Beaded Colorways {Bead, Book & Bounce}

Each month, as part of our regular feature Bead, Book & Bounce, we choose one of the most popular beading and jewellery making books and challenge our readers to make something inspired by the techniques or projects covered within it's pages. Over the next two months, we'll be working from Beaded Colorways by Beverly Ash Gilbert. 

Beaded Colourways covers - the tools and techniques you will need to gain confidence when working with colour and enhance your beadwork; step-by-step instructions for projects that make put the theory into practice; and freeform beading techniques that can be used to create your own unique projects!

"I was really impressed...a book that covers colour theory in exhaustive detail." -  Shala Kerrigan, Book Review: Beaded Colorways.

Projects In Other Places - 

Beaded Colorways includes several 'Wanderlust Projects' - Wander With Color, Wander With Flair, The Wanderlust Bracelet and The Wanderlust Necklace, as well as instructions for creating Rippled Netting and the instructions for each of these projects are available as individual downloads from BeverlyAshGilbert.Com.

And, If You're Interested - 

Beverly's website, BeverlyAshGilbert.Com, is home to a beautiful gallery of stunning beadwork, paintings, digital art and photographs - as well as a dedicated Color Inspiration section - all designed to inspire your work with color. 

When's The Reveal - 

The reveal will be on the 6th September.

Creating Crystal Jewelry {Bead, Book & Bounce}

Hello! Hello! Are you all ready to find out what the next book in our Bead, Book & Bounce feature will be? I just love cracking the spine on a new book (or blowing the dust off an old one!) So, without further ado, let me tell you that the next book in the series will be Creating Crystal Jewelry by Laura McCabe. 

First published in 2008, Creating Crystal Jewelry was one of the first books to concentrate solely on working with Swarovski Crystal. Laura's book includes sixty-six amazing designs incorporating Rivolis, Crystals, Dentelles. There's a lot of sparkle! 

"Her instructions are very clear and easy to follow, with an excellent section on open-backed bezeling techniques - including a particularly useful chart on how many beads to use to begin a bezel for different sizes of rivolis." Silverhill Designs - Beader's Bookshelf Review. 

Projects In Other Places - 

There are several of Laura McCabe's patterns available as free downloads, via Lark Crafts. Starflower Earrings and Well Kept Secret Necklace are all from Embellished Beadweaving, which is part of the Lark Craft Beadweaving Masterclass Series. Laura's Artisan Patterns and Kits are also available from her website, Just Let Me Bead. 

And, If You're Interested - 

The Lark Crafts Interview With Laura McCabe includes information about Laura's sources of inspiration and influence and her website, Just Let Me Bead is a vertiable feast of eye candy. 

When's The Reveal - 

6th July.

Beaded Allure: The Reveal {Bead, Book & Bounce}

Each month, as part of our regular feature - Bead, Book & Bounce - we choose one of the most popular beading and jewellery making books and challenge our readers to dust off the books on their shelves and create projects from their neglected library. 

Inspired by the beautifully, romantic projects included in Kelly Wiese's Beaded Allure, our members have been busy beading. And now it's time for us all to reveal the results of our efforts over the last two months.

Kristen has been a busy beader, creating three (rather fantastic) pieces from Beaded Allure. I'm guessing that she liked the book!

Wavy Rosette Necklace, P115

Scalloped Lace Necklace, P71

Crytal Bracelet, P42

Kristen has emulated the colour choices in Kelly's original pieces, aiming to keep her projects beautifully romantic. Personally, I thinked she's cracked it, aren't they wonderful?

If you have made any pieces from Beaded Allure, please share your own projects with us using the Mr Linky.

Please link directly to your Beaded Allure blog post, so that we can find it easily.

Please leave a comment here when you link up your project.

Please try to visit the blogs of other participants when you can. We all love a bit of love!

And don't forget that we're still working on projects from Classical Elegance by Maggie Meister, with a new reveal on the 6th June.

Classical Elegance {Bead, Book & Bounce}

I'm a little excited to let you all know that the latest book in our Bead, Book & Bounce feature will be Maggie Meister's Classical Elegance. Swoon! Classical Elegance includes a balanced selection of earrings, bracelets and necklaces, all isnpired by classical art, architecture and jewellery.

"Every single piece... is wonderful"
The Beading Gem - Book Review: Classical Elegance

Patterns In Other Places -

If Classical Elegance hasn't yet made it onto your bookshelf, then you'll be pleased to know that there are several projects, available as free downloads. The Laksmi Pendant and The Artemisia Earrings both feature in the printed version of Classical Elegance, whilst The Fiore Earrings and The Liternum Brooch were both shortlisted for inclusion, but didn't quite make it!

