Smadar's Treasure

Dainty Filigree Rope and Bracelet

2012-01-26T21:43:00.005+02:00

I felt honored when I was offered to join a group of more than 25 talented designers and bead artists from all around the world, and to design a few items using clasps from The Beadsmith's Elegant Elements clasp collection. These are very beautiful, nickel-free, high quality electroplated German made clasps. Of course I had to say 'yes' to this offer. Who wouldn't?... ;) The only problem was, that just as I got my clasps in the mail, I entered into a long beading rut, and for more than a month I couldn' find any idea of what to do with them... But all is well, and I'm beading again (this project is actually the first one I finished in 2012...).
A tutorial for Dainty Filigree is available (rope and bracelet only, pendant is not included).

This is the first item I designed using this beautiful flower clasp. The curly detail of the petals in the clasp inspired me to create the flower pendant, and the design idea for the rope was born directly from it.

Flower Clasp with Swarovski Crystal Stone

Elegant Elements Item #: CLSP89GP

Welcome 2012 with a Free Pattern

2012-01-01T17:23:00.005+02:00

Altogether, 2011 was a good year for me. There were ups and downs, like always, but in many aspects of my life I can say that the general direction is up, which is good of course... The only resolution I am going to make for the coming year is to take better care of my health (what's more important than good health?...).

Beady-wise, 2011 was good, too. I am very grateful to each and everyone of you who purchased my jewelry or beading tutorials and supported Smadar's Treasure. I value you and appreciate your interest in my work. I am posting "Ribbead" - a free tutorial, for you all wonderful, supporting beaders.
Thank you!

"Ribbead" is a self-supporting ribbed beaded bead, which can be made in variable sizes and lengths. This bead can be used as a focal, or used as a spacer bead like in this necklace I made. Its large hole makes it easy to string it directly on thicker cords or chains. It is made with Japanese cube beads, triangle beads and seed beads, and it can be embellished with crystals bicones, fire polished beads etc.

Please NOTE:
If you wish to let others know about this free beading pattern, please post a link to this blog - do not copy and paste the pages themselves.
If you use Ribbead in your work, a credit for the design is much appreciated.

This project should not be taught at commercial workshops without my written permission.

Ribbeads Embellished with Swarovski Crystal Bicones

Ribbeads Embellished with Triangle Beads

* Happy New Year 2012 to You and Yours! *

New Works & Publications

2011-10-28T00:34:00.005+02:00

I have a new necklace project - "Ravishing Rosettes" - published in the latest December 2011 Bead and Button Magazine.

Also, three of my works are featured in Fabulous Peyote Stitch Jewelry with Crystal Accents - a wonderful e-magazine from Beadwork. This e-Mag is full of sparkling jewelry, all stitched in one of the most favorite stitches - peyote. You will love reading this eMag in its innovative format! There are sections within the pages for tutorials, inspirational galleries of works and what I really loved is the interactive color chart, which is fun to use!

Click on the Image to Go to Site

The jewelry set below is my latest beadwoven creations - a necklace with a 2-in-1 pendant, made with Swarovski crystals, pearls and beautiful Miyuki Duracoat seed beads (I highly recommend Duracoat!), and a matching bead embroidered cuff.

I Have Made a H U G E Mistake.....

2011-10-17T22:43:00.001+02:00

If you was wondering why all the images were not showing my blog in the last couple of days, here's why.
I set my new smartphone to automatically synchronize with my Google account and it had uploaded all my photos to the phone memory. Thinking that I do not need all these hundreds of images, eating up memory space on my phone, I deleted all the albums from my phone. That was a mistake. A HUGE, stupid, f&^%$^& mistake!

I never knew that when I post an image on my blog (I upload them directly from my hard drive), it automatically add it to my Picasa account (which I don't use for a few years now). So by deleting the albums from my synchronized phone, I actually deleted all the images on that Picasa account. I didn't stop to think about this whole synchronizing thing, and that it could effect all my Google account content...big mistake.

So I woke up the next day just to find out that ALL the images on my blog are missing. And there are hundreds of them! All the images of my long beading journey, back from late 2007 until today. Gone, gone, gone! [shout] I tried to look for help to see if there's a way to restore those images - deleted from the internal memory of the phone, unfortunately not from a micro SD card - on the phone manufacturer site, on Picasa and the internet, but couldn't find any way I could do it securely.

