Category Archives: beads

New Jack Russell Terrier Beading Kit!

Posted on February 7, 2013 | 2 Comments

Today, I am thrilled to announce that my first bead embroidery kit is now available for sale on Etsy! Make your own beaded Jack Russell Terrier pin or pendant. Kit includes printed 10-page instruction booklet featuring 24 color photos, Japanese size 15 seed beads in 8 different colors, one pin back, felt, stiff stuff, Ultrasuede, and one size 13 beading needle. Click the photo above for more details. If you are interested in purchasing the PDF pattern only, you will find it HERE. This kit is currently available in a limited quantity. Look for more beading kits in the future!

→ 2 Comments

Posted in bead embroidery, beads, Kits, Patterns

Tagged Bead embroidery, beading, Beadwork, crafts, Dog, Etsy, Jack Russell Terrier, patterns, Seed bead, Ultrasuede

Glass Beadmaking Class

Posted on September 23, 2012 | 3 Comments

Last week, I tried something new! Friends & I took a 4-hr. private lesson in beadmaking at Diablo Glass School here in Boston. We learned how to make lampwork (flame work) beads. What an awesome way to spend the day!

We had a great teacher named Peter who showed us some basic techniques. At first it seemed a bit tricky to melt the glass rod in the torch with one hand and turn the mandrel with the other hand at the same time, but this just takes lots of practice. You also have to remember to keep the glass in the flame to keep it hot, otherwise it can crack right on the mandrel! :/

Here are the first lampwork beads I made. I was bummed the bumpy bead on the right broke in the kiln, because it was perfect when I put it in. I am happy with how the others turned out for my first attempt at working with glass.

I do plan to go back and make more beads. There’s definitely something about working with an open flame that makes you forget all about life’s worries.. And, I now have a greater appreciation for those who choose to make lampwork beads for a living. Working with glass is not easy, as the final product is the result of bit of luck & and a lot of magic!

Also, just a reminder to those in the Boston area, you are invited to join me for an artist reception this Thursday at Boston Bead Company in Harvard Square from 6:30-8pm. Please click HERE for more info! Hope to see you there!

→ 3 Comments

Posted in beads, Boston, lampwork

Tagged Bead, Boston, Cambridge, crafts, Flame Work, Glass, Glass School, Harvard Square, Lampwork

Purple Preciosa Twin-Beaded Bracelet

Posted on February 25, 2012 | 10 Comments

Last week, I received a fabulous package from Preciosa Ornela in Czech Republic! It contained a sample of the new Twin Beads as well as an assortment of seed beads & glass accent beads. I love the beads, as they are some of my favorite colors, but I also loved the beaded pencil & pen they sent:) Check them out:

I was excited to learn of a new seed bead and all of its possibilities! Inside the promotional package were several project ideas which I would love to try – especially the cube-ular bracelet shown below, but I will need to buy more Twin Beads in several colors to complete that one..

I received two packages of Twin Beads. I chose to use the dark purple ones below. As you can see, they are oval shaped with two holes. They aren’t all perfectly shaped, but they are all beautiful!

After trying out a few techniques, I came up with an idea for a bracelet. This was my first try at this design. It basically shows off many colors of seed beads that I received. The Twin Beads link the rows of seed beads together in an improvisational bead-netted sort of way:) Then, I added an interesting larger bead at the end to use as my toggle clasp. How do you think it looks?

If I were to recreate this bracelet again (which I am considering!), I would probably change a couple of things, but overall, I am happy with how it turned out. It is very comfortable to wear, too.

I think I will list this item in my Etsy shop! Next, I would like to figure out a way to work the Twin Beads into one of my bead embroidery projects! If you have tried the new Preciosa Twin Beads, what did you make with them? Please share your experience! If you are interested in learning more about Preciosa glass products, follow them on Facebook and/or Twitter. That’s the news for now. Back to beading!

*Please note: I have received the above mentioned products free of charge from Preciosa Ornela. This is my honest review of the products and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

→ 10 Comments

Posted in beads, beadweaving, etsy, jewelry

Tagged beading, Beads, beadweaving, Beadwork, Czech, Czech Republic, Etsy

Beaded Valentine Scottie Dog Finished!

Posted on January 18, 2012 | 2 Comments

Finally I finished working on my bead-embroidered Scottie dog. He is very small, measuring just 3.5cm x 4cm. First, I used 13/0 charlottes, then I layered 1x4mm micro bugle beads over top. Then, I stitched on some Genuine Czech Crystal – Preciosa Viva Rosemontees for the dogs collar. This little dog really sparkles now! Next, I will begin beading the front panel of my custom heart-shaped purse. How does it look so far?

beaded cat scottie dog heart shaped purse bead embroidery etsy custom order

Semi-beaded 5.5" heart-shaped purse. Work in progress..

Please check my Facebook page for more updates. Thanks for your interest in my beadwork!

→ 2 Comments

Posted in beads, cats, dogs, etsy, handbags

Weekend Bead Shopper: Freshwater Pearls

Posted on November 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

Recently, I received a package full of beads from the Philippines: freshwater pearls! These beads were sent to me courtesy of beadsandfindings.net. I absolutely love the unique colors, texture, and shapes! I can’t wait to incorporate them into one of my beaded paintings!

