Posted by
maggieroschyk · April 26, 2009 10:27 AM
I never say there's nothing new under the sun ... because I bought some of it!
When I first started writing this blog, I wanted to talk about cool, new things for sale at local bead stores. Now, I know, we all see new stuff when we walk into a bead store and that’s wonderful! Nothing beats going into a friendly, well-stocked shop. You bump into friends, make new acquaintances, and get to talk about all things beady. That’s the whole social aspect and my little creative soul is nurtured by it. The real excitement kicks in when new things arrive at the bead store.
Have you heard about Foxden Designs? It’s a bead store owned by Terri Ann Fox, who has a great Web site. I drove down to her storefront in Franksville, Wis., recently. This store is a seed bead wonderland, I kid you not. Sensory overload! There on the shelves, under quite good lighting, were the new 1.8-mm cube beads. Terri Ann has 76 colors of this new size and my yum factor was off the charts.
Are there any cube bead lovers reading this? I certainly love cube beads and my bead stash contains 4 mm and 3 mm sizes. Cube beads add fantastic texture to any beadwork. The flat sides of the cube really showcase the color of the beads, giving your work a color punch. Bead&Button has a nice, easy bracelet with cube beads that you might want to try. I found it by searching the projects on BeadAndButton.com.
If you want to stitch a segment of beadwork that will be firm and flat, you'll want to use cube beads. They fit firmly together when stitched in either peyote or square stitch, especially if 10 lb. PowerPro thread is used. The new 1.8-mm cube beads are exactly like the larger cube beads, just smaller and so adorably cute. Okay, I’m squealing over these tiny cuties. I bought the matte metallics, naturally, and a tube of a beautiful, coppery color. I cannot wait to start stitching away with these beauties. Look for my new project in W. I. W. O (What I’m Working On) blogs here in the future.
On to another store! Having a bead store that’s located four blocks away from your home is a real luxury. Yesterday, I dropped in to
Nottingham Beads with the solid intention of buying one color of Swarovski crystals to finish a project. Nottingham Beads is a jewel box of a bead store and its motto is "No good bead should ever go undone." Kathy Budda was working and she cleverly asked, "Oh, by the way, have you seen the new Swarovski crystal colors that just arrived?" I promptly replied, "No, I haven’t, let me see them!" Happily, she obliged and I was not disappointed. Once again, CRYSTALLIZED - Swarovski Elements has rocked my world with new crystal colors: Air Blue Opal, Crystal Red (which is like a coppery Indian Red) and Satin Sapphire Light. Words fail me in an attempt to describe how beautiful these crystals are, so I’ll go on to something else.Mark your calendar for April 29, because the Rings n Things Bead Tour will be in the Milwaukee area. Actually, the truck show (yes, it’s truck, not trunk) goes all across America and if it stops in your town, don’t miss it. Check out all the information on the Rings n Things Web site. I always look forward to this event. Rings n Things rent out a big hotel ballroom and fills it with tables loaded with strands of semi-precious stone beads, pearls, and more. I love milling around with other beady-minded people and seeing old friends and making new ones. Once again, it’s that whole socializing scene with some really cool people. If you go, look for me and introduce yourself. I’ll be the petite redhead darting around, stalking strands of coin pearls.
W.I.W.O. What I’m Working On
What can you make with leftovers? Don’t freak out! You haven’t been switched over to Food TV!
I’ve been involved in several large projects and some kit making for the past six months and my bead stash has a lot of leftovers. I compare it to the odds and ends in my refrigerator. This situation can be frustrating. I mean, come on, what can you make with the three leftover pearls from another project?
I’ve got a couple of suggestions, naturally. Every once in a while, I block off a little time and go through my carefully organized and meticulously labeled bead stash (insert sound effect of loud, snorting laugh). As I paw through the foolishness and mayhem, I separate the odds and ends of pearls, crystals, seed beads, etc., into a small group and set it aside. I start looking at the assortment of beads, putting colors together that are pleasing. But I’m still stuck with odds and ends.
Here’s an easy solution and the finished project can be quite stunning. Stitch a beaded band that will fit around your wrist. You can use either peyote or square stitch and make it whatever width you feel comfortable with. Choose one color for this band: It will be the unifying color when you start using your leftovers. Suggestions for the beaded band are size 8 hex beads, size 11 seed beads, or size 10 Delica beads. It’s a simple band with straight edges that you will embellish with leftover assortments of beads.
Here’s where the leftovers make their debut. Measure around your wrist and then subtract your clasp measurement. Keep the thread tails free when you’ve beaded the length of bracelet you want; you’ll use the tails to attach the clasp. Fold the beaded band in half to find a visual centerpoint for your embellishments. Pour out your leftover assortment of crystals, pearls and beads, and thread your needle with several feet of thread. Start sewing down the assorted leftovers free-form, attaching each stitch through the base of peyote or square stitch.
This is really loose in style and fun because it’s all about fitting beads together without a pattern. I like to embellish a little more down on the ends where the clasp will be placed. My favorite type of for this project is a sliding bar clasp with 4 rings. Button and loop clasps are also awesome. For an example, see my photos at the top of this page.
There you have it, spring cleaning at its best! If you have any suggestions for using up beads left from another project, please share. Readers of this blog have shared amazing ideas and I’d love to read more.