Welcome to the Blogosphere

The wonderfully talented Maria Rypan of Rypan Designs has taken her first step into the world of blogs. Welcome to the the blogosphere, Maria. I look forward to seeing and reading your reflective thoughts and images.

Beadwork - Purple Copper Necklace

Here is another completed project. I have simply strung the paper beads (from Titan Beads) with crystals and copper beads and spacers.

The paper beads have shades of purple and red. I have use Swarosvki crystal coppers and padparadsha AB bicones. Originally I had Bali silver beads in place of the silver, but I was not able to find a silver clasp that I liked.

So finding this square copper clasp meant that I needed to change the silver beads. I found these great copper lantern beads at the Beadfx booth at the show last weekend.

With a little tweaking the necklace came together. It is prefect for the fall with its rich colours and copper beads.

Beadwork - Faux Tennis Bracelet

This bracelet is a project from the February 2005 issue of Bead & Button. Designed by Diane Hertzler, it combines crystals and seed beads using chevon stitch.

I decided to make this piece earlier in the summer when I looked thru my binder of bracelet projects taken from various bead magazine. I had enough crystals on hand to make the bracelet. The only thing I did not have was a two strand box clasp. I was able to get one at last weekend's Bead Oasis show from Manhattan Bead Company.

Beadwork - Turquoise Paper Necklace

Here is the first piece that I have made using the beads that I purchased at Bead Oasis. This necklace uses some of the Ugandan paper beads from Titan Beads. I added turquoise beads, silver disc spaces and white Swarovski crystals.

I tried different colour crystals and found that the white added just the right lightness to the piece.

Beadwork - Phantasea Necklace

This necklace is a project that I started awhile back. I took a class to learn how to do it correctly at the Spring Oasis show. Using a beautiful Phantasea Shell by glass artist Susan Hood you create dangles with a selection of beads, crystals and stones. The dangles and the shell at strung with more beads, crystals and stones. I created an interwoven necklace.

I will finally be able to give this necklace to my friend Anna for her birthday... only belated by about 2 years.

Beadwork - Look at what I got

First bead show of the fall is done. I worked at the Rypan Designs booth with Maria Rypan. It was not as busy as in past years, but there were some new beaders as well as some of our old favourites. There was one beader, Sandra Ammerlaan, who came all the way from Holland to attend the show. She took many classes and met many new beading friends. She collected signatures in her copy of the new Toronto Bead Society Calendar.

Here are Maria and Sandra with Maria's article in Beadwork Magazine

Here are the beads that I got to do my Smaug box.

Here are the lampwork beads that purchased.

Red hats by Amy Waldman Smith

Blue Focal Beads by Amy Waldman Smith

Pendant by Deborah Read

Blue cylinder bead by AirWynn Glass Designs

Little glass spacers by AirWynn Glass Designs

I also purchased seed beads to do the Lively links project in the October issue of Bead & Button, crystals and pearls to make the ring in the October issue of Beadwork, three strands of acid etched black quartz, cooper lanterns to finish a necklace, vintage calla lily beads and crystals to make earrings. I purchase more of the Ugandan paper beads.

Look for some completed projects later this week.

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.