Peyote Pattern

Want a free peyote bracelet pattern? Check out the game here. Thanks Viki!

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More Pyramids

I have made three new color variations of my Concave Pyramid Earrings. Blue:

Purple:
and Sand:
This last variation is also the colorway I am using in a necklace called Sands of Egypt. It will feature some pyramids, of course! :)

Concave Pyramids

I finished the first pair of earrings. They turned out really cute. I wish I could get a good photo of them, but being pyramidal (yes, that really is a word!) makes it difficult. I'm working on a second pair with a slightly different color pattern.

Pyramids and Stars

I was playing around at the Bead-a-Lot yesterday and figured out how to make a pyramid shape WITHOUT having to do components and then connect them together. Yay! Those of you in the know understand how much I HATE components. ;)

These triangles are destined to be earrings, but I think I see a charm bracelet in my future... okay, so I know that means components, but it's not the same thing. :)

Also, my friend Aryd'ell brought this bracelet with her, which she made from my Shooting Stars pattern but then embellished the heck out of. I love it! I think I'm gonna have to write up a second tutorial for this one as a collaboration. :)

Happy beading!

Vertigo Earrings Class

I worked up a new sample for the class I'll be teaching at Off The Beaded Path next month. The class is Saturday, September 25, from 10-noon. Kelly's classes fill up fast, so keep your eye on her website for registration information.

Happy beading!

Lunar Eclipse

I finished a new necklace this week. The main component is the gorgeous stone donut hanging from a butterfly bail.

The rope is a filled net with twisted herringbone on the ends:

The bail is removable, so I can wear the rope alone:

The round jet crystals sparkle lots more than you can see in this photo:

I hope to have the tutorial for this necklace available soon. My To-Do List keeps getting longer and longer, but the kids go back to school the day after tomorrow, so hopefully, I'll have more time to check things off! :)

New Teaching Gig

This past weekend, I went to Forest City, NC to meet Kelly, from Off The Beaded Path. She and I talked (and drooled over beads) for a couple of hours and she asked me to teach two classes at her shop over the next couple of months.

On September 25, I will be teaching Vertigo Earrings, a quick project with maximum bling!

On October 23, I will be teaching Nuthin' but Net, a netted rope bracelet, using crystals and seed beads to make an easy and beautiful bracelet. This is the class sample, called Buried Treasure:

Here is another variation, using a single color of 4mm round crystals and dark silver seed beads. The ends are finished with twisted herringbone, which is not part of this intro class, but may be included in an advanced class as an alternative way to finish a necklace.

Here are some variations, using different sizes, shapes, and materials:

This is the advanced class variation photo (the outer necklace is made with my Diamondback pattern, which will be available soon):

Happy beading!

Jen Lepkowski Photography

Jen Lepkowski of Jen Lepkowski Photography did a portrait session with me a couple of days ago. The photos came out fabulous! Here's my favorite:

She got an adorable shot of me and my daughter:

I think this one is kind of cute:

Another variation:

The final backdrop:
It was very fun having these taken and I hope those of you in the Asheville or surrounding area will call Jen for any photography needs you have! :)

Limeade on the Rocks with a Twist

I came home from the retreat on Sunday evening and planned on posting photos that night or yesterday, but it just didn't happen. This bracelet is from Jamie Cloud Eakin's "Bugle Bead Bonanza" and is called Limeade on the Rocks with a Twist.

Lime green bugle beads with over 100 Swarovski crystals:

A silver toggle clasp:

So much bling it practically glows in the dark!

The second one didn't want to be named. It is destined for a charity auction later this month. I asked a friend for name suggestions and Teal Me an Orange was christened:

I didn't get much else actually finished at the retreat (I had to come home a day early, boo hoo!), but I did come home with a butterfly bail almost complete for a new piece I am working on called Lunar Eclipse. I also have several other ideas that came to me when I was trying to sleep. Thank goodness for that drawing app on my phone since I was on the top bunk with nary a pen or paper in sight.

Happy beading!

Christmas in July

OK, I realize it's no longer July. But Christmas in August just didn't sound as good. ;)

I mentioned on Facebook a little while ago that I was having trouble keeping a secret. Well, this weekend, I was at a friend's house in Tennessee for a small retreat and the cat got out of the bag. So, I am announcing to the world that the December 2010/January 2011 Beadwork will feature a design by me!

Interweave's description of the December issue is "Classics Revisited. A nod to classic costume jewelry designs with a modern twist. Jewelry that would make Miriam Haskell proud." The color palettes include gold and blue, so what better piece to be featured than my Coronet Bracelet and Earrings in Blue Zircon:

The texture in these pieces is just yummy!

Variations are endless:

Since designing Coronet, I have taken the original idea and expanded on it several times, creating Shooting Stars, Teardrop Crown (a collaboration with my friend Mary Jo), Curves & Cages Necklace, Beaded Bead Caps (on Principessa as well as in Faerietale Earrings). I have other new ideas in the works as well!