new bracelet done tonight

No, not THIS kind of ladder.  I did a bracelet based on a pattern by Silvana Terry...it's a free project with Bead & Button.  It's called Bugle Clusters and is based on the ladder stitch.  I must admit that I am NOT very good at reading instructions or illustrations.  I do so much better with videos.  But tonight all I had was the written instructions.  I used seed beads in two different colors each of 6/0 and 11/0 and then 6mm bugles. 

If I understood the directions correctly I was to make 2 separate ladder stitched lines, 2 beads tall and divisible by 3.  I went with 42 stacks.  Then it's just a matter of stringing in the middles and stitching the top and bottom onto the middle in the process.  In the picture there are the 3 bead picots on the top and bottom edges that goes across 2 and skips a space.  In the skipped space I decided to go back and add the same 6/0 I used in the middle of the bugle clusters. 

I first ran into trouble when I was trying to figure out the clasp.  She did a toggle using a headpin.  Hmmm.  Ok.  So I went searching for my 2" headpins as the directions say and got out my wire tools.  If I strung the beads in the pattern she said, it wouldn't have fit on my headpin, even though I used a 2" headpin just like she said.  So I adjusted it to a shorter pattern and made my little toggle.  Then to attach it, it said to put the needle/thread through the middle 6/0 seed bead on the wire and go around through it a couple times.  NOT!!!  The needle does NOT fit through there.  I don't know what gauge of wire she used, but mine was definitely too thick.  And if I used a much smaller wire so that it would fit, the wire would be so easy to bend I don't see how it would be functional.  So I scrapped the wire toggle and went with a simple beaded loop and lobster claw clasp.

My next problem was trying to understand how to embellish the center of the bracelet.  I simply could not figure it out.  I tried so many times, and it just looked like a heap of a mess every time.  I decided not to embellish.  Then once I was all done, my bracelet with the clasp was MUCH too long.  I let out a heavy sigh and started ripping it apart.  I managed to salvage the ladder stitched top and bottom so at least I didn't have to do that over again.  And I was able to save a few pieces of usable Fireline.  I only had a tiny bit left on the spool and I was afraid of running out.  Then I put the whole thing together again.  This time I didn't add the last single line of bugles on the ends and did the clasp instead from the middle of the last cluster on each side.  When I was done, it measured just at 7 1/2", so I was much happier with that.  Yes, I know that will still be too big for the thin women out there, but I think 7 1/2" is an average size that fits a lot of people.  I can always make another one smaller if anyone ever decided they wanted one from me, right?

Even though it's not embellished, I still think it's pretty.  The 6/0 in the center of the clusters and along the outside edges is one of those that changes colors from purple to green to a little bit of gold depending on how the light hits them.  The other beads making the picot on the edge is my very favoritest (yes, that's a word in my book) purple seed beads.  They are a true, beautiful purple and I love them.  The bugles and other seed beads are greens, but not solid.  The colors have a slight variation to them that makes them very pretty.

Here is my Bugle Clusters bracelet that I did tonight.  And if you're keeping track, yes, I am still avoiding that other project that I can't seem to finish.  Obviously I'd have a better chance of finishing it if I stopped starting new things.

And wouldn't you know it...good thing I was able to save a few strands of that Fireline because between the reused thread and the little bit that was left on the spool, I had just enough.  Yea!

Got Some New Pretties in the Mail

I know, it's been simply forever since I've posted anything.  My summer has been hectic and my schedule is all screwed up.  I'm hoping that once the kids go back to school in 25 days (but who's counting?!) that things will get back to a more normal routine for me.  Number one being my beading time!!!  On top of summer, I am still having a hard time being creative.  Maybe it's partly because my schedule is screwed up and maybe partly because it's soooo damned hot in my beading area (me and heat do not get along well).  Maybe I've just got a block.  Maybe it was partly because I was terribly sick for about a week.  (Feeling much better now after a trip to the ER and some meds.)  lol  then there was the dental work I had done the day before I got sick (prepped for a crown and a tooth pulled), and also a UTI on top of everything else.  When it rains it surely does pour!

BUT I've been thinking a lot about my July BJP piece, and I ordered some things because I actually had some ideas!  woohoo!!!  of course, we all know that they rarely turn out the way you think, but at least I've got a jumping off point.  So I wanted to show off some of the pretty things I got to give you a hint of what's to come.  This will be for a 5x7 bead/art piece for the BJP.  I didn't do one for June, but I did 2 for April, so I figure I'm still even!

Ok, so here's some pics....

6/0 Seed Beads in Emerald Green and 13/0 Czech Seed Beads in Green.  I love the deep, rich green of the emerald seeds.  I imagined the 13/0's to be a bit bigger than regular 15/0's, but they actually seem tinier!

Dark Emerald Bugles.  I love the variations of colors and shades in these!  I think they're gorgeous and I can't wait to play with them!

Look at these fabulous Calla Lillies!  OMG they're to die for!  They are Lucite, and are very large...about 1 1/2" long.  They are frosted white and are just stunning.  Again, I can't wait to use these!

These are not what I originally ordered.  I got a phone call from Bello Modo that the Olive Green Plumerias I ordered were out of stock.  Big bummer :(  I was soooo disappointed!  After much debate, I decided to go with the Burnt Orange Plumerias.  They had another flower that was a green color, but it was "just a regular flower" with standard rounded petals and it looked so, well, blaaaah.  I love the shape of the Plumerias...something a little different.  So I decided that the Burnt Orange will contrast nicely with the other beads I have going on in this piece.  I think I'm going to set some green pearls down in the centers of these.

Finally, I got some Tagua Nuts.  I had no idea what they were, but I thought they looked neat.  In the package a little card came with them explaining a little bit about the Tagua Nut.  It turns out that the harvesting and income from the Tagua Nuts of the Tagua or Ivory Palm trees helps to save the rain forests.  Yay!  I'm helping the planet and didn't even know it.  Now I will have to think about buying more in the future.  You can find them at Bello Modo if you are interested in getting some.  They are pretty substantial in size.  They are approximately 1 1/2" x 3/4".  Aren't they cool?

In addition, I am going to center the whole thing around a face cab that Beth at Bellesanbeaus made for me.  It reminds me of a Pagan Greenman.  That's a little of hint of what will be in my next art piece.  I figure it will probably take about 2 weeks if I can make myself sit in the heat for more than 30 minutes.

Last I checked it was 113 degrees here in Phoenix.  And don't tell me "but it's a dry heat."  Bull****  Hot is hot, especially when your eyeballs and mouth dries out instantly when going outside, and your car is so hot that you need oven mitts to drive.  My car a/c doesn't even blow cold enough to cool down the inside of the car and i just got it charged up with freon about 3 weeks ago.  I keep waiting for the monsoons to come, but so far nothing.  Just a few clouds in the sky.  Humidity is going up, though, which is a good sign of storms to come.  I looooooooove thunderstorms!!!  Can't wait to get some!!!!!  Also, for me, the monsoons are a sign that the summer is half over and we're just about over the worst of it.  Hurry up monsoons!  Get here quick!

Oh!  And don't forget to use the 10% discount code Artbeads gave me for my readers out there in blogland.  Just type in SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0125 at checkout to get your discount.  It's good until the end of July!