The meaning of this stupid mistake is that I need to upload all my images to the blog, one by one... And if that's not enough to make one scream, since I didn't keep my blog images in one organized folder, I have to look for them all over my computer and backup devices I have from past years. I really don't feel like doing this.. I don't have the TIME for this! :((

I have already uploaded the images from 2011 & 2010 - it took me about six hours to find the images and upload them - and the rest I will have to complete in the next few days.

What I learned from all this?

* Learn how Google products are connected to each other, especially if you are dependent on their services;
* Learn more about how this Sync function on your smartphone works;
* Think carefully before deleting anything and know if and how you can undo the deleting later;
* Work in an organized way - create folders and arrange them by dates;
* The most important thing - BACKUP all your content regularly on a separate device; backup your digital images stored on the internet.

Now back to work. No, not to work on the unfinished beautiful beaded earrings project I have on my table, but computer work... Sigh... big sigh...

BAO Color Challenge

2011-09-27T03:13:00.009+03:00

I love beading challenges... they push my creativity. More than once I designed things that I probably wouldn't have done if it wasn't for the challenge. Challenges also force me to work on a project - from start to finish - within a time frame, which I find to be a good exercise for my concentration at work. If I had enough time, I would have participated in each and every one of them...There's the EBW monthly challenge; the ABG challenge and a few others that I don't recall now, but I really enjoy entering the Bead Art Originals color challenge.

Given a specific color palette to work with , I enjoy looking over my bead stash to find the right colors for the challenge. That way, I get to see (and use) different kinds of beads that I have long forgotten about their existence... It's fun, and it also sparkle up my creativity!

This bracelet was created especially for the latest BAO color challenge.
I really liked the spicy colors picked up for it (see photo below). I found leftovers of Czech pressed glass spacer beads in very dark chili pepper red that was perfect for the challenge, and designed the whole bracelet around them. With the tiny bit beads that were left, I created a matching button clasp.

Check out the BAO blog to see other member's entries for this challenge

The bracelet came out Xceptionally TeXtured (that's the name I gave it) - the spacer beads add texture to the bracelet and make a repetitive X pattern. I made one more bracelet in cold/warm colors for testing a shorter thread path for the tutorial I made for this design. New thread path worked just fine and much quicker, and I managed to finish the second bracelet in just two hours! :)

This Wednesday we are celebrating the Jewish New Year.

Let's hope that next year

the wars & terror around the world will end;

poor people will have the ability to live decent lives they deserve

to have as human beings ;

corruption will be eliminated;

people will be more caring & nicer to each other;

and we'll manage to take a better care of our larger home - the globe;

(yes, I know, it almost sounds like too far distant future...but it's up to us!)

I wish you all a very happy, loving, peaceful, prosperous and creative New Year!

Shana Tova!

*!שנה טובה*

Magical Magatamas

2011-09-05T01:44:00.013+03:00

Last month at a wedding party, I met a few people I haven't seen in a couple of years. We chatted a bit and they asked me what job do I have and I told them that I am a jewelry designer. Then they were very surprised that I don't wear any jewelry (mine or others), and they said that I am a living example of "a shoemaker who is walking barefoot" (it's an old Hebrew say). Funny, but true!... I stopped wearing jewelry long before I had started beading due to allergy to metals I had developed, and somehow I got used to being "jewelry-naked" (except for a watch, if that counts). I promised my relatives to show them some of my work the next time we meet, which would be next week in another family relative's wedding. I decided to wear a nice jewelry set to show off at the coming wedding... After all, my jewelry is made from glass beads, so there shouldn't be any allergy excuse... ;)

Luckily, my Muse cooperated and I managed to finish this new necklace and matching bracelet on time before the wedding (a tutorial is also ready & available). They are made with seed beads, glass pearls, Swarovski crystal beads and Miyuki long Magatama beads. (I take this opportunity to thank the people of Bogal, who are always very helpful and come to my rescue whenever I run out of beads before the project is finished... Thank you, Gloria and Avishai for an excellent customer service!).

Once again I had a challenging (read: annoying) designing process with those Magatamas (mainly because of their large, diagonal holes), but I love them, and I didn't want to give up on the texture they add to the beadwork. I am very pleased with the result! The necklace is laying nicely around my neck and the bracelