto me last summer and it's been one I've been wanting to try since I first saw it. It's one of those things that just make you say, "I've got to try that!" I believes it comes from Russia. I have seen it on various European sites dubbed 'The Twisted Triangle' or the "Russian Twisted Triangle.' It should be the "Drive You Mad Russian Triangle"!
But think cellini triangle, and it is really not hard. And yet, I worked on and off yesterday on one and started over 4 times. 4lb Fireline broke 3 times while keeping tension tight! Unbelievable! So today, I picked up 6lb test. And again, almost done and the 6lb broke. So, I start to think that it is not the Fireline itself, but sharp edges on the 15/0 delica beads. Fortunately, I had some Toho
rounded 15/0's. Finally, I completed the first half. A second triangle is now made and the two zipped together for a focal bead. But I'm also thinking that this half could now be stitched done to backing and become part of a beaded embroidery piece.

Stiff Felt for Beading Embroidery

Well, I have tried embroidering on some thin leather from Tandy, but it is still pretty hard on my fingers.
I even discovered I was piercing the tip of my index finger and didn't notice it. Just under the first
layer of skin and out again! Yikes! So, I went in search of the stiff felt some have recommended to me.
We passed a fabric store on the way to the apple orchard this weekend and stopped there. I found some stiff felt for $4.00 a yard x 60" wide. Nice! Only probably was they only had it in taupe. It's a nice neutral color though. Then off on a trip to town and Michaels. Armed with my weekly coupon.
Ah, Michaels! Stiff felt in 9x12 pieces in a rainbow of colors. Regularly prices at $.99 each but with this weeks coupon 40% off purchase. SCORE!

Tiger Eye Cuff

Since our 7th grade field trip to NYC where we visited the Museum of Natural History, tiger eye has been one of my favorite gemstone. My souvenir from the museum was a box with a dozen or so different gemstones.
This bead cuff features a tiger eye focal, chips and rice beads.
Miyuki seed bead colors include
2400SF
2422F
2422
64l
2006
457
Swarovski Smokey Topaz 2.5 mm
Dark Bronze Fire Polished round beads
I stitched on lightweight suede leather, but it is tough on the fingers pushing a needle through it.
When we go to town next, I'll check for the stiff felt at Michaels.

Copper Bracelet

Yes, more copper. This is a different bracelet. I still plan to make another to go with
the copper necklace. Components for this bracelet are available from fusionbeads.com, artfire.com or beadaholique.com
The copper leaves are already attached to the chain. I used a double length of it to make if fuller. And I added more components, -
small Swarovski pearls, Swarovski butterflies and some different shaped copper leaves.
Larger pearls with bead caps are also used. It's a free for all! Add what ever strikes your fancy.
The leaf chain is also available in silver. Would be great with snowflakes and white or icy blue pearls.

Copper Necklace - Part 4

Yeah, my jump rings arrived and I had my necklace all finished with in minutes after getting back from the post office. This was a fun project and I think at some point I'll make a scaled down
version for a bracelet.
I'm working on a new beaded embroidery piece. I'll give you a sneak peek over the weekend.

Rings - Ezy Pzy

If you have not been to http://www.jewelrylessons.com - you must check the site out.
There are loads of tutorials there and many of them are free. If you write tut's, you can
also sell there.
These rings are made from the tutorial there
http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/ezy-pzy-ring
Most use less than a foot of wire and you can vary bead sizes. A great way to use those
extras rolling around your bead box. Variations are endless and they are oh, so easy to make.

Copper Necklace - Part 3

Continuing on. I love the Swarovski butterflies. See # 9. And in #10, you'll notice the next few rings decrease in size down to a 9mm ring. the length of the necklace is now just about shoulder seam to shoulder seam on me. The rest will be chain with a clasp. BUT!! I am four jump rings short to finish up. So, I'm off to order more and will finish this as soon as the package comes. Of course, I just can't order 4 jump rings. I'll have to purchase a few more things, won't I?

Copper Necklace - Part 2

And it keeps growing. Almost like a charm bracelet for the neckline. It's a great idea for all those leftover beads too. You can make the 'danglies' with odds and ends from your stash. I'm sorry I didn't change the background sooner in the photo's. It shows up so much better on the light background. More tomorrow.

Copper Necklace

Lots and lots of copper components and a variety of Swarovski crystals went into this necklace.
Inspiration for this piece was an ad by Beadaholiques in an old Bead and Button magazine. No one
was credited with the design, I think the ad was just to show off the components. I bought most of
my pieces from fusionbeads.com though.
Watch it grow!

Halloween Witch in the Moonlight

Here is a pattern created on Bead Creator Pro. I used two drop peyote here, using 11/0 delica beads. Finished piece measures 2" x 6.75". If you need more length, add additional rows at the beginning and end. 11/0 seed beads will make the piece slightly large.

Easy Wire Wrapped Ring

This is my first attempt at wire wrapped rings. I used 18 guage wire here. The main bead is 10 mm with 2 side beads. You can use any nice sized bead. I bought an inexpensive mandrel and ring sizer on ebay. It's a good starter kit.
Begin with a piece of wire 12-14". Center your bead(s) on the wire and bend each end snug against the bead. Determine your ring size and wrap the wire around the mandrel, just below your size.
The ring will get tighter are you work. You can stop here if you like a narrow band, but I like a little wider so I wrapped a second time. Keep one wire above the bead and one below the bead. Bend the lower
wire up and the upper wire down.
Wrap the ends of the wire snug up against the bead(s). Keep the coiling tight and smooth. Re-check sizing of the ring. Finish by trimming the wires and use crimping tool to tighten the cut ends so they don't scratch.

Witch Silhouette Cuff

This Witch Silhouette Cuff bracelet pattern is 2.5" wide and 7" long when finished. If you need extra length, you can add rows at either end. I'm thinking a frosted transparent orange for the background. Pattern created on BeadCreatorPro

Headless Horseman - Two Drop Peyote

Here's a pattern for a cuff bracelet - 3 inches wide x 5 3/4 inches long. You can add length by adding extra rows on either side. Make it narrower by working with 15/0's instead of 11/s.
Add more color by making the moon shades of yellow. Two drop peyote works up fast. Have fun with it.

Sunflower Cuff Bracelet Pattern

Here's a pattern for a Sunflower Cuff Bracelet. Done in peyote stitch. It measure just under 2" wide and 7.37" length. You can adjust length by adding or subtracting rows. I left the background blank so you can choose your favorite color for that. Maybe another shade of green, golden yellow or even orange. I'm thinking of this as just the background. Maybe embellish the sunflowers with some dagger beads and a few golden and topaz beads embellishing the centers. Let your imagination run wild. If you have trouble viewing this one, press Ctrl and + keys to enlarge.
Pattern created on BeadCreatorPro

Flag Charts

Here's a couple little charts for July 4th. You can change the size of the flags by using smaller or larger beads. 15/0's would make a great size for earrings with the diamond shaped pattern.
Add some tassels with silver stars. Patterns created on BeadCreatorPro

Wordless Wednesday, June 8

Here it comes!!

Yes! Spring is finally arriving! Remember these photos from March 23? Here is the backyard today. I filled and hung the hummingbird feeder out on Thurs and Fri afternoon, the first hummer arrived. We've been busy cleaning up the yard, raking leaves left from the fall, putting out outdoor furniture and decorations. Still a lot to do, but we enjoy being outside and doing a little each day.

Wordless Wednesday, April 27