A Time to Stitch 7!!

Today's the day! If you have never heard of the Time to Stitch challenges, you are in for a treat! The brainchild of Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller, the challenges are designed to push you out of your comfort zone (nicely!) and introduce you to some new stitches...or maybe some you have been avoiding....cough, cough...
This challenge is for Bead Embroidery. Sigh....something I have avoided for years people, just...years. See, I used to spend the summers with my aunt, who was an impulse shopper. She would find a sale, and buy, like, a couple of DOZEN of something. Well, one of the things she had oodles of was embroidery kits. Which fascinated me as a kid, and repelled me as an adult. So that was how I looked at BEAD embroidery.
Which was a huge mistake, but it was hard getting past it. And with as many awesome bead stitches as there are out there, why bother, right? Because as a beadweaver, we are a bit, um, OBSESSED with new projects. And bead embroidery is just gorgeous!
I've got a Pinterest board for it that I'm constantly adding to: https://www.pinterest.com/lsmoore1/bead-embroidery-inspiration/

My problem is that I'm kind of a 'fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants' girl. And you do need to plan out your design. Well, I sat for several weeks, trying to figure out a design. When I finally decided on one, I glued my cab into place. And promptly decided I didn't like the shape. So I traced an adjustment on the backing, but part of the design I couldn't change, because of where I placed the cab. So I'm not very happy with the shape, it is asymmetrical, which can be good, but not for me on this project.
I was a very lucky recipient of one of Therese's cabs. This is mountain lace jasper. I love the subtle flow of color in it.
I am quite lucky that I had a fantastic resource to guide me during this journey...Dimensional Bead Embroidery by Jamie Eakin. I used several stitches from this book.

This is a twisted bezel. I really love the look of it, even if I didn't get it quite tight enough.

 The green matte beads are used in a picot or 'moss' stitch. I really like how textural it is, and such a great backdrop for the Picasso druks. 

 The purple section with the 2mm bicone crystals is where my freeform journey began. First, I made a cute circle around them. But then, when I was making the lines of purple and copper, I sort of filled in more, and it just kept morphing from there!

I am pleased with my journey into bead embroidery, the cab really inspired me. I definitely need to work more on the 'planning' part of things.

I started a kumihimo rope, and then about 10 inches in to it, decided it didn't work for the pieces. So I switched to a twisted raw, but I haven't quite finished it yet. I'll add the photo when it is complete.

 I am planning my next BE piece, so I'm calling this challenge a DEFINITE success! Thanks again, Therese and Christine, for a wonderful challenge!

Here is your list of participants, please go check out everyone's work. Blessings, Shirley

1.       Therese (Host)
2.       Christine  (Host)
3.       Amy
4.       Lola
5.       Lori F
6.       Kim
7.       Becky Pancake
8.       Karin G.
9.       Debbie (Kepi)
10.   LizE
11.   Maryanne
12.   Paula14.   Wendy
15.   Janet
16.   Jasvanti
17.   Ginger
18.   Alicia
19.   Bobbie
20.   Shirley
21.   Sarah
22.   Cynthia24.   Lizzie

Bead Peeps Reveal

Are you ready? It feels like I just signed up for this awesome blog party, and now it's reveal day!!! Huge THANK YOU to Linda Anderson for organizing this party!!!
Every time I sign up for a blog challenge, life gets crazy, but I just love them! This one was no exception...my entire household fell prey to every virus and sickness out there this winter/spring. But maybe that just pushes me harder...or maybe it was just the awesomeness of my partner's beady goodies! Tammy and I had a lot of fun trading life stories. I hope to meet her in real life someday, I think we would have a blast together! Please go check out her site, you will be thrilled!
So, here's what I started with....

All wrapped up nice and pretty!

I was just thrilled with the color palette, and my daughter and I immediately wrestled for those adorable birdies! 

You know beadweaving is my main focus, so those bicones and Delicas quickly spoke up and said, 'Bead Me First!"

Of course I listened!

This flat herringbone bracelet is a joy to wear.

It has a rather Victorian feel, which I didn't expect. The smoke bicones don't show up as well in the photos, but they both sparkle beautifully!

