Mandy Harvey aka Beadsme: To Seed Bead Or Not To Seed Bead

The Big C .... Cancer (Breast)

I thought I would add some details to my blog for those that are suffering or have suffered from breast cancer.
I was diagnosed in Sept 2000.
Underwent a lumpectomy, following by chemo and radiothereapy. They also removed some lymph nodes to check to see if it had spread. Luckily it hadn't.
I was told that I was stage 1 (very early stage) and grade 3 (nasty).
Chemo - I had 6 sessions of chemo usinf FEC (Fluorouracil also known as 5FU), (Epirubicin), (Cyclophosphamide). I cannot say chemo was nice. The first 3 sessions were ok just a little bit of sickness but after that bad sickness, severe tiredness, no energy, bleeding and sore gums, bladder problems.
Radiotherapy - Didn't find that this was a problem at all. Have a couple of dot tattoos left on my chest area. At this time I was still tired from the chemo so not really sure if radio made it worse.
Here I am a survivor.
If you want to ask any questions please contact me and I will do my best to give you a truthful answer.

Sunday, 20 March 2011

To Seed Bead Or Not To Seed Bead

Well hats off and a massive applause to those that constantly work with seed beads.

I received my packets of seed beads weeks ago from Aunties Beads and what a time I had trying to fathom out what to do with them. The only time I had worked with seed beads is as an addition to my stringing designs. Never had a tried any of the stitches that you can do with them.

I have to admit completing a bracelet was a challenge for me. Although I actually found it relaxing. Once I got the hang of it and watched a video about half a dozen times it was - away I went. Alas I do have a problem with keeping the tension all the same.

Carla was a great help with this video on peyote stitch. Maybe Aunties Beads should put some more on.

So what is the secret to keeping the tension correct? How about some tips.

8 comments:

cserpentDesigns said...: LOL- relaxing? I get very tense! But it's still fun. Maybe I get tense keeping the tension even??; 20 March 2011 at 17:06
Mary said...: OMG, I could never have the patience for working with seed beads! The closest I get to doing anythng with seed beads is sucking them up withthe vacuum when I dump them all over the floor!; 22 March 2011 at 06:28
Michele said...: Haha Mary, I also did try to work with seed beads and watched those videos which are great, but still have them sitting, never did get into it. Good luck to you.; 22 March 2011 at 07:32
Ida @ Adroit Jewelers said...: Always interesting to learn something new. I'm afraid I can't be of help with this. Good luck!; 22 March 2011 at 09:33
Anonymous said...: To keep my tension correct, I "snap" the thread at the end of every row. Grab it with your hand and gently yank a few times. Also, to keep my starter row even, I slide an ultra-thin quilting needle inside the holes of the row. Keeps everything so nice and tidy!; 9 April 2011 at 12:01
Joyuna said...: Ah, seed beads... I'm not a beader, but I do have a little experience in putting beads in my knitting. I have to use this miniscule crochet hook and squint til I get the bead over the stitch. Not my favorite thing to do, but the finished product does look nice. :); 11 April 2011 at 19:07
Chrisbeads said...: I agree with Lisa, just give the thread a "snap" at the end of each row to tighten it up. If you are using nylon beading thread (Nymo for example) and large beads size 8/0 and above, double thread is usually better than single for keeping tension correct.; 13 April 2011 at 13:33
Chrisbeads said...: Watch out! Seed beads are addictive!; 30 April 2011 at 16:27