The July Giveaway Has Arrived!

Wow. I have finally taken the plunge and opened my own little etsy store, Obstinate Pursuit. It's been a long, long time coming! In celebration, I'm sponsoring this month's giveaway - and giving you a little preview of a bracelet tutorial that will be available for sale in the shop this weekend.*

Leave a comment on this post before 12 Noon (GMT) on the 30th July and I'll choose one winner at random to receive a copy of the tutorial and all of the materials that you need to make a bracelet - including Miyuki Seed Beads and Swarovski Pearls. I'll announce the winner on the 31st July.

* And, just in case you're wondering. It's not available at the moment, because I still haven't chosen a name. So, if you'd like an extra chance to win the tutorial, please visit me at Obstinate Pursuit and leave me a name suggestion! If I choose your suggestion, I'll send you a copy of the tutorial too!

Clair x

Kisaviragas Karkoto - Tutorial Review

Just popping in today with a review of another tutorial that's perfect for using up some of your leftovers - Kisaviragas Karkoto by Panita. That's right, it's in another language - but please don't let that put you off! The diagram truly is exceptionally easy to follow if you have a little bit of beading experience and, of course, I'll be over in the Facebook Group and ready to assist anyone who needs a little bit of help!

The pattern calls for seed beads in Size 11 and Size 6, though I have successfully used Size 11 and Size 8 in my own version of the bracelet. To stitch up the full bracelet, with three rows, you'll need approximately three grams of each bead size. So, have a little rummage for all of those 'nearly empty' tubes of seed beads! 

If you're not sure whether you have quite enough beads for the full bracelet, I've found that a one row version looks just as cute and, of course, if you want to play around with the basic pattern to make some earrings, you'll need a much smaller amount!

You can vary the pattern a little by working with other sizes of beads, as long as you pair together two different sizes. Size 15 and Size 11, still work perfectly well, but you'll need a smaller needle and possibly a thinner thread. 

Can't wait to see the variations that you all come up with x

2012 Frog or Finish A Long - February Goals

Welcome to the February Frog or Finish A long Goals, this month five of us from the Facebook Group have nominated projects to finish during the month.

Dee has carried over her Jean Power's kit from January,


Rebecca has also carried her rope over from last month,


Erika has chosen this bead embroidered cuff to work on in February, "I'm afraid I've got far too many UFOs. This one is a cuff bracelet that I started in Sept at a workshop with Laura McCabe. The picture isn't great as the leather it's on is actually a really pretty metallic plum colour. I've never attempted bead embroidery before and find it quite challenging. I really hope this will make me finish it!"


Gemma says, "I've had this bracelet on the go for what feels like forever. Its nearly done but I need some incentive to finish it as I'm bored with all the fringing. In fact I said I was going to finish it last year when we set beadbusting goals in May but I only managed a few extra rows. Bad Gemma! I'm calling it Anemone Cuff. Its based on the "Sea Urchin" project by Stephanie Burnham from the BWG journal 2006 and I probably started it that year so its high time I finished it! All I have to do is finish off the fringing in the 15s and find some sort of clasp."


I originally made these yellow tulips as earrings, but am just not that happy with them. They are quite small (and really tightly woven!)so I don't want to frog them but think they will be lovely on the ends of a lariat, so my project this month is to make the lariat rope and any other embellishments needed so that these will finally be part of a wearable finished object.


Check back later this month to see how we do.

Happy beading!

Sarahx

Pattern Finds - Geometry Squared Bracelet by Kathryn Bowman

With our January Challenge having the special twist of square, i thought now was the perfect time to feature this fabulous and unusual bracelet pattern from Kathryn Bowman aka 1beadweaver on Etsy. Using cube beads and square stitch to create components including, you guessed it, squares, this pattern ticks all the boxes!


(as always click on the pic to go to the listing)

Happy beading!

