Beads and Bread: blog challenge

Showing posts with label blog challenge. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

A Time to Stitch Five

Today's the day people! It's here, it's here! What? Well, the reveal for A Time to Stitch, of course!
This is one of my very favorite challenges, and it is run by the awesome Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller.
So this challenge was to take one stitch, and make 3 identical pieces, changing either the size, or the color of the beads.
I chose flat herringbone, it's one of my favorite stitches for it versatility. I took this challenge one step further, and used silver-lined, opaque, and matte finishes as well as the three different colors. I guess I cheated a bit, because I also used a silver metallic in each of the bracelets, and a coordinating size 15 for the edge beads.
I really love how they turned out, and I hope you do as well!

I found these awesome buttons to use as my clasps.

I am so thrilled to see the differences in each bracelet.

Because of the silver lining on the purple bead, this one has an overall shiny look, and you don't see the pattern as much.

This one has such a dainty look, and the button fit perfectly with that feel. The matte finish really allows the pattern to stand out.

I adore this one! The opaque beads show off the pattern so well, and that mother of pearl button has just the tiniest hint of green in it. I was working on this one while not at home, and there were lots of distractions around. So....it was a bit short. But the longer clasp looks fine when it's on, and I love how I ended up creating it. I will definitely use the technique again. After stringing enough beads to fit around the button, I strung 16 more. Then I square stitched the last 8 to the first 8, and embellished the top with a tiny 15. Worked great!

Just like the bracelets themselves, each loop showed off the personality of the bracelet.

Yep, these three girls are stars of the show around here! Thanks for joining me on this wonderful challenge.

Now you get to see the rest of the participants!

Therese Our wonderful hostesses!

Kim

Shirley You are here!

Amy

Ana

Friday, February 28, 2014

Are You Ready to Bead Soup???

My first Bead Soup Blog Party

It's getting exciting around here! Some of the participants have been matched up. I love the anticipation of waiting to hear who my partner will be, and that first email!
If you've not heard of the Bead Soup Blog Party, please check out some of my past entries, and for more info, please check out Lori Anderson's blog. Lori started this blog party several years ago, and really had no idea it would take off like it has. To my knowledge, there is not another blog hop that is quite this big in the beading world. I attribute the success of it to Lori herself. Not only is she a fantastic designer, but her caring heart shines through in absolutely everything she does. Throughout her struggles over the past year with health issues, she has continued to be present and accounted for in her blog, her facebook, and her inspiration. I know I would not do half as well handling all that she has, and still want to host this great Blog Party.

One of my favorite pieces.

I've grown as a designer each time I've participated, and glue myself to the chair on reveal day, hopping from one blog to another. I cut and paste the list to a word document, and highlight each blog, or comment to go back later.
You will always have folks that sign up, and then don't participate. It's really a bummer, but it does happen. Then there are computer glitches, life events that overtake us, etc.
I love reading about the process of designing the pieces, sometimes more than the piece itself. Ugly? I don't really feel that way, since I don't expect everyone to like beadweaving either. What I do appreciate is their effort and commitment to the challenge.

Ok, I still have a bit of cleaning to do before my reveal tomorrow for Sharyl's Clean Up, Fix Up Blog Hop. See ya tomorrow! Blessings, Shirley

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

A Time to Stitch 4 Reveal

I can't think of anything better than starting the new year off with two of my favorite designers. Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller. They came up with the great idea of having a blog challenge based on beadweaving stitches.
The ones they chose for this time are: Netting, which is the required stitch, Chevron, Chenille, and Spiral.
I was only able to create a piece using the netting stitch. I'm very, very pleased with the way it turned out.

One of my 'go to' books is Carol Cypher's Mastering Beadwork. It is such a great reference tool for the basics of stitches. I also love the little 'Tips and Tricks' that she offers. So off I went to brush up on the stitch.
For some reason, I have a brain cramp with starting the netting stitch. Hey! Don't judge! :)
Anyway, this is called 'Spiky Bracelet' in her book. It uses odd count netting, which means that your turnaround is accomplished with a little picot. It turned out really pretty with the colors I chose, and of course, my photos totally do not do justice to the sparkle factor in this pretty.

It's so lacey and delicate, and those 3mm fire polish twinkle ever so nicely!

