Nuit d'été

When Artbeads asked me to make a project for their Summertime gallery, I chose nice bright summery colors... then when I started beading, it turned into a summer's night! Nuit d'été (Summer Night) is its name:

I used a Bermuda Blue Pendant and 3 Bermuda Blue Cosmic Rings

The beads are Toho 3-cut 12/o gold-lined blue - lots of sparkle!

The roundels used in the bumpy sections of the rope are Czech crystals I got in Andrews at the last bead retreat. I love the color.

Artbeads posts all of the contributor photos on their blog. Check it out here.

*Please note: I have received the above items (the Bermuda Blue crystals and the 3-cut seed beads) free of charge from Artbeads. This is my honest review of the product and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

Triptych

When Artbeads contacted me about participating in the Spring Blogging for Beaders, I chose gorgeous blue zircon Swarovski settings to create my Coronet set. At the same time, I received lots of 3mm Swarovski pearls in four different colors. I had a design in mind and while it didn't turn out exactly as planned, I like the final results even better than the original idea!

I used the pearls, along with Delica beads in both 15/o and 11/o sizes, to make three netted rope bracelets with identical copper box clasps. The bracelets can be worn individually or together, but they can also be linked together to make a choker (with two bracelets) or a longer necklace (with all three bracelets). The bracelets are slightly graduated in length, so that when they are all worn together, they fit the wrist comfortably.

*Please note: I have received the above items (the 3mm pearls) free of charge from Artbeads. This is my honest review of the product and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

Coronet Bracelet and Earrings

Well, another tax day has come and gone and I feel as if I've barely survived. As reward for my hard work this tax season, I took the entire day off today. Little if anything useful being done, with the exception of taking photographs of this beautiful bracelet and earring set I made a couple of weeks ago:

I got an email from Artbeads' Blogging for Beaders team last month, asking me if I would create something for Spring. I picked out some gorgeous blue zircon Swarovski crystals and a gold filigree clasp, knowing I wanted to pair them with the translucent amber fringe drop beads I had bought recently.

I still have 2 of the 2-hole Xilion settings left, so I think I'll make another pair of earrings without the crystal dangles at the bottom for a different look.

I spent that afternoon of beading at a friend's house while she quilted and my kids watched movies and played games. I can't begin to tell you how therapeutic beading is for me. I can forget the world exists and hours go by unnoticed by me. If it were not for the hungry kids, I think I could just bead forever and not stop until my fingers bleed.

I love how a few inexpensive beads and findings along with 4-5 hours of beading combine to make something that looks like a million dollars. The original diamond shaped design, the one I used in my Coronet Rings, uses bicone crystals in the center instead of Xilion settings I used in this set. Either one works wonderfully, but the Xilion settings sparkle like crazy.

Check out the texture the 3.4mm Miyuki fringe drop beads gives to this bracelet:

Here's a shot of the back side:

The bracelet is made with the same technique, so it sits great on the wrist:

All in all, I'm not sure I captured "Spring" very well, but I sure did capture "Bling"!

Hopefully, I'll have a pattern available for this design soon. Stay tuned!

*Please note: I have received the above items free of charge from Artbeads. This is my honest review of the product and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

Smoulder

Before Valentine's Day, I received some crystals and buttons from Artbeads.com. Unfortunately, for various reasons, I was unable to get a project done and posted by February 14. I finally had some time this past Sunday to get started. Some good friends were coming into town and we were going to get to bead for a couple of hours, so I picked out something quick and easy. I finished it today.

I decided that since Valentine's Day was over already, instead of white or silver, I would pair the Dark Red Coral AB Swarovski crystals with black Swarovski crystals and red glass pearls in a netted bangle. This is one of my favorite stitches lately, because it works up quickly and has endless variations. I've titled the bangle Smoulder:

In addition to the crystals, I received some great findings, including two of these buttons:

I can't wait to use them! I like to use buttons as bracelet or necklace clasps.

*Please note: I have received the above beads free of charge from Artbeads. This is my honest review of the product and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.