Finishing WIPs

My craft room looks pretty normal and tidy, and I have stepped into the job of delving into drawers and boxes to put all my beading supplies with beading, sewing with sewing with sewing, and yarn with yarn. Of course, I had to start with beading, where I undoubtedly have the most stuff, including an embarrassing amount of projects that are 90-95% done. This pair of earrings, design by Gwen Fisher, needed only ear hooks. The necklace, a design called Barely's, needs a fastening and weaving off of thread ends. I was pretty pleased to see that they go together. Two down, and I don't even want to count how many to go!

Beading Babes - Bringing Beaders Together

Yesterday I discovered this group, created by Karyn White, and joined. The beaders in the group have projects to choose and create each month. The variety of colors and adaptations are wonderful, and I really enjoyed seeing the different interpretations of projects made in earlier months.
This month the group was given three choices: Paisley Drops by Jane Lock, ruffled chain bracelet by Laina Goodman, and the Trellis Pattern which has been gifted to the group by Nancy Dale. Since I only had a day, I created a pair of earring adapted from the ruffled chain bracelet. I made changes to both the pattern and the bead types because I wanted everyday earrings and I had found some center stones that I really wanted to use.

 I had already made a pair of the Paisley Drops by Jane Lock, and I was actually able to find them!!!

Pinwheel Jewelry Set

I've finished the necklace for the Pinwheel Jewelry set. I used primarly megatamas and 11s. I am working on a variation of this stitch in bronze and aqua. I have the earrings made, and am working on a necklace.

Pinwheel Bracelet and Earrings

Beadsmith posted some pictures of items made with long megatamas on Facebook a few days ago, and invited people to submit their designs using the megatamas. I have three colors of megatamas in my stash - silver, bronze and olive green. I started playing and came up with this pinwheel design. The finished jewelry looks like sterling silver, but is much lighter to wear. I'm working on a matching necklace today, and I have ideas for variations using the bronze and green megatamas. A tutorial is in process that describes how to make the pieces and the variations.

Windsong Earring - New pattern

I'm working on a new pattern. Two of my Friday beading friends offerred to test the instructions for me. Marge's version of the Windsong Earrings in green is first. Ann's in blues is second. I enjoyed seeing their color combinations, and how different color choices result in different earrings. I am working on incorporating the changes to the instructions that they suggested. I hope to publish the patten on my esty site: auntiannie.etsy.com later on today!

Tutorial: No Headpin, No problem. Using Fireline to make a pair of earrings

Earring instructions normally specify that you use headpins and wire working tools. I’ve found that you can make simple earrings using your needle and Fireline!

What you’ll need:
Fireline Thread 6 lb
Beading Needles - I usually use size 11 or 12
Beads of choice (I used turqoise chips and nuggets, sterling nugget beads, bali silver beads and bali silver earwires and thread guards for the sample.
thread guards (item # H20-4050FY in Fire Mountain catalog
Something to bead on (beading mat)
Scissors
Good lighting

1. Cut a two foot length of Fireline and place a needle of both ends of the thread
2. Center a bead on the thread. The bead should be large enough so that it will not slip through the hole of the next bead that you use.

3. Place your two needles together and slip the remaining beads on your thread.

4. Using your right needle, thread through the right side of your thread guard. Use your left needle to thread through the left side of you thread guard. If you don’t have a thread guard, thread 4 size 11o seed beads on each needle.

5. Tie a square knot, and pass both threads down the length of your earring. Make some half hitches if you can and trim closely.

6. Attach your earring finding.

7. Repeat for a second earring.

Marguerite by Day and Night

Well, I finished updating the pattern I talked about in my post yesterday. I found 101 other things to do in between, so it took me hours to complete. The picture shows all the samples that I have created to date. Meanwhile, I started on another idea in Friday's "drop in and bead" session at the Senior Center. My sample is coming along really well. I'm excited and can feel a new pattern in the works!

Away for Awhile

I had no idea that I had not posted in my blog in so long. Its been a time of transition for me and I make changes to my daily pattern of life and living - small steps, but good ones. I'm going to have to put a schedule together so I make sure I don't let too much time go by between posts. I've started another class at the Senior Center. Last Friday we worked on Brick stitch and I worked up a quick bracelet and pair of earrings for class samples

Hoopla 2

This is the second version of the hoops - a variation on a theme. They measure an inch in diameter.

I'm on to working up new samples of the third variation.

Hoopla

I've been making these earrings, and a few variations on them, for close to two years now, and am in the process of writing instructions. And...then I think I will finally dip my toes into Etsy and see what happens.

The trouble (or good thing) about these earrings is that they never seem to stay around for very long. If they are are my work table and a niece happens to come along they go home with a happy recipient, and I know that I have given my nieces something they like :-)

Hoops petite coming next.