ABC's of Creativity - April Review

It is May and spring is finally here to stay in southern Ontario. April was a crazy month but here is my review of the ABC's of Creativity.

I wrote both posts in April, G was Gems and H was Herringbone.

Here are some of my favourite images from G is Gems.

Turquoise Mosiac Bead with turquoise chips and copper, beaded by M. Rypan

Turquoise Necklace inspired by piece @ ROM, beadwoven by Christina Dufrene from 2010 TBS calender

Lampwork beads accented with amber, glass beads, beaded by J. Woolverton

From H is Herringbone I enjoyed show the variety of herringbone, flat, tubular and Maria's variation.

Flat Herringbone - Ribbon bracelets, designed by Kathleen Kimball-Baker, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Tubular Herringbone - Flowers on twisted herringbone rope, designed by Kerrie Slade, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Maria's variation - Beaded Soutache Necklace with Fluorite pendant

Only 18 more letters to go. Hop over to Rypan Designs blog to see more.

Happy Beading!

Flashback Friday - Herringbone Pansy

This morning I was looking in the hanging storage boxes of my finished jewellry to find pieces to use for Flashbacks. I found a number of pieces that have not been blogged about. Here is the first piece.  

This is necklace featuring a beautiful pansy bead by glass artist Kirsty Naray. Instead of stringing it with other beads as I have with many other necklaces, I beaded two herringbone tubes which cover the beading wire. It is a simple but elegant way to wear an amazing lampwork bead.

Flashback Friday - Beaded Vase

The picture of the beaded vase has been on my blog from the beginning as my avatar, but I have never blogged about it.

In 2005 Bead Junction had international bead artist River Rose in Toronto to teach some of her designs. I took the vase class because I was wanting to start beading things other than just jewellry. It uses one of my favourite stitches, ndebele (herringbone). The increases and decreases create the shape of the vase and are highlighted with the silver drop beads.

This is also my first project that used Fireline. The strength of Fireline is needed to allow for the tight tension required for the vase. I now use Fireline for all of my beaded boxes.

Unlike my beaded boxes, I have only made one vase. It might be interesting to make another. Just need to find the instructions in my beading area.

Heading off today to see the Maharaja exhibit at the AGO. Hope to be inspired by the splendour of India's Royal Court.

Beadwork - Red Collar of light and colour

Friday's class with Margie Deeb was for the Collar of light and colour. This piece has a foundation of tubular herringbone fringed with a variety of red and pink daggers. During the class we started the foundation. Later in the afternoon we started to do the fringing. Based on the sizing of the class sample, I realized that I needed to adjust where the fringe starts. My foundation needed to be 18 inches long, so I started the fringe 2 inches from the end.

Collar in progress at the end of class

Finished collar!!

Beadwork - Pearl Ring

Here is a ring with a Swarovski pearl and herringbone stitch. It is from the new issue of Beadwork, designed by Maria Teresa Ferreira.

This was an interesting piece to make. I liked how you did the different parts and then assembled them. I was able to finish this piece in an afternoon. I look forward to making others with different colour pearls or even a crystal.

Beadwork - Little Red Puffy Star

On The Beaders Showcase I have seen some beautiful work by bead artists around the world. One artist - Lidia had pictures of these very cool little puffy stars. I asked if they were her design and if so did she have instructions. She willing shared with me her draft instructions for creating the cool little stars.

This is made with a combination of herringbone and peyote stitch. It was fun to make. I look forward to making more in a variety of other colour combinations. I think that they will make great Christmas ornaments.