The Lone Beader®

Purple Preciosa Twin-Beaded Bracelet

Posted on February 25, 2012 | 7 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.

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Posted in beads, beadweaving, etsy, jewelry

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

Krazy Beaded Keeshond Pins!

Posted on February 22, 2012 | 3 Comments

I am proud to say that I am currently finished with all my custom orders. Here’s my latest- three bead- embroidered Keeshond pins! This was my most challenging dog yet. It measures approx. 4cm x 4.5cm. I used at least 10 different colors of size 15 seed beads and 13/0 charlottes. I also stitched tiny wire spectacles and a glass eye for the nose. Quite a bit of beaded fringe is required for this dog. Creating this dog 3 times was quite a challenge, too. I found that its not very easy to duplicate my own beadwork. I think the dog’s faces all look a little different, but I suppose they would in real life.. How do you think they look? I have listed this pet pin as made-to-order in my Etsy shop for anyone who may be interested… Wait til you see what kind of dog I make next!

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Posted in beadwork, dogs, etsy, pendants

Tagged Bead embroidery, Beadwork, Dog, Etsy, Jewelry, Keeshond

Happy Beaded Papillon Pin:)

Posted on February 19, 2012 | 4 Comments

My Etsy shop has been keeping me busy! Here is a photo of a custom piece I beaded last week – a sitting Papillon dog pin. Papillons are such cute little dogs- they are indeed happy:) This piece measures 2″ x 1.5″ wide (approx 5cm x 4cm). It was made by stitching tiny size 15 glass seed beads and 3 glass eyes (for the eyes and nose) to felt. Several different shades of brown & white seed beads were used, and beaded fringe was layered to add dimension & movement. This piece is a pin which can also be worn as a pendant on your favorite necklace chain. It is now listed as made-to-order for anyone who is interested. Back to finishing my 3 beaded Keeshond pins!

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Posted in bead embroidery, dogs, etsy, pendants

Tagged Bead embroidery, Beadwork, Dog, Etsy, Keeshond, Papillon, Pendant, Seed Beads, Shopping

Happy Beaded Valentine’s Day!

Posted on February 14, 2012 | 3 Comments

I finally finished working on my little beaded heart-shaped purse just in time for Valentine’s Day!

This purse was a custom order through my Etsy shop. It’s the first purse I have ever made!

The design was inspired by a vintage Valentine & features a beaded white cat & Scottie dog. They were created using Japanese size 15 seed beads, size 13 charlottes & micro-bugle beads. The dog’s collar features Preciosa’s genuine Czech crystal rosemontees.

The front panel of the purse is completely beaded & the back panel is personalized:)

The purse is completed with a glass beaded chain and an Ultrasuede lining.

This one-of-a-kind purse measures 14cm x 14cm & took nearly 40 hours to create from start to finish. Soon it will be making the flight to London, England – a city I absolutely love! Wish I could go too!

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Posted in cats, dogs, etsy, handbags

Tagged Beadwork, Etsy, Hearts, London, Scottish Terrier, Valentine's Day

Bead-embroidered Keeshond Pin

Posted on February 10, 2012 | 5 Comments

Thanks for all the sweet comments on my last post. I do feel my heart is on the mend. Keeping busy definitely helps! While I was working on finishing my heart-shaped purse, I received an Etsy order for 3 beaded Keeshond pins! :O

I will say this is probably the most challenging beaded dog I have created so far. I used 10 different colors of size 15 seed beads, as well as a few 13/0 charlottes. I also used tiny bits of thin wire to create ‘spectacles’ – the key marking on this breed (although I’m not sure you can really see them). After completing the first layer of bead embroidery, I began on the 2nd layer by creating more dimensional ears. Then I added quite a bit of long beaded fringe!

beaded keeshond dog bead embroidery pin pendant custom etsy order beadwork seed beads

Beaded Keeshond pin. Bead embroidery on felt. 4cm x 4.5cm.

How do you think it looks? Hope I’ll be able to recreate it 2 more times!

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Posted in dogs, etsy

Tagged Bead embroidery, Beadwork, craft, Dog, Etsy, Keeshond

Beading a Heart; Healing a Heart

Posted on January 30, 2012 | 7 Comments

Last week, I beaded the entire front panel of my heart-shaped purse -ironically while suffering from my own broken heart:( It is so difficult to do beadwork when all you can see are tears :’(

First, I stitched my beaded cat & Scottie dog to the Ultrasuede. Then, I stitched on a few different shades of 11/0 Czech glass seed beads slowly working my way around the heart. To add even more depth to the piece, I then stitched on red Japanese Delicas (with aurora borealis finish) over top of the Czech seed beads.

This took quite a bit of time to bead, but I love the results. My heart, however, will require quite a bit more time..

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Posted in cats, dogs, etsy, handbags

Tagged Beadwork, Etsy, Heart (symbol), Scottish Terrier, Ultrasuede, Valentine's Day

Beadwork on Display at Central Square Eye Care!

Posted on January 21, 2012 | 5 Comments

The other day, I dropped off my beaded portrait of Dr. Geoff White at Central Square Eye Care. This portrait was created using tiny glass seed beads, felt, and recycled eyeglass lenses. My beadwork will be on display at 3 Central Square, Cambridge, MA, indefinitely. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, do stop by and take a peek! This is also a very cool place to get a new pair of specs. I just ordered a pair of purple Lafonts. Can’t wait to receive them! 8)

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Posted in Boston, exhibits, portrait

Tagged Bead embroidery, Beadwork, Etsy, eyeglasses, optical, optometrist, Portrait

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!

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Posted in beads, cats, dogs, etsy, handbags

Valentine Cat for Future Beaded Purse

Posted on January 15, 2012 | 2 Comments

This week, I began working on a new custom order for my Etsy shop – my first bead embroidered purse! This will be a Victorian-style heart-shaped purse featuring a beaded cat & Scottie dog inspired by a vintage Valentine. ♥

After working on the purse design, I cut out many layers of Lacy’s Stiff Stuff and stitched them altogether. Using 1mm & 2mm glass eyes, I stitched on their noses and eyes. For those who are wondering, I get these at GlassEyesOnline.com. I use the ones which are attached to a long wire. The wire must be cut & poked through the felt then stitched to the back.

Next, I used Japanese size 15/0 seed beads for the heart and the cat. Its not easy to stitch through all the layers of Lacy’s Stiff Stuff, but after I completed the cat’s head, it got easier. Once I completed the entire body, I then lazy stitched some tiny crystal 13/0 charlottes over top of the other seed beads to add a little sparkle. This cat is very small – only 3cm x 3cm. The dog is only slightly larger.. I will be beading him next! :O

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Posted in cats, dogs, etsy, handbags

Tagged Bead embroidery, beading, Beadwork, Cats, Etsy, Purse, Scottish Terrier

Custom Beaded Skye Terrier Pin

Posted on January 10, 2012 | 2 Comments

My Etsy shop has been keeping me busy these days! I have been working on some new designs as well as taking custom orders. Here is my latest: a beaded Skye Terrier. This breed of dogs originated in Scotland, but one thing that makes them different than the Scottish Terrier is they have a lot more hair on their face and ears! So, I layered beaded loops on the dog’s face, ears and front legs. I used several different shades of gray & black beads, including Czech 13/0 charlottes. This pin really sparkles! Please click the pic to view more photos:)

I have quite a few new dogs on my list to create, as well as a few cats. If you are interested in a particular breed that I haven’t created yet, please contact me for more information. Thanks for your interest in my beadwork!

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Posted in dogs, etsy

Tagged Bead embroidery, Beadwork, Dog, Etsy, Pets, Skye Terrier