I think I am going to need a helping hand from IKEA on this one..
Since moving house, I have realised just how many beads I have and just how little storage I have. And believe me, it is INCREDIBLY difficult to do Christmas orders when you have beads still packed away in their boxes or scattered all over your bedroom floor - or as I like to call it, things that go 'crunch' in the night..
I like to think of myself as a faily organised person but lately I have realised it is one extreme or the other.. If I am organised it gets to a stage where I get very particular about organising things that I start alphabetising or colour co-ordinating. Then I'll get so frustrated when something won't work and I'll get to the stage of "BUGGER IT!", throw everything in a box and storm off.
This gets me wondering, how does everyone else store their beads?
I think it's time I go to IKEA - maybe after Christmas when they have the Boxing day sales on - and check out what they have in terms of storage..
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Belated Halloween
I realise that I am INCREDIBLY late with this, but I'm not saving it until next year.. Besides every day for me is Halloween ;) This story however will need to be explained a little more in depth.
A few months ago, my girlfriend Kittie opened up a store in Wollongong and offered me to put some of my things in to sell (how excitement!) *blah blah blah stuff in the middle* Later on down the track, she was asking all of her artists to come up with Halloween decorations and what not to have displayed in the shop. I wracked my brain for AGES thinking of what I could do, coming up with only little beaded spider webs. As I was trolling through Pinterest one day, I saw this gravestone - not a real one, I'm assuming - but something that someone had come up with. I saw it and straight away thought "I'M DOING THAT!"
So there I sat, with my little bead pattern maker in my laptop and drew this gravestone, using cross stitch letter patterns to create the words on this gravestone. It took me a few good hours to come up with this pattern and even longer to make the thing using my loom - but thank god for my loom, or it would have taken even longer doing it by hand.
Enough of the suspense though! After a few weeks, this was the end result:
The piece had to be beaded in 2 seperate pieces and then stitched together because the whole thing wouldn't fit onto my loom. It has a couple of ridgy-didges in it, and a section in the top right hand corner where the thread shredded a bit, but considering this is the biggest proect I have done to date, I think it came out amazingly!
I got a bit carried away at one stage, determined that I was going to make it 3 dimensional, but I soon lost that after I realised how many bead/how long it was actually taking me to finish. Maybe I can do it later on =)
What do you think? Could I have improved on anything?
Emma
xXx
xXx
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Sigh...
Wow.. 2 months.. Again, shame on me. There has just been sooooo much drama going on at the moment.
I have just recently moved house due to some minor disagreements between me and the room mate. I love the boy to death, but we just clash when we live together. So I once again had to pack up my life (including my ever growing beading stash) and move house.
It's good though, I am still the same distance away from Sydney CBD, just headed west instead of south east. I did however realise, during this move.. that I may, or may not.. have TOO many beads. My new room mate was just as shocked as I'm sure you guys are when I said this to her. I think she saw this as a breakthrough in my addiction. I have vowed to myself:
NO MORE BEAD SHOPPING!!
I have just recently moved house due to some minor disagreements between me and the room mate. I love the boy to death, but we just clash when we live together. So I once again had to pack up my life (including my ever growing beading stash) and move house.
It's good though, I am still the same distance away from Sydney CBD, just headed west instead of south east. I did however realise, during this move.. that I may, or may not.. have TOO many beads. My new room mate was just as shocked as I'm sure you guys are when I said this to her. I think she saw this as a breakthrough in my addiction. I have vowed to myself:
NO MORE BEAD SHOPPING!!
At least until I use up some of my stash.. which seems like a fair enough deal, using beads will make way for new ones! =D huzzah! Although, my space is this new house is sort of limiting. I no longer have my big cupboard that I could store all my bits and pieces in and the room is demonstrably smaller than the last one.. Ah well, I shall sort it out soon.
In the meantime, I shall soon be commencing Project 7 with the Beading Babes. I am very excited about making the Gothic Butterfly Bracelet by Mikki Ferrugiaro, but I'm thinking of making it into a choker.
Shall post soon with more deets, I do also have some others to show off. Good to be back in the bloggersphere!
Emma
xXx
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Bead&Gem Show
Ok.. let's face it. I never take enough money to these shows with me and usually end up blowing the majority of my budget at the first few stalls. This is what happened to me on Saturday in any case..
The Bead&Gem Show was on this weekend in Sydney and I went with my room mate, Ellisha, her fiance and his mum. There weren't very many stalls there - maybe about 20 or so? - and I went straight to the one where I knew they had what I originally went there for in the first place.. Those new czech glass spike beads. This particular store also had a wide variety of seed beads, so I was already treading in dangerous territory..
Come time for me to pay after picking my goodies (and desperately trying to hold back on getting more stuff) and then I realised I had spent about 80% os my budget at the one stall.. Oops!
We continued down the stalls - me and Ellisha carefully picking out what we wanted while constantly getting cracks from the other two about 'OMG! They have moved 2 stalls in the last half hour!' shock horror! - Lol. Alot of the stall holders recognised me from the last show that I went to because I was wearing the same shoes =P My shoes that are literally COVERED in metal spikes (they are amazing). We watched a demonstration about working with apoxy clay and using this paste that colours metal settings and the like.
Long story short, here is the stash that I came home with!
The Bead&Gem Show was on this weekend in Sydney and I went with my room mate, Ellisha, her fiance and his mum. There weren't very many stalls there - maybe about 20 or so? - and I went straight to the one where I knew they had what I originally went there for in the first place.. Those new czech glass spike beads. This particular store also had a wide variety of seed beads, so I was already treading in dangerous territory..
Come time for me to pay after picking my goodies (and desperately trying to hold back on getting more stuff) and then I realised I had spent about 80% os my budget at the one stall.. Oops!
We continued down the stalls - me and Ellisha carefully picking out what we wanted while constantly getting cracks from the other two about 'OMG! They have moved 2 stalls in the last half hour!' shock horror! - Lol. Alot of the stall holders recognised me from the last show that I went to because I was wearing the same shoes =P My shoes that are literally COVERED in metal spikes (they are amazing). We watched a demonstration about working with apoxy clay and using this paste that colours metal settings and the like.
Long story short, here is the stash that I came home with!
 |
| Clockwise from top left corner: 8x tubes 11/0 seed beads, 3x tubes 15/0 seed beads, 3x baggies of czech glass spike beads (black, nickel, hematite), Diamond glaze glue with round and oval clear cabochons and 6x patterns of rice paper, filigree findings, some of the colouring paste in silver, gold key charm, 2x cabochons (red and blue iris), 4x pear shaped swarivski crystals and 3x Montana ractangle swarovski crystals, flat backed swarovski hotfix beads silver, 2mm round swarovski crystal beads light siam and 3x tubes of 11/0 seed beads |
So, I think we came home with a prety good haul this year :) the 3x tubes of seed beads in the bottom right are Ellisha's as is the gold key charm, some of the filigree settings and we are sharing the clear cabs with the different patterned papers.
I can't wait to start playing with it all!
Emma
xXx
Emma
xXx
Thursday, 6 September 2012
Oh My!
PHEW!
It has been over 2 months since my last post, I have just been sooooo flat out!
I had a bit of a hiatus from the internet (part of that decision was not entirely made by choice - our internet provider died for about 3 weeks and I had no internet access.. nearly started going through withdrawals, haha!) However since getting the internet back up and running, I have been run flat off my feet so much has been happening!
Where to start...
I FINALLY got my beading loom! I know I was going on about it for ages, and when I got my tax money back at the end of the financial year I had the perfect thing to buy with it! =D
I love my new loom. It only took a week to come from the states which is pretty decent!
The length shown in the picture is only about half of the length that it could be, one of the sides extends to 22inches (I think).
You can see on the loom that I have started my first attempt at creating something with my loom.
I actually finished the piece in less than a day! I loved how quickly this whipped up!
This is the completed product of my first ever beaded loom piece :) Put into a gorgeous frame that I picked up for $4 - bargin! It is going to have a black backdrop, once I can find the right paper.
I made this picture using a cross stitch alphabet template to create this symbol of pride that is a subject very important to me.
Australia is currently going through a huge debate on whether we should follow the rest of the world and allow equal rights for gay marriage (which I am totally in support for). I made this after being inspired by footage of the gay pride ralleys that were being held in Sydney CBD.
It has been over 2 months since my last post, I have just been sooooo flat out!
I had a bit of a hiatus from the internet (part of that decision was not entirely made by choice - our internet provider died for about 3 weeks and I had no internet access.. nearly started going through withdrawals, haha!) However since getting the internet back up and running, I have been run flat off my feet so much has been happening!
Where to start...
I FINALLY got my beading loom! I know I was going on about it for ages, and when I got my tax money back at the end of the financial year I had the perfect thing to buy with it! =D
I love my new loom. It only took a week to come from the states which is pretty decent!
The length shown in the picture is only about half of the length that it could be, one of the sides extends to 22inches (I think).
You can see on the loom that I have started my first attempt at creating something with my loom.
I actually finished the piece in less than a day! I loved how quickly this whipped up!
This is the completed product of my first ever beaded loom piece :) Put into a gorgeous frame that I picked up for $4 - bargin! It is going to have a black backdrop, once I can find the right paper.I made this picture using a cross stitch alphabet template to create this symbol of pride that is a subject very important to me.
