http://queeniesbeads.blogspot.com/

Bead shopping leads to more and more beads.  I've been admiring the pieces made with Czech glass buttons, so I had to order some.  I picked these two first.  Both have green and amethyst coloring with accents of gold.  Then, of course, I had to buy accent colors to work with, in various shades, shapes and sizes.   I plan a cuff bracelet done in embroidery and maybe a necklace with the other.


Boy, I can't believe how long it's been since I blogged!   But I still beading and chatting up a storm on Facebook.

I bought this enameled buddha pendant a few years back. Some times things just have to sit around a while before the inspiration hits. I had ordered the colors before we went to Fla, but still didn't have a firm idea of what I wanted to do. Then one morning I was surfing for Tai Chi instructions and happened on some pagado pictures. I knew then, what I wanted to do.
This is just the embroidery portion. I need to do the lining yet, and the necklace portion will
be tubular peyote. I'll post another photo when finished. I had to order some more beads.
I'm enjoying bead embroidery.

I finally finished my white cameo cuff bracelet. I started it before we left for Fla, but haven't done much serious beading since we got here. The cuff is 2" wide and has an aluminum cuff blank in between the base and lining to keep it's shape. I used all white beads with different sizes and finishes, and some lucite and glass flower shaped beads.
Boy, have I bought a ton of beads down here!

This one is in shades of ivory and terra cotta. Shopping for those was fun. Who knew there could be so many shades of ivory! I think the cab is some sort of agate. If you recognize it, please let me
know.
I added a few copper accents, which I really like and just made up the stitching as I
went along. Like a crazy quilt.
I used a 1 1/4" aluminum cuff blank to maintain the shape. I flatten the area where the
cab sits. And I used a soft flannel
for the backing. Feels good on the wrist.

The Swarovski Snowflake pendant element is gorgeous. What a sparkler! Photos can't do it justice.
I used the silver leaf chain and added Swarovski pearls and rounds with bead caps. I also used some filigree snowflakes. I made the clasp with a larger silver bead and chain loop.

The rest of the bracelet is tubular peyote stitch with Delica Bead # 851, Matte Transparent Crystal AB and DB # 551, Bright Sterling Silver Plated.

I finished beading this quite a bit ago. I wanted to put caps on the ends but finding just the 'right' ones took awhile. I really like these cones and the S hook, both in copper.
The bracelet is done in herringbone twist in Miyuki #40 copper, #21 steel, #1 gunmetal and #35 galvanized silver. Very simple to make and very pretty.

Starlight, Starbright, or Starry Nights, both names are over used, I guess. How about Winter Nights? The stars seemed the brightest here in the winter. The tubular beads are stitched in peyote, using delica black #310 with an occasional bead of #551 for a sparkle. Silverplated stars, 10 and 12 mm and Swarovski stars, 20 mm and 28 mm are strung along a silver chain. I even found a star clasp.
A couple of hints.
Keep silver in a sealed bag when not in use. It will help keep the silver from tarnishing. Walmart sells polishing cloths that remove tarnish easily on small pieces.
When making tube beads, it helps to string some smaller beads inside the tube to keep it's shape.

Here is another project that I just needed to assemble and add a clasp. I found the Jet crystals at a flea market. Someone had made a bracelet on stretchy cord. I paid $1.00 for the bracelet, knowing I was cutting that baby apart as soon as I got home!
The center square is reversible. Red on black on one side and black on red on the other.

I started this late last winter and didn't finish the necklace portion. All done now. I made
the necklace portion long enough to just slip over head, so no clasp was necessary. I love
how the fringe beads pick up the blue from the geode. You can see more on the beading around
the geode here
http://queeniesbeads.blogspot.com/search?q=geode
I have another geode piece in mind. Different shades and finishes of white.

Someone passed this pattern onto me last summer and it's been one I've been wanting to try since I first saw it. It's one of those things that just make you say, "I've got to try that!" I believes it comes from Russia. I have seen it on various European sites dubbed 'The Twisted Triangle' or the "Russian Twisted Triangle.' It should be the "Drive You Mad Russian Triangle"!
But think cellini triangle, and it is really not hard. And yet, I worked on and off yesterday on one and started over 4 times. 4lb Fireline broke 3 times while keeping tension tight! Unbelievable! So today, I picked up 6lb test. And again, almost done and the 6lb broke. So, I start to think that it is not the Fireline itself, but sharp edges on the 15/0 delica beads. Fortunately, I had some Toho
rounded 15/0's. Finally, I completed the first half. A second triangle is now made and the two zipped together for a focal bead. But I'm also thinking that this half could now be stitched done to backing and become part of a beaded embroidery piece.