Pacific Montee

This bracelet popped out of nowhere during a creative slump. I wasn’t intending to make anything in particular, I just needed to start something. A lot of tinkering around with different beads eventually lead to this design, that I absolutely love. It’s the first design in which I’ve used Rose Montees and I couldn’t be happier.

Living in New Zealand, I’m constantly exposed to Pacific Island culture and design.  The motif created by the layout of beads is reminiscent of the flower images often found on traditional Polynesian Tapa cloths. I’d like to say that that was the inspiration behind this bracelet, but the truth is, I didn’t see the Polynesian motif in the design until a friend made the Pacific connection when I was looking for a name for the pattern (Thanks Hayley!).

Of course, there is a tutorial for this bracelet, which you can find, with a materials list, here.

 

Provoquant Tutorial… Finally

It’s been an entire year since I first began writing this tutorial. I would sit and stare at it for a long time, but for some reason I just couldn’t make it work. I’m not a natural at illustrating. I had to teach myself to use the software, and if I’m honest, I still don’t know what I’m doing. But I always get there in the end, and I’m very proud of my results with this tutorial.

I struggled with one particular logistical problem, then suddenly, a few weeks ago, the solution popped into my head. Since then it’s been all go, beading, writing, refining, testing…. But now, it’s finally ready.

Provoquant features a beautiful 30mm Swarovski Pear stone, two 16mm Rivoli and a whole lot of CRAW. CRAW is a marvelous stitch, it has a robust structure while remaining lightweight on the wearer. If you have not learned CRAW yet, I have a free tutorial available here. This tutorial is also attached to the Provoquant tutorial, which is available in my Etsy store now, I hope you enjoy it!

Green/pink

Red

Blue

In all their sparkling glory

Learn and Master RAW

Right-Angle Weave can be a tricky stitch to get the hang of, but it’s worth learning. For me the secret is in the ‘double stitch’. Traditionally, each unit receives one and a half passes with the needle, but by adding an extra pass to each stitch, you create a stronger, tidier end product. I was hoping to link to a blog post that I saw many moons ago by Patrick Duggan, in which he showed the difference between two swatches of beadwork, one with the extra pass, and one without, however I can’t seem to locate it. If any one knows the article, please post a link in the comments.

Learn all you need to know about Right-Angle Weave beginner package with these four projects in one tutorial. Start with basic RAW, then learn to embellish your work with seed beads, try different beads for different effects then learn the often-forgotten Triangle Weave variation. Also see my Spiral Stitch package, and my Peyote Stitch package.

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Learn and Master Peyote Stitch

Back in March I released the first of my beginner tutorial packages, the Spiral Stitch package. Now I can announce that the second of the series is officially available, the Peyote Stitch package. This package is aimed at complete novices, to moderately experienced beaders who would like extra practice.

Start with basic or even-count peyote, then learn how to add symmetry to your designs with odd-count peyote, create a double sided pendant while you learn how to stitch a flat triangle and follow a chart. A blank printable chart is included so that you may design and colour your own pendant too!

Find it in store here!

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I Swear, He Came Out of Nowhere!

It’s Easter! And what better excuse for a sale. Not that I need an excuse for a sale, but Easter makes for a handy facade. The real reason for the sale is that I may have had a wee crash in my car.

By ‘may have’ I mean I definitely did, and by ‘wee crash’ I mean I t-boned a small truck because I’m an idiot. So now I have two pay the insurance excess for two vehicles. No one was hurt, so that’s great, but I’ve now used up my entire chocolate and ice-cream fund for the year, and that’s the real tragedy here. Think of the children!!

So hop on over to my Etsy store, fill your shopping cart and use the coupon code “EASTER” to receive 20% of everything – that’s jewellery and tutorials.

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Harlequin Bangle – Small Neon

Hollow Cube Beaded Bead

Learn and Master Spiral Stitch

This year, I’m focusing on individual stitches by releasing tutorial packages featuring four projects using the same stitch – but in different ways. The first package, which is available as of today, is for Spiral Stitch. This is aimed at beading beginners, experienced beaders who have never tried spiral, or beaders who want to extend their spiral techniques.

In this package, you will learn basic spiral stitch, double spiral, how to create a V in a spiral stitch rope for a necklace, and also how to do Flat Spiral.  This tutorial uses photographs and diagrams, as well as clear, written instructions.

Find it in store here!

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For the Love of Beads

What a painfully unproductive few months I’ve been having! I’ve been terribly unwell, but I’m slowly easing my way out of my hiatus with some gentle beadwork. I started with some earrings designed by the lovely Debra from DatzKatz Designs. She knows how I love her Hinged CRAW Diamond Drop earrings and she gave me permission to make several pairs to sell. You can find them in my Etsy store.

All-focus

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Next, I was back to basics working in spiral stitch. It’s good to work a simple stitch for a while. The repetition is therapeutic and it’s good to feel the beads in my hands again.

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I’ve been watching what others have been working on lately and I’m constantly floored by the talent and creativity in our community. Marcia DeCoster’s communal Bead Love project is a great source of inspiration and it’s so good to see everyone getting in on it and embracing the idea behind it. Great things can happens when we remember why we do what we do. It’s for the love of beads and the love of creation.

Provoquant

CRAW is such a marvelous stitch. It has such a wonderful texture and is strong and robust without being too heavy. It’s also a perfect for bezelling (I don’t think this is a real word, but it should be, and it should be a broad definition: bezelling, adj. the act of creating a cozy aesthetic nook for something beautiful) around any shape.

In my latest piece, Provoquant, I have bezelled two Swarovski Light Vitrail rivoli and one gorgeous Astral Pink pear. The rope is also CRAW stitched, left mostly unembellished with faux end-caps. If you would like to learn this wonderful stitch, you can find a free tutorial here. I promise, it will open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Bargains!

I’m having a “Just Because” sale over at my Etsy store right now. If you use the coupon code DISC20 at the checkout you will recieve 20% off your order. This applies to tutorials as well as jewellery. Go grab yourself a bargain.

Highway Bracelet

Lantern Beaded Bead

I’ve been watching with fervour the amazing work being pumped out of the collective genius of the beading network. Kaleidocycles, gauntlets, Rick-Racks, oh my. I pine to participate in the CGB hive, but at my current rate of production it would take me years to complete anything. For now I’ll have to be content to marvel in the talents of others, and tackle smaller projects.

I recently decided to revisit some of my old UFO’s and see what could be adapted or changed. To start with I had a look at a beaded bead that I made using Superduos. With some tweaking I had created something new. Presenting Lantern Beaded Beads complete with tutorial.

These were fun to make and they build quickly. They are difficult to photograph though, and I feel like the pictures don’t do them justice but maybe I’m just being picky.

I wish I could say that I was going to sit down and create tonight, but my mind is weary. As soon as my children stop getting out of bed I’ll be having a hot chocolate and drifting off to my world of mad dreams.