Beadwork - Black and White Bracelet

At the Friendship Beading retreat last weekend in Montreal I took a class with Diane Reda to make this bead crocheted bracelet.

It was a good project for a class as I was able to almost finish the piece during the class. I finished it at home with a different closure.

This is my second attempt to do bead crochet. This was much easier that my last attempt. I guess working with larger beads helped.

I look forward to trying this project again.

Bead Challenge - Blue Foxglove trio

I have finally been able to finish this stunning necklace. I started back in April and I spent this morning putting everything together. This piece is designed by Kerrie Slade and was published in the April 2008 issue of Bead and Button magazine. It is stitched using one of my favourite beadweaving stitches, ndebele or herringbone. I have used three shades of blue for the flowers.

Here are some detail images.

End of Bead Crazy Week

My bead crazy week is over. I taught three classes this weekend and I also learned how to do an easy bead crochet bracelet. Last night's bead bingo was a hit. 24 bead crazy ladies enjoy an hour and a half of bingo with wonderful prizes for all.

I am going to spend tommorrow just beading. I hope to finish a project that I have with me.

Bead Challenge - Bead it Green Bracelet and Pendant

Bead crazy week continues. Last night those that had arrived in Montreal early were invited to dinner and a chance to shop at one of the local bead stores, Bead It. I purchased some interested green stone beads and was able to sit down this afternoon and make this bracelet and pendant set. I was inspired by the pieces in the store that had the stone pendant on a short piece of chain and then attached to an eye pin.

Pendant stone is Rhyolite (Rainforest Jasper)

Bead Crazy Week - Beading Teens

This is going to be a bead crazy week. It started last night with a beading program for teens at the library where I work. It continues later in the week with the Friendship Beading Retreat in Montreal where I will be teaching and running the bead bingo.

Last night I had 10 young ladies and 1 gentleman spend an hour making basic strung bracelets. Almost all of them make two bracelets. I had one speedy beader who made three.

Bead Challenge - Blue Southwest Charm

I have done many of Marilyn Gardiner's chain mail kits. This is the first of her beadwork kits that I have finished. I have others that I hope to finish over this year.

This piece is peyote stitched with delica beads.

Beadwork Challenge - Sage Fan "Wheel of Fortune"

I am going to be teaching some Rypan Designs pieces at the upcoming Friendship Beading Retreat in Montreal in a few weeks. One of the pieces I am teaching is a one I have not done before. It is a variation of the Fan bracelet which I have done a number of times. It was easy to do. I am looking forward to teaching it.

Beadwork Challenge - Iced Purple Flowers

First piece is finished. This is made with some beautiful lampwork beads by glass bead artist Amy Waldman Smith. I have combined them with some Swarovski crystals and other crystals.

This is a basic stringing project. I have added an extender chain with a pendant drop on the end made with the leftover crystals from the necklace.

Better Pics

Playing with my new photo tent and the setting on my camera has resulted in some better pictures.

This is taken without tent.


This is taken with tent and using Macro setting on camera.


I am pleased with the improvements. Now on with the real challenge.