Sarahx

Pattern Finds - Dagger Fringed Peyote Cuff

I am just sneaking in quick before the moodboard winner is announced with our last autumnal pattern finds post. This lovely and highly textured piece from Rose at Random Creative on Etsy would be a perfect dagger bead stash buster!



Click on the picture to be taken to the listing.

Christmas is coming up on us quick, so next month we will be featuring items that would make perfect stocking fillers.

Happy beading!

Sarahx

Bracelet Swap Reveal!

The wait is over! The bracelet swap reveal is finally here. Thank you to all the participants for making this swap so much fun! The bracelets are all beautiful and I know everyone is happy with their gifts. Don't worry if you missed out, we'll be doing another one in the Autumn.

Shirley to Norma

Mary to Tamara Tamara to Mary

Danielle to Erin Liz to Sarah Faye to Catherine Gemma to Donna Kit to Shirley

Carol to Vickie Vickie to Lesley Donna to Carol

Lesley to Liz Catherine to Gemma Sarah to Faye

Norma to Danielle Erin to Kit.

Happy Beading!

Sarahx

Bracelet Swap - Postal Deadline Tomorrow!

Hi Swappers!

It's getting close to the big reveal! Over on the Facebook Group there is much anticipation and excitement!

Can I just ask that if you have posted your bracelet and not emailed me a photo, to please do so by Wednesday.

Also, I know most people have received their bracelets, just to confirm if you have please email me at librabeader at gmail dot com with your name and Swap Received in the message title.

This swap has been a lot of fun and I would like to thank everyone who has participated! Don't worry if you have missed it, we will have another one later in the Autumn.

Happy beading!

Sarahx

Stashbusting Idea - Flat Spiral Bracelet

Over at the Facebook Group we are all a bit bracelet obsessed this month as we are planning and making our swap bracelets, in fact 2 people have already finished theirs and I must say they are absolutely gorgeous, I'm sure their recipients' will be thrilled!

Over the last couple of years, I have been vaguely aware of a stitch pattern called Flat Spiral and always meant to try it, but never quite got around to it. However this Tuesday evening I needed something to keep me busy so I tracked down this great video by Karla from Aunties Beads,



It's great for using up 4mm and 6mm rounds or bicones, my version uses silver 6mm Swarovski Pearls, lavender opal 4mm fire polish and 2 colours of size 11's.

Catherine from our Facebook group likes to use flat spiral to bust small amounts of stash and to create these lovely pendants,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61909968@N06/5961808154/in/pool-1455268@N20
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61909968@N06/5961807682/in/pool-1455268@N20

Happy beading,

Sarahx

Pattern Finds - Beaded Bracelet Tutorial Chain Lace by Jewelry Tales

Welcome to our second pattern finds! The tutorial for this beautiful bracelet is by Cynthia of Jewelry Tales on Etsy. I have long been a fan of Cynthia's work ever since I first came across it on the old Bead and Button forums. Cynthia has an innovative and intriguing approach to beading and this tutorial is no exception! Suitable for intermediate to advanced beaders, this bracelet uses chain, crystals and seed beads to create a pretty and delicate bracelet with an unusual construction.

So if you are looking to try something different and use up a few seed beads and some curb chain, go take a look!

Happy beading,

Sarahx

Swaps Away!

Thank you to everyone who signed up to the swap! All partners have now been assigned and sent out. If you signed up but have not received an e-mail from me please get in touch.

I hope you all enjoy making your bracelets for your partners! I am already turning over ideas in my head for mine and am looking forward to getting started.

Just a reminder on some important details;

Bracelets should include 75% of items from your stash.
Bracelets must be posted to your swap partner by 8th August 2011.
Please e-mail me a photo of your finished bracelet to librabeader at gmail dot com, so that I can include them in the big reveal!

Happy Swapping!

Sarahx

Stashbuster Bracelet Swap!

Hey there Stashbusters,

Do you want a nice new shiny bright beaded bracelet?