Well, I was hoping to show you the details of this beaded button I created for it, but I don't think it shows up very well. I should have taken a photo of it before I attached it to the bracelet. After working 6 rounds, I went back down to the beginning, and worked the first three rounds again, to give it some height for the loop to fit around the bead, and to stiffen it up a bit.

I love the hexagonal shape of the netting.

This was a fun challenge, as always, and I thank Therese and Christine for starting it. Blessings, Shirley

Please go check out the other hoppers to see what they created.

Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller

Amy Severino

Janet Bocciardi

Cynthia Machata

Alicia Marinache

Paula Kramer

Kim Hora

Dee Alcalde

Dagi (Kokopelli)

Maryanne Gross

LizE

Alenka

Nelly May
Ana Cravidao

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Two for One Reveals-Therese Frank's Birthday Reveal

Today is going to be exciting, for sure! How did I manage to sign up for two challenges due on the same day? Nut job, that's me!
Please go here for the post on Lisa Lodge's Hop.

I am so very pleased and honored to be included in Therese Frank's Birthday Reveal. I remember drooling over all the beautiful designs last year that everyone created for her birthday. So I was super thrilled when she included me in the list of folks to receive a very special piece she created.
She played with fusing dichroic glass, and made gorgeous focals that she mailed out to everyone.

Now, you're waiting to see the focal, aren't you? Well, I could have sworn I took a pic when I got it.....but couldn't find it on the computer amongst the MASSES of photos in there. Seriously, I thought I was going to drown in all those pictures! I need a secretary! Oh, wait, I'm a stay at home mom...hmm, ok, well, guess I'll have to train one of the kids to file and organize...as soon as I learn how...
Anyway, back to the beauty! There are so many gorgeous colors in my focal, mainly in the blues and purples area of life. Yep. Yummm!!!
Sooo, I decided to try something new. What? It'll be fine...really. How hard can it be to bead embroider?
Lots of people do it....
Well, it actually went pretty well. And you would think I would have NO PROBLEM at all coming up with a rope for it, right? Sigh, no, I was overcome with indecision, and, I purchased beads, and I liked them, but not with the focal, and I started a rope, and I really like it, but not with the focal...yeah.

I do love these dichroic beads, the faceting and shape are very interesting, but I felt like they were competing with Therese's focal, and that was not the point!

I sooo love how this rope is looking, but I did not think I was going to get this much of a curve on it. Not sure if you can see the random reds in the carry beads. They show up very well in person. Just like the small red spot in the focal, they catch your eye unexpectedly. I do think I will end up using the black matte beads, and maybe some silver lined crystal to make a rope for it. Suggestions are definitely welcome!

See the little random red beads? I love how they picked up the red in the focal.

Yes, there is a string hanging off there....

I don't think I'm quite finished with the bezel, but I'm not sure...and I do need to add a backing, but I don't have anything suitable at the moment.

Therese, I had so much fun learning bead embroidery with your beautiful focal, and I've got the perfect outfit to wear with it! Thank you so much for including me in your birthday challenge!
Now, head on off to see what the other very talented ladies have created! Blessings, Shirley

Amy

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Seed Bead and Metal Blog Hop Reveal

It's here! It's here! I'm so very excited about today! My very first Co-Hosting of a Blog challenge!!!!
And with the awesome Sharyl McMillian, no less!

Sharyl is such a talented lady, and I was so thrilled to supply various beadwoven beads to complement her metal components. As an added bonus, we chose to use the colors for Artisan Whimsy's November color palette.
So, if you've read my blog posts in the past, you may have noticed ....I don't really do earrings. Now, I adore earrings, and wear them every day. I just have challenges making them. When I received Sharyl's package for me, I quickly set about creating a bracelet. My latest passion has been kumihimo, and I love how quickly they work up. I was planning on making a cellini spiral for my braid. Hmm....the Daughter quickly and ruthlessly vetoed the bracelet. "Nope, doesn't work" she said. Now this girl has some serious challenges on putting together a coordinating outfit, but she is pretty spot on when it comes to any type of art form. Here is the braid in question:

It is pretty, but it just wasn't working with the palette. 'K, back to the drawing board.....

I thought I could layer the discs on top...FAIL.

Yeah, I was getting a bit desperate here. Things were not coming together. And, well, no pressure or anything, but I am a CO-HOST!!!

Deep breath, how about some cute kumihimo earrings? Yep, I can totally do that!

