Beads & Beading

I am still working on the Ndebele bead weaving.  It is fiddly, and slow, but I enjoy the finished product.  I thought I might share a few more pieces of jewellery I've made in the last few years.  The necklace in the photograph above has been made using Kiwi Jasper, Black Onyx, and Freshwater Pearls.  It is a fairly long piece, as I wear lots of blouses with collars.  This was a design I saw in an Australian Beading magazine, and purchased the necessary requirements.  No doubt by now you will have worked out I have a fondness for Jasper!!

This is another piece I fell in love with in one of our beading magazines.  I did purchase the kit for it, and was VERY surprised [and concerned] at the weight of the parcel.  However, it really does not feel heavy when worn.  I love the soft peachy to sandy pinks in this one.  It has lots of stitched beading in it.  I have never worn it without having a favourable comment.

I've always been interested in chainmaille, and when I saw this design, I thought I would try to make it.  Again, a kit was purchased as it seemed the easiest and simplest way to do it.  It is quite chunky [all sterling silver rings and findings], but not awkward, and I do wear it, but not a lot.  I'm not really a bracelet/bangle person.  I just wanted to do the chainmaille!!

While I'm on the jewellery bandwagon, I thought it was time I shared a photograph of my bead collection.  Sadly, I just couldn't get everything in one frame, and I really wasn't about to start taking shots of 'everything'.  There are still more bottles with bits and pieces, and the odd [??] plastic packet in places I can't remember [I need an embarrassed face here].

Each time I look through the box for beads, I usually remember where I bought something, and why -  like these beautiful square Swarovski crystals that I bought to make a green outfit for my son's wedding, only to be told by hubby that he really didn't like 'that colour'.  These were $77/gross, and yes, you guessed it, I bought a gross!!  I also bought 4 metres of silk fabric, and 6 metres of silk organza, a sort of green/shot magenta.  It is still in the cupboard..........

Not only do I have a passion for gemstones and crystals, freshwater pearls always seem to find their way into my stash too when a bead store is visited.  I seem to have them in almost every colour - yes, there are some yellow and orange ones 'somewhere'.

I've been having quite a lot of difficulty with this post today - Blogger has been slow, and I seem to have had some interruptions from 'outside'.  However, I wanted to add something else to this post, so here it is.  This is a lovely bead board that was gifted to me by a friend and fellow blogger.  The beads were an added bonus.  Thank you so much for this Shirley  I will use this happily.  In case it isn't noticeable, this is a shallow, tray-type rounded board, covered with velvet, neatened with braid, very swisho.  It is so much more pleasing to the eye than my el cheapo beadmats!  I feel very lucky to receive this, as I always get into a mess with seed beads. 

Bead board designed by Shirley

A Bit Blue.....................

No, I'm not feeling blue, I've been making blue projects, and looking back at much of my past work, I find very little blue.  That is why I've made a point of mentioning the colour.  I don't know why more of my work isn't blue, I like blue.............I love blue!!!  Enough said on the matter.  These are an assortment of goodies I've made using the remaining map collage used for the gift box I finished last week.  

As you can see, nothing has been wasted.  The first and largest project was this journal cover.  Of course, being me, I couldn't finish without a trim of some sort.  I had this glittery velvet ribbon purchased at Spotlight for $2.00/roll [I just knew it would be useful one day!!].  It took ages to search my stash for just the right fabric use as a lining.  I had several possible pieces I could go with, but favoured this rather all over patterned/speckled piece.   I have only stitched a few meandering lines using straight machining, representing roads to here, there, and everywhere.  I thought this might make an excellent photo journal for a traveller.

Next on the agenda were these bookmarks [thanks to Robin for the idea - she is always making bookmarks for her local gallery].  Again a little bit of straight stitching, with aqua rayon satin stitch edges.  I was determined to use every last scrap of this, as it has become quite a talking point in my house [my husband really loves it].  I have been trying to find an excuse to do one of those little 'Inchies' for quite a while, but I wanted my 'Inchie' to actually be a little useful.  So, it has been transformed into this little scissor fob with the aid of some beading.  I purchased quite a few of these chain tassels from The Danish Flower Shop, Highfields, Toowoomba.  To add a little weight, I headpinned some blue glass bicones, and attached them to each of the chain ends.  I can see quite a few of these little 'Inchie' scissor fobs coming out of my sewing room.

While I'm on the blue theme, I'd like to share this little piece I made not long ago.  It was a kit sent to me by a friend.  She said she saw it at a craft fair, ie the large crystal bead in the packet, and instantly thought of me and my penchant for 'bling'.  I love this little scissor lariat, easy to put together, and a great way to keep your scissors handy [around your neck].   What a lovely surprise this was to receive.  I use it often.

UFO Fever

Just lately I've dragged out a few projects in the hope of resurrecting my enthusiasm for them. I did want to do them in the first place I suppose, so why are they not finished???

I've noticed several other ladies who seem to be in the same frame of mind.

I will just share these two pieces with readers. The applique was supposed to be a cushion, but I am leaning now towards making it into a wall hanging, as I feel it might suit my sister's decor in one room. It is one of the few 'kit' things I've ever purchased, and a design by one of our well known applique and fabric dyeing specialists here in Queensland [http://www.diannejohnstonproducts.com.au/].

The other piece I started as an experiment in texture more than anything. I began with a simple rectangle of delustred satin, following with chain stitches [varied stitches and threads], in wavy lines. Again, I originally planned a three-fold envelope type purse, but taking it out now and looking with 'new' eyes, I'm wondering if I shouldn't make a little 'dorothy' type bag with it. I have lots of lovely gold cording for the 'drawstring', and only need to place a few more beads in the selected areas. I would welcome any thoughts on this matter, as the jury is not out on this one yet!!!!

More Machine Embroidery

This blue fabric has been annoying me since the day I dyed it. It had some considerable working over before overlaying with several slightly different sheers and some free machine stitching. Originally I intended it to be the cover for a small index book, but once the stitching had been done, I just couldn't find a focal point in the correct place.

I finally took the plunge and cut it into several 'other' possible items. I still have some strips to work with so I will make some little 'Inchies' for future use. These two postcards are the result of too much time!!!

Anniversary Blues appears to me to have three elements which remind me of the Blue Mountains and The Three Sisters. Quite some years ago we spent our 25th wedding anniversary at Katoomba, arriving after dark, after a long day driving. We fully intended to view The Three Sisters before leaving early the next morning. Unfortunately, it was misty/foggy. We had to move on, and missed seeing them.

Beading seemed the only embellishment needed for the other version.