Beadwork - Kaleidoscope Box

I finished the lid for this beautiful quilt like patterned box. I had a 4mm cube Jet Swarovski crystal that I used for a finial on the lid. It is neat change of shape from the triangle of the box.

I started another box, but will be posting necklaces over the next few days as I take classes at Creativ Festival.

Beadwork - Boxes

I have finally been able to photograph some of these wonderful beaded boxes that I have been making. My photo area was over run with books during working being done in my apartment. But the books are back in their place and I was able to take some photos. Here is a Flower box from Julia Pretl's book Little Bead Boxes. I have changed to pinks suggested to deep rich reds. I used some little cube lampwork beads from Unicorne Beads.

I started another box from Julia's book. This is the Kaleidoscope box. I am adding a repeat of the pattern to increase the height of the box. I still have to finish the lid. It should be finish tonight.

I am not putting any feet on this box, but will see if I have an interesting bead to use on the lid.

I am looking forward to the beading classes that I am taking later in the week at the Creativ Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. I am taking two of Maria Rypan's classes for her projects designed exclusively for Swarovski (I love Maria's classes... it is where I started beading). I will then be helping Maria at her booth (#271) during the show.

Beadwork - Stormy Fuchsia Earrings

Here is the second set of earrings that I made using these beautiful glass drop beads. These are a swirling grey with a twist of fuchsia. I have put them on head pins which I have attached to eye pins with 6mm fuchsia Swarovski crystals.

They were quick to make now that I am getting better at making loops on head and eye pins.

I am still here

Wow, it has been over two weeks since my last posting. Since then I have purchased a stack of TBS calendars to give out this holiday season.

I also have two books that I need to review and blog. I have also finished another of those wonderful boxes. They are very addictive. I am in the middle of another one and have purchased the beads for 3 or 4 more. Hope to blog my reviews and my new box or boxes by the end of the week.

On the weekend I went downtown and wander thru the Indigo at the Toronto Eaton Centre. They had a copy of Creating Crystal Jewelry with Swarovski by Laura Mccabe. I love the look of Laura's Crown Jewels. They are wonderful 3-D balls made with seed beads and Swarovski crystals. I have often thought about ordering one of her kits everytime I see the ad in a beading magazine. I am sure the book was less that the kit and I have so many other this I can make as well.

Calendar Girl

I heard over the weekend that one of my pieces was chosen for the Toronto Bead Society's 2009 Calendar. This year the calendar is supporting Pegasus Community Project.
I am going to be Miss June with my loomworked Floral Garden Necklace.

This is a piece I made a few years ago. I want to do a loomwork piece with no pattern. I used a seed bead mix for the woven parts. I then embellished with pressed glass flowers. To add texture to the fringe there are branches with more of the flowers and clear leaves at the bottom.

The Toronto Bead Society will be selling calendars for $10 at the Canadian Bead Oasis show next weekend in Toronto.

I will be at the show working at the Rypan Designs booth #2231. I will be presenting some of the Rypan Designs seminars at the show.

Beadwork - Drop Earrings

I was given some beautiful glass beads last Friday. There were two sets of these long drop beads. I decided that they would make great earrings. I dug through my Swarovski crystals and found 2 6mm purple bi-cones that matched the slash of colour in one of the sets of drops. Here is my first set.

The other set of drops are grey with a slash of fushia. I am going to get fushia crystals and make another set.

Beadwork - Dragon Box

I finished my dragon box. I have decided not to put feet on this box. I have added a small square lampwork bead on the lid as a finial. I am pleased with the way it turned out.

I did some other beadwork this weekend. One is a piece for a kit cover for Rypan Designs, the other two were colour samples for display in the booth at shows.