Australia is currently going through a huge debate on whether we should follow the rest of the world and allow equal rights for gay marriage (which I am totally in support for). I made this after being inspired by footage of the gay pride ralleys that were being held in Sydney CBD.
I have already loaded another set of warp threads onto the loom and started a new project! I did however run out of a particular colour bead and am now on the hunt for it (again). It seems to be the never ending story of my life.. running out of beads and having to go get more =P lol.
Well, that is it from me for now. Shall be leaving the rest of my stories for another time. Just though I would drop by and let people know I am still alive!
Emma
xXx
xXx
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Looks can be deceiving
And deceiving they were last night whilst I was mixing and matching my beading stash!
I am currently working on my giveaway prize on my facebook page. I know in my head EXACTLY what I want to do, but it's just trying to actually bring it to life! I was hunting, hunting, hunting through my bead collection, which is currently scattered all over the floor - or as I call it.. the danger zone - thanks to a hectic weekend, for a particular coloured seed bead that was given to me by a dear beading friend. I finally found the colour last night and thought 'YES! This is the colour, it has to be this one!' and grabbed my box of threads.
The colour of the seed bead is kind of hard to describe, and the colour isn't written on the tube. It's like a red/purple transparent colour that reminds me alot of red wine. In the dull light of my bedroom last night however, the beads looked mostly red.. red thread it was! And away I beaded.
HOWEVER! (yes, I like using lots of capital letters to emphasise words =P lol) Coming to work this morning, I sat down to do some beading during a break and I noticed something. Under my VERY bright light at work, I can now see just how much gleam of purple and red and both streaked throughout the beads, it's probably about 50/50 of each, rather than one over the other. This however, makes the light red thread that I chose very noticeable..
It could just be that I am really, really fussy and I might be the only one who notices it, or Once the bracelet it beaded properly, you might not even be able to notice the thread at all, but it is incredibly frustrating! For me anyways, because this has happened to me a couple of times and it seems to me like the only way I can properly match colours when I am beading is to wait for the sun to be out so I can see under natural light.. I know there are special craft lights out there that I can buy, but I wouldn't know where to start looking for the right bulb! There's white ones, yellow ones (I think that is the one in my room), florescent, non-florescent, the list goes on and on! I don't want anything too harsh, because that could also bugger up my perception of the colours, shades, tones etc.
What is the best beading bulb?!?! (Apart from the sun, which is currently on hiatus for the winter)
I am currently working on my giveaway prize on my facebook page. I know in my head EXACTLY what I want to do, but it's just trying to actually bring it to life! I was hunting, hunting, hunting through my bead collection, which is currently scattered all over the floor - or as I call it.. the danger zone - thanks to a hectic weekend, for a particular coloured seed bead that was given to me by a dear beading friend. I finally found the colour last night and thought 'YES! This is the colour, it has to be this one!' and grabbed my box of threads.
The colour of the seed bead is kind of hard to describe, and the colour isn't written on the tube. It's like a red/purple transparent colour that reminds me alot of red wine. In the dull light of my bedroom last night however, the beads looked mostly red.. red thread it was! And away I beaded.
HOWEVER! (yes, I like using lots of capital letters to emphasise words =P lol) Coming to work this morning, I sat down to do some beading during a break and I noticed something. Under my VERY bright light at work, I can now see just how much gleam of purple and red and both streaked throughout the beads, it's probably about 50/50 of each, rather than one over the other. This however, makes the light red thread that I chose very noticeable..
It could just be that I am really, really fussy and I might be the only one who notices it, or Once the bracelet it beaded properly, you might not even be able to notice the thread at all, but it is incredibly frustrating! For me anyways, because this has happened to me a couple of times and it seems to me like the only way I can properly match colours when I am beading is to wait for the sun to be out so I can see under natural light.. I know there are special craft lights out there that I can buy, but I wouldn't know where to start looking for the right bulb! There's white ones, yellow ones (I think that is the one in my room), florescent, non-florescent, the list goes on and on! I don't want anything too harsh, because that could also bugger up my perception of the colours, shades, tones etc.
What is the best beading bulb?!?! (Apart from the sun, which is currently on hiatus for the winter)
Sunday, 24 June 2012
Beading Babes - Project 5 Reveal
It's that time again! Where all us beading babes came together armed with the same projects and created something special!
Helena Tang-Lim was the star of our project 5, providing us with 2 stunning pieces! Her 'Echoes of Nefertiti' necklace, which was featured in Bead and Button magazine and her 'Four Leaf Clover' bracelet.
Unfortunately, I didn't get around to making the necklace, but I LOVED the four leaf clover bracelet. I made one and immediately had to make more, this stitch was so addictive.
I could not resist making a pair of earrings to go with the turquoise bracelet!
Here are links to the other beading babes blogs, Have a goosey and check them out!
Karyn Healey-White http://releasesbyrufydoof.blogspot.com.au/
Tanya Goodwin http://pixiloo.blogspot.com/
Joanne Brown http://josjewels1.blogspot.com.au/
Kassie Inman http://beadingbutterfly.com/blog/
Jennifer Mercer http://haffinacreations.blogspot.com/
Shirley Jones-Moore http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/
Erin Simonetti http://beadsbeadingbeaded.blogspot.com/
Abbey Wilkins http://www.abbeywilkins.com.au/
Clair Rigby http://www.obstinatepursuit.blogspot.com/
Amy Allworth Serverino http://amybeads.blogspot.com/
Emma Andrews http://abeadingjourney.blogspot.com.au/ - You are here
Anne Pomeroy Dixon http://annepomeroydixon.blogspot.com/
Christine Wessling http://thereandbackagainstudios.blogspot.com/
Vimala Nichols http://thebeaddiaries.blogspot.com/
Marla Gibson http://spiceboxdesigns.blogspot.com/
Cynthia Newcomer Daniel http://jewelrytales.blogspot.com/ & http://cindydaniel.blogspot.com/
Ella Des http://ellad2.com/
Maryanne Villabla http://marynikydesigns.blogspot.com.au/
Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/
(Mary) Shannon Hicks http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com
Jennifer Stapp Sparks www.facebook.com/FotoJennicS & http://fotojennicart.blogspot.com/
Chiara Pugiotto http://unmondodimiyuki.blogspot.com/
Therese Frank http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
Rossana De Gaspari http://rdegas.blogspot.com/
Catherine Chinoy http://peapodbeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Kim Dworak http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/
Heather Goldsmith http://asibeadit.blogspot.com/
Dee Wingrove-Smith http://wingsmith2010beads.wordpress.com/
Virginie Bergar http://bebedesiles.canalblog.com/
Ichbindie Pup http://dream-of-beads.blogspot.de/
Lori Finney http://lori-finney.blogspot.ca/
Diana Carman Houkamau http://serendipitybeadsblog.blogspot.co.nz
Chris Hinz http://dream-of-beads.blogspot.com
Catcherine King http://CatherinesMusings.blogspot.com
Jan Tharp http://jaynasjems.blogspot.com
Emma
xXx
Helena Tang-Lim was the star of our project 5, providing us with 2 stunning pieces! Her 'Echoes of Nefertiti' necklace, which was featured in Bead and Button magazine and her 'Four Leaf Clover' bracelet.
Unfortunately, I didn't get around to making the necklace, but I LOVED the four leaf clover bracelet. I made one and immediately had to make more, this stitch was so addictive.
 |
| Alternating amethyst swarovski crystals and white swarovski crystal pearls with dusty pink and silver lined fushcia seed beads |
 |
| Turquoise round beads with matte brown and green lined transparent seed beads - including earrings |
I could not resist making a pair of earrings to go with the turquoise bracelet!
Here are links to the other beading babes blogs, Have a goosey and check them out!
Karyn Healey-White http://releasesbyrufydoof.blogspot.com.au/
Tanya Goodwin http://pixiloo.blogspot.com/
Joanne Brown http://josjewels1.blogspot.com.au/
Kassie Inman http://beadingbutterfly.com/blog/
Jennifer Mercer http://haffinacreations.blogspot.com/
Shirley Jones-Moore http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/
Erin Simonetti http://beadsbeadingbeaded.blogspot.com/
Abbey Wilkins http://www.abbeywilkins.com.au/
Clair Rigby http://www.obstinatepursuit.blogspot.com/
Amy Allworth Serverino http://amybeads.blogspot.com/
Emma Andrews http://abeadingjourney.blogspot.com.au/ - You are here
Anne Pomeroy Dixon http://annepomeroydixon.blogspot.com/
Christine Wessling http://thereandbackagainstudios.blogspot.com/
Vimala Nichols http://thebeaddiaries.blogspot.com/
Marla Gibson http://spiceboxdesigns.blogspot.com/
Cynthia Newcomer Daniel http://jewelrytales.blogspot.com/ & http://cindydaniel.blogspot.com/
Ella Des http://ellad2.com/
Maryanne Villabla http://marynikydesigns.blogspot.com.au/
Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/
(Mary) Shannon Hicks http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com
Jennifer Stapp Sparks www.facebook.com/FotoJennicS & http://fotojennicart.blogspot.com/
Chiara Pugiotto http://unmondodimiyuki.blogspot.com/
Therese Frank http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
Rossana De Gaspari http://rdegas.blogspot.com/
Catherine Chinoy http://peapodbeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Kim Dworak http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/
Heather Goldsmith http://asibeadit.blogspot.com/
Dee Wingrove-Smith http://wingsmith2010beads.wordpress.com/
Virginie Bergar http://bebedesiles.canalblog.com/
Ichbindie Pup http://dream-of-beads.blogspot.de/
Lori Finney http://lori-finney.blogspot.ca/
Diana Carman Houkamau http://serendipitybeadsblog.blogspot.co.nz
Chris Hinz http://dream-of-beads.blogspot.com
Catcherine King http://CatherinesMusings.blogspot.com
Jan Tharp http://jaynasjems.blogspot.com
Emma
xXx
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Cross Stitch
As promised.. Full size pictures of the cross stitch patterns I bought last weekend:
I'm sure the other day I said that I bought 7, but I must have miscounted.. I bought 8 of them.