Bracelet by Catherine

Would you like to bust some of your stash and make a nice new shiny bright beaded bracelet for a fellow blog reader?


Bracelet by Liz

Yes? Fantastic! Then read on...

I just love swaps and it's been a while since I was involved in a group one, so I thought it would be fun to set up one for OTTBS. Since it's my 1st time organising a swap, I'm keeping it nice and simple, no themes or special colourways but as this blog is supposed to be dedicated to stashbusting, at least 75% of the materials should be from your stash! It's fine to go out and purchase a pretty new clasp or the perfect focal that will just set off those seed beads you have had for 6 months but let's see if we can make use of the lovely stuff we already have!


Bracelet by Sarah (me!)

Here are the details,

Sign up by emailing me at librabeader at gmail dot com, include your postal address, bracelet length and details of any metal allergies.

Sign ups close 12.00 midnight Friday 1st July 2011

Partners will be assigned & sent out by 12.00 midnight Sunday 3rd July 2011

Please, no spoilers on blogs etc, let's try & keep who is beading for who secret until the swaps are received.

All bracelets should be posted by 8th August 2011, please remember to take a photo before you post your package and email it to me at the address above so it can be included in the big reveal!

Once you have received your bracelet, let me know, once all are received, I will then post all photo's and partner details here on the blog.

Hope that all makes sense! Please contact me if you have any questions.

Happy swapping!

Sarahx

Free Pattern - Diamond Lines Peyote Bracelet

You may recognise this pattern as I designed for my entry in this month's Moodboard Challenge. I thought that you may enjoy it too. It is odd count peyote, although you could use even count, leaving off the last bead in each row and brick stitch them on at the end. Happy beading!

Sarahx

Reflections Bracelet Tutorial

This weeks tutorial is for this super simple but pretty Swarovski Ring and cord bracelet. I've had the ring for a couple of years and really wanted to bust it out of my stash as it's far too lovely to languish in a box unused.

Materials required: 1 x Swarovski Crystal Ring, 2 x 8 inches (or length to fit your wrist) 2mm wide faux suede cord, 4 x cords ends (to fit 2mm), 2 x open jump rings, 1 x toggle clasp. 1. Place one end of your cord inside the cord end and, using flat nose pliers, close the cord end over the cord.

2. Repeat until all ends of the cord have a connector.

3. Fold one length of cord in half and pass the folded end through the Swarovski ring.

4. Take the two cord ends and pass them between the ring and the folded end of the cord.

5. Pull snug and repeat steps 3- 5 on the other side.

6. Using round nosed pliers, open a jump ring and thread it through the holes in the cord ends on one side of the bracelet.

7. Thread the jump ring through one part of the toggle clasp and close. Repeat steps 6 & 7 on the other side.

Happy Beading!

Sarahx

Book Review - Embellished Beadweaving by Laura McCabe

I am sure I am not the only one with a huge collection of beading books! I loved Laura McCabes first book and could not wait to get this one.

There are 6 chapters in the book which includes a brief history of beadwork, a guide to a basic beading kit and a chapter on basic stitches such as peyote & herringbone. Chapter 6 is where all the main action is with 18 original projects including earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets. All the projects are stunning, my personal favourites are the rosebud ring and the april showers necklace, both of which I plan to make in the future. The only downside to the projects for me is that size 15 beads are used extensively and believe it or not I have very few colours in 15's, so I will need to buy some. Oh what a shame ;-)


For the purpose of this review, I concentrated on the instructions in Chapter 4: A Comprehensive Guide To Embellishments. I made the pointed peyote petal and the basic peyote leaf (no pics of these sorry, I have mislaid them!), I did find the instructions a little confusing at one point in each of them, but a quick glance at the excellent diagrams soon put me right, I guess I learn better visually! I then made a bracelet base in right angle weave and used the basic beaded leaf technique as a fringe to finish it off. I like the way it turned out!

