Hiya,
You may have noticed that there was no free pattern yesterday! My tutorial mojo seems to have gone on a bit of a holiday, I think maybe that posting one each week is a bit too much and doesn't give me enough time to try experimenting with new ideas, so I thought I would try alternating Saturday tutorials with a Sunday post about interesting beady things on the web. Well, we'll try it and see how it goes, comments/suggestions are always welcome!
I have been very busy lately and haven't had much time to see what's up in the beady Internet world, so I think this is going to be fun! At this time of year, I see lots of posts about various contests and competitions but either miss out on the deadlines or just don't have the time to complete a big piece, so I thought I'd have a little look around for some information on contests to share with you all,
First of all I found this great post by Mandi at Bead Circle Network on the reasons to enter a beading contest, http://beadcircle.com/2011/01/7-reasons-to-enter-a-beading-contest/
Next I found the Fashion Colourworks Beading Contest 2011 run by Zoya Gutina at My Lovely Beads. This contest is based on Pantone colour palettes, there are 3 to choose from and there are 3 categories so you could enter up to 9 pieces if you wanted! The deadline for this contest is June 15th. It looks like a good one, you can read the full set of rules here;
http://www.mylovelybeads.com/contest/2011/rules.php
Last but not least, OTTBS reader Dee recently entered the Urban Beautiful Contest with her stunning necklace London City Reflections and my twitter friend Hollybirdbeads fabulous Flora Metallica is also an entry. There are 16 pages of beautiful creations, so I would definitely encourage you to go have a look! http://www.urbanbeautiful.com/en/design-gallery/popular/?page=8
Happy beading!
Sarahx
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Website Review - Ruby's Beadwork
Hello!
Many apologies for not posting a review last week, a combination of changing roles at work and the Bank Holiday weekend made me very absent minded! I have got a quick link and review of an old favourite website this week, some of you may already be aware of it but I thought it well worth a mention for any readers who are just starting out with beadweaving. Many years ago when I first came across beading as a hobby I joined the about.com beading forum where I found a lot of useful information and helpful advice. There was a lovely lady on there called Ruby, who was very active in encouraging new beaders and posting lovely free patterns. I haven't visited her website for a long time, but yesterday I was asked to run a taster beading session at my offices Adult Learner Day, so I have been thinking about how I started out and I was once again reminded of it.
http://www.rubysbeadwork.com/Thumbnails.html
There are over 50 patterns/tutorials on this website, including necklaces, bracelets, rings and a range of techniques from making your own jump rings, bails and clasps in wirework to off loom beadweaving. The favourite project that I remember making when I very first started out is The Terri choker http://www.rubysbeadwork.com/TerriChoker.html which is a lovely necklace using size 8 beads and fire polish beads, it's a simple project easily achieved by an adventurous beginner (trust me, if i could do it back then, anyone can!) and is particularly good for a prom style necklace, I think. Finishing this project really motivated me to try different techniques. I also learnt spiral rope and netting stitch from this website and the flat netted bracelet http://www.rubysbeadwork.com/CuffBracelet.html was a favourite for a long time, I have embellished in many ways, with fringing along both sides, lengthened it as a choker and added Russian leaves to it, the possibilities are endless!
Looking at the website today, there are still some projects that I would like to try, especially the Medallion Ornament http://www.rubysbeadwork.com/MedallionOrnament.html
So if you are just starting out in beadweaving, or just fancy a quick and easy project, you should definitely check out this site!
Happy beading!
Sarahx
Many apologies for not posting a review last week, a combination of changing roles at work and the Bank Holiday weekend made me very absent minded! I have got a quick link and review of an old favourite website this week, some of you may already be aware of it but I thought it well worth a mention for any readers who are just starting out with beadweaving. Many years ago when I first came across beading as a hobby I joined the about.com beading forum where I found a lot of useful information and helpful advice. There was a lovely lady on there called Ruby, who was very active in encouraging new beaders and posting lovely free patterns. I haven't visited her website for a long time, but yesterday I was asked to run a taster beading session at my offices Adult Learner Day, so I have been thinking about how I started out and I was once again reminded of it.
http://www.rubysbeadwork.com/Thumbnails.html
There are over 50 patterns/tutorials on this website, including necklaces, bracelets, rings and a range of techniques from making your own jump rings, bails and clasps in wirework to off loom beadweaving. The favourite project that I remember making when I very first started out is The Terri choker http://www.rubysbeadwork.com/TerriChoker.html which is a lovely necklace using size 8 beads and fire polish beads, it's a simple project easily achieved by an adventurous beginner (trust me, if i could do it back then, anyone can!) and is particularly good for a prom style necklace, I think. Finishing this project really motivated me to try different techniques. I also learnt spiral rope and netting stitch from this website and the flat netted bracelet http://www.rubysbeadwork.com/CuffBracelet.html was a favourite for a long time, I have embellished in many ways, with fringing along both sides, lengthened it as a choker and added Russian leaves to it, the possibilities are endless!
Looking at the website today, there are still some projects that I would like to try, especially the Medallion Ornament http://www.rubysbeadwork.com/MedallionOrnament.html
So if you are just starting out in beadweaving, or just fancy a quick and easy project, you should definitely check out this site!
Happy beading!
Sarahx
Monday, 9 May 2011
May Moodboard
Our first submission to the May moodboard is this gorgeous piece of glasswork from Debbie!
If you'd like to join in with us this month then please see the original post for details.
