Blue Rondelle Zigzig Collar

Back in 2012 I made samples of a netted zigzag collar design from Maria Rypan. It had rondelles along the edge and within the zigzag.

I also made myself a purple version to wear to a gala presentation for the Creativ Festival Designer Challenge. I used rondelles along the edge but replaced the rondelles within the zigzag with 3mm fire polished crystals.

In 2013 Maria was preparing to have the design published in Beadwork Magazine Aug/Sep 2013. I did a test run of the instructions as they would appear in the magazine. I worked with beads that I had on hand and that I would like to wear once the piece was finished.  After a few repeats I wa able to ensure that the instructions were fine. I put the sample aside until the article was published. 

Once I had the magazine in hand I did a few more repeats of the design before figuring out that I was not going to have enough rondelles for the length I wanted to make. So it got put aside yet again. I was able to get more rondelle but did not finish the necklace right away.

My summer vacation challenge to finish up some of my UFOs and the upcoming Blue Fantasy Blog Hop that I am participating in got me thinking that I should finish it.

Come back again on Saturday September 6 to see the Blue Fantasy Blog Hop Reveal.

Happy Beading!

Finishing works in progress

I realized that I had many unfinished projects sitting in various baskets, zip bags and drawers. It is time to work on getting some of them finished before starting anything new.

Here is the owl box that I posted about in October. I originally had just done the body without the lid.

Maria suggested that it would better with its lid. So here is the lid. I decided to use one of the lampwork headpin by Cheryl Brown that was leftover from the most recent bead soup as the finial.

 

One of the other patterns that I had purchased from Julia's website was the Scarab. I loved that the lid was where the amazing scarab pattern was stitched.

So this time I did the lid first. I had it finished about 6 weeks ago. I then started on the base, but it got put aside as I was distracted by other things.

I finally finished the base on the weekend as I dealt with a rare summer cold.

 

Now I have two less projects to complete. What will I do next??

Beadwork - Crystal Elevation Bracelet

Having finished Elizabeth's Purple Tempest Box I decided that maybe I should try and tidy my beading area. I sorted thru the various little baskets that I use to keep projects in. In one of the lower baskets I came across an almost finished Rypan Designs bracelet.

This is the Crystal Elevation Bracelet. It is all Swarovski crystals with a glass button closure. It was completely done (since the fall) except for finishing off the ends. I spent five minutes working the ends in and now I can wear my sparkles to work tomorrow.

I also came across my Smaug box and a number of other projects and beads purchased specifically for projects. I also have my TBS bag of beads project to figure out.

Beadwork - Finishing Unfinished Projects

This past weekend I decided that it was time to try and finish some UFO (Unfinished objects). From the recent Bead and Button special Right Angle Weave magazine I had started the Edwardian Lace necklace. I had finished the necklace and had started the matching bracelet. I got to the point where I had to decide what type of finding to use. In the magazine they used an extentor chain and lobster claw. I prefer to use toggles on bracelets so that I can put them on myself. Here is my finished set.

Back in October I had started a box but I ran out of one of the colours. I was able to get the colour I needed at the bead fair a few weeks ago. I finished beading the lid and created a finial with lampwork bead and a Swarovski crystal.

At Bead Fair I took a class with Marilyn Gardiner to make a Captive Round Necklace in Copper with captive silver beads. In the class I purchased an extra kit so that I could make two bracelets as well as the necklace. I finished one of the bracelets in class. I finished the necklace later in the week. I will make up the second bracelet at a later date to give as a gift. Here are pictures of the finished necklace and bracelet.