And, If You're Interested -

You can also read an Interview With Maggie Meister, with advice for budding beadweavers and an insight into Maggie's design principles. Maggie's beautiful website, Amphora Designs, is home to Maggie's Blog, Workshop Schedule and Il Marcato (The Market.)

When's The Reveal - 

The reveal for projects made from Classical Elegance will be the 6th June.

Beaded Fantasies: The Reveal {Bead, Book & Bounce}

For the last two months our members have been busy creating pieces inspired by the beautiful projects in Sabine Lippert's Beaded Fantasies.And, when I announced the book over in the OTTBS Facebook Group, there was a massive flurry of activity as members of the group that already had the book added photographs to the Beaded Fantasies Album. It was so inspiring! 

Since then our members have 'oohed and ahhed' and, eventually, beaded - and now it's time to reveal the results of our efforts, as we show off our projects  inspired by techniques and tutorials from Beaded Fantasies. Let's have a look at some of the projects that our members have made over the last two months shall we?

Carol has been busy beading these beautiful Sweet Eighteen Earrings. Don't you just love the splash of spring colours? Carol says "I found the instructions clear and easy to understand. The earrings were quick to make up and, provided I kept a tight tension, especially on the back, the beads went into their positions as on the picture. As I was pulling the beads tight at the back, I kept my fingers over the front ones, so that they continued to lay flat. Most enjoyable and I am looking forward to making more projects from this book!"

Gail has made this rather spectacular version of the Les Fleur Necklace. "Having made a La Fleur Bracelet as a Christmas present I decided I wanted one for myself, but then decided I wear necklaces more than bracelets these days so changed my mind and bought some larger rivolis and pearls. I really like the idea of how the rivolis link, but had to frog the links several times when I realised I’d got it slightly misaligned." 

Since buying the book, Gail has also tried the RAW Ribs Bracelet, Spikey Tops Bracelet, Granada Brooch and Volcanoes Necklace and has really enjoyed making each of the projects though she admits that making so many identical components for the Volcanoes Necklace "drove me a little nuts!" "I love bezelling and it’s great to find such different methods which show off the rivolis. My only criticism of the book is the lack of clasps which are more in keeping with the beauty of the designs. But it’s only a small niggle."

And lastly, these fine projects from Jane, who has been busy making up a La Fleur Bracelet, a Spikey Tops Bracelet - and who loves the RAW Ribs Bracelet so much that she's made two! 

Phew! What amazing pieces - and all inspired by just one book! Please do share your own projects with us using the Mr Linky.

• Please link directly to your Beaded Fantasies blog post, so that we can find it easily. 
• Please leave a comment here when you link up your project. 
• Please try to visit the blogs of other participants when you can. We all love a bit of love! 

And don't forget that we're still working on projects from Kelly Wiese's Beaded Allure with a new reveal on the 6th May.

Beaded Allure {Bead, Book & Bounce}

For those of us who cannot wait for the release of A Beaded Romance, I'm pleased to announce that the latest book in our Bead, Book & Bounce feature is Kelly Wiese's Beaded Allure. There's nothing like revisiting an old favourite!

Beaded Allure contains twenty-five beautiful projects with the romantic in mind. Each with clear, detailed instructions, the projects work through ten beadweaving stitches and techniques - including bezelling and bead embroidery. 

"It’s not really a beading book at all. It’s a jewelry making book, with an emphasis on beadweaving. The tone suggests that the projects are intended for anyone and everyone, not just those of us who are already hopelessly obsessed with seed beads." Inspirational Beading: Book Review, Beaded Allure

Patterns In Other Places -

Having been publised regularly in Beadwork Magazine, the vast majority of Kelly Wiese's Patterns are available for download. There are also many, many beautiful patterns for earrings, bracelets and necklaces - available as kits or patterns - on Kelly's wonderful website, The Bead Parlor. 

And, If You're Interested -

You can see more of Kelly's stunning designs in The Bead Parlor Gallery. 

When's The Reveal - 

The reveal for projects made from Beaded Allure will be the 6th May.

Japanese Beadwork: The Reveal {Bead, Book & Bounce}

Each month, as part of our Bead, Book & Bounce feature, we choose one of the most popular beading and jewellery making books and challenge our readers to dust off the books on their shelves and create projects from their neglected library. Over the past few months, we've all been working on projects from Japanese Beadwork by Sonoko Nozue. 

Part of Lark Crafts, Beadweaving Master Class Series, Japanese Beadwork includes twenty-five beadweaving projects - including necklaces, bracelets and brooches.

Due to technical issues (ie. building work!) I'm running really late with the reveal this month, but the time has now come for us to share our projects inspired - finished or not - by the tutorials, techniques or inspirational pieces included in Japanese Beadwork. 

