Flashback Friday - Cascading Twigs

After last week's simply strung pieces I decided to look back at this netted collar with coral fringing. I made this necklace as part of a three week series of beadwork class that Maria Rypan offered a number of years ago. Each week we selected one of her projects and our own colours and learned the basic technique. I made this collar in silver lined red to wear with a mock turtleneck sweater. I no longer have the sweater but still have this great necklace.

This is a variation of Maria's current Cascading Twigs. I have the twigs worked closer together.  The earrings are made by doing just a small section of the necklace and working in the finding.

Next Flashback Friday will be the next step in cascading twig variations.

Flashback Friday - Strung designs

For many stringing is the first form of beading they do. Now I likely strung my share of pasta and Cheerios as a child, but as an adult my first beadwork was beadweaving, netting to be more specific.

My first attempt at stringing involved some beautiful red and white lampwork beads, fire-polished crystals and beading thread. It ended with the thread breaking as I stood waiting in the rain for a bus. I was able to rescue the lampwork beads. I then learned about beading wire and crimps. I was not able to find that first piece, but here are some early strung pieces.

 

Although the technique of bead stringing is easy, the design process for some projects is not. Here is one that proved a challenge. The heart shaped stone beads are an unusual shade of green. I tried many different green beads but was not happy with any of the combinations. I then remember some basic colour theory and choose a purple swarovski crystal. As a complementary colour to the green, the crystals worked wonderfully!

The completed set looked great and is perfect to show to fellow beads when talking about colour and beads!

Dotted Bead Collection

Here are my last two projects using the dotted beads that I purchased at the One of a Kind Show from Tascidesigns.

For the necklace I added some beautiful paper beads and Swarovski crystals. As with many simply strung necklaces it took longer to decide on the sequencing of the beads. I changed this necklace half a dozen times before deciding on the final pattern.

I then took the last two beads with a few Swarovski crystals and made a set of earrings.

The complete Dotted Bead Collection

Pacific Opal Crystals and Dots

Last Sunday I went back to the One of a Kind Show and stopped by Tascidesigns booth to show her what I had created with her beads. I decided to buy up the rest of the turquoise and cream dotted beads that she had there.

I have spent the week playing with eight beads and have a few designs in progress. Friday night I finished the first design. It uses three of the dotted beads, Swarovski crystals and some simple chain. The simply strung centre segment has lengths of chain linked together with Pacific Opal crystals on eyepins. I am getting better at making loops.

 

Dotted Heart Necklace

Last night I was inspired by the beads that I got at the One of a Kind Show. The dotted beads and heart are from Tascidesigns. I decided to do something other that just stringing them on beading wire. I used lengths of chain and linked the beads with eyepins. Doing this helped to improve my wire working skills. I modified the design as I went, by shortening the length on the overall piece.

I like the design, but I think that I would like to change the chain that I used. I would like to look for something a little bit heavier. I will wear it today and maybe make a stop at Bead Junction to look at available chain there.

Celtic Vision Necklace

This morning I finally finished this chain maille project from Gardiner Designs. I started the necklace in a class at Creativ Festival last month. I love the copper rings and the lampwork beads by Kirsty Naray. The challenge with this piece was working with a new pair of pliers and doing the wrapped loops on the pendant.

Twig Willow Twist

 

Here is the kit...

 

with these great beads....

to make this chocker with twigs and twisted bugles.

While helping  Maria to prepare for the weekend's Creativ Festival she decided that she needed a new sample of this design. This is one of the many designs that she will be teaching including three make 'n take earrings.

This is a great piece to learn netting and coral fringing. With metallic beads and bugles it fits right in current fashion trends.

Stop by booth #717 at the show to see all of Maria's available kits, patterns and books.

Flashback Friday - Swags

It was a number of years ago that I first did one of Maria's swag pieces. Maria's original design is a cascade of swags. I played with the swags and created longer swags that overlapped.

This was my first reversible swag necklace. Maria included a picture of is it as part of the colour photos in her Assorted Beadwork Lesson #2 book.

Here are the three colour variations that I took to New York in 2006. I was helping Maria with her presentation and classes with the New York Bead Society.

To see the many variations that Maria has with her swag design stop by her booth, #717, at next weekend's Creativ Festival  at the Metro Convention Centre.

Early Autumn Necklace

I was inspired by the current changing colours of the leaves. There are leaves that are still green with some turning coppery brown.

