Unique You: April 2009

Monday, April 27, 2009

I am weak

I did it, I placed an order with artbeads.com. I *really* tried not to not visit their site during the dollar days sale. Several times, I had a shopping cart full of seed beads, but just didn't checkout - window shopping, if you will. But last night I realized I needed some closed gold jumprings to finish something I'm working on. And so I end up at artbeads.com, find my jumprings and add them to my cart. Like many other online stores, when you are viewing one item, they like to show you "other items you may enjoy". And wouldn't you know it, there are those beady lil' suckers staring me in the face. I won't delve into details...but I ended up buying matte opaque seed beads (size 11) in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, and some "almost" white color. At least I kept it under $100 this time. Quitting beads is harder than quitting smoking!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Starving Artists Mother's Day Sale

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Bone Pendant

I bought two of these lovely bone cabochons, one in ivory and the other in an earthy brown color. I was hoping to be showcasing them both together, but the brown fella has been giving me some trouble.
When you wrap a cabochon with tubular peyote, you have to get the count of beads just right, otherwise your wrap will be too tight, or too loose and the cab will just fall right out.
Now, both bone cabochons are the same size (supposedly anyways) so I thought the count of beads for the brown one would be the same exact count as the first one I did but noooooooo, it's not as easy as that. After 3 failed attempts and several hours down the drain, I put it aside and decided I'll do it later...
I do have one lovely pendant to show off though.
This bone cabochon is wrapped with matte black delica beads in peyote stitch, and smaller toho seed beads to hold it in securely. Then I beaded a bail large enough so that the pendant can be strung on a cord or chain.

On a side note - www.artbeads.com continues to torment me! They are having a dollar days sale and LOTS of seed beads are on sale for $1 per pack...that's up to 50% off for some finishes and sizes. You would think that I could just buy a couple packs but I racked up a "window" shopping cart of over $80. But I'm not buying any....nope. Must...use...existing....stock. It's harder than it sounds!
My name is Joanna, and I am a beadaholic.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Psychedelic Spiral Bracelet

If I had finished this bracelet in time, I would have entered it in the Etsy Bead Weavers challenge "Time Machine". If I had a time machine, I would go back to the psychedelic 60's, and that's what this bracelet reminds me of.

I have a jar of "leftover" delica beads...beads that never made it back into their original containers, my "delica bead soup" jar. This bracelet was woven in peyote stitch, all beads coming from my bead soup container. For the clasp I used a sterling silver slide/lock clasp. I'm quite pleased with how it came out, but not as pleased as my husband. He says it's by far his favorite bracelet I've created to date. How sweet of him!

It's a tad smaller than traditional bracelets - measuring in at only 7". I'm debating whether or not I should sell or list it...I DO have tiny wrists and it fits me perfect. Hmmmm.....

Thursday, April 16, 2009

"Time Machine" challenge winner

The April EBW Challenge had 31 entries, with 629 votes in total, and 119 of them went to our winner - 12. Time machine - beadsbyvezsuzs. About this gorgeous necklace, she says:

This necklace was made for the request of Team EBW. I just loved the topic at the first sight. My time machine is working very-very easily. You can turn time forwald or backward with the gears and this is the way to travel to future or past. Silver symbolize the future and tufa is past. I set the tufa by tubular RAW.

Other runners-up in this challenge are:

Second: 9. For the Women of the Future - SmadarsTreasure

Third: 21. Sticks and Stones Choker Necklace - HauteIceBeadwork

Fourth: 24. Nefertiti necklace - FleurDeIrk

Fifth: 22. Tudors Inspired Crystal Cabochon Necklace - SpringColors

Sixth: 2. time machine cuff - thebeadedlily

Seventh: 1. Atlantis - AnnetteMackrel

Eighth: 6. As Time Collides - crownrosegems

Ninth: 7. Drops Of Time Necklace - binkaminka

Tenth: 30. A Magical Journey - enchantedbeads

Etsy BeadWeavers are already working on the next Challenge for May - Hollywood Red Carpet Creations. You can read more about it here.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Neon Fun Bracelet

Most of my bead weaving is done with tiny beads. Really tiny beads. This makes for a very detailed design, but it is an incredibly time consuming labor of love. Any bead weaver out there knows what I'm talking about. Every once in a while though, I feel the need for (almost) instant gratification. Anything that can be finished in an afternoon is "instant gratification" for a bead weaver.

This bracelet was my "instant gratification" this past weekend. Its woven with size 8 seed beads, in orange, green, and pink neon colors. It's finished with a silver-plated swivel lobster clasp. I don't think I'll ever go back to non-swivel lobster clasps after using a swivel. Not having to worry about your bracelet and clasp getting all twisted on you is a wonderful thing!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Waves

Lately I've been trying to use beads I have on hand rather than buying on a whim. So far, so good. My biggest temptation has got to be artbeads.com. Every once in a while they'll send me an email with a great deal on the latest colors, sizes, shapes of seed beads and it's rare that I don't pick up a few bags of little beady goodness. Luckily for my wallet, it's been over a month since I've perused thier website.
These wavy bracelets were woven from Toho seed bead mixes I have had on hand for awhile. Yay me for using existing stock!

Purple Waves

Weaving in peyote stitch with different sizes of beads will give you a great texture. Both bracelets were woven with Toho beads in sizes 11 to 6.

Dragon Scales

This is my first bracelet attempt with a button clasp and it came out purrrrfect. The loop is secure and tight, the button will not go through the loop unless it is tilted sideways and pushed through the slot. I used a metal button with an intricate dragon design on it - makes for a great focal point.

Matching Pendants

I didn't feel like picking up my bead colors...so I just kept on beading. I'll be throwing in the pendant for free when you buy the matching bracelet. Fun!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Time Machine

The entries for this months challenge of the Etsy Bead Weavers are in, and once again, they do not disappoint! Hours of time, and endless amounts of patience and love went into each and every one of these creations. Please, take a closer look at each one by clicking on the individual links below, then head over the the Etsy Bead Weaver's web site and vote for your favorite!