May Bead Journal Project

For those of you who have been watching my BJP entries for 2011, you know that I am learning 1 new stitch a month and making a necklace/bracelet set to learn and master some new skills.  The stitch I learned this past month is the spiral rope stitch.  I used 2 different colors of size 8's (green and blue) and alternated them in the core.  To spiral around I used 6 different colors of 11's and 2 colors of 10's (purples, blues, a green and a pink).  I picked them up randomly.  That's to reflect how I've been feeling lately.  Things are randomly organized if that makes sense to you.  I also used little bits of things I had only a few of to swirl around the spiral.  That's the little bit of chaos thrown into my life. lol. 

This rope took a lot of time and dedication.  The bracelet is 7.5" and the rope is 35".  I was soooo over the spiral stitch by the time I was half way through it, lol and I had to really make myself continue.  But I do like the look of the spiral stitch, and I'm positive I will use it again in the future.  Maybe not on such a long rope, though.  It is long enough to wear both as a long necklace or doubled as a short necklace.  This piece to me has a little bit of quirky charm.  There are different sizes, shapes and colors of flowers, discs, iris beads, glass rounds, some puffy pillow types, a cube, some pretty magatamas and all the while consistently placed gold metal discs in between.  So on every angle of the rope there is something colorful and fun to look at.  And with all these colors, it will go with anything!  :)

Here is the set I call "Baubles & Bits".

As usual, if you want a closer look just click on the pics.  I've got ideas floating around in my head for June's BJP, and I'm thinking I would really like to incorporate some of the cabs and beads I have been making with the polymer clay.  Lots of fun!

To all my mommy readers, whether to people babies or fur babies...Happy Mother's Day!

Introducing the Next Generation of Bead Artists!

On Saturday my daughter, Sara, was complaining about how bored she was.  I was sitting at the kitchen table working on a necklace and I asked her if she wanted to help me.  She sat down, eager and ready to learn.  I showed her a couple times how to do the spiral rope stitch and we worked on my necklace for a few minutes.  Then I asked her if she wanted to make a bracelet of her own.  Her eyes lit up and she got a great big smile on her face.  I got out all my color-coded buckets of beads and spread them out on the kitchen floor for her to see.  She started picking colors, and before you know it she had her color palette ready to go. 

I did the first 3 loops because getting started can sometimes be a little bit tricky, and I did the clasp.  A couple times the thread got tangled and I helped her get it undone.  But other than that she did this entire bracelet all by herself!!!  I am so proud of her.  What a talent she is already at 9 years old.  Can you imagine how good she'll be in a few years?  She's already anxious to learn another stitch.

She chose a 8/0 apple green color for the core bead, then red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink for the twist.  The rainbow colors are size 11/0, except the green that is a 15/0.  She has decided to name her bracelet "Rainbows Over The Hills".  Isn't that a pretty name?  Here are some photos of Sara and her beading.

RAINBOWS OVER THE HILLS

 You can click on the photos for a larger view, too.

And the best part?  She says you can wear it with anything because it's got all the colors!  She's talented and practical! :)

She'll come home and ask me if anyone said anything about her bracelet, so don't be shy...leave Sara a message.