Something a little different

Did you know that I had a life of hand crafts before beads?  lol.  Yes, it's true.  I did lots of things before I did beads.  I was downloading pics off a flash drive from my dearly departed desktop the other day, and I came across a photo of one of my projects.  I learned how to do a technique called "filet crochet".  Have you ever heard of it?  It used to be wildly popular back in the day to make table runners, sofa arm covers, doilies, wall hangings, etc.

Filet crochet uses a series of chains and double chains to make a grid of open and closed squares.  The closed squares create a picture.  I found this free pattern that dated back to the Victorian era!  How neat is that?  The string is not black as it looks in the photo.  It is actually navy blue...the closest I could find to indigo. :)  It is quite big.  If I remember correctly it is about 22" long and I think 14" tall.  Something like that.  I am embarrassed to say it is folded up in my closet somewhere.  I really should frame this one.  Last I saw it, though, the folded side facing up was dusty so I would need to figure out how to clean it without completely destroying it first.  Here's a photo of my filet crochet Victorian Dragon...

I liked this patter so much, in fact, that I converted it into beading patterns for both peyote and loom/square stitch.  Both are for sale (just $4!!!!!).  If you would like to see (and consider buying) these patterns, just click here for the loom/square stitch and here for the peyote.  Because I am soooo creative (lol) I have them on the first page under "2 Tone Dragon". 


Now, I want to thank those of you who have voted for me so very much! Right now I am in the lead!  Yea!!! You have left some really awesome comments, and it sure was an instant warm fuzzy! However, some people have come to me because they aren't sure what to put in the blanks in order to cast a vote.  When you click here to see my entry page, scroll to the bottom of the page.  You will then see this:

The first blank is for your name.  You don't even have to put your whole name if you don't want to.  The second blank says "mail" and it is for your email address.  It won't be published.  The third space says "website" and you can leave that blank.  Then, just fill in a comment and click the submit button.  Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!

Here's a reminder of my entry...Remember...the use of tagua beads (the type of beads this contest is promoting and giving away) SAVES THE LIVES OF ELEPHANTS!!!  It's a great cause.

AND
Did you know that I'm getting close to my 100th post?  Do you know what that means?  Yep!!!  It's going to be giveaway time!!!  So stay tuned...it's coming soon.

Can you please help me? I need votes!

I have entered my very first beading contest!  I am not a "bead diva" and I am not in the "in crowd", so I need all the help I can get from those of you who read my blog, because we're all friends, right?  YES!!!  I have entered a contest by Ecuadorian Hands.  They run a monthly contest to promote tagua beads.  Have you heard of tagua?  I'll give you a little info, because they really a great item to know about and use.  Tagua comes from the ivory palm.  When the tagua is dried out it can be used just as elephant ivory.  It is very hard, can be carved just like ivory to make things like figurines, and of course...beads.  Tagua is also dyed with some really gorgeous, vibrant colors.

They have just opened up the contest to include all materials, not just tagua, in an effort to more widely promote the use of tagua and TO SAVE ELEPHANTS!  And, if I remember correctly from when I bought some of these types of beads, some of the money from the sale of tagua is also used to help save rain forests.  Are these good causes, or what???!!! 

I am really hoping that you will take the time to go to my entry and leave a comment to vote for my hard work in making my netted collar.

To vote for me, please click HERE.

Thank you so much!!!