The first one I want to do (once I have the supplies) is the 'Pirate' cross stitch. I have been slowly going through them all with my DMC to DBR coverter and getting all the matching colours for them. There are a few that I can't find, but it may just mean me buying a small section of those floss' and taking them to my LBS to match them up.
Emma
xXx
xXx
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
I HATE TECHNOLOGY!!!
I'm in a grump of a moof right now - with a capital 'GRUMP' - and I have decided to take it out on my blog...
You may be slightly amused by the irony of this post 'I hate technology' and decide to vent about it on an online site using computers/phone lines/etc. But this much is true, I repel technology.. there must be something wrong with my body or something because every piece of technology I touch, dies soon after!!
The other day when I was at home, I went to check facebook. It said that my account had been disabled because it was apparently sending out too much spam and facebook wanted to verify who I was by asking me for some details, one of those being my credit card. I thought 'hand on a sec.. facebook has never and nor would it ever ask me for a credit card. Someone has hacked my account'. So I tried to contact the facebook staff (or whoever) to let them know of the situation and I gotta say, facebook has the WORST help section set up I have ever seen! When I finally found somewhere that said 'contact us' I emailed them and still haven't had a reply!
I asked Trent what I should do. I didn't want to check my bank account or emails incase they were trolling me. He suggested to restore it back to factory settings. I got my USB and saved my 'pictures' folder as that is what has all of my beading pictures and beading projects in it, took it out and restored my computer.
After all that jazz, I popped my USB back in to put the pictures back on the computer.. Stupid me, saved the pictures shortcut, not the actual folder that contained everything.. So I have now lost EVERYTHING!!! Thank god for facebook and some random USB I had at work, I could save some things, but unfortunately, I have lost most of my subscription bonuses from Beadwork magazine and a few other 'inspiration' photos that I loved.. I was quite devastated.
What has actually pushed me over the edge though is when I came to work today, our internet was down.. AGAIN! So I called bigpond who tried to blame it on the people from D-link as I tried to tell them "NO! If it was D-link then our printer would also be down and it's not". After the first person hung up on me and calling back the second time I finally got it back up and running.. not 30 minutes later, I tried to put a Medicare voucher through out EFTPOS machine.. no dial tone. This also meant that our fax machine was down too as they are both hooked together. And oh my god, did I chuck a thrombo! If it wasn't for the fact that we still had patients in the waiting room, I probably would have picked up everything that had a cord and thrown it out the window!!!
My boss managed to get the fax machine/eftpos back online (thank god) but seriously! I do NOT look forward to the future of technology.. I am going to suffer imensly..
Thank you for putting up with my rant, I feel much better now =)
Will be posting some gorgeous piccys later on tonight.. stay tuned!
Emma
xXx
You may be slightly amused by the irony of this post 'I hate technology' and decide to vent about it on an online site using computers/phone lines/etc. But this much is true, I repel technology.. there must be something wrong with my body or something because every piece of technology I touch, dies soon after!!
The other day when I was at home, I went to check facebook. It said that my account had been disabled because it was apparently sending out too much spam and facebook wanted to verify who I was by asking me for some details, one of those being my credit card. I thought 'hand on a sec.. facebook has never and nor would it ever ask me for a credit card. Someone has hacked my account'. So I tried to contact the facebook staff (or whoever) to let them know of the situation and I gotta say, facebook has the WORST help section set up I have ever seen! When I finally found somewhere that said 'contact us' I emailed them and still haven't had a reply!
I asked Trent what I should do. I didn't want to check my bank account or emails incase they were trolling me. He suggested to restore it back to factory settings. I got my USB and saved my 'pictures' folder as that is what has all of my beading pictures and beading projects in it, took it out and restored my computer.
After all that jazz, I popped my USB back in to put the pictures back on the computer.. Stupid me, saved the pictures shortcut, not the actual folder that contained everything.. So I have now lost EVERYTHING!!! Thank god for facebook and some random USB I had at work, I could save some things, but unfortunately, I have lost most of my subscription bonuses from Beadwork magazine and a few other 'inspiration' photos that I loved.. I was quite devastated.
What has actually pushed me over the edge though is when I came to work today, our internet was down.. AGAIN! So I called bigpond who tried to blame it on the people from D-link as I tried to tell them "NO! If it was D-link then our printer would also be down and it's not". After the first person hung up on me and calling back the second time I finally got it back up and running.. not 30 minutes later, I tried to put a Medicare voucher through out EFTPOS machine.. no dial tone. This also meant that our fax machine was down too as they are both hooked together. And oh my god, did I chuck a thrombo! If it wasn't for the fact that we still had patients in the waiting room, I probably would have picked up everything that had a cord and thrown it out the window!!!
My boss managed to get the fax machine/eftpos back online (thank god) but seriously! I do NOT look forward to the future of technology.. I am going to suffer imensly..
Thank you for putting up with my rant, I feel much better now =)
Will be posting some gorgeous piccys later on tonight.. stay tuned!
Emma
xXx
Monday, 18 June 2012
Quilt and Craft show
Good evening everybody!!
Thought that I would let you know what's been going on in my life lately.. Which is work, work and a lil more work =P lol. The Quilt and Craft show was on in Sydney this weekend and I saved as many pennies as I could so that I could splurge on beads! I got up at 7.00 on Saturday morning and got the bus into the city.. in the rain.. with no umbrella.. and as I was walking through Darling Harbour, I learnt a few things:
1. Wearing a leather jacket when it's raining MAY seem like a good idea in hindsight while you're at home, but you soon find that it gets very muggy very quickly.
2. Next time you look outside and the sky is pitch black and is very much threatening rain.. the moment you thinnk 'meh, I won't need an umbrella', the universe is going to smack you in the face and make it rain the second you step off the bus.
3. My Nightwalk shoes may look fabulous but they are NOT made for wet weather! But aren't they amazing?!?! Totally worth me nearly breaking my ankle in public because these shoes have BUGGER ALL grip on the bottom of them!
Really, I was walking on the wet bricks and looked like I had a pole stuck up my backside when I was walking around the harbour. Awkies!
But I digress..
I got to the exhibition centre and bought my entry ticket and then decided to grab a chai latte before I went in. There's me, standing in the middle of the foyer, waiting for my drink, casually bopping along to the macarena that was blasting from the speakers and the looks that I was getting from people!! Twas quite amusing.. lol.
The show was great, I realised the moment I stepped in though that I didn't have enough money and that I was going to be in ALOT of trouble.. I told myself that I was going to do one round of just 'looking' and then go around and buy stuff.. needless to say, that play didn't last too long..
One of the whole reasons why I went to the show to begin with is because I wanted to get some tila beads for one of our Beading Babes projects. Finally found a stall (in the end, it was the only stall that had them) and then I realised something.. I didn't bring the pattern with me and didn't know how many I needed. I frantically pulled out my phone - less than 20% battery - and went onto facebook and desperately posted on the Beading Babes page how many I needed. THANKFULLY, Christine was online and was able to tell me how many I needed!
I spent quite a bit of money on 3 cross stitch patterns (between $15-$25 each) and then the very last stall that I looked at in the very last aisle.. had them for $1 each. But there was some little old bitty guarding the tub with her life and going through them taking ALL of the gorgeous gothic ones! I was looking over her shoulder thinking "Please don't take that one.. NOOOO" every time she picked one up. By the time I got to the container, there were hardly any left, but I did get 4 nice ones.
I have decided that I want to learn how to make resin pendents.. The ones where you glue the paper to the back of the clear cabs. I bought one already made, but I want to learn how to make them! I also ran into my old boss from the bead shop I worked at, so it was good to catch up with her :)
AND FINALLY! - I just realised that I have been crapping on again, life for me always turns into an epic tale! Haha! - Here are some pictures of the goodies I got (again, the pictures aren't that great):
Clockwise from top:
- 2x silver hairslides
- Baggie of polymer clay roses in white, pink and a browny colour
- 10x little silver square thingos
- 2x sliders (green and blue, red and purple)
- Peach acrylic rose
- A green glass/resin cab
- 8x cabochons with skulls embedded on them (red, white, grey and pueple)
- 4x swarovski crystal rivolis
- 1x swarovski shell
- 10x swarovski beads
- 4x tubes 15/0 seeds (4 left tubes)
- 1x tube magmata beads (far right tube)
- 2x packets tila beads, bronze
Here are the 7 cross stitch patterns that I bought. I'm kind of kicking myself that I didn't take photos of each individual pattern, but at the moment, I'm too tired.. lol.
