August Moodboard Weekly Update 1

A couple of gorgeous submissions to show you today!

Anna made this wonderful pendant and earrings set...



And I'm also including this beautiful Peacock Pendant. Catherine made this some time ago but she promises to make something new for the challenge. We're looking forward to that Catherine!



If you'd like to join in with us this month and be in with a chance to win a fabulous kit to make a set of beaded beads, please see the original post for details.

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

August Moodboard

Welcome to the August Moodboard! This month we're revisiting a colour scheme that we've had once before. Purple, green and turquoise blue is such a gorgeous combination that I think it deserves one more outing! As well as the peacock inspired colours, don't forget the textures which this time are soft, shimmering and sparkling with just a touch of fairy magic.

Clockwise from top-left: Twinkling christmas lights, Eye of the Day, Noro Scarf, Flowers from the Purple Land.

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. If you have a website, blog or an online shop that you'd like us to link to your name then please include it with your submission, either in your email or in the description of your Flickr photo.

What can you make? Anything as long as it involves beads! Any technique is accepted, from beadweaving and stringing to wire work and bead embroidery. Lampworkers and polymer clay artists are also welcome to submit pieces they've made.

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, including a link if available, so that we can give full credit.

The deadline for entries is 6pm (GMT) on Wednesday August 31st and as usual a prize will be awarded at random to one of our lucky entrants.

The prize this month is a kit to make a set of six mini beaded beads in the winner's choice of colours. It includes all the seed beads you need plus the wooden beads and my Mini Bead tutorial. But non-beadweavers please don't be put off, I'd be happy to make up the beads for you instead!

We hope you enjoy this month's challenge and look forward to seeing your creations!

July Moodboard - And the winner is...

Wow, we've had a fantastic response to the July moodboard with a whopping 24 submissions from 14 beaders! Thank you so much to everyone who has joined in with us this month. Before I show you all the beautiful beadwork that our readers and team made, here's a reminder of the mosaic of images that I posted for your inspiration.

Clockwise from left to right: Red Skies, Red Gold Curve,Gold Water,Superhero Honey.

Now for the beady eye candy!

Catherine




Mandy




Cat



Liz



Dee



Sarah




Amy



Lesley



Shyme Design...





Sigrid






Gloria



Shirley



Tamara



Sally



Maria



Gemma



I'm using Random.org to randomly choose a name from the list and the beader who is in 1st position is...



Congratulations Dee, you're the winner of this fantastic collection of beads from Yashma Creations!


Well I hope you've all enjoyed this months challenge, don't forget to drop by again tomorrow when I'll be posting the brand new moodboard for August!

Pattern Finds - Fringed Beaded Bead by Jade Dog Beads

I love projects that use up leftovers, those little bits and pieces left over from other projects. I generally use them to make rings but sometimes I would like to do something different and this gorgeous project by Darcy at Jade Dog Beads certainly fits the bill. I have followed Darcy on Facebook for a long time and have always loved her fringed beaded beads, so I love the thought of being able to make one myself!



Link to Darcy's shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/JadeDogBeads?ref=seller_info

I hope you like it as much as I do! I think it will make a fabulous summer accessory,the difficulty will be be in deciding what colour to make first!


Happy Beading!

Sarahx

July Moodboard - Weekly Update 3

We've had a huge amount of submissions since my last update post!

Sarah made a lovely bronze ring...



...and a gorgeous copper flower ring...



Amy created this fabulous Bonfire cuff...



Lesley made this gorgeous necklace based on a design by Lynn Davy...



We have three gorgeous pieces to share with you from Shyme Design...







Sigrid made a gorgeous Salsa ring...



...and an amazing star...



And Gloria created a beautiful necklace using her own polymer clay face...



There's still a week left so if you'd like to join in with us this month and be in with a chance to win a fabulous collection of beads from our sponsor Yashma Creations, please see the original post for details.

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