Beadwork - Shopping list

First bead show of the fall, Canadian Bead Oasis, is this weekend. I am going have to make a list of the things that I need (want, desire) before I go.

I am looking for just the right colours to do a Smaug inspired dragon box. I have tried to use the various reds that I have at home but they don't seem quite right. I have put a picture for the original book on my Palm. I hope that it will help me to select the correct shades.

There are also a few projects in recent magazines that I need a few things for. I want to make more of the pearl ring that I did last month so I need to get more large pearls.

Beadwork - Siamese Eggplant Combo

I was going thru some recent beading magazines and was inspired by a bracelet made with chunky wooden bicone beads and a focal lampwork bead. The wooden beads reminded me of the Ugandan paper beads that I had from Titan Beads.

I found these rice shaped, eggplant coloured ones. I combined them with a hallow lampwork bead and Swarovski crystals. I played with then layout for awhile, but soon realized that it needed another element. In my silver beads I found the silver beads which are the same shape and size as the paper beads. All I needed to do was find the layout that would work with the new silver element.

Beadwork - Calendar girl

Breaking News!!!

My beadwork was selected to be in the 2010 Toronto Bead Society Calendar. My Sea Aneome Series will be in the calendar.

Beadwork - Bronze Age

Mixed metal jewelry is still a trend in fashion. I have used this as a basis for the colour selection for these two pieces.

This collar uses a layered netting technique from the Xhosa tribe of South Africa. I used three different bronze seed beads, a metallic bronze, a bronze lined black diamond and a bronze lined crystal. It looks like a blending of three different metals. This design is by Kara Jacob and was in the August issue of Bead and Button.

This bracelet of bronze waves from the October of Bead and Button and is designed by Cindy Caraway. I used the same colours I used in the colour. The only differnce is that the bronze lined crystal are 8s which help to create the waves.

Beadwork - Chicklet Bracelet

Here is a new colour combination of Maria's wonderful Chicklet bracelet. Using both bronze and copper metallic seed beads to accent warm brown tone beads this is a great bracelet for the fall.

I worked up this sample in about 3 hours. Maria will have kits available at Bead Oasis and Creativ Festival.

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 - Magazines, videos and shows

The newest issue of Beadwork magazine has an article about my first beading instructor, Maria Rypan. I now help Maria by making samples of some of her pieces and working at her booth during local bead shows. The magazine includes the instructions for Maria beautiful Scythian Gold necklace. I beaded the piece that was used for the photographs in the magazine.

Here are two recent videos about Maria and her beadwork.

It almost the start of the fall bead show season. The first local show that I will be helping Maria at is Canadian Bead Oasis fall show. Maria will be teaching a number of classes including the project in Beadwork magazine. The next show is CreativFestival where will also be teaching a number of classes including a new bracelet design with Swarovski cystals. Maria and I will also be doing a number of free make and take earring sessions.