You can see the one on the top (which I looooove and can't WAIT until I get my bead loom to do this project) The 4 mystic stitch brand cross stitch patterns are the ones that were $1 each. Worth it!
Thought that I would let you know what's been going on in my life lately.. Which is work, work and a lil more work =P lol. The Quilt and Craft show was on in Sydney this weekend and I saved as many pennies as I could so that I could splurge on beads! I got up at 7.00 on Saturday morning and got the bus into the city.. in the rain.. with no umbrella.. and as I was walking through Darling Harbour, I learnt a few things:
1. Wearing a leather jacket when it's raining MAY seem like a good idea in hindsight while you're at home, but you soon find that it gets very muggy very quickly.
2. Next time you look outside and the sky is pitch black and is very much threatening rain.. the moment you thinnk 'meh, I won't need an umbrella', the universe is going to smack you in the face and make it rain the second you step off the bus.
Really, I was walking on the wet bricks and looked like I had a pole stuck up my backside when I was walking around the harbour. Awkies!
But I digress..
I got to the exhibition centre and bought my entry ticket and then decided to grab a chai latte before I went in. There's me, standing in the middle of the foyer, waiting for my drink, casually bopping along to the macarena that was blasting from the speakers and the looks that I was getting from people!! Twas quite amusing.. lol.
The show was great, I realised the moment I stepped in though that I didn't have enough money and that I was going to be in ALOT of trouble.. I told myself that I was going to do one round of just 'looking' and then go around and buy stuff.. needless to say, that play didn't last too long..
One of the whole reasons why I went to the show to begin with is because I wanted to get some tila beads for one of our Beading Babes projects. Finally found a stall (in the end, it was the only stall that had them) and then I realised something.. I didn't bring the pattern with me and didn't know how many I needed. I frantically pulled out my phone - less than 20% battery - and went onto facebook and desperately posted on the Beading Babes page how many I needed. THANKFULLY, Christine was online and was able to tell me how many I needed!
I spent quite a bit of money on 3 cross stitch patterns (between $15-$25 each) and then the very last stall that I looked at in the very last aisle.. had them for $1 each. But there was some little old bitty guarding the tub with her life and going through them taking ALL of the gorgeous gothic ones! I was looking over her shoulder thinking "Please don't take that one.. NOOOO" every time she picked one up. By the time I got to the container, there were hardly any left, but I did get 4 nice ones.
I have decided that I want to learn how to make resin pendents.. The ones where you glue the paper to the back of the clear cabs. I bought one already made, but I want to learn how to make them! I also ran into my old boss from the bead shop I worked at, so it was good to catch up with her :)
AND FINALLY! - I just realised that I have been crapping on again, life for me always turns into an epic tale! Haha! - Here are some pictures of the goodies I got (again, the pictures aren't that great):
Clockwise from top:
- 2x silver hairslides
- Baggie of polymer clay roses in white, pink and a browny colour
- 10x little silver square thingos
- 2x sliders (green and blue, red and purple)
- Peach acrylic rose
- A green glass/resin cab
- 8x cabochons with skulls embedded on them (red, white, grey and pueple)
- 4x swarovski crystal rivolis
- 1x swarovski shell
- 10x swarovski beads
- 4x tubes 15/0 seeds (4 left tubes)
- 1x tube magmata beads (far right tube)
- 2x packets tila beads, bronze
Here are the 7 cross stitch patterns that I bought. I'm kind of kicking myself that I didn't take photos of each individual pattern, but at the moment, I'm too tired.. lol.
You can see the one on the top (which I looooove and can't WAIT until I get my bead loom to do this project) The 4 mystic stitch brand cross stitch patterns are the ones that were $1 each. Worth it!
So that is my epic adventure for this week, I'm sure that the rest of my week is going to be filled with boredom and such but if anything else happens I shall keep you all posted ;)
Emma
xXx
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
A Time to Stitch
I recently joined a beadweaving blog hop created by Theresa Frank of Thereses Treasures and Christine Altmiller of One Kiss Creations where myself and 22 other talented beadweavers were to make something using either herringbone stitch or peyote stitch or both! This was a bit of a kick in the pants for me, because recently I have been on a bit of a cubic RAW and square stitch kick.. BUT I was not going to dump this challenge.
I decided that I was going to try my hand at a Cellini stitch bracelet - A tubular version of peyote stitch using a variety of different sized beads. I had only attempted this once, and it had not worked out too well, but I am very pleased with how this one turned out.
Please excuse my lack of skill at photography, this was taken with my iphone at the wee hours of the morning..
It was made with a swirl of purple iris 6/0 down the centre with a matte bluey/purple 8/0, the same colour in 11/0 and a tiny swirl of matte purple in the grooves of 15/0 beads.. This detail would have been difficult for me to photograph with such a bad quality camera.
I realise that it is currently a UFO but I have this silver cresent moon shaped 'bangle' with two removable balls on the end. My plan is to take one of the balls off and gingerly thread the cellini spiral onto the bangle and put the ball back on.
This bangle however is currently m.i.a in the deep depths of the mess of my beading room (aka. my bedroom) which was, also, a kick in the pants as I didn't want to show off my bracelet unfinished... =(
But I digress..
I was also hoping to get something made in herringbone stitch but unfortunately, just couldn't get around to it.
Please go around and check out the other fabulous creations that these talented artists have produced!
I had so much fun with this one and I can't wait to be able to take part in another one. By the way, I shall be going home and finding that bangle piece if it's the last thing I do!!! This shall not turn into another UFO!
Emma
xXx
I decided that I was going to try my hand at a Cellini stitch bracelet - A tubular version of peyote stitch using a variety of different sized beads. I had only attempted this once, and it had not worked out too well, but I am very pleased with how this one turned out.
It was made with a swirl of purple iris 6/0 down the centre with a matte bluey/purple 8/0, the same colour in 11/0 and a tiny swirl of matte purple in the grooves of 15/0 beads.. This detail would have been difficult for me to photograph with such a bad quality camera.
I realise that it is currently a UFO but I have this silver cresent moon shaped 'bangle' with two removable balls on the end. My plan is to take one of the balls off and gingerly thread the cellini spiral onto the bangle and put the ball back on.
This bangle however is currently m.i.a in the deep depths of the mess of my beading room (aka. my bedroom) which was, also, a kick in the pants as I didn't want to show off my bracelet unfinished... =(
But I digress..
I was also hoping to get something made in herringbone stitch but unfortunately, just couldn't get around to it.
Please go around and check out the other fabulous creations that these talented artists have produced!
Emma Andrews - you are here
Emma
xXx
Monday, 4 June 2012
Oh the frustration!
Let's face it.. It's always going to be a never-ending battle:
When I last went to my LBS, there were a group of ladies doing a class and as I nosied through, I was curious and asked what thread they were using. They all said Fireline and swore that it was the best stuff in the universe and when I told them that I used nymo in my work, they acted like I had just walked in and spat on the teacher =P lol. Not really, but my brain isn't working right now and I couldn't think of a different metaphore.. I asked them why do they prefer fireline to nymo and they said "We got sick of it shredding and knotting". A justifyable reasion, I thought. Because, let's face it, I am getting a bit sick of it too...
NYMO vs. FIRELINE
*sigh* As I was taught on nymo, I am a natural nymo user. I think that I used fireline once and then chucked a major wobbly because the thread snapped on me twice.
When I last went to my LBS, there were a group of ladies doing a class and as I nosied through, I was curious and asked what thread they were using. They all said Fireline and swore that it was the best stuff in the universe and when I told them that I used nymo in my work, they acted like I had just walked in and spat on the teacher =P lol. Not really, but my brain isn't working right now and I couldn't think of a different metaphore.. I asked them why do they prefer fireline to nymo and they said "We got sick of it shredding and knotting". A justifyable reasion, I thought. Because, let's face it, I am getting a bit sick of it too...
ANYWAY! Curiosity got the better of me again and I decided what they hey.. I'm gonna give fireline a shot. So I bought a reel while I was there.
I wanted to start on a project made of delica beads (a square stitched picture with a whimsical saying on it) in beige and bronze beads. As an automatic reaction, I reached for my box of nymo threads and grabbed my spool of brown thread and started the project. It wasn't until I finished my first section of thread and went to start another one - after cursing and swearing away at the knots I was getting in my nymo - that I remembered the fireline. I didn't want to switch threads though because it would have been REALLY noticeable..
I pulled out a section of nymo and started to 'prestretch' it. I only ran it through my fingers 3 times and when I went to sew one end in, the ENTIRE length of the piece and I already had a knot in it!!! GAH! So I cut that piece off (what a waste) and prestretched another section.. and it did the same thing!!! What is going on with mah nymo?!?!
I think next time, I'll defs be trying the fireline!
*end of angry rant*
Emma
xXx
xXx
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
I'll do it later...
I had a thought when I was in the shower tonight.. yes, the shower, where I come up with most of my ideas.
I got home from work this afternoon and while I was on the bus, I decided that when I got home, I was going to go for a jog. Nothing too intense, just jog down the street and run and and down the stairs of an overpass until I got tired and then jog home. I walked through the front door and went upstairs to get changed. Now, I feel I need to add it is winter in 2 days.. and I am FREEZING! I took off my clothes to get into some trackies and when that cold hit me I thought O.O 'I'll do it laterand went and jumped in the shower.
