All strung together

I've been trying to play with beads in a different way since my hand is still healing from CTR surgery. To string beads together and get a pleasing design is far harder to me than weaving little seed beads. I have so much respect for those that string beads and end up with a pleasing creation. I have a hard time with taking balance, color, shape and getting them to play nicely. Below are three bracelets that I have been working on over the past two days. I know which one I don't like, but I'm still not sure I like the other two. I won't tell you how many I have torn apart. All suggestions on how to improve them would be greatly appreciated. (click on the picture and you will see a larger version.)

A few blue things

My left hand is still healing from carpel tunnel release surgery. Bead weaving stitches such as Peyote, herringbone tire it quickly. I don't want to slow the healing process so I do those stitches for a few minutes at a time. That makes finishing a project a slow process. To have some fun I have made some simpler things.

This is the Fabulous Fifties pattern by Glenda Payseno. It's a fun pattern that can look so different depending upon the beads used. This bracelet is on its way to my sister for her birthday.




I made these to go along with the bracelet. I like using the same beads when I make earrings to go with a bracelet or necklace, but I like them to look different. I hope sis likes them.


Since I was having so much fun with the blue beads, I came up with this bracelet. It's a fun bracelet.

Summer's end

The fall equinox has occurred and the days are slowly getting shorter. The seasonal change to fall in the South is slow and relaxed. This is my favorite time of the year. Late summer rains brought by tropical systems have encouraged fall flowers and a new green growth. I like the colors of fall. Even with everything still green the traditional colors show themselves.


The pond on the mountain property has a bit of water and a few frogs are about. The rain there has brought out fall flowers in abundance. Here are two of the tiny ones I found.

The nights are getting cool while the days are still warm. It is a good time of year to be outside.

The end of Summer

The calendar indicates that summer is at an end. In the south the end of summer comes a bit slower than in other parts of the US. We have been luck to have rain fall in August and September that has brought new growth to the fall flowers.

Looking inside the Beaded Sphere

I've had a few days to explore my new book The Beaded Sphere by Judy Walker. It is a nice large format (measuring 8.5 by 11 inches), hard covered book with 231 pages. Color photos and detailed, color diagrams are on each page. She has divided the book into 5 sections with the first describing the basic technique. The technique is detailed in words and color diagrams with the thread paths clearly marked. I am a visual person and do best with diagrams in learning a new technique. Judy's diagrams are wonderful. She uses a different color for each bead row, arrows to show the direction of the thread and the thread path is clearly marked.

Her descriptions are well written and are in terms that are easy to follow. I think someone with very little beading experience will be able to pick up this book and learn her technique. The second section of the book are variations of the basic shape from section one. Not only do you learn the hexagon shape, but also square, star, triangles, rectangles and many more. She describes how the shape is made so you can take this information and create your own shape in the size you want. She also teaches you how to make filled shapes. Once again there are plenty of diagrams detailing each step.

Section three has 13 projects that are made with the the techniques described in the previous sections. I really like the mixture of diagrams and photos that accompany each project. It is easy to see what the written word is describing. I am anxious to get my left hand working again so I can try some of these beautiful shapes.

The fourth section is a gallery of beautiful bead work made with these techniques. She has pictures of her work as well as others. It is inspirational to see all the variations in full color. The fifth section has basic directions for even and odd count Peyote and tubular Ndbele stitches. The type of beads used are described and resources for those beads are provided.


The book is a very complete one meaning that everything you need to know to make a beaded sphere or any project is found in the book. You do not have to have a working knowledge of beading in order to use this book. I think this is a wonderful book and a great addition to my library. I know it is going to get lots of use and will be opened on the work table most of the time instead of sitting on the shelf. To get a glimpse inside this book, please visit Judy's web page.

Remember

The Beaded Sphere

Look what was in the mail today!


I'm so excited to get this book! In early July I found that Judy Walker had a book sharing her amazing techniques almost ready for purchase. I have long admired her work and wrote to her asking to be notified when the book was available. She offered a pre-publication deal and has kept everyone updated with the book's progress. Five days ago I received an email letting me know the book was on its way from California to South Carolina.

It has that wonderful new book smell that reminds me of when I worked in the high school library. If you will excuse me, I've got some reading waiting for me. I love brand new books.