Monday, December 16, 2013

Don't be afraid of odd count peyote stitch!

No!  Please don't click away!  I know what you're probably thinking.  Odd count peyote is confusing.  It takes longer.  Results with even count peyote are just as nice without the hassle.

While I do agree that even count peyote patterns that are planned out work up to be bracelets that are just as beautiful as odd count peyote, there is just something about weaving your bracelets into that perfectly tapered point.  It is so satisfying!  They make for beautiful endings with a special clasp.  And some patterns just work out to be odd count because of the design!

I was browsing YouTube a while back, and discovered a video from The Potomac Bead Company.  It explains how to use two needles at the ends of your single piece of thread to quickly and easily weave up an odd count peyote pattern!



See there!  I gave it a go over the weekend and it works beautifully!  Now you can have confidence while browsing through odd count peyote patterns!

I do have a few in my shop to get you started!

There's this super fun Rainbow Hearts Odd Count Three Drop Peyote Pattern:



And this very unique Honey Bee Pattern:




There is also this elegant Phantom of the Opera inspired pattern:


I have several more odd count patterns available, but these should be enough to get you started with the new technique!

What will you make first?

Happy Beading!
Amanda

Friday, December 13, 2013

Disney Frozen Crafts

Have you seen Frozen yet?  It has got to be one of my favorite movies!  If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to stay until after the credits! ;)  Totally worth it.

I have been very inspired to do some bead patterns this past week.  We have so many other things going on, it's easier for me to sit down here and there and work on a pattern. 

Here are my frozen patterns!

 photo AnnaampElsa.jpg

 photo OlafCharm.jpg

They are both available in my shop, in the Holiday Patterns section!  Anna and Else use brick stitch, and Olaf uses square stitch.  I have included the recommended Delica bead colors, and I feel they match the characters very nicely!

I also have some new Frozen earrings in the shop!



Winter is here! (Unoficially!)

I know winter doesn't officially start until December 21, but I feel like it's here already!  We had a beautiful ice storm last week, and had to stay indoors for several days!

 photo IceStormSmall.jpg

Of course I made a cute little pair of beaded snowmen; they are wearing Mickey ears!

 photo MickeySnowmanEarrings.jpg

At the moment, I am working to organize my projects and time, so that I will be prepared when I can really get going with my shop again!

As some of you know, we have been in a 'temporary' house for over a year now!  Because of this, I haven't been able to really focus on my shop.  That will hopefully change next year!   

It has been a long exciting journey, but we are really looking forward to settling down!




Sunday, August 11, 2013

Dole Whip Earrings are back!

After receiving so many requests for Dole Whip earrings, I have made up a brand new batch and they are available to purchase!



Better hurry though...  They are going fast!  Only 5 pairs left!  I had made up some necklaces, too, but they are already sold out!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Delicas by the gram!

I am so excited to have found this wonderful shop that sells Delica and other Miyuki seed beads by the gram!  

I wanted to share it with you!



I can't tell you how many times I have needed just a few beads of a particular color, but ended up having to by at least 10 grams of them!  (Not that you can ever have too many beads, but let's be real - I want to be able to order a bigger variety of colors at a time!) 

Not to worry though - she also sells by the 5 and 10 gram packages!

So if you've recently bought a bunch of patterns, but still need to order your beads, this is the place!

She also carries books, needles, storage for beads, patterns and more!

It's a one stop beading shop!