And I know that I am CONSTANTLY doing it!
- Have to do my grocery shopping... I'll do it tomorrow - next thing you know, I'm down to my last half bag of pasta and no sauce to cook with it!
- Have to do my washing... I'll do it later - suddenly I'm out of clean clothes!
I'll do it later!
I got home from work this afternoon and while I was on the bus, I decided that when I got home, I was going to go for a jog. Nothing too intense, just jog down the street and run and and down the stairs of an overpass until I got tired and then jog home. I walked through the front door and went upstairs to get changed. Now, I feel I need to add it is winter in 2 days.. and I am FREEZING! I took off my clothes to get into some trackies and when that cold hit me I thought O.O 'I'll do it laterand went and jumped in the shower.
And I know that I am CONSTANTLY doing it!
- Have to do my grocery shopping... I'll do it tomorrow - next thing you know, I'm down to my last half bag of pasta and no sauce to cook with it!
- Have to do my washing... I'll do it later - suddenly I'm out of clean clothes!
- Have to buy more eyeliner (yes, a necessity)... I'll do it tomorrow - a week later I have to go to work feeling neked without mah eyeliner!
AND THIS! Is probably why my box of UFOs is so freakishly huge!! I start something, get tired, get distracted, whatever the reason may be, and I think that dreaded thought:
I'll do it later!
This is something that I need to stop doing! I need to brace the cold and go for that jog.. I need to go and buy my groceries, no matter how exhausted I am after work.. I need to do my washing before I run out of underwear! AND I NEED TO FINISH WHAT I START!!!
Gah!
*end of rant*
Emma
xXx
xXx
Friday, 25 May 2012
How do you like to bead?
*SIGH* It's been a looooong 2 weeks, but I am finally off my high horse and back into doing what I love that doesn't have a deadline :) haha! My market went kinda well, but that's another story, shall tell you more when I can get some pictures uploaded...
I woke up this morning and after purchasing the 'Four Leaf Clover Bracelet' pattern from Helena Tang-Lim of Manek Manek beads I got stuck straight into it (after finding the only 3mm beads that I'm pretty sure I have EVER purchased!) and I got 3 components finished and then I realised something... I am beading in total silence and in the most uncomfortable position ever...
And that got me thinking.. How do you like to bead?
Is it sitting at a desk? On a comfy couch? Lying in bed? Do you like to bead in silence or have something to listen to in the background?
Me, personally, I hate beading at a desk.. I do at work on my lunch break, but mainly because I don't have anywhere else to do it. I usually like to lie in bed, or curl up on my room mate's couch. I do have a couch in my room, but it is currently hoarding more beads. And I HATE beading in silence.. I don't know why, but the silence just drives me insane. I need to put on a movie or the tv or at least have some music playing in the background. I may not necessarily be listening to either of them, but it's noise and it's there.
Just thought that I would share this with you before the silence in my room drove me TOTALLY insane.. Have a fantastic Saturday everyone!!!
Emma
xXx
I woke up this morning and after purchasing the 'Four Leaf Clover Bracelet' pattern from Helena Tang-Lim of Manek Manek beads I got stuck straight into it (after finding the only 3mm beads that I'm pretty sure I have EVER purchased!) and I got 3 components finished and then I realised something... I am beading in total silence and in the most uncomfortable position ever...
And that got me thinking.. How do you like to bead?
Is it sitting at a desk? On a comfy couch? Lying in bed? Do you like to bead in silence or have something to listen to in the background?
Me, personally, I hate beading at a desk.. I do at work on my lunch break, but mainly because I don't have anywhere else to do it. I usually like to lie in bed, or curl up on my room mate's couch. I do have a couch in my room, but it is currently hoarding more beads. And I HATE beading in silence.. I don't know why, but the silence just drives me insane. I need to put on a movie or the tv or at least have some music playing in the background. I may not necessarily be listening to either of them, but it's noise and it's there.
Just thought that I would share this with you before the silence in my room drove me TOTALLY insane.. Have a fantastic Saturday everyone!!!
Emma
xXx
Monday, 7 May 2012
New LBS
As it turns out, there is a bead shop not even a 10 minute walk from my house and I didn't even know!!
I took my new room mate, Josh (YAY!) out to his old place to help him move his stuff into our place - We managed to get all of his stuff in the one trip.. I AM THE TETRIS MASTER!!! - and on the way back I decided to go by the back road, rather than head back onto the main road and get home that way. I was driving along and there on the side of the road, just before turning onto my street, was this huge sign saying 'BEAD SALE'.
Beading is all I have been thinking about because I am trying this new market in 2 weeks and I have been frantically trying to get my inventory up to scratch. So you can imagine that the first thing I thought was 'I really must be losing it if I am mistaking 'Bed Sale' as 'Bead Sale'. Then Josh said to me "Hey, look. A bead sale.." My foot hit those brakes so hard that any harder and we would have had to Flinstone our butts home!! I pulled into a side street and stopped the car - asking Josh if he didn't mind of course - and we went in to have a goosey..
I never knew it was there because on the sign above the door it says 'Ceramics and Jewellery Making'. But as I was always driving past, all I could read as I zoomed past was 'Ceramics and...'. I was like a kid in a candy store there!!! And the best part about that shop... THEY ARE BEAD WEAVERS!!! It is sooooo hard to try and find a bead shop in the city that sells all the stuff for beadweaving and they doooo! I was so excited. I was in there for a bit, Talking to Jo the store owner and I thought "Wait a minute, I will take Josh home first and then come back and explore." So that's what I did. We jumped back in the car and I took him home. We emptied the car and off I zoomed, back to this store.
The owner Jo was lovely, she reminded me EXACTLY of Kerry, my old boss at the bead shop I used to work at, so it brought back good memories.. She had some other ladies in there who were doing a session and they were all so friendly and chatty.. I think I might have to go in there for a session one day! Jo said to me that she was getting rid of all the ceramics on the wall and guess what she was going to fill it with.. seed beads.. delicas, matsunos and tohos.. again, heaven!
I know that this is another one of those pointless stories that I usually rant on about but this is very exciting for me! No longer do I have to traul the net or drive the 2 hour trip to see Kerry for my seed beads.. HUZZAH!!! Pointless.. I know
Emma
xXx
P.S. I may be a little bit M.I.A over the next week or 2, as I have been trying to make all this stuff for the market.. See you soon!
I took my new room mate, Josh (YAY!) out to his old place to help him move his stuff into our place - We managed to get all of his stuff in the one trip.. I AM THE TETRIS MASTER!!! - and on the way back I decided to go by the back road, rather than head back onto the main road and get home that way. I was driving along and there on the side of the road, just before turning onto my street, was this huge sign saying 'BEAD SALE'.
Beading is all I have been thinking about because I am trying this new market in 2 weeks and I have been frantically trying to get my inventory up to scratch. So you can imagine that the first thing I thought was 'I really must be losing it if I am mistaking 'Bed Sale' as 'Bead Sale'. Then Josh said to me "Hey, look. A bead sale.." My foot hit those brakes so hard that any harder and we would have had to Flinstone our butts home!! I pulled into a side street and stopped the car - asking Josh if he didn't mind of course - and we went in to have a goosey..
I never knew it was there because on the sign above the door it says 'Ceramics and Jewellery Making'. But as I was always driving past, all I could read as I zoomed past was 'Ceramics and...'. I was like a kid in a candy store there!!! And the best part about that shop... THEY ARE BEAD WEAVERS!!! It is sooooo hard to try and find a bead shop in the city that sells all the stuff for beadweaving and they doooo! I was so excited. I was in there for a bit, Talking to Jo the store owner and I thought "Wait a minute, I will take Josh home first and then come back and explore." So that's what I did. We jumped back in the car and I took him home. We emptied the car and off I zoomed, back to this store.
The owner Jo was lovely, she reminded me EXACTLY of Kerry, my old boss at the bead shop I used to work at, so it brought back good memories.. She had some other ladies in there who were doing a session and they were all so friendly and chatty.. I think I might have to go in there for a session one day! Jo said to me that she was getting rid of all the ceramics on the wall and guess what she was going to fill it with.. seed beads.. delicas, matsunos and tohos.. again, heaven!
I know that this is another one of those pointless stories that I usually rant on about but this is very exciting for me! No longer do I have to traul the net or drive the 2 hour trip to see Kerry for my seed beads.. HUZZAH!!! Pointless.. I know
Emma
xXx
P.S. I may be a little bit M.I.A over the next week or 2, as I have been trying to make all this stuff for the market.. See you soon!
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
My new motivation
PHEW! Things have been going CRAZY over here!!! And I have the best room mate and friend that a girl can ask for! I applied for a market stall in my local area today and got the ok back, so now I have been trying to frantically work andwork to try and get as much stuff made up as possible, including beaded flowers.
I have a wall full of vases that I had collected over a few months that I was going to fill with flowers and so I thought that this would be a good opportunity to try my hand selling them at this new market - you won't know if you don't try!
I have a big box of UFO flowers, so I pulled them out and thought 'I need some of this colour green to finish these and this colour red to finish my roses.. Easy!' So yesterday after work, I went to my LBS (local bead shop) to re-stock on these particular colours... Ah, but if only twere that easy... They don't stock them anymore! I went to the shop across the road and they had SOME nice seed beads, but not these specific colours I needed..
