Flashback Friday - Netted Cuff

Here is another treasure found at the bottom of my finished project drawer. This is a basic netted cuff made back when I was prefecting my technique.
It uses just seed beads. Now I would likely want to add some surface embellishments. But I like the simple basic look of this cuff. I used two simple toggles to ensure that it would lay flat when worn.

Recently finished projects

After a few weeks of working on samples for Maria at Rypan Designs, I did a number of strung pieces with lampwork beads.

This first one combines lampwork with silver beadcaps, crystals and paper beads.

This one is a reworking of a previous necklace. The acid etched black quartz changed with wear. The etching wore off, so I ended up with black beads that did not work in the design. Here is the new version.

At Bead Oasis I bought a set of lampwork beads that I made into a bracelet.

Also at Bead Oasis I purchased one of Amy Waldman Smith's new bottle version of her Ottoman beads. I selected one that went with the first Ottoman bead I bought. I have combined the two with Swarovski crystals to make a enlongated pendant.

 

 I also finished my Bag of Beads project which I will post after reveal night in April.

Cubes and Leaves

A just over a week ago, Diane Fitzgerald was here in Toronto teaching at beadfx and talking at Toronto Bead Society. I was lucky enought to take both of the classes. On Wednesday it was Moorish tile beads. They are fun to make as they are related to Julia Pretl's beaded boxes that I love.

First bead with colour inspiration

Fellow beaders finished beads

My first and second beaded beads

I am going to make all seven designs in the instruction package.

Thursday's class was for Diane's iconic Ginkgo Leaf Necklace. I got past the fact that it is done with brick stitch, my least favourite stitch. The first part of the class with learning about different ways to blend colours. Here is my first leaf.

I have started another leaf with shinier beads. I have it about 3/4 done. I am not likely how it looks, so I am only going to make more leaves like my first one. Only 10 or 11 more to make. I am then going to attach them to a bronze chain rather that with beaded lariat Diane uses. Not sure how long it will take for me to get this project done, maybe by the fall.

Flashback Friday - Visiting Teachers

Last week I was lucky enough to take two classes with the amazing Diane Fitzgerald. It made me think of other beadwork artists who have come to Toronto to teach. I found a picture of this beaded object.

It is from a class with NanC Meinhardt when she was in Toronto in 2005. This is done in free form right angle weave. We started with a form made with polymer clay. Here is what I started with.

I can't find this little beaded object, so these not so great photos are what I have to look back on. I will look to see if I can find any other visiting teacher projects to post in the coming weeks.

Flashback Friday - Crystal Copper Pearl set

Basic stringing designs go from simple to complex. Here is a set combining crystal, copper and pearls. I don't remember when this was made, but it has been worn many times.

The copper beads have started to patina and change from bright to dull and dark. I love the way copper changes with wear and time.

The left over copper beads were finally used in my recent Copper Armoured Dragon necklace.

Flashback Friday - Netted Kilim

Here is a piece from about 7 years ago. This netted necklace is based on the design of a kilim rug. Featured in the June 2003 issue of Bead & Button, it is by Maria Rypan of Rypan Designs. It has the look for a loomwork piece but is done using netting and connected by long bugles and seed beads.

I used a two shades of blue, a silver-lined crystal and a gold plated beads. This was the project were I learn about the lack of durablity, at the time, of plated or coated beads. The plated beads along the neck edge of the piece are now just clear beads.

This is a fun project to play with different colour combinations. Maria's originial uses navy iris and gold. She  has also taken the technique and used beads from a TBS bag of beads challenge to create her Sedona Kilim.