June Goals - Sarah.

I thought that I would plan out the whole month's goals at the beginning for a change instead of making it up as I go along.

First up is this batch of lovelies which includes a half done necklace that I am going to frog and reuse the white/bronze Czech glass beads, bronze & white seed beads, Vintaj chain & bird link and brass wire.




I was reading Cindy Gimbrone's post about statement necklaces http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2010/06/handmade-vogue-statement-necklaces.html
and decided that I would like to make one myself, I searched Etsy for some inspiration and decided that I would quite like a vintage look, so I scoured the book/magazine stash and found these, which I will use for further info, although I do want to design my own rather than use a pattern.


For my 2nd goal I have chosen my box of warm coloured delica's ( I have my beads sorted into warm/cool tones by size & type of bead, ooh get me! Can you tell I have way too many?). I want to complete my goal of 5 beaded pendants, so I have 3 left to make.


My 3rd goal, if I can get to it, is to make use of this lovely spiral book, I love spirals and this has some beautiful variations, I may make a bracelet or they have lovely ideas for earrings too.

That's quite a lot, so I'd better get to it!

1st May Goal Picture & The Promise of Things to Come - Sarah

You'll note that I titled this post the 1st picture of May and not just the 1st completed goal. That's because I have been feverishly beading birthday presents and swap gifts which are all super-secret and it's been really hard to note post here and show you what I've made and used from my stash!

This is my most recent stash busting project, I have a hoard of delica beads that I have not used for ages and I thought it was about time that I did, they are far too beautiful to languish in my bead box, only o be taken out to be admired on occasion. I have been on a nature kick lately and started making tiny butterfly pendants in 1 colour of size 11's but thought how pretty several shades would be. I also had a few problems with the holes of the 11's filling with thread, so the delica's are perfect for this project. So here I have a beautiful pendant which I have called Blue Jeans Butterfly to remind me that Summer is just around the corner.

The birthday gifts are being delivered tomorrow, so I can update you on them then.

3rd & 4th April Goals.

I know I haven't posted much this month as I have had a lot on but it has been a good month for stashbusting the seed beads, I used up about 100 grams! Woohoo! Still can't fit everything in my craft boxes though. Here are 2 corkscrew spiral necklaces that I made with 2 tubes of size 8 beads for each. I used up all the beads in the tubes for both, I love it when that happens!

1st April Goal Completed(ish).

You may notice that my bracelet does not have the ruffles of the retro ruffles cuff. I was merrily brickstitching away for hours and hours and while I loved the project I realised that I have a few commitments that I need to get on with; a necklace for a forum swap, some little gifts for giveaway prizes at the next Vintage Pretty Fayre and 2 birthday gifts, as well as working out some new designs for April is Forever. So instead of putting it away, as I knew it would never get finished I simply added a row of picots on the edge and called it done. I still like it and will probably make the full version at a later date as the instructions for this are so good. I particularly like this style of fastening and will be experimenting with it in other designs.

April goal - Progress!

My cuff is coming along nicely!I have just started the pattern section so it is fun. The instructions for this are really well-written and straight forward, so far I am really enjoying it.

Main Goal for April Shadow Wave- Tackling that Book Stash

In an earlier post I mentioned that I have a lot of books that I have never made projects. I had a look through them and chose Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence, there were a few projects that I liked but this one, Shadow Wave was the most intriguing. I think this will be a bit of a challenge for me and I don't have a rivoli suitable so I will need to make a focal. I did consider buying a rivoli but that defeats the purpose of trying to use up my stash. I have banned myself from buying new beads unless I need them for a specific gift for someone else. I will still be buying finding though.

I am currently busy using up leftover beads from other projects to make beaded rings for my 2nd craft fair on saturday so I will be making this my main goal for April, although it may well take me a lot longer.