Needless to say, I went home in a huff (well, half a huff.. the second bead shop I went in had 60% off gemstone strands so I came home with a bargin ;) lol)
So I got home and was throwing my room apart trying to find something, anything, a meger SCRAP of these beads so I could finish these projects!! Then Trent came home and was trying to calm me down and he found some green beads that sort of matched what I was after for the first project, so I thought I would give it a whirl.. Anyways, I had been so busy chucking a thrombo that I realised it was 11pm at night, and once I see the time my brain goes 'OK! Time for sleep' and makes me tired - whether I was 5 minutes ago or not. So I went to bed. *sigh*
Woke up this morning, my brain still running a million miles an hour trying to figure out what I need to do, what I can do, blah blah. Stumbled down the hallway and into the bathroom to find this scrawled on the bathroom mirror:
"You are an amazingly powerful woman and can do anything! I love you xxxxxx"
I nearly broke down in tears right then and there! But let me tell you after reading that, I went straight into my room and knew exactly what to do.. I packed a bag full of beads to take to work with me that I can do on my break and after I post this, I am making a to-so list and I'M GOING TO STICK TO IT!!!
Not only have I posted it here, but I have also posted it on facebook and beading daily forums.. Just to show off how amazing my best friend in the world is!!! And how can I let down one of my favourite admirers?
I loves him soooo much! If anyone is going to pull me out of my funk, its my poodle, Trent :)
I have a wall full of vases that I had collected over a few months that I was going to fill with flowers and so I thought that this would be a good opportunity to try my hand selling them at this new market - you won't know if you don't try!
I have a big box of UFO flowers, so I pulled them out and thought 'I need some of this colour green to finish these and this colour red to finish my roses.. Easy!' So yesterday after work, I went to my LBS (local bead shop) to re-stock on these particular colours... Ah, but if only twere that easy... They don't stock them anymore! I went to the shop across the road and they had SOME nice seed beads, but not these specific colours I needed..
Needless to say, I went home in a huff (well, half a huff.. the second bead shop I went in had 60% off gemstone strands so I came home with a bargin ;) lol)
So I got home and was throwing my room apart trying to find something, anything, a meger SCRAP of these beads so I could finish these projects!! Then Trent came home and was trying to calm me down and he found some green beads that sort of matched what I was after for the first project, so I thought I would give it a whirl.. Anyways, I had been so busy chucking a thrombo that I realised it was 11pm at night, and once I see the time my brain goes 'OK! Time for sleep' and makes me tired - whether I was 5 minutes ago or not. So I went to bed. *sigh*
Woke up this morning, my brain still running a million miles an hour trying to figure out what I need to do, what I can do, blah blah. Stumbled down the hallway and into the bathroom to find this scrawled on the bathroom mirror:
I nearly broke down in tears right then and there! But let me tell you after reading that, I went straight into my room and knew exactly what to do.. I packed a bag full of beads to take to work with me that I can do on my break and after I post this, I am making a to-so list and I'M GOING TO STICK TO IT!!!
Not only have I posted it here, but I have also posted it on facebook and beading daily forums.. Just to show off how amazing my best friend in the world is!!! And how can I let down one of my favourite admirers?
I loves him soooo much! If anyone is going to pull me out of my funk, its my poodle, Trent :)
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Beading Babes Project 4 reveal!
This was my first project challenge and - even though I didn't get much done - I had a blast! I can't wait for the next one!
There were 3 projects on the list this time round:
- Tellis necklace by Nancy Dale
- Ruffled Chain bracelet by Laina Goodman and
- Paisley Drop earrings by Jane Lock
Unfortunately, I only had the chance to do the earrings, but hopefully I will get to the other two projects later on down the track (when I'm NOT on the verge of a nervous breakdown...)
Here are the 2 earrings I did:
The pictures came out a bit fuzzy, but you get the idea :P lol
There were 3 projects on the list this time round:
- Tellis necklace by Nancy Dale
- Ruffled Chain bracelet by Laina Goodman and
- Paisley Drop earrings by Jane Lock
Unfortunately, I only had the chance to do the earrings, but hopefully I will get to the other two projects later on down the track (when I'm NOT on the verge of a nervous breakdown...)
Here are the 2 earrings I did:
The pictures came out a bit fuzzy, but you get the idea :P lol
Check out some of the other items that the other AMAZING ladies created!!!
Therese - from Therese's Treasures
Therese - from Therese's Treasures
Vimala - from The Bead Diaries
Amy - from Amybeads
Maryanne - from Zingala's Workshop
And finally, the lady of the day
Karyn - founder of The Beading Babes
Karyn's page also has plenty more eye candy from other participants. Thanks for the fun Karyn and I look forward to the next one!
xXx
Monday, 23 April 2012
I promised to deliver
and delivered I have!!!
Choosing to create a simpler, but just as pretty necklace, I decided to take the dusty pink and purple heart and add it to a spiral rope.
The spiral rope is woven with delica beads with a silver magnetic clasp at the end.
Believe it or not, I actually forgot to put the pendant on this necklace too and started sewing on the second half of the clasp. I noticed just as I started weaving my thread back through my work to end it off. Luckily I hadn't gone too far OR made any half hitch knots, so I was able to unpick it with ease.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy my eyecandy for now.. Not going to disappoint my facebook fans any further, so once I get home from work.. NECKLACE #3!!!
Emma
xXx
After working for what seemed like hours (of course it seemed that way.. it WAS hours) I finally came up with my first necklace using the Venetian pendants from last post.
This necklace was woven using bronze size 11 seed beads in herringbone rope. I then added a freeform 'vine' around the rope using size 15 beige charlotte beads. Luckily, this was the point of time when I realised "Omg, I need to put the pendant on!" Otherwise we would have had some problems.. Then using delica beads in bronze and pink to match the pendant, I wove little flowers onto the rope at random sections to make it look like a flowering vine woven around a tree branch.
All in all, it probably took me about 8 hours to make.
Then I thought (at 8.00 at night) I still have time to at least START another one.. and that I did!
Choosing to create a simpler, but just as pretty necklace, I decided to take the dusty pink and purple heart and add it to a spiral rope.
The spiral rope is woven with delica beads with a silver magnetic clasp at the end.
Believe it or not, I actually forgot to put the pendant on this necklace too and started sewing on the second half of the clasp. I noticed just as I started weaving my thread back through my work to end it off. Luckily I hadn't gone too far OR made any half hitch knots, so I was able to unpick it with ease.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy my eyecandy for now.. Not going to disappoint my facebook fans any further, so once I get home from work.. NECKLACE #3!!!
Emma
xXx
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Pendants Galore
I love the beauty and the uniqueness of Venetian Glass Pendants.. No two are ever going to be the same!
I have worked up quite a collection of these stunning little beauties! Some were brought back from Italy for me by my sister Jess, another was found in amongst a collection of random objects at a flea market, whilst others were simply bought out of passion at my local bead shop. Nevertheless, even though I have this collection, I am yet to create something from them.. I think only about 2 or 3 have only successfully made it into a fully wearable piece of artwork, but the rest have simply lay dormant in an empty ferrero rocher container for safe keeping..
I have worked up quite a collection of these stunning little beauties! Some were brought back from Italy for me by my sister Jess, another was found in amongst a collection of random objects at a flea market, whilst others were simply bought out of passion at my local bead shop. Nevertheless, even though I have this collection, I am yet to create something from them.. I think only about 2 or 3 have only successfully made it into a fully wearable piece of artwork, but the rest have simply lay dormant in an empty ferrero rocher container for safe keeping..
BUT NO MORE!!!
After having a conversation with Trent about Venetian glass, he was saying how much he admired them and I thought to myself "Hey, I have some of those" So I went back to my bedroom/beading studio and rummaged through my treasure trove until I finally found them.
I took a photo of the collection of them and posted on my facebook 'For each like I will make one necklace using one of the pendants'..
Well silly me got 7 likes now didn't I?!?! (Probably should have said for every 3 likes..) But what's done is done. And so - not to disappointment my facebook fans - I am now venturing onwards to create 7 necklaces using one of these pendants, each one more beautiful than the next.
Even as I type, thoughts are flying through my head of the different sorts of projects I can do with these pendants. Stay tuned folks, I shall return with sparklies to show!
Emma
xXx
I took a photo of the collection of them and posted on my facebook 'For each like I will make one necklace using one of the pendants'..
Well silly me got 7 likes now didn't I?!?! (Probably should have said for every 3 likes..) But what's done is done. And so - not to disappointment my facebook fans - I am now venturing onwards to create 7 necklaces using one of these pendants, each one more beautiful than the next.
Even as I type, thoughts are flying through my head of the different sorts of projects I can do with these pendants. Stay tuned folks, I shall return with sparklies to show!
Emma
xXx
Friday, 20 April 2012
Finding Inspiration
I have seen many a person talk/post about where they find their inspiration and what around them suddenly sparks a surge of creativity.. One of the most popular one I have seen is 'nature'. I love nature and I think that the outside world if gorgeous and don't get me wrong, I do find inspiration there, but I have a rather different means for most of it..
I LOOOOVE music.. I mainly like my heavy metal music and industrial (the heavier, the better ;) lol) and I love to get alot of my inspiration from music videos.