Susan Sassoon created this amazing version of the free download, Sonoko Wave. Here's what Susan had to say about the pattern. 

"The project was unusual because it required you to bead perpendicular to the way I'm used to beading a necklace. Usually, I start with a tube and bead around and around to the required length. Here, we were instructed to start with one row, the full length of the necklace and add rows alongside it. It didn't look like much as I progressed, until the very last step, where the zipping up into a tube created the magic!"

"While I love the result, I am a bit disappointed in the length. Because of the construction method, additional length was difficult to add and I feel that the length in the instructions was much too short. I had to improvise in order to make this wearable for me. I may try it again, or at least use the technique, but because of the spiraling effect, I think it will be difficult to estimate the required length from the start.

I found the instructions and diagrams very brief but clear, just how I like them!"

You can share your own projects with us using the Mr Linky. 

• Please link directly to your Japanese Beadwork blog post, so that we can find it easily. 
• Please leave a comment here when you link up your project. 
• Please try to visit the blogs of other participants when you can. We all love a bit of love!

And don't forget that we're still working on projects from Sabine Lippert's Beaded Fantasies with a new reveal on the 6th April.

The Art & Elegance Of Beadweaving: The Reveal {Bead, Book & Bounce}

In 2012, we introduced a new blog feature - Bead, Book & Bounce. We've chosen some of the most popular beading and jewellery making books and one by one we've been challenging our readers to dust off the books on their shelves and create projects from their neglected library. 

Over the past few months, we've all been working on projects from The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving by Carol Wilcox Wells. Well received - and well loved - in the beading community, this book contains a wide range of projects all inspired by some of the most popular beadweaving stitches.

   

It's now time for us to share our projects, finished or not, that have been inspired by the tutorials, techniques or gallery pieces included in The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving. We're starting here on the blog with two wonderful projects by Susan Sassoon. Susan says "I tend to change things up a bit rather than follow a pattern directly, so my entries here may not look too much like the proejcts, but they started out with the main stitch from the pattern and then I took it elsewhere!"

"The black and silver triple curved necklace was inspired by Carol Horn's rainbow necklace - only I used my own size beads and created a triple curve instead of the single curve."

"The necklace with the diamond shaped pendant started off as the choker with a secret necklace but I preferred a V shaped necklace instead of the rounded one, so I changed it up."

How amazing are Susan's projects? I really love that she's managed to create pieces inspired by the book, but with her own twists. Please share your own projects with us using the Mr Linky.

* Please link directly to your reveal and review blog post, so that we can find it easily. 

* Please leave a comment here when you link up your project. 

* Please try to visit the blogs of other participants when you can. We all love a bit of love! 

And don't forget that we're still working on projects from Sonoko Nozue's Japanese Beadweaving, with the new reveal on the 6th March.

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

Bead Shop Review - Yashma Creations

Yashma Creations is a shop that I recently discovered on Etsy.com. I was immediately drawn to the beautiful artistic photographs used in the listings, each one well thought out and making the most of the gorgeous beads on offer! As Etsy is an American site a large proportion the shops are based there, so you can imagine my surprise - and delight - to find that Yashma Creations is based in the UK.


At the time of writing I found 29 beautiful pages of flowers, leaves, firepolished crystals, bead caps, drops, rondelles and other Czech pressed shapes in many colours and finishes that I haven't seen before (and believe me, I've visited many online UK bead shops!). There is also a lovely selection of brass findings and pendants.


The listings themselves are very informative, telling you exactly what you're getting. I love how she lists all the colours and finishes that are included in the firepolished crystal mixes! If you shy away from Etsy due to the currency conversions then have no fear, the currency at Yashma Creations is set to British pounds so you know exactly how much you're paying. Postage is very reasonable too at £1.30 for the first item and then just 5p for every extra item added.


I've placed several orders and my beads have always been extremely well protected, with the packets wrapped in bubble wrap as well as placed inside a padded envelope. Delivery is speedy, something that's very important to those of us who want our beads yesterday! In fact I placed my last order around Midday and unbelievably it was through my door the following morning. Customer service is excellent, Valentina lets you know when your order is on it's way via a 'convo' (short for 'conversation', Etsy's internal messaging system) and it's this personal touch that I've often found lacking in orders for supplies from the US.


Put simply, browsing and shopping at Yashma Creations is pure delight!

And now for some fantastic news...Valentina has very generously offered to sponsor some of our challenges with collections of beads for the lucky winners. Now if that's not an excellent incentive to join in with our Moodboards then I don't know what is!

