Lighthouse by the sea

When I was a young girl, my Nana and Grandfather would spend a week in Cape Cod, in a small cottage by the ocean and I was lucky enough to go along with them. Some of my fondest memories stem from those carefree days on the beach. I would spend all day splaying in the sand and surf, coming back to the cottage only for a quick bite to eat before rushing back out to play.
Lighthouses always bring me back to that time and make me smile.

I've created three versions of this lighthouse bracelet pattern, available in super wide, wide, and thin.

Speaking of animal print...

...how about some zebra print fun?! I recently finished weaving up this super wide peyote stitched cuff using Delica beads and my favorite beading thread. It measures 7-1/2" long and a whopping 2" wide.

Want to make one for yourself? You can! I have detailed zebra print patterns available in 3 different widths AND different color combinations. Check em out in my Etsy Shop.

All of my patterns come with a full color image, delica bead number and bead count needed, a large easy to print black and white symbol graph, and a word chart. I also email you a hi res photo that you can zoom WAY in on.

Get WILD!

Holy beading Batman!

For a good portion of the summer I didn't do ANY beading - I was too busy being outside and working on my hoopdancing to be stuck inside.

Now that the leaves are all on the ground and a little bit of snow has fallen, I'm back to hibernating and beading like a madman. Recently I finished this Batman cuff bracelet. It's woven with delica beads in matte black, yellow, and steel. The steel makes it super shimmery when it moves, yet it's not exactly feminine either. It measures 7-1/2" long, and 2" wide at the widest part of the cuff and is finished with a sterling silver slide clasp. Elegant indeed!

More bangles

I was so happy with how the last bangle came out that I HAD to make more. I am love, love, loving cubic right angle weave, there are just so many possibilities! The latest bracelet is made from baby pink toho seed beads, and purple swarovski crystal pearls. It's lightweight, rigid but flexible, elegant and dainty!

This next one has a bit more "industrial" feel to it. I wove it completely from hematite, so it's just a tad heavier than the other bangles. Very punk or goth, don't you think? I could see myself wearing it on a dark snowy day.

Purple Argyle Bracelet

Ah, peyote stitch, my first love. I can't say that it was love at first sight though, as my first few attempts at the seemingly easy stitch resulted in me throwing my beadwork across the room. A lot has changed in seven years though, and peyote stitch for me is a constant, a standard - a feeling of "home", if you will. It will always be a favorite stitch of mine. Granted, it takes a while to work up anything substantial, but the feeling of accomplishment when you are finished is priceless.
I did a spring colored argyle cuff bracelet not too long ago, and immediately started on another one. They are just so fun looking! I am FAR from "preppy", but I think this bracelet could accomidate a variety of personal tastes - from punk to hippie.
I can definately see doing this up in some other colors sometime in the future!

Dreadlock Beads

Spring is here. It's almost time for concerts, festivals, and dancing in the sun. Phish just got back together and played a fantastic run of shows at Hampton Coliseum, and they are doing a summer tour. The Grateful Dead is getting back together (Jerry will be there in spirit) to play some summer shows. Of course, you don't have to be a jam band loving "hippie" to have dreadlocks...that just happens to be the category I fall into.

There's no better way to show off your locks than with beaded accessories. Wear them just for fun, or use them to cover up and tighten "rough spots".
Even if you don't have dreadlocks, you can wear dreadlock beads in braids. To wear with braided hair: Separate hair and begin to braid as normal. When you reach the location of where you would like the bead to be visible, slide bead on to one of the three sections of hair, twisting as you go (you may want to clip the other 2 sections together while you are doing this so they don't come undone). Continue to braid hair, securing the end. The bead will be securely in place until you undo your hair. Neat huh?

The following beads were woven in tubular peyote stitch. Beading in tubular peyote allows for a rigid (but still slightly flexible) bead. Weaving in regular peyote or brick stitch will cause the bead to sink in, with no rigidity at all. You could still wear dreadlock beads woven this way, but they may be a little more difficult to put (and stay) in your hair. Personally, I prefer the structure of tubular peyote, so I weave all my dreadlock beads with this method.
These latest beads were stitched with toho seed beads, except for the Om and Radioactive beads, which were stitched with delica beads. Hope you like!








Please visit my online shop for more dreadlock beads in a variety of colors and styles.

Irish Flag Cuff Bracelet

Trying to keep up with the holidays, I was determined to create something with St. Patrick's Day specifically in mind. I found myself leaning towards the colors of the actual flag of Ireland more so than a shamrock or a little elf - perhaps that's my own Irish pride shining through.
After finding the perfectly matching delica colors, I wove in 2-drop peyote stitch.
It's finished with a beaded toggle clasp that will hold the bracelet securely on your wrist.

As a special promotion, I'm offering free shipping for this bracelet to anywhere in Ireland!

All We are Saying, is Give Peace a Chance

Peace signs aren't just for hippies anymore!

In case you were wondering, the peace sign originates from the Semaphore flag positions, "N" & "D", standing for nuclear dissarmorment.

I actually started this bracelet last weekend and ran out of the gray beads. Not making sure you have enough beads to finish your project before you begin, I should add that to the "B.A.D.D." symptoms. The delica gray beads are actually metallic matte, rhodium plated. Having started the project just going into my beads and saying "oh this is a nice color" and grabbing my precious vial, I didn't realize that they were so expensive. I almost crapped a brick when I saw artbeads.com had them priced at $15 something for 8g. But alas, they have cheap priority shipping (and free shipping too, which usually takes 5-7 days for me)

If this bracelet was not too big for me, I'm damn sure I'd be keeping it. It's 7-1/2", a pretty standard size. I've got tiny wrists...which may sound nice to some people but it's not so nice when bracelets and watches fall off your hand!

It measures almost 1-1/2" across, and is woven in 2-drop peyote stitch. In addition to the metallic matte rhodium plated beads, I used a combination of silver lined, and ceylon finish delicas. They really stand out in the gray background. The clasp is a sterling silver slide clasp, with a nice "click" to it, locks in nice. It's surprisingly light, and extremely comfortble. I'm pretty sure whoever end up with this one is going to be a happy camper!