I have combined the topaz rondelles with Swarovski khaki cubes and copper pearls. The first run thru of the necklace was not long enough. I added green seed beads on either side of the large pearls. This help to lengthen it, in addition to a few 3mm pearls at each end of the necklace.

LBD necklace

Using more of the bead from Dawn Masters I created this necklace that would look great with the classic little black dress (LBD).

I combined the black and crystal rondelles with some dark grey Swarovski pearls. I had one pearl left so I added a drop at the closure.

Black, Red and Dragon's Blood

I have a few colours that I am always drawn to, namely red, blue and black.

At last week's TBS meeting I purchased some great beads from Dawn Masters, including matte and shiny black cubes. I strung them with coral beads and spikes, along with some black rondelles.

Coral Spikes Necklace

At Bead Oasis, last weekend I bought these great polymer clay beads, by Jessica Greschner, called dragon's blood. I also found these great rondelles at Canada Beading Supplies' booth. I have combined the with some hematite Swarovski crystals. This is a great piece. I have wore it to work the last two days and received many compliments.

 Dragon's Blood Necklace

Close up of Dragon's Blood beads

Beads and Chain Necklace

I was playing with the beads that I purchased at last night's Toronto Bead Society meeting. As I was looking for things to add to them I came across these lampwork beads I got from Amy Waldman Smith earlier in the year. I of course got side tracked by them. Here is my finished piece, combining the lampwork with a few Swarovski crystals and lengths of chain.

Under the Mast completed

Here is the band for the Under the mast pendant by Marcia DeCoster. It is an embellished right angle weave.  It would make a great simple bracelet to coordinate with the necklace.  I have enjoyed working up the various kits I purchased at the classes with Marcia last month at Beadfx.

La Baquita Necklace

I finished my variation of Marcia De Coster's La Baquita necklace. I purchased the kit at the class I took last month at Beadfx. I liked the look of the design, but wanted to have only a few of the medallions.

With the necklace being made with components I was able to make a center medallion and four small medallions. I used the band instruction from Marcia's Under the Mast necklace to finish each side of the necklace.

Summer Blue Ceramic Necklace

While out running errands today, I came across this beautiful ceramic pendant and matching beads. The best part was that they were in the clearance section of the craft department at Wal-mart. The pendant was $1 and the beads were $3. I added the flower spacers and the white firepolished beads.

It is a great, fun summer necklace.

Contemporary Ukrainian necklaces

A young lady preparing for her graduation wanted a necklace to wear that would honour her Ukrainian heritage. Maria of Rypan Designs was asked to design something (I did the final pieces).

This piece is a colour variation of Maria's popular cascading swag design. We used cream and gold beads for a fresh, modern version to match the grad's dress.

This piece has a more traditional base. It starts with a basic netted collar with cream and gold beads. The lower edge is embellished with loops of larger cream and gold beads.  The extender chain is finished off with a loop of beads the same as on the necklace.


Both pieces are on their way to this lucky young lady. I hope that she wears them with grace and pride.

Repaired Necklace

Here is a favourite necklace that just fell apart the other day. I wear this piece at least once or twice a week. I am sure that I stress the beading wire by playing with the lampwork beads. I have restrung the piece using a heavier beading wire and it is as good as new. Hopefully I won't have to restring for at least a couple of years.

Gothic Cross

This is a kit from Rypan Designs. I have had this kit for a number of years but not done it as I could not get my tension right for the cross using beading thread. Maria and I were talking about it as we were preparing for the upcoming TBS bead fair. I said that it might be easier with beading wire. That is what I did, using very fine Soft Touch by Soft Flex which you can knot. Once I had the finished cross I used beading thread to finish the piece.

Red Fossil Trio

I started with the lampwork bead from Carole Tillman. I added the red fossil beads in 6 and 8 mm and some yellow resin discs. I used delicas as spacers between the red beads.

The third strand of red fossil beads, I purchased, were 12 mm. I have strung them with hemitite Swarovski bicones and a jet Swarovski donut.

The final piece in my trio combines elements of the other two. The necklaces can be wore individually or combined.

Of course it need a bracelet to complete to look.

Spring Bronze Necklace

We are set to get more snow over the next few days. I made this beautiful necklace that shout to spring it is time to come back to Canada!! This combines some the Ugandan paper beads, Swarovski pearls and crystals.  It will go very well with my calla lily earrings. I hope that spring comes soon!!