Magazine Review - Beads & Beyond May 2011

Beads and Beyond is a British based monthly magazine. I don't get it every month as there aren't that many seed bead projects, but when I do I am always impressed with the design, format and layout which is very fresh, modern and clean and makes this magazine a real pleasure to flick through. This issue has 14 featured projects including stringing, lampwork, wirework and one seed bead piece. There are also features on jewellery makers, 15 lariats in purple and lime and the designer challenge projects.

Of the projects my favourite is the seed bead necklace (no surprises there!), which is a beautiful blue floral pendant with a fringed strap. There are some particularly beautiful wire work projects in this issue, the treasures of the sea projects are inspired by nautilus shells and are just stunning, also there is a wirework fossil pendant which I love and want to try making for myself. There is a very fashion led necklace called Anchors Away which includes stringing, wirework and a bit of sewing that would be perfect for this years nautical fashions, I really liked this one! The lampworked goldstone nuggets are also beautiful, though it's not a craft I practise, my husband has banned me from anything that involves a torch!

If you are interested in the nautical trend, there is a round up of beads and charms, including some fabulous swarovski fish crystal beads that I really want to own. There are lots of giveaways in this magazine too.

While this magazine will probably never be my absolute favourite, simply because there aren't enough seed projects for me, this magazine is a lovely general jewellery making magazine with some beautiful on trend projects. It's lovely to flick through and the photography is inspiring, so definitely worth a look!

Happy beading!

Sarahx

Magazine Review - Bead and Button Issue 102 (April)

Bead and Button will need no introduction to most beaders, I know. However, I picked up my copy at the weekend and thought I would review it for those people who do not buy it on a regular basis. B&B has a special place in my heart as it is the first magazine I ever bought and is largely responsible for my obsession with beadweaving. Over the years, I have made quite a few projects from this magazine and learnt a lot from it. Some of the issues have had very few pieces that appealed to me, but that is just a matter of taste and after all the magazine does need to appeal to many different tastes and styles. This issue has 17 projects and also included a free booklet with 6 bracelet projects. As I expected, the main focus is on beadweaving techniques (hooray!) but also includes other techniques such as stringing, wirework and metal clay. You can have a look at the contents page here http://www.beadandbutton.com/Magazine/Current%20Issue.aspx

There are some lovely projects in this issue, a couple of which I think I will actually make! First on my list is Cathy Lampole's Daisy Spiral, a lovely colourful spiral necklace featuring tubular netting, beaded beads and heavy weight chain, I think it will be lots of fun to both wear and make. My 2nd favourite is the beautiful trillium ornament by Diane Hertzler which I think I may make for my mums 60th birthday later this year, I rarely make non-jewellery beaded items but this one is really special! The cover bangle by Cynthia Rutledge is also gorgeous and may well end up around my wrist at some point! There are lots of other lovely seed bead projects to choose from too. I also want to mention the Chic & Easy stringing project as it is a great one for beginners to start with and would also be a good stashbuster for us ottbs'ers!

As well as the beautiful projects there are also some nice features and I particularly enjoyed Robin Atkin's article on Transylvanian beadwork traditions, it is well worth a read. I was really pleased with this issue, I liked a lot of the projects and enjoyed reading the features, the FMG advert is also well worth a look as always!

Happy beading!

Sarahx

Magazine Review - Bead Magazine Issue 29 (Apr/May)

This week I thought I would review the latest issue of Bead Magazine, this issue has 15 projects including polymer clay, stringing, seed bead work and wire work.

The 1st thing I do when I get a new beading magazine is make a beeline for the Fire Mountain Gems advert and the one in this issue is certainly inspirational! It is a stunning seed bead necklace by Oleksandra Sydorenko. Turning to the contents page, there are lots of colourful pictures of the projects which give a definite springtime feel! Of the projects my favourites are; Unfolding of the Implicate Order, which is a fabulous statement necklace featuring beaded beads (Please be aware though, that this article is on how to finish the necklace and does not include instructions for the beaded beads, these can be found in issue 28 or downloaded from http://www.hobbyworld.tv/) and the Fringed Cabochon Garden which is a lovely, earthy necklace with lots of leafy fringing.

Other features I like in this magazine are the Readers Challenge and Gallery, Bead Soup and the features on beaders. It's always nice to see what other people have been working on (one of the reasons why we all read blogs, I guess) and Bead Magazine does devote quite a lot of space to featuring the work of it's readers, which I really like about it.

As a devoted seed beader, I would prefer it if every single project in every single magazine was beadweaving! I do, however, think that Bead gives a good range of techniques and offers a good choice to all types of jewellery makers who would like to try something new. In particular, there is a wire ring in this issue which I think would be great for someone new to wire working. As I said earlier the main reason I like this magazine is the opportunity to see whats going on in the UK beady world but I also really like the format. The layout is good, it's easy to read and the colours are always eye-catching and bright.

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