NEW TWIST ON SPIRAL DESIGN

The spiral design has long been one of my favorites.  I don't need to pull out a pattern, because I have this one down in my memory banks.  But, this new version called "Briar Rose", designed by TrendSetter Emi Yamada, taught by Sandy Taylor at Bead Street, was slightly different.  (Thanks for your patience with us, Sandy!) It took a few minutes to figure out how the triangles fit into the design, making sure which hole to go through on the first pass, in the right direction, and then connecting them to the center of 8/0 sbs to start the spiral twist. The 2-hole triangles really make it fun - especially when you can add in any color trio you want.  You could probably even add more triangles if you chose.  I used a beautiful size 8/0 sb in a copper/reddish permanent finish to make the center pop, which I think it did, and I think the purples and multi colored 11/0 sbs are more visible because of the center.

 And, earrings made to match.  The Czech table cut glass flowers are so wonderful.  I have to order these from the UK!

NEW PENDANT DESIGNS FOR THE NEW YEAR!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Holiday!  WE SURE DID - and with the December Christmas spirit came the birth of our third grandchild, a little girl, Lily Viola.  What a wonderful feeling it is to have grandchildren.  Truly, it is the best thing in the world.  Three will be it for our little clan, and we are grateful for each of these little people.  They bring us so many moments of incredible joy. 

I'm ready to take on new challenges for the new year and of course my favorite bead shop, Bead Street, carries me on this journey... Here are a couple of new designs by Vezsuzsi -- the first pendant below she named the "Ohm".  Is this beautiful or what?  It uses the new piggy beads on the corners.  I had an "ahhhhh" moment when I put those on and then added the rizos thereafter.  It's such an incredible design.  Some designers just have a gift and Vezsuzsi is one of my favorites.  Thanks, Sandy Taylor for teaching these wonderful classes and being such an inspiration.  :)

 

The second design by Vezsuzsi is below, named "Szirmos Misi".  I have no idea where the names come from... but I'm sure that would be an interesting story in and of itself!

READYING FOR CHRISTMAS!

I KNOW, I KNOW, it's not Thanksgiving yet, but I have to be ready...  This is my Christmas version of a fun pattern called "Tubari" designed by Eileen at Bead Street.  It's a modified tubular herringbone stitch, using 8/0 sb and Unos.   The original pattern used Rizos, which made a lovely piece, but I also like to experiment.  I finished it with bronze bead caps and then wire wrapped a couple of 8mm FP and a bronze crystal, with chain.  The earrings I wire wrapped, using a larger bronze colored bead for the center (it's light weight tho - not real brass), with a green crystal and red 8mm FP.

 

 

DRESS EM UP OR DRESS EM DOWN!

This is a piece meant to be worn by that special person - fit to wear when all dressed up, or in levis and boots!  It always takes me awhile to get all the pieces and parts of any project assembly out on my table in view so I can complete my visualization... sometimes several different combinations of pieces and parts - and, this piece was no exception - although, once I had that "aha" moment, I was so pleased with my JDreams Design.  Plus, this piece was designed with a very wonderful BFF in mind, so I let my Lu Lu vibes fill my heart, and that was that! 

 

The beaded bead design from Vezsuzsi (shown in a previous post) lent itself well to my overall design!  The initial beaded bead colors I owe to Irene at Bead Street, as I probably would not have put this combo of colors together on the first bead (lowest on the necklace).  Once I had that bead complete, I reversed the colors somewhat on the next version - the one on top w/more turquoise colored seed beads.  It's just a rich looking piece I think...

DRAGONFLY DESIGN

If you love fall colors, you'll love the combo I chose for this "Dragonfly" pattern taught by Sandy Taylor @ Bead Street designed by Eridhan Creations.  You've heard it before, but I LOVE THIS ONE! The colors speak to me L O U D L Y (imagine!) with oranges, rusts, metallic, purples and greens.  This is a time consuming project, but well worth it.  By the time I finished it I don't think I could have passed through any of the beads one more time -- they were FULL of 6 wt fireline!  I also bought one of the new fold over magnet clasps from Eileen and really LOVE it.  It attaches easily and seems to really hold.  I don't normally like magnets, as I've lost several anklets going through magnetized doors, but this is protected by the outer shell.

LOVELY ENSEMBLE FOR A FRIEND

It's September, and the start of the season of making gifts for friends and family, plus getting ready for the Hollydaze... well, hold on, not quite ready to start looking at only red and green quite yet!  Ha.  But, the beginning of cooler weather and fall very close by, gives me a different perspective for sure on what I choose to make and what colors I choose to coordinate.  Tis the season of wonderful fall leaves and earthy tones!  It's really my favorite time of year - must be because I'm a Libra!  So, here's one of my latest creations for a dear dear friend.  Hope you love and will wear this ensemble with joy, Ms. Sherrie!  Hope the earrings are light enough for your ears too.  This was adapted from Marcia Balonis' Spring Loaded design.