 The color palette gives this piece a very expensive feel. Score!

Next up, are the yummy tigereye rounds and the teal discs. The inspiration for this one is from Beadwork Special issue Winter 2015. Genuine Leather Bracelet by Leslie Mangine. Now, wire and me are not exactly on chummy terms, so I knew this was going to take me down THAT road. (You know, the one where you are very much outside your comfort zone?) Yeah. 

See? So far outside my norm! And look how great that clasp works with this design!

Everyone wanted to jump in and join the party!

I made some simple circles with more of the bicones, and some picasso druks. I've had that big honking polymer clay bead in my stash for a while, and was thrilled at how well it played with the teal discs!

 And these craw beaded beads play with the tigereye sooo niceley!

Next up is the metal bracelet bar. I knew right away I wanted to do a kumihimo band for it. This is a square braid, and I love how it looks and feels. It is visually interesting, without taking away the spotlight from the bar.

 The soft gunmetal grey and lavender rattail work perfectly!

Can you see the squared off sides? It does have a gentle twist, and feels soo good!

Yeah, so are you noticing a bracelet theme going on? Me too!

Then I think we need a necklace, don't you? And we have the perfect item for it...that lovely lampwork focal. I found seed beads that matched it to a tee at my local bead shop, Moonstone Beads.

I've wanted to try a blended kumihimo for a while, and I'm quite pleased with the result.

I had planned on the focal bead being a part of the rope, but miscalculated in the planning part. Since I had already loaded ALL of the beads, it quickly went to hanging from a bail! 

This has a wonderful beachy feel to it, and the fringe picks up all the colors in the lampwork bead.

I finished it with some pretty brass end cones, and a simple lobster clasp.

Well, are you noticing an....absence of something? Yes, you're right, there are no pics of anything with the beautiful feather and birdies! Wanna hear the story?   As I said, the girlchild and I had a friendly argument over the birdies.  Of course she won, cause she's my girl, you know. She asked me to make her some earrings, which I reluctantly agreed to...I REALLY struggle creating earrings.  And I decided to make a lariat with the feather hanging from the bottom, along with some flower beads and beadwoven leaves. I started the rope, it was looking fabulous. Someone in the family got sick. When I got back to the bead table, I started on one of the other pieces, and kinda forgot about the rope.  As I'm gathering everything together to take pics for the post, I saw the feather lying there, looking lonesome. I searched, and searched, and searched....I still haven't found that rope! Or the birdies! They have apparently flown the coop..I know, lame joke.

When I find both of those babies, I will post the pics. Meanwhile, thanks for checking out my goodies, and head on out and visit the rest of the participants!

I'll be away for the weekend, but plan on checking everyone out when I get back.