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Free Tutorial - Something out of Nothing Lariat
Earlier this week Clair from Obstinate Pursuit posted some lovely cards made from little bits and pieces and it reminded me of how much I enjoy making something out of practically nothing. I rummaged through my bead stash and came up with a length of brass chain, some jump rings and 10 purple dagger beads, not a lot really. I had a play about and came up with this simple lariat.
You will need approximately 1 metre of decorative chain, 10 jump rings to match and 10 dagger beads.
Using 2 pairs of pliers open a jump ring sideways and add a dagger bead.
You will need approximately 1 metre of decorative chain, 10 jump rings to match and 10 dagger beads.
Using 2 pairs of pliers open a jump ring sideways and add a dagger bead.
Attach to the bottom link of one side of the chain.
Repeat for the other end of the chain, tie an overhand knot and you are done!
Repeat up the chain, alternating the sides that you attach the jump rings to.
Repeat for the other end of the chain, tie an overhand knot and you are done!
Don't forget to add a photo to our Flickr pool if you make this project (link up on the right).
Happy beading!
Sarahx
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Bead Busting Monthly
Sorry that this might be reaching you a little late in the day. Don't you just hate it when you have an autopost all set to go and forget to hit the publish button?
Anyway, this is the month that Operation Tackle That Beadstash is returning to it's roots. We're once again becoming goal orientated! Now, don't turn off your computer thinking that we'll be setting you stash busting targets and pencilling in some progress reviews. That's just not we're all about, but we do want to start whittling down our own burgeoning bead stashes - and we'd love it if you joined us.
On the first Tuesday of each month, we'll post one 'link it all up here' blogpost, where you can link to your own month's personal bead busting goals; link to work in progress shots; or link to those satisfyingly completed projects. Anything works - including your projects for the moodboards - as long as you're tackling that bead stash!
Anyway, this is the month that Operation Tackle That Beadstash is returning to it's roots. We're once again becoming goal orientated! Now, don't turn off your computer thinking that we'll be setting you stash busting targets and pencilling in some progress reviews. That's just not we're all about, but we do want to start whittling down our own burgeoning bead stashes - and we'd love it if you joined us.
On the first Tuesday of each month, we'll post one 'link it all up here' blogpost, where you can link to your own month's personal bead busting goals; link to work in progress shots; or link to those satisfyingly completed projects. Anything works - including your projects for the moodboards - as long as you're tackling that bead stash!
Odds & Ends - Waiting For The Right Project
You'll be able to see the contributing team's own goals and progress, but everyone will also be able to drop by and offer you some support and encouragement. Besides, who really needs an excuse to visit more beading blogs?
Just a little bit of ettiquette -
* Please link directly to each individual blogpost - not to your main home page.
* Please link to Operation Tackle That Beadstash in your post.
* Please visit and comment on other people's posts.
If you need an example of what to write about, you can see my own post by clicking on my name in the linky below. It should take you directly to the right blogpost!
Want to play along? Just use the Mr. Linky below to leave your name and a link to your post. We'll be along to say hello!
Sunday, 1 May 2011
May Moodboard
Welcome to the May Moodboard! We're going all green this month with a mosaic of images that was put together by Clair. You can use any shade or shades of green, from deepest forest to palest mint and of course there's an abundance of shapes, textures and materials to be inspired by.
Middle row: Lime green wall, Pannonian sea, Green on Green
Bottom row: Crests Of Waves, Green Eyes, Green door against green grass
Submitting is easy! You can either email your photographs to me at thecrimsonmoon7@gmail.com or you can add them to our Flickr group pool.
As you may have noticed, we provide a link back to your website, blog or online shop so if you have one that you'd like us to add then please include it with your submission.
We're happy for you to make something using a pattern from a book, magazine or tutorial but if you do please let us know the designer's name and where it was published so that we can give full credit.
The deadline for entries is 6pm (GMT) on Tuesday May 31st and as usual a prize will be awarded at random to one of our lucky entrants! It's my turn to offer the prize for May and again I'm offering a kit to make one of my Fairground Attraction pendants, including instructions, beads, thonging and findings in the winner's choice of colours...
So come one, get your greens out, enjoy the challenge and don't forget...tackle that bead stash!
As you may have noticed, we provide a link back to your website, blog or online shop so if you have one that you'd like us to add then please include it with your submission.
We're happy for you to make something using a pattern from a book, magazine or tutorial but if you do please let us know the designer's name and where it was published so that we can give full credit.
The deadline for entries is 6pm (GMT) on Tuesday May 31st and as usual a prize will be awarded at random to one of our lucky entrants! It's my turn to offer the prize for May and again I'm offering a kit to make one of my Fairground Attraction pendants, including instructions, beads, thonging and findings in the winner's choice of colours...
So come one, get your greens out, enjoy the challenge and don't forget...tackle that bead stash!
Saturday, 30 April 2011
April Moodboard - And the winner is...
Good morning beaders! Thanks to everyone who joined in with our April moodboard challenge, I always enjoy seeing everyone's gorgeous creations and this month's collection of beady goodness is no exception! Before I announce the winner lets have another look at the mosaic I posted for your inspiration...
And here's what was made by our lovely readers and blog team...
Clockwise from top-left: Peppermint Dream Ornament, I have a bag that's cool, Diamond Wall Pattern, Swap packages.
Eva
Carol
Lesley
Sarah
Mandy
Catherine
Me
Clair (who almost finished her lovely project!)
Dee
This month I'm using Random.org to randomize the list of names and the beader who's name is at the top is...
Congratulations Catherine, Sarah will be in touch with you about your prize shortly :)
Thanks again to everyone who joined in and thanks also to everyone who takes the time to visit and follow our blog. Don't forget to check back tomorrow when I'll be posting a brand new moodboard for May!
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