Heart in Hand Coral Necklace

This was a fun project using 16 count tubular peyote stitch. I have never gone this wide using size 11 seed beads and decided to reinforce the interior with clear plastic tubing. This helps to keep its shape and avoid crinkling where the necklace naturally bends.

The necklace aquired its name from the little "heart in hand" charm attached at the clasp. I almost called it "hugs" for the XOX sewn into the pattern. Can you see it?

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Crab Agate Beads

Crab or Crab Fire ? ...or maybe just Crabby

I love the look of crab agate beads.  Most have a beautiful deep orangey red coloration, a crackly finish and are very affordable. They are also commonly called "crab fire agate", though they should not be confused with fire agate which is an entirely different type of stone, very expensive and found only in Mexico. Having done a little Internet research on this topic, there seems to be some controversy over use of the word "fire" in crab fire agate, hence I will stick with the more simple name. Crab agates are heat treated in order to achieve the crackly finish and the photo below provides a good example of the different kinds of crackly patterns you can see. -They almost look like cooked crab shell to me...

Crab agate stones can pick up the moisture and oils from your hands and the crackles will temporarily disappear. The next photo is a good example of what crab agate can look like after a lot of handling in a photo shoot.  Still nice looking with a semi-translucent deep orange, don't you think?  The little crackles will amazingly reappear after being wiped down with a soft cloth or dipped in a cup of water with a drop of mild dish detergent. So don't worry, the crackles are there to stay.

Happy 4th! -Independence Day-

Make it a Great Day!

Ken Thomas

Ken Thomas

A Time to Stitch Challenge...oops! a little late

Well, I did complete this little piece for the challenge but as it happens, life sometimes gets in the way and was not able to post it on time. I have an extremely good reason and hope you will forgive me for being a day late!

My peyote stitch challenge is titled "Hopes and Wishes".  - A very teeny beaded purse to hold all my hopes and wishes ;)

I decided to challenge myself in two ways: first by attempting odd count flat peyote stitch. I normally avoid it, because of the extra maneuvers you go through to obtain the even sides. Even count is much faster. But for this design using a triangle shaped closure for the purse, odd count was a requirement.

My second personal challenge was to develop my own design using a paper bead grid/graph. I always have a tough time beading with pre-made patterns, guess I am a free-form sort of person at heart. But - I did it, and I am "O.K." with how it came out...

I won't make you try to guess what the design on the back is supposed to be. It's Buddha's eyelid. Not the greatest rendition, but something I hope my Yoga friends will appreciate.

Thanks to Therese and Christine for organizing this challenge!!!!!

Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller

Katherine Gale

Emma Andrews

Karin Slaton

Kim Bender

Lola Surwillo

Amy Severino

Bobbie Rafferty

Sally Russick

Tanya Goodwin

Paula Kramer

Sarah

Karen Williams

Shannon Hicks

Andra Webber

Beth

DW

Marla Gibson

Lisa Stukel

Mandy Duffy

Cynthia Machata

Shirley Moore

Summer Fun Colors...

New necklace at my shop.  Very simple, tubular peyote stitch blending nine different colors.

Perfect for summer...

No. 8 seed beads. So easy to make.

Forbidden Garden Green Necklace

This necklace was made with AB green/pink delica seed beads in 8 round tubular herringbone stitch. It appears similar to a lariat style necklace though the neck opening is reinforced and fixed at 21 inches to better support the delicate lampwork glass snake. The necklace is accented with pink and bluegreen czech glass leaves and flowers. The tassles at each end are wrapped with a square stitch border.

Stop by my shop for more details.