I'm not sure whether this book is suitable for complete beginners to seed beading, but it would certainly make a lovely addition to your beading library! Not only is there a great choice of beautiful projects, I found the section on embellishments inspiring and think it will add an extra dimension to simple beadwork like the bracelet above. There are also lots of gorgeous creations in the gallery by artists such as Cynthia Rutledge and Carol Wilcox Wells.

Happy Beading!

Sarahx

Free Pattern - Blue Waves Peyote Bracelet

This Valentines day the husbeast treated to me to a trip to Cardiff, which is always dangerous for my stash busting plans as the lovely bead shop Crystals and Ice is there. True to form I bought quite a lot of seed beads though I did restrain myself and stay away from the delica's! I bought some blue's, forgetting that I already had a plastic carton full of them)and wanted a simple pattern to use some of them up. I came up with this and thought that I would share it with our lovely OTTBS readers as I bet I'm not the only one with masses of seed beads in blue! I think it would look good in lots of other combinations too, I may try a black and red version at some point.

The dimensions using size 11 miyuki seed beads are width 1.31 inches, length 6.47 inches, just add or detract rows to resize. The bracelet uses the odd count peyote technique, if you aren't familiar with this or need a refresher, here is a link to a tutorial on about.com http://beadwork.about.com/od/beadingstitchtutorials/ss/Flat_odd_Count_Peyote.htm

Happy beading!

Sarahx

Wednesday's Wear It Or Frog It

Today I found this pretty peacock feather bracelet that I made several years ago. The design was in an early issue of Beads & Beyond magazine, I fell in love with it straight away and just had to make it!

The pattern used cylinder beads and tiny size 15 seeds and although I'd already started my obsession with beadweaving by then, I only had size 11 beads in my stash. So that was the one and only time that I bought all the beads in the exact colours needed.

The cost of the beads plus the fact that I'd used a sterling silver clasp for the first time meant that I never wore it because I was afraid I'd lose it!! Of course I'll happily spend all my money on beads now, how times change! Definitely not one to frog, I'm going to be wearing this piece from now on ;)

Wednesdays Wear It Or Frog It.

This week I dug through one of my jewellery cases and came up with this spiral rope bracelet. I made this using a size 11 bead soup mix of creams and beige and some cream dancing pearls. I think I wore it once and then put it it the case, never to be seen again until today. Having looked at it again, I think it's a lovely bracelet, just not the right colours for me, I tend to wear cool colours such as purple, teal, black and white. I would certainly make this style of bracelet again in those sorts of colours but this one is not for me! I have a friend who wears lots of browns and natural colours so I will offer it to her. If she doesn't want it, you may well see it frogged at a later date!

Have you dug through the jewellery stash to unearth any lost treasures this week? Please tell us all about them, you can e-mail us at ottbs@hotmail.co.uk .

The Trials & Tribulations of Goal 8!

First of all, huge apologies for my lack of posting lately. I've been really busy with orders and commissions (although I'm not complaining!) plus other non-beady stuff and have spread myself a little too thin.

Also I came to a total standstill with my last goal. I had planned to use up that gorgeous tube of beads by the end of the week but three weeks later they were still sitting on my desk! Several times I had an idea, tipped the beads onto my bead mat and had a go but everything I tried was a disaster.

I discovered that they're not very good for herringbone, triangle stitch or right-angle weave. I had an idea that because they're triangles, they would look good stitched in rows on a bead embroidered cuff and I visualised a lovely zig-zag texture. No. They wobbled about a bit and it just looked messy, so back into the tube they went.

My last resort was peyote stitch which I had dismissed at first because of their shape. Success! They fit together brilliantly to give an unusual effect. So off I went, merrily making a six bead wide strip to make a bracelet...and ran out of beads three quarters of the way through! Grr. Determined not to buy another tube of these flippin' beads I unpicked it all and started again with four beads. Several hours later and with the addition of some red and gold seed beads I had this bracelet...



Now who was it that said beading was relaxing, lol.