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.

Endless Designs For Those Larger Beads

So I received some lovely hand painted glass beads from Aunties Beads and put myself to a challenge to see how many creations I could make.

Large beads can be used in many designs - big chunky necklaces, focal points on necklaces, bracelets and earrings - endless.
So far I have made 2 bracelets, 2 necklaces and a pair of earrings, all with the same style of hand painted glass beads.

What extras did I use? Well sterling silver chain, sterling silver wire, black, silver and red glass beads, silver fancy spacers, clasps and earring hooks. Most of these extras can be found hidden away in your unused stash.

The best design for using up odd beads is the pendant style necklace. Just wire wrap sterling silver, attach the odd beads and, there you go, a delicious pendant.

You can find a variety of handmade necklaces in my Beadsme and Artfire stores.

What About Leftovers?

Always end up with a few left over beads and not sure what to do with them. Just add them as a dash of colour to any necklace or bracelet. Even if you have just 1 left, try to make it a focal point.

I received some lovely large pewter glass beads from Aunties beads and previously had some velvet red chinese crystals left. Adding leaf shaped beads caps and some rondelles I put together this great necklace and bracelet.

Excellent addition for that night out. Accompany them with some simple dangling silver bead earrings you have a great set.

Pop into my Etsy store for a variety of jewellery. - Beadsme.

Back To Creating

After a few weeks of trying to get back to normality I now have the dining table covered in goodies for creating and a few new creations.

I received some more awesome beads from Auntie Beads and away I went.

My first creation was this gorgeous necklace using foil outline rectangle glass beads, a couple of sterling silver round starburst beads and Swarovski crystals.

Then I got carried away, creating 2 matching bracelets with the additions of sterling silver hollow heart bead, a sterling silver oval message bead and sterling silver round mirror beads.

2 matching pairs of earrings followed. I found the hole in the rectangle glass beads a bit large for my headpins so used some flat bali spacers to help them fit correctly.

Check out Aunties Beads for an awesome array of beading supplies or Beadsme for the finished product.

Holiday Season Etsy Wish List

Thought I would get the ball rolling and throw a few favourites about.

Maybe this is more for our colder season but I still want it. Love it in grey.
How about a beautiful necklace. My favourite colour too.Seem to be slightly colour co-ordinating here but you can never go without soap. I am a total addict when it comes to handmade soap.

And not forgetting I can never do without beads!

You can click on all the pictures and be taken to the relevant stores.

Happy shopping!!!!

An Experiment with Bronzite

This month I got some lovely Bronsite beads from Aunties Beads so I thought I would give myself a little challenge and see what I had in my stash that would go nicely with these beads.
My first choice was Turquoise. I love these beads. Well actually I liked the so much that I made a necklace using Bronzite 10mm Round Beads and bracelet using Bronzite, Turquoise and antiqued brass filligree balls and clasps.
My second creation was to mix the Bronzite 12mm Coin Beads with Peach Moonstone and for that extra touch I added 2 brass butterflies.

Lastly with the few Bronzite 12mm Coin Bead Strand left over I made an earthy bracelet matching them with white Howlite and a brass clasp.

These beautiful creations will soon be available in Beadsmes Artfire store.

A Fresh Delivey

I was in awe when I opened my package from Aunties Beads.

It was full of seas glass beads, I love them.
I got working straight away and created a lovely foamy necklace with matching bracelet. As Australia is coming in to Summer I thought this colour was so cool. To me it represents a beautiful blue sky with a calming sea. Although Aus is well known for it's excellent surfing.For the focal of the necklace and bracelet I used handmade lampwork beads and teamed them with
Sea Glass 8mm Round Bead Strand, Seafoam
Sea Glass Round Bead Strand, Opaque Sky Blue, 6mm
Sea Glass Round Bead Strand, Seafoam Green, 10mm
Wire wrapped each bead together and topped and tailed the Sea Glass 8mm Round Bead Strand, Seafoam with scalloped bead caps.You can check out my new Artfire or Etsy store for more creations.

A Challenge From Aunties Beads

I have pondered so long on these beads. Definitely unsure what to do with them. Firstly I thought earrings but then I added more beads and, woops, they ended up so heavy my ear lobes would have reached my shoulders.

In my wonderful package from Aunties Beads the ones I got so gumboozled with were these gorgeous Chinese Crystal Beaded Bead, Red Velvet, 26mm. Amazing but what did I do? Not the earrings! A necklace was formed and I can't tell you how many times I took it apart and repositioned the beads.

In the end I added some sterling silver wire, diamond shaped chain and more beads, Angelic Crystal Rondelle Bead Strand, Red Velvet, 4x6mm,
Chinese Crystal Faceted Rondelle Bead,Red Velvet, 11 x 14mm.


Added from my own collection is multi faceted black agate. This necklace is amazingly one that you can love or hate. It's bold and beautiful, seductive and a bit gothic. Big too, measuring 34 inches and the Chinese Crystal Beaded Bead, Red Velvet, 26mm dropping another 2.5 inches.

It was and still is a nightmare to photograph. Even placing it around myself still doesn't do it justice. Not forgetting these cute little earrings I popped together using the Angelic Crystal Rondelle Bead Strand, Red Velvet, 4x6mm.

My Next String Of Beads From Aunties Beads

I had fun with the next set of beads from Aunties Beads. I had some beautiful multi faceted Chinese crystal and in a light rose, Angelic Crystal Rondelle Bead Strand, Lt. Rose AB, 4x6mm , very girly. Boy, these sparkle.

My first creations was very simple, yet stunning. I had a gorgeous shimmering Swarovski crystal pendant which I attached to a sterling silver chain then added 3 of these sparkling crystals topped with scalloped silver bead caps.
My next creation, I love doing these, was a pair of earrings with a cluster of these beads accompanied by purple lepidolite briolettes. Another one of my favourite colours.

Most of my creations you can find at Beadsme on Etsy.

Not forgetting if you are a designer pop in to Aunties Beads for some great beads and findings.

Beads From Aunties Beads

I have been contemplating what to do with a envelope full of beads from Aunties Beads.

They have started sending a few beads out to some designers to create and review.

My first creation was to incorporate a design using some Chinese Crystal Rondelle Strand, Black Diamond AB, 5x8mm These beauties just sparkle and are so easy to match with any design and colour.

For my design I added rhinestone rondelles attached to sterling silver wire fastened to a feminine sterling silver chain. End result a beautiful necklace for a special day out.
And not forgetting to add some great matching earrings.