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.