I'm sure that most of you will be familiar with Katy Perry.. She obviously, is a mainstream singer but I really enjoy alot of her songs and I am currently obsessed with her music video to the song ET. The colours and the images in this clip is amazing and if you have not seen it, I suggest you get onto youtube right now and watch it, because it is amazing!!
These are some screenshots that I got from the film clip, because I want to create a piece based on these images:
She has 3 different costume changes in this film clip, all of them just as stunning as the next.
I love the colour combination of red, purple and blue together.. I know that it's not everyone's cup of tea but there is just something so vibrant about it that captures me.
Then there is the stunning combination of white, silver, light blue and fuschia. There seems to be such a touch of elegance in these combinations.
Then there are the earthy tones in the last costume change with ever the so slightest touch of blue.
Emma
xXx
I LOOOOVE music.. I mainly like my heavy metal music and industrial (the heavier, the better ;) lol) and I love to get alot of my inspiration from music videos.
I'm sure that most of you will be familiar with Katy Perry.. She obviously, is a mainstream singer but I really enjoy alot of her songs and I am currently obsessed with her music video to the song ET. The colours and the images in this clip is amazing and if you have not seen it, I suggest you get onto youtube right now and watch it, because it is amazing!!
These are some screenshots that I got from the film clip, because I want to create a piece based on these images:
I love the colour combination of red, purple and blue together.. I know that it's not everyone's cup of tea but there is just something so vibrant about it that captures me.
Then there is the stunning combination of white, silver, light blue and fuschia. There seems to be such a touch of elegance in these combinations.
Then there are the earthy tones in the last costume change with ever the so slightest touch of blue.
I don't know what it is but I just find so much inspiration in something that I am so passionate about. And I have never been more inspired to bead 3 items as much as I have with these 3 seperate scenes in a 4 minute clip.
So now to ask the ultimate question.. What is it that inspires you?
Emma
xXx
Thursday, 19 April 2012
A friend in need..
Is a friend indeed..
I received a facebook notification from one of my friends the other day saying "Emma can you help her out" with a link attached to it. And I thought 'Oooh, I wonder what all this is about'. I went and had a long and - long story short - A lady up in Queensland who was making this outfit for a client to wear next week that was being ADORNED in swarovski crystals had the corset in the back of her mums car.. and some #*^$*@!!! broke into the car and stole the corset..
It amazes me how truely disgusting some human beings can be..
So she was calling out on facebook for some help getting some of the beads to make a replacement corset for next week for her client, and that she would be willing to pay for the beads. As she originally bought the beads in Thailand, it's not as if she could just go back there as she pleases to get some replacement ones.
I emailed her saying that I had some swarovski crystal beads that I could send her. They are mostly bicones, and a small amount of marguerites but it was better than nothing. So she sent me back a reply email saying that she would love them and sent her address. I rumaged through my stash to try and match some colours that I had to the corset. I sent up some Purple Velvet, Emerald, Blue Zircon, Violet, and Fuschia and Purple Velvert 2xAB in a variety of sizes via express post so that hopefully she gets them today.
I know that there is not much point to my telling this story, but I feel really good for trying to help out a follow artist in need.. I really hope that she gets this corset finished in time for her client. If you see anyone try to flog off this corset on Ebay or something, please let me know!!
Emma
xXx
I received a facebook notification from one of my friends the other day saying "Emma can you help her out" with a link attached to it. And I thought 'Oooh, I wonder what all this is about'. I went and had a long and - long story short - A lady up in Queensland who was making this outfit for a client to wear next week that was being ADORNED in swarovski crystals had the corset in the back of her mums car.. and some #*^$*@!!! broke into the car and stole the corset..
It amazes me how truely disgusting some human beings can be..
So she was calling out on facebook for some help getting some of the beads to make a replacement corset for next week for her client, and that she would be willing to pay for the beads. As she originally bought the beads in Thailand, it's not as if she could just go back there as she pleases to get some replacement ones.
I emailed her saying that I had some swarovski crystal beads that I could send her. They are mostly bicones, and a small amount of marguerites but it was better than nothing. So she sent me back a reply email saying that she would love them and sent her address. I rumaged through my stash to try and match some colours that I had to the corset. I sent up some Purple Velvet, Emerald, Blue Zircon, Violet, and Fuschia and Purple Velvert 2xAB in a variety of sizes via express post so that hopefully she gets them today.
I know that there is not much point to my telling this story, but I feel really good for trying to help out a follow artist in need.. I really hope that she gets this corset finished in time for her client. If you see anyone try to flog off this corset on Ebay or something, please let me know!!
Emma
xXx
Sunday, 15 April 2012
The World Wide Web
Lately I have been trying to expand my horizons and look at new ways of getting myself out there and - in this day and age - where else better than to do it online??
Having that said.. I finally made up a facebook page!
I was a little bit unsure about whether to do it or not, but I thought 'what EXACTLY do I have to lose?' and so here we are and here I am and here is my facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/EmmasBeadedCreations
It does look a little sparse and empty at the moment, but its very exciting that I already have 41 followers! XD I know that doesn't seem like much, but that was just over a 3 day period! hehehe. I tried to upload a whole bunch of photos onto it before inviting people to like my page so that I didn't fill up their notifications with "EmmasBeadedCreations added a new photo" "EmmasBeadedCreations added 7 more photos" "EmmasBeadedCreations just lost all her friends" lol
This will also (probably) get me to pull my finger out and actually get to work making some stuff. Motivation come to me!!!
Anywho, like my page, don't like it, invite your friends, whatever and I shall be updating soon!
Emma
xXx
Having that said.. I finally made up a facebook page!
I was a little bit unsure about whether to do it or not, but I thought 'what EXACTLY do I have to lose?' and so here we are and here I am and here is my facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/EmmasBeadedCreations
It does look a little sparse and empty at the moment, but its very exciting that I already have 41 followers! XD I know that doesn't seem like much, but that was just over a 3 day period! hehehe. I tried to upload a whole bunch of photos onto it before inviting people to like my page so that I didn't fill up their notifications with "EmmasBeadedCreations added a new photo" "EmmasBeadedCreations added 7 more photos" "EmmasBeadedCreations just lost all her friends" lol
This will also (probably) get me to pull my finger out and actually get to work making some stuff. Motivation come to me!!!
Anywho, like my page, don't like it, invite your friends, whatever and I shall be updating soon!
Emma
xXx
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
A little bit bead-ist
I know some of you will be staring at the screen thinking "What is she on about? What is bead-ist?".. I guess I don't know the correct term for it, but what I am trying to say - as weird as it sounds - but I am the beading version of a racist.. (Man, that sounds terrible, but its not what it looks like!!!)
Verifying
I will only use really GOOD quality beads. For example: swarovski crystals and components, semi-precious gemstones, miyuki seed beads, sterling silver or gold filled findings, etc.
A Bead-ist...
I guess you could call be a bit of a bead snob - that certainly sounds alot better than 'the bead version of a racist'.. It is VERY rare that I will use plastic or acrylic beads, or dodgy japanese seed beads because I figure, these handmade items are things that I want to sell. When someone buys an item from me, I don't want them to wear it once or twice and then have the colour fade from the beads or have the findings start to tarnish because you can bet your money that that customer won't return for my services.
But this in itself presents another problem.. Expenses. I am not in the position to be buying BULK purchases of sterling silver findings to get the best price and hence, keep my prices low.. Wandering around my local markets I see stands that sell sterling silver earrings for like $3 a pair.. Nicely made earrings too and I keep thinking to myself "How can they keep their prices so low for such good quality materials" - which then made me question the authenticity of their findings..
That mid-rant aside, I do have quite a collection of growing piles of plastic and acrylic beads and the 'bead snob' in me is telling me not to sell bad quality items. Not they are all 'bad quality' but having a sign on your gorgeous handmade necklace at the markets that says "Blue and green handmade acrylic necklace - $45" doesn't look as impressive as one that says "Blue lace agate and Jade handmade necklace - $75".. Even though the price is uglier, it certainly sounds more expensive and worth its money!
*Exasperated sigh* I think it just might have to come down to telling my 'bead snob' to suck it up and start being more tolerant of other beads and try to work in some less wallet straining quality beads.
HMMMMMMM!!! decisions decisions...
Emma
xXx
Verifying
I will only use really GOOD quality beads. For example: swarovski crystals and components, semi-precious gemstones, miyuki seed beads, sterling silver or gold filled findings, etc.
A Bead-ist...
I guess you could call be a bit of a bead snob - that certainly sounds alot better than 'the bead version of a racist'.. It is VERY rare that I will use plastic or acrylic beads, or dodgy japanese seed beads because I figure, these handmade items are things that I want to sell. When someone buys an item from me, I don't want them to wear it once or twice and then have the colour fade from the beads or have the findings start to tarnish because you can bet your money that that customer won't return for my services.
But this in itself presents another problem.. Expenses. I am not in the position to be buying BULK purchases of sterling silver findings to get the best price and hence, keep my prices low.. Wandering around my local markets I see stands that sell sterling silver earrings for like $3 a pair.. Nicely made earrings too and I keep thinking to myself "How can they keep their prices so low for such good quality materials" - which then made me question the authenticity of their findings..