Blessings, Shirley

Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 2015  Partner List    Our Hostess: Linda Anderson from http//:fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Linda	Anderson	http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Marica	Zammit	http://www.beadlovelies.com
Linda	Anderson	http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Jessica	Hocutt	https://faithfamilyandadventure.wordpress.com
Kristina	Hahn Eleniak	http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Debbie	Jeffries	http://wordpress/debrasdivinedesigns/blog.com
Rosantia	Petkova	http://bairozan.blogspot.com/
Shalini	Austin	http://jewellerybyshalini.co.uk/my-blog/
Catherine	La Vite	http://drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Annica	Larsson	http://zestyfrog.wordpress.com/
Lori	Schneider	http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/
Divya	N	http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Mowse	Doyle	http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com
Fay	Wolfenden	http://torchfairy.blogspot.com
Kathy	Lindemer	http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Claire	Fabian	http://saraccino.blogspot.de/
Janice	Warden Bergeron	http://thejewelryroom.blogspot.ca
Natalie	Davidson	http://www.northshoredays.com
Deb	Fortin	http://www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Inge	von Roos	http://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Karen	Mitchell	http://overthemoon-design.com
Robin	Reed	http://willowdragon.blogspot.com
Marie	Covert	http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Alicia	Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca
Nan	Smith	http://www.wirednan.blogspot.ca
Johana	Nunez	http://artincendi.com
Kelly	Hosford Patterson	http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/
Lori	Blanchard	http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com
Sue	Kennedy	http://suebeads.blogspot.com
Shai	Williams	http://shaihasramblings.com
Niky	Sayers	http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Melissa	Trudinger	http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Candida	Castleberry	http://www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Erin	Guest	http://www.renlish.com
Nicole	Rennell	http://nicolerennell.com/blog
Ien	Temaluru	http://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com
Robin	Showstack	http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
Sam	Waghorn	http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk
Marianne	Baxter	http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Elsie	Deliz-Fonseca	http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com
Shai	Williams	http://shaihasramblings.com
Lee	Koopman	http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Jayne	Capps	http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Marti	Conrad	http://marticsclay.blogspot.com
Tina	Bosh	http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/
Eleanor	Thomas	http://woolywireetc.blogspot.com
Jeanne	Steck	http://www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com
Gloria	Allen	http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com
Rachel	Mallis	http://www.mintmonarch.com/#!blog/c1jlz
Andrea	Glick	http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Stephanie	Stamper	http://skwds.blogspot.com
Chris	Haussler	http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Betony	Maiden	http://www.beadwenches.blogspot.com/
Kari	Asbury	http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog/
Jenny	Kyrlach	http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Colleen	Foley	http://colleenfoleycreations.blogspot.com
Marybeth	Rich	http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Marcy	Lamberson	http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Dyanne	Everett-Cantrell	http://www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Ginny	Lones	http://www.Skippingintotheunknown.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa	Sharrow	http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Loretta	Carstensen	http://designsbyloretta.blogspot.com
Dolores	Raml	http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Michelle	McCarthy	http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Louise	McCormick-Glazier	http://jewelrytreasuresbylouise.blogspot.com/
Heather	Richter	http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
Tammy	Adams	http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Shirley	Moore	http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com   You are here
Seed Beaders
Susanne	Stelljes	http://pearlify.blogspot.de
Sheila	Prosterman	http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Pallavi	Asher	http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/
Jami	Shipp	http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com
Peggy	Kosier	http://www.kosydesigns.blogspot.ca/
Andra	Weber	http://andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com
Catherine	King	http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Krafty	Max	http://kraftymax.com
Sierra	Barrett	http://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com
Lois	Sherwood	http://thiznthat5454blog.wordpress.com
Katy	Heider	http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com
Rebecca	Robertson   (White)	http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/
Heather	Richter	http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
Brandy	Collier	http://bhjewelry.wordpress.com
Stephanie	Haussler	http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Lori	Blanchard	http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com
Kathleen	Breeding	http://99bobotw.blogspot.com
Becky	Pancake	http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Renetha	Stanziano	http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Tami	Norris	https://jewelrybytami.wordpress.com/
Ginger	Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/
Peggy	Johnson	http://charmbarn.blogspot.com

He Is Risen!

Today is the day of celebration of our Risen Lord! Easter is my second favorite holiday.
I love the passion, the fun, the formality, the intensity, the chocolate, the Easter dresses...
This is one of the coolest videos. I guess I should have posted it Friday, but, oh well, at least I posted!




I also love the sweet innocence of children hunting easter eggs, and looking for their easter baskets when they get up. I know some folks think that's two sides of the fence, but I guess that's just the Southern girl in me...love me some tradition!



And what would  a holiday be without a ton of food??


My hubs is working this holiday, so our dinner will be a quiet one this year.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter! Blessings, Shirley

Meet my Bead Peeps Swap n Hop partner!

H all! Well, I'm quite shocked to see that I haven't posted in...well...a while. I assure you, I've been quite busy typing, just not on my blog!  You would think that since I only have one child left to homeschool, that I would have more time, right? Um...no. But anyway, you didn't come to hear about my busy schedule, you came to meet my partner!
I am quite enthralled with bead hops, so when I saw the signups for the Bead Peeps Swap n Hop, I was totally excited!  Linda Anderson is the mastermind behind this challenge, and I'm so glad she chose to put all the time and effort into creating this Hop!
And over the top thrilled with my partner, Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard. Tammy's design style is quite different from mine, which thrills me to no end. (Cause where's the challenge if you both create the same?)
Check these scrumptious earrings....






