More One of a Kind Buys

Yesterday was the last day of the One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale here in Toronto. I was back down for my third visit this year. We went to a few vendors we missed last time, checked out the new vendors and revisited some of our favourites.

One that I missed on earlier visits was J.D. Leather Co. I have one of their bags already. They had some beautiful large letter bags, including one in a dark blue. It has now found a place in my growing collection of leather bags.

I also returned to Light House Photo Gallery. Carol Ann Norris' photos are a favourite of mine. I have three of her floral photos in my bedroom. I decided to get a new beautiful blue poppy photo to change up the selection on my wall.

We also returned to Worn Beadies. Amber had a selection of orphan beads. Here are the ones that came home with me.

I also stopped by Tascidesigns to show Nadia the rest of the creations I had made with her beads.

This year's One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale was great. I am looking forward to the spring show.

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.

 

Flashback Friday - Netted Crystal Ornament

At only 2cm this week's ornament is much smaller that last week's ornament. From December 2003's Bead and Button magazine this ornament is encased in a netted cover and then embellished with coral fringe. 

Delicas were the beads listed in the materials list, so that is what I used for my first version of the ornament.

All though it looks great I was not happy with the way the netting looked. I have always found that netting looks better if done with seed beads. Here is my second ornament done with size 10 seed beads.

Keyring Pals

I have a few bead charms on my key rings in the form of a lampwork ghost and critter from Kirsty Naray. This evening I took the cute little lamb bead from Lunacy Glass and made a new pal to put on my keyring.

My first challenge was what to use to stop the headpin from going right thru the hole. I started with crystals, then tried silver daisy spacers. I didn't like either of them. While hunting in my stash I found some very small fresh water pearls. They worked perfectly.  Here is the newest pal on my keyring.

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.

One of a Kind Buys

Today was our annual trip to the One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale. It was an enjoyable day of amazing creations. I saw some things that I may have to go back to get on my second trip on Sunday.

At Lunacy Glass, booth X09, Lucie had some amazing owl beads that had been made into pendants. She had only made just a few and did not have beads only left. I have to let her know if I want her to make one for me. I think that I hear those owls calling my name. I did get one of her cute lamb beads.

 

I also bought a selection of beads from a glass artist I had not seen before. Nadia Tasci at Tascidesigns, booth E33, had some amazing individual beads and jewellry. I purchased a heart bead and 5 coordinating beads. I already have a design idea for these beads.

One the artist that I specifically wanted to see was Carmi Cimicata of Carmi's Art Cards, booth Q25, whose  blog I follow. I selected one of her great handcrafted cards, for my niece's birthday. 

The last purchase of the day was a selection for Tickleberry's chocolates at booth D54. I just have to hid them away so that I am not tempted to eat them all this weekend.