That mid-rant aside, I do have quite a collection of growing piles of plastic and acrylic beads and the 'bead snob' in me is telling me not to sell bad quality items. Not they are all 'bad quality' but having a sign on your gorgeous handmade necklace at the markets that says "Blue and green handmade acrylic necklace - $45" doesn't look as impressive as one that says "Blue lace agate and Jade handmade necklace - $75".. Even though the price is uglier, it certainly sounds more expensive and worth its money!
*Exasperated sigh* I think it just might have to come down to telling my 'bead snob' to suck it up and start being more tolerant of other beads and try to work in some less wallet straining quality beads.
HMMMMMMM!!! decisions decisions...
Emma
xXx
Monday, 9 April 2012
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
I hope that no one gorged themselves TOO much on chocolate eggs and bunnies - I know I certainly did.. Luckily for me though, swimsuit seanson is WELL behind us (I am currently huddled under the heater at work with no jacket, this cold weather came out of nowhere!!) so, I'm not going to complain to much about my figure at the moment..
I spent the weekend down the South Coast with my family for easter. It was really fun spending time with them and being able to catch up with them.
While I was down that way, I thought I would pop into the bead store I used to work in to see Kerry and to grab some supplies for my UFOs. I was talking to her for a while and then a group of children came in to do a kids class, so Kerry went up the back to get them started. I was standing behind the counter, weighing out some beads and sorting myself out (as I usually do :P lol) and I had a lady approach me and say "Excuse me, can I ask you something? I am looking for these silicone earring backs but in the gold or the silver." I looked up and saw Kerry was still busy so I proceeded to show her where they were. I then rang up her order and kept with my shopping.
Another lady then came over and asked where the ear posts were. I asked if she wanted the stainless steel or sterliing and she said 'sterling' so I was showing her where abouts those were, next thing I know, Kerry calls from across the room "Emma, are you serving customers?!" I turned around and said "I am helping, you were busy and my services were required." She started laughing and proceeded to tell the mother of the children that I am an ex-employee who was just there to shop. Twas hilarious!
...I did however get all of the goodies I needed to complete at least 3 projects, and also got myself some needles.. that I left at one of my friends places when I went to visit him over the weekend too. So I am now without my freshly bought supplies! I can be a real idiot sometimes... *sigh*
Ah well.. Hope everyone else's long weekend was as fun filled as mine! Shall be updateing soon with some new *hopefully* completed UFOs!
Emma
xXx
I spent the weekend down the South Coast with my family for easter. It was really fun spending time with them and being able to catch up with them.
While I was down that way, I thought I would pop into the bead store I used to work in to see Kerry and to grab some supplies for my UFOs. I was talking to her for a while and then a group of children came in to do a kids class, so Kerry went up the back to get them started. I was standing behind the counter, weighing out some beads and sorting myself out (as I usually do :P lol) and I had a lady approach me and say "Excuse me, can I ask you something? I am looking for these silicone earring backs but in the gold or the silver." I looked up and saw Kerry was still busy so I proceeded to show her where they were. I then rang up her order and kept with my shopping.
Another lady then came over and asked where the ear posts were. I asked if she wanted the stainless steel or sterliing and she said 'sterling' so I was showing her where abouts those were, next thing I know, Kerry calls from across the room "Emma, are you serving customers?!" I turned around and said "I am helping, you were busy and my services were required." She started laughing and proceeded to tell the mother of the children that I am an ex-employee who was just there to shop. Twas hilarious!
...I did however get all of the goodies I needed to complete at least 3 projects, and also got myself some needles.. that I left at one of my friends places when I went to visit him over the weekend too. So I am now without my freshly bought supplies! I can be a real idiot sometimes... *sigh*
Ah well.. Hope everyone else's long weekend was as fun filled as mine! Shall be updateing soon with some new *hopefully* completed UFOs!
Emma
xXx
Sunday, 1 April 2012
You learn something new every day..
And that certainly was the case the other day!
After flipping through endless beading magazines and books, trying to find something to bead (with my ever shrinking stash of beads) for what seemed like HOURS, I finally came across my next project.. It was the 'Haberdashery Bracelet' by Callie Mitchell as seen in the June/July 2011 issue of Beadwork magazine, page 60.
I dug through my collection of swarovski and delica beads, trying to image just how much 3 grams was in my unmarked baggies and how those swarovski colours would look against each other. In the end I finally got together the materials I needed to at least attempt the bracelet.
Now, when I am doing a project, VERY rarely is it that I actually read the instructions.. I can usually just go by the pictures. Then something caught my eye (dramatic drumroll please...) The base of the bracelet is beaded in odd count peyote stitch. I try and stay well and clear of odd count peyote just coz it is so fiddly trying to do the odd turn around.. I hate it! However, I was not about to abandon the project and go in search of another just because I don't like odd count peyote, so I went and did a little research..
I always knew that there were several ways to do the odd turn: There is the figure eight turn, the anchor turn, the 'no turn' turn..
But I came across one that I hadn't seen before:
This is the 'under thread' turn. On the very rare ccasion that I do use odd count peyote stitch for whatever reason, I have always used the anchor turn, but upon careful consideration, I thought that this would be the stitch for me to use.. As there is quite a bit of embellishment on this particular bracelet, I didn't want to clog up the beads with unnecessary thread..
Seemed logical at the time did it not?
Can you see it?
Trent couldn't when I asked him if there was something about the bracelet that didn't quite look right. He was looking at things like the colours, or misplaced beads but he couldn't pick it up.
I didn't know if it was my eyesight or not, so I conducted a little experiment, just to see what would happen..
What happens, when we place something with a straight edge to the edge of the bracelet?
Oh, you see it now don't you?
My tension had been a little TOO tight when doing my under thread turn and, as a result, slightly curved the entire band to that side.. I hadn't noticed until I had finished the entire length of it! *sigh*
Once I pointed it out to Trent - and then even after I took the page away from the edge - he said that he could notice it, and that's all he could, but only because I had pointed it out. I noticed it, because I made it and - lets face it - I'm a little anal (for want of a better phrasing...)
But what is to stop a potential customer from noticing...? Someone might pick up said bracelet and say "OMG! That is gorgeous!", only for the person next to them say "Oh, but its wonky, therefore defective..."
After flipping through endless beading magazines and books, trying to find something to bead (with my ever shrinking stash of beads) for what seemed like HOURS, I finally came across my next project.. It was the 'Haberdashery Bracelet' by Callie Mitchell as seen in the June/July 2011 issue of Beadwork magazine, page 60.
I dug through my collection of swarovski and delica beads, trying to image just how much 3 grams was in my unmarked baggies and how those swarovski colours would look against each other. In the end I finally got together the materials I needed to at least attempt the bracelet.
Now, when I am doing a project, VERY rarely is it that I actually read the instructions.. I can usually just go by the pictures. Then something caught my eye (dramatic drumroll please...) The base of the bracelet is beaded in odd count peyote stitch. I try and stay well and clear of odd count peyote just coz it is so fiddly trying to do the odd turn around.. I hate it! However, I was not about to abandon the project and go in search of another just because I don't like odd count peyote, so I went and did a little research..
I always knew that there were several ways to do the odd turn: There is the figure eight turn, the anchor turn, the 'no turn' turn..
 |
| The figure eight turn |
 |
| The anchor turn |
But I came across one that I hadn't seen before:
 |
| The under thread turn |
Seemed logical at the time did it not?
After a few hours of working intermittently at this bracelet, I had finished it to my desired length and I was really, really pleased with how it turned out! I was a bit worried about the colours not matching or one throwing off the other, but I was really excited about this bracelet.
I lay the bracelet flat onto my bead mat to arrange the crystals on it for the embellishment, when I noticed something a little 'off'.. I called Trent in to have a look to see if he could pick it.
Can you see it?
Trent couldn't when I asked him if there was something about the bracelet that didn't quite look right. He was looking at things like the colours, or misplaced beads but he couldn't pick it up.
I didn't know if it was my eyesight or not, so I conducted a little experiment, just to see what would happen..
What happens, when we place something with a straight edge to the edge of the bracelet?
Oh, you see it now don't you?My tension had been a little TOO tight when doing my under thread turn and, as a result, slightly curved the entire band to that side.. I hadn't noticed until I had finished the entire length of it! *sigh*
Once I pointed it out to Trent - and then even after I took the page away from the edge - he said that he could notice it, and that's all he could, but only because I had pointed it out. I noticed it, because I made it and - lets face it - I'm a little anal (for want of a better phrasing...)
But what is to stop a potential customer from noticing...? Someone might pick up said bracelet and say "OMG! That is gorgeous!", only for the person next to them say "Oh, but its wonky, therefore defective..."
Oh the frustration!!! The hours of hard work that went into this bracelet, only to notice a slight oopsie that sends me straight to the verge of freak out mode! I know that it probably makes to difference to anyone else, and the majority of the people won't even notice (especially when it has the embellishments added to it) but its the little things! But I digress...
Ah, but all in a days work and hey.. I suppose that this is why I called my blog 'My Beading Journey'. Because it wouldn't be a journey without learning new things along the way..
It is now time for me to de-stress and try to force myself to go to sleep... First night of the end of daylight savings, so my body clock is all buggered up :( stoopid daylight savings... (someone remind me again, WHY we have it in the first place?!)
Emma
xXx
xXx
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