I adore this owl necklace!


You can find more of Tammy's designs here. And here.

Tammy has a really cool day job working with scientists. Now, prior to this year, I would never have described myself as a science geek. But having taught a semester of 1-5 grade science, I have to admit, there are quite a few sciencey things I dig. :)
The one area of science I've always loved is sci-fi fiction. And Tammy is the same! Sweet!!

Now, wouldn't you like to see what I'm sending Tammy? Shhhh...I'll give you a little sneak peek, k?

Gorgeous, huh?

I've loved every blog challenge I've entered, and it is such a great experience to meet other folks that are just as enthusiastic about jewelry as you. I have a feeling this is going to be the best one yet, so stay tuned!
Blessings,
Shirley

Your Thoughts on 2014?

Last day of the year.....they do go by so very fast!


So, I'm curious as to how this year stacked up for you. Exciting? Tough? Enlightening?
                                         


I've had some tough moments, and some exciting ones.
I lost a dear friend, the owner of my local bead store. But the blessing has been that a customer chose to purchase the store, and it has been very exciting working with her on new ideas for the store.
She asked me to teach some beading classes, which is very rewarding to share your passion with others.
I was accepted for Beadwork's Challenge for the Dec 14/Jan 15 issue.  Finally published!
Now I want to concentrate on creating a piece to send in as a pattern.
Opened a component store at Artisan Marketplace. Lots and lots to learn about selling and promoting without being annoying!
Social Media is a true challenge to balance! My poor blog has definitely suffered as I have spent more and more time on Facebook, which it seems is heading for some changes.  I truly love my Facebook groups, and I really hope they are not going away, with all the changes Facebook is implementing.
My blog name is Beads and Bread, but the bread part has taken a definite back seat to the beads this past year! As I've discovered some allergic issues, I've pretty much stopped making bread. But my family loves it, and I still have about 200 lbs of grain, so you will still see some baked goodies on here as well.
My Artisan Marketplace site has a blog feature, so I may be moving over there. Stay tuned for that....

Do you have any New Years Resolutions? Plans? Words?
I've been doing the Word of the Year for the last few, and it has made a much bigger impact on me than the list of resolutions that I fail at...
I am planning on learning some new beading techniques, and getting better informed about social media techniques and SEO's.

                                    

And....I am going to do a better job at posting here, since that is where I really get to talk and share with y'all!
Hope you have a safe and happy New Year's Eve! Blessings, Shirley

The Beads are Shaping Up!

Where the heck did the time go? This has been such an exciting year, with so many cool things happening in my personal life, and in the world of jewelry.
Can you believe how many new bead shapes have been introduced in the last two years? Have you snapped up every shape, or are you reserving judgement for a while?
I've only picked up a few, and I've been very pleased with them. I've fallen in love with superduos, as I think most folks have as well.


I've also tried tilas, rizos, and superunos. All quite fun!







There are many, many more shapes, and I do hope to try some of them in the future, as the beady budget allows.
What about you? Any new shapes you've fallen in love with?
Blessings,
Shirley

It's a GRAND OPENING!!

That's right! Tomorrow is the Official Grand Opening of all the stores at Artisan Component Marketplace....including mine!



I think the prices are extremely reasonable, but in honor of the Grand Opening, I'm also offering a 20% discount. Use GRAND20 at the checkout.
Here are a few of the products...

I still don't have a lot of product, but I'm beading just as fast as I can! :)
Hope to see you there..the discount will be good through Monday.   Blessings, Shirley

And the winner is.......

Ms. Sherri Stokey has won her choice of:

one of these three flat herringbone bracelets. Thanks to everyone for your help, and keep watching....I rather like doing these giveaways!   Blessings, Shirley

The Learning Curve...and a Giveaway!

So, this post has come about due to some recent conversations on facebook, and some exciting changes in my personal life.