I will say that I was very impressed with this online bead shop’s customer service, too. I had wanted to order some Red Coral Chili Beads, but they informed me that they could not ship them to me because their importation is banned in the USA. I had forgotten about that fact, and was a bit surprised to see that my FedEx package had actually been sliced open and inspected by U.S. Customs, resealed with fancy U.S. Fish & Wildlife tape! I guess I’ll have to travel to the Philippines to purchase the beads I want.. Someday!

*Please note: I have received the above mentioned products free of charge from BeadsandFindings.net. This is my honest review of the products and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in bead shops, beads

Tagged Cultured freshwater pearls, Pearl, Philippines, Shopping, United States

Weekend Bead Shopper: Russian Dolls

Posted on October 29, 2011 | 2 Comments

Recently, BeadCrafty.com sent me some shiny new beads! Check out these cute hand-painted porcelain Russian doll beads! These measure 26mm – a bit larger than most beads I use, but I absolutely love them, especially since I visited Russia last year. What do you think I should I make with them?

If you have not shopped BeadCrafty.com, I will say that they offer a wonderful assortment beads of all types, their customer service is outstanding, and shipment from the UK is very fast. I’m sure I will return to order more Russian Dolls in the future:)

*Please note: I have received the above mentioned products free of charge from BeadCrafty.com. This is my honest review of the products and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in bead shops, beads

Tagged Bead, Jewelry, Russia, Russian Dolls, Shopping, Supplies

>Floating Amber Beads

Posted on March 1, 2011 | 3 Comments

Today, I interrupt my regularly scheduled blog to show you a gift that my father sent me. It’s a Russian amber beaded necklace that he found at the Tucson Gem Show! Amber is considered to be a gemstone or semi-precious stone, but in fact, it is not a stone at all. It is fossilized tree resin from ancient forests.

Russian amber baltic salt water test beads floats

I have never owned any amber before, so I wanted to test it and make sure that mine was real. After doing a little research, I learned that amber is buoyant in salt water, which is why it washes up on the beaches of the Baltic Sea after a storm. So, in a sauce pan, I mixed 2.5 tablespoons salt per 1 cup hot water. After the salt dissolved and the water cooled, I placed my necklace in the pan. Sure enough, it floated to the top! This is a great way to see if the amber you have purchased is real or not. Plastic or any other imitation amber will sink to the bottom.. Next, I want to find a piece of amber with an insect or spider trapped inside! :O

→ 3 Comments

Posted in beads, Tucson

>Silver Boots Are Made for Walkin’

Posted on February 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

Bali Silver Beads Man Pendant desert robot cowboy boots hands

Last night, I was too tired to do bead embroidery, but still felt the need to be creative. So, I used some new Bali Beads to make a fun, dangly Bali Silver Man! I used a 12mm Lantern Bead, a 12mm Circle Rows Bead, two large fan beads, small wheels with balls, and small beads with a dotted center/fluted ends. Maybe I was also inspired by my journey through the desert, because I felt the need to add some cowboy boots & hands from my bead stash. Now, he’s a robot cowboy! You can purchase this pendant in my Etsy shop. What would you have made with these Bali Silver beads?

*Please note: I have received the above items free of charge from Auntie’s Beads. This is my honest review of their products and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in bead shops, beads, etsy, pendants

>New Chinese Crystal Beads

Posted on January 8, 2011 | 4 Comments

Auntie's beads Silver Chinese Crystal Rondelle Bead Strands

I have been pretty busy this past week. I’ve been taking care of the business aspect of beading, doing end-of-the-year paperwork, making travel plans, planning new projects, and working on my Etsy shop. I want to do a little more beading on my Radio City Music Hall painting before I show you where I’m at, so today I will share with you a quick pic of the new glass beads I got from Auntie’s Beads. These are silver Chinese Crystal Rondelle Beads. So very beautiful - when light hits them, they sparkle like a disco ball! I am already considering how I can work these into one of my bead embroidered paintings! What kind of project would you use them for?

*Please note: I have received the above items free of charge from Auntie’s Beads . This is my honest review of their products and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

→ 4 Comments

Posted in bead shops, beads, business

>All I Want for Christmas is Beads!

Posted on December 19, 2010 | 3 Comments

Yes, it’s true – all I want for Christmas is beads. And, someone must have known that, because shiny new beads were delivered to me!

Aunties Beads beadwork lampwork glass bead shops

First, I got some new lampwork beads from Auntie’s Beads. I absolutely LOVE the aqua blue & gold lampwork disc beads, as well as the Capri blue & tan lampwork discs. I think they will look great on a bracelet! In addition, I was sent a strand of designer ‘Bella’ lampwork beads. There is something about these that remind me of frosting on a birthday cake!

mzuribeads handmade paper beads uganda africa UK bead shop

I must have been good on someone’s list because I also received a package of handmade paper beads which originated in Uganda. These beads are fabulous. They are so colorful and vibrant – a symbol of life itself. You can find these paper beads for sale at Mzuribeads in the UK. Please check out their story to learn more about the paper beaders of Uganda and how this not-for-profit organization is moving away from charitable aid, and onto the concept of business enterprise!

Lastly, I would like to congratulate Calamity Anne of Houston, TX for winning a copy of Lark Books 500 Judaica! Please check in tomorrow to enter my next book giveaway. Back to beading!

*Please note: I have received the above items free of charge from Auntie’s Beads & Mzuribeads. This is my honest review of their products and I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

→ 3 Comments

Posted in bead shops, beads, giveaway