Here we go!

And of course, as I add this pic to the blog post, the colors totally clash! But I promise, they are NOT like that IRL. They work perfectly with Sharyl's pretty altered cones. Sigh, probably the wood box I used to hang them from, 'cause, you know, I don't DO earrings, so I don't have a cool display for them!

Now, back to the beads....

I still had to make my beaded bead, and use the flat discs from Sharyl. (No, I didn't take a before pic!)

Here are some that didn't make the cut....

I know, I know, shut up already, and show the pics! Well, believe it or not, I ended up making two more pair of EARRINGS!!!!

See??

Just some little jump rings (I did make those, does that count?), and coordinating beads...yes, I know those green beads look like they don't match, but they do!

An easy, cute beaded bead, jump ring and earwire, call it done!

Now, y'all can just call me lame if you wanna, but I am seriously proud of making THREE pair of earrings!

I can't wait to see what everyone else made!

Here's the list!

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson --

Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections (*Co-Host)

Candy Wham -- (Participant posting on Sharyl's blog)

Angi Mullis -- (Participant posting on Sharyl's blog)

Shirley Moore -- Beads and Bread (*Co-Host) You are here!

Laren Dee Barton -- Laren Dee Designs

Beti Horvath -- Stringing Fool

Tanya Goodwin -- A Work in Progress

Marybeth Rich -- Forest of Jewels

Amy Severino -- AmyBeads

Carolyn's Creations -- Carolyn's Creations

Toltec Jewels -- Jewel School Friends

Blessings, Shirley

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Autumn Design Challenge Reveal

Hi all! Welcome to the reveal for Lesley and Caroline's Design challenge!
You just have no idea how thrilled I was to be able to work with these components. I have been a ~~stalker~~...um follower, of Lesley's for quite a while. This is my first time working with Caroline's beads, and I can tell you, it won't be the last.
Have you ever had so many ideas floating around in your head, you just don't know which to do? Well, that was me. It took a bit for the beads to get here from the UK, so I was also short on time.
My design process definitely gave me fits for this challenge, but hey, that's part of the fun!
Where is my before pic, you ask? Why, of course I forgot to take one! But, in my defense, I was excited!
Lesley sent a bracelet bar, and a leaf, and Caroline sent a strand of oh so luscious beads.
I'm part of a kumihimo facebook group, and one of the members, Pru McRae, had just released a new tutorial that I had been itching to get my hands on. When I saw that bracelet bar, I knew exactly what I wanted to do!

See? Isn't that just the most scrumptious???

Ok, so my pics are definitely off in color a bit. I promise you, those goldstone beads are a perfect match for the colors in the bar.

Here is a bit more full size view of the bracelet. I didn't like the way I ended it, so you don't get to see that part....cause it's my blog, that's why! The gold beads are size 5 triangles, and they worked perfectly with the goldstone beads in Pru's fabulous pattern.

Next up are the leaves...oh yeah baby! Caroline's bead set included a ceramic leaf, and I wanted to use them together. I happily set out to bead a leaf to go with them....

I adore this leaf, but sadly, it didn't make the cut. My idea, and what we ended up with are worlds apart.....

But, oh, how I love it! My vision had lots of leaves in various sizes, with tons of fringes, and a peyote band to bring them together....hmm, guess I thought I was in charge here....

My poor pics do not do these beads justice, they are so beautiful, and just really didn't need a lot of busyness.

Two simple ropes, with all the lovely shades of autumn.

I was so excited to finally get to use the UFO beads from The Beading Room. They have a bit of a weathered look, like picasso, and the light shines through them beautifully.

I still had several of Caroline's beads to work with, and spent two days creating an awesome CRAW bracelet....and then just didn't feel the love. What to do, what to do (insert image of me pulling hair)

Every time I looked at those beads, they just said 'necklace'. Which is fine, but a speedy beader I'm not. All the beadwoven rope techniques I wanted to use, I knew I didn't have time to complete.

So, as I'm sitting there staring at my VERY MESSY desk, I keep looking at this awesome teal clon kumihimo cord, sitting next to one of those beads....

This is another of my favorite kumi patterns. This one is by the talented Sally Battis, of Sallybeadjewelry.

Huge apologies, I finished this up too late for decent pics. The magatamas have a gorgeous hybrid of colors, and that cord just sings next to Caroline's bead.