As a beadweaver, there is a dedicated learning curve. Some folks instinctively grasp the math behind the beads, and some can effortlessly put colors together in fantastic displays of gorgeousness.
The rest of us? Well, it takes work, and more work, and more work.
I do feel that I have made huge strides in my technical skills, and choosing colors that play well together. Some of my favorites......

And....some of my 'not so favorites'...

The important thing is, I've learned with each design. I've found which colors I work best with, which materials, and the techniques that really make me feel good.

It has truly been and enjoyable journey, and I am finally opening a shop!!!!

It is a components shop, so those folks that love seed bead creations, but don't like working with them, can now use them in their designs.

It is still very small, with limited inventory, but hey, you've gotta start somewhere!

Here's the link: http://artisancomponentmarketplace.com/shirleymooredesigns/

I'm also working on opening a finished jewelry store as well, but that will probably not happen til after the first of the year.

My last piece of good news is that I am now teaching classes at my local bead store, Moonstone Beads. If you are in the Myrtle Beach, SC area, please stop in, it's a great store!

 It's been a fun challenge for me, really stopping to think about patterns that will work for beginners.

I have to confess, even when I was a beginner, I was always pushing the envelope, trying patterns that were harder than my skill level...so this has been very different.

Ok, so if you've made it this far, you definitely deserve a treat, right?

I need nice, constructive criticism, so I'm asking for help on the storefront.

Please head over and check it out, and let me know if you see something I can improve, change, add, etc. 

Come back and comment and you will be entered to win  one of these pretties. I will draw a winner on Friday, Oct. 24th

Thanks for your help! Blessings, Shirley

It's AJE Reveal Day...and it's a stunner!

I know, I know, it's not polite to brag on yourself....but seriously, I'm just rather impressed at where this piece took me!
If you are not familiar with AJE, you are in for a treat. It's a blog of super talented folks, and each month they create a piece from a component one of them created. They are also nice enough to have a few folks join in each month as well. I've been very privileged to participate in the past.
This month the component is created by the fabulous Kristi Bowman. What that woman can do with clay is awesome!

I grabbed this image from the AJE site. Mine piece is the bottom row, on the right.  I just adore the warm, coppery tones in it.
There is also a hint of purple, so that pretty much set the color choices for me.
However.....I hit a major hiccup in my process.
See, there was this gorgeous sexy, double St. Pete in Beadwork a few months ago that I just knew would marry so well with the pendant. I started it with plenty of time to spare...colors were awesome...I knew it would work, even with the modifications I was making to the pattern. But, confidence is great to trip you up at times. I made a major uh-oh in my beadweaving. So, I had to decide very quickly whether I would Ripppit, Ripppit, or start something totally new.

I'm crazy, so I decided to start something completely new. Fingers flying, brain sizzling with ideas, I tried some things I've not tried before; and, well, I love it! I hope you do as well...

I chose some luscious purples, blues, coppers, and metallics to show off the pendant's rich patina.

The chain is a mix of triple spiral, seen here, along with some new peyote beaded beads as well.

Obviously, I need to learn how to photo the entire length of a longer necklace...sigh.

Closeup of the beaded beads I stumbled upon. I'm not going to be prideful enough to say, 'I created'. However, I do love the look, and they are very tactile. The wavy strands move freely upon the bead.

Lampwork toggle from The Beading Room. The soft mottled colors work perfectly with the overall palette.

I was so excited to finally get to use these fabulous disc beads by Lea Avroch. They show off the peyote beaded beads perfectly.

 Look how everyone plays so well together!!

I've used this RAW variation several times. I love how easy it is, and the silver lined beads meander like a stream through the matte beads.

So, were you wondering what happened with the original design? Well, I went ahead and took a pic of it for ya, cause I'm nice like that....

See how pretty and feminine? And the pattern was for a double layer St. Pete, so these oranges would have been peeking out through the purples.

You can wear it with the fringes inside our outside. I hope I decide to finish it. But, you just never know....

Thanks for hangin' with me through all those pics. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Kristi's components, and thrilled to create for AJE.

You can check out everyone's work from the links over at AJE. 

Blessings, Shirley