Unfinished Objects

My bead embroidery project of making pins and earrings is going slowly. I found I needed to order supplies a few times -- and the process is full of starts and stops which I don't find satisfying. The price point for the pins will be higher than I hoped because most of the cabs cost me more than I usually spend on crystals for my bracelets. I only thought it should take less time than making a bracelet would make it cost less. I need to get organized so that the process is more efficient.

I did make two pins before I started researching using my personal library of books to learn how the pros bead with cabochons. I will include photos here, but know that the beading techniques are mine, and not those used in the books. I attached one row to the backing material and then beaded into those beads rather than the backing material. The pins are small with only a few rows of beadwork, so they appear to be adequately supported.



I determined I would do earrings going "by the book". First I didn't have the right size/color beads. Received the beads, finished the beadwork, looked for the ultra suede, realized I didn't have an appropriate color (no dark blue or black)so I waited for another order. (Order arrived out of stock of one color ultra suede and with the wrong color beads for the edging on the lapis earrings, so there is an order from another vendor in process. There will be two pairs of lapis earrings, which I'd need to order gold tone pin backs if they were to be pins.

While waiting for supplies, I beaded a herringbone rope (20 hours without the clasp) for a polymer clay bead as the pendant. I was pleased with the rope and felt a sense of accomplishment. After designing the bail/connection, redoing it twice and still not finding the right colors, I realized the rope is pastel summer shades while the pendant bead is fall shades. So I'm thinking I need a fall colored rope but don't feel like another 20 hours to create it right now. I put pictures of this on Facebook.

Wednesday night I put together a flat spiral bracelet with luster peridot green Czech glass beads and felt like I accomplished something. I used light lime metallic size 13 charlottes as some of the connector beads which gave a nice sparkle to the glass. It was just something I put together from what I had on hand. So easy!



I went back to the cabochon project Thursday, but discovered the method didn't work for the cab with a high dome, so will use the stack method if I have the right beads! I did complete a pair of earrings with blue lace agate cabs as I have lots of white beads and had light blue ultra suede on hand anticipating doing bead embroidery someday.



Friday I finished an oval pair of lapis earrings using hematite colored beads since I haven't received the color I wanted. I used pliers to pull the needle through on the edging, so I will try to figure out something different when I work on the round lapis earrings. This was not fun!



I will be taking a break from bead embroidery to relax with beading I enjoy and to prepare for an Art Spree in two weeks.

I do not wonder why I have unfinished objects.

New Listings and projects

Tonight I listed two pairs of earrings which coordinate with my White Spiral Necklace Rolling Snowballs. This was my entry to the EBW June Challenge. I also unsuccessfully entered the necklace in an exhibition at the Illinois State Fair. The plus side is that someone can purchase the necklace now that I do not have to have it on display at the fair.

I have two bracelets that I made of the same crystal and pearl beads which I will be adding to the bridal white section of my shop shortly. I also have earrings to match the lavender pearl bracelet ready for listing. I'm told it's not a good idea to list a lot of items at the same time, so you have to wait.

Today I worked on a red, white and blue bracelet. I need to order more white pearls to complete it. I also have a bronze pearl and ceylon topaz crystal bracelet to order beads to complete. My last order for parts to complete things has been shipped.

I finished a 6 mm night blue pearl and dark blue indigo faceted round and 4 mm night blue pearl bracelet; I made beaded beads for the earrings, too. I am thinking the bracelet is too dark, being all dark blue, but maybe in the fall I'll find it works for me.

I've been thinking about starting another cellini spiral bangle bracelet because the two that I have listed are frequently viewed.

Blue Earrings and Earth Day

Today's earrings are Swarovski blue pearl, blue ab crystal, and crystal ab roundel with bead caps surrounding the blue ab crystal.

I created a new green bracelet with different embellishment. It is in right angle weave, but just one strand. The beads are white with green and are vintage Czech rounds. They remind me of marbles, before the cats eyes.