Queen of the Sea Necklace

Been ages since my last post and I had been quite busy the past weeks (months!). Although I was also busy making projects, tried to squeeze in the time as much as I can.

Made this necklace which is called Queen of the Sea. It's a pattern by Jenny Van.

I remember the first necklace I attempted to make was also a design by Jenny Van. I like her designs.

This was quite tricky for me. When I finished it the arcs twisted and wouldn't lay flat.

I ended up reinforcing the joints and pulling them tighter. It has to be tight and firm or else it would flop and twist. That seemed to do the trick.

CRAW Bangle

This has got to be the longest time it has taken me to finish a bracelet. And not because it's too difficult. I've just been so busy lately.

But I love cubic right angle weave and this bangle is my own design. I guess the reason why it's taking longer than usual too is because I'm adjusting as I go along.

I'm now using my new Tulip size 13 beading needle and I love it! It's quite tricky to thread though, as the eye is quite small. It's also shorter than the average size 12 beading needle. And it's so sharp! I pricked myself a few times as I wasn't used to the length. It takes getting used to.

But it feels really lovely, it doesn't bend yet it's very flexible. Another marvel from Japan. They make so many cool things there.

This is the bangle so far. I placed a bezeled 14mm Swarovski rivoli as focal bead. I have a few gaps in between the Craw bands where I'll put 4mm bicones in the same color as the rivoli. Then I'll put a continuous CRAW band for the final layer.

Netted Crystals

Haven't been blogging for a while but I have been beading. :)

Did this bracelet a couple of months ago. It's made using a simple netting technique, from a pattern called Crystal Suspense by Gwen Fisher and Florence Turnour, from the Best of Beadwork book.

I used 4mm rondelles and size 15 seed beads alternating with size 13 Charlotte single-cuts.

I love this because it works up really fast. You can finish it in a couple of hours, maybe less if you work fast enough.

The pattern was for a bangle but I actually ran out of rondelles so I made it a bracelet. I used a bead cap at both ends, put a flexible wire in the center of the tube and crimped it with the clasp.

The finished bracelet. It's one of my favorites, I like wearing it and people have noticed it. It's simple yet elegant.

Floral Inspiration Bracelet

This next bracelet was from a design by Callie Mitchell featured in Bead and Button Magazine. The inspiration for this bracelet is the mimosa flower, which looks like a fireworks burst.

Its main base is a double St. Petersburg stitch, which uses size 15s as the main bead and 11s at the ends before another 15 to bring the thread back into the stitch.

The center spine uses 11s as well.

The spine is then embellished with 4mm bicones between two 15s, alternating along the 11s along the length of the spine. In my bracelet I used 23 bicones.

The end of the toggle is then composed of the "mimosa" feature, with dainty bead strands mimicking the thin needle-like petals of the mimosa.

The finished bracelet. The other end of the toggle is a 6mm x 11mm Swarovski crystal top-drilled teardrop crystal that should fit tightly into the hole made by the "mimosa" part of the toggle.

Bugle Bracelet Number 3

Decided to do another bugle bracelet and I definitely love how quickly this stitch works up.

I made a bangle this time and even without a tube or wire at the center I think it's firm enough.

I alternated a metallic brown rocaille with pink at the center, and used silver lined size 15s in between.

The bugle beads I used are a caramel color with a rainbow sheen.

Here's the finished bangle. I really love this pattern.

Finally!!!

Finally finished the green herringbone bracelet a couple of days ago. Been so busy with the office but I'm happy I was able to make some time for beading again.

Here it is.

Tube Bracelet part 3

Finished the "tube parts" and simulated the beads strung up in the middle.

It looks okay laid out straight. But when in a circle (which is how it will be worn anyway) I think it might be better to fill out the rest of the "tube parts." The cherry quartz beads will still be given enough peek-a-boo exposure.

I used flexible wire to string the cherry quartz beads to give the bracelet more structural support at the core.

Pearl Orbit part 2

Continued the bracelet parts today, finished the six rings and now I just finished adding the pearl and embellishing one of the rings.

Keeping the right tension was quite tricky. I guess one reason is because I'm using 13/o Charlottes instead of the specified 15/o.

The pearl I'm using is a bit less than 8mm in diameter. These are freshwater pearls so the sizes vary a bit and aren't exact.

Combination Peyote and Right Angle Weave

I just realized that I'm also a newbie blogger so I'm still getting the hang of this.

Today I made a ring based on the pattern entitled Creative Connections as designed by Antonio Calles from the Bead and Button February 2010 issue.

I started out intending to make the bracelet, but when I saw that six of the small components could close and fit my ring finger, I turned it into a ring.

Initially I placed three elongated crystals in the center, but decided to rearrange them after some prodding from my boyfriend. He has some great suggestions sometimes.

I just had to reinforce the components with additional seed beads to make the connections sturdier.

Plan to make earrings to match.

First version of the ring. The individual components are only joined by a single bead.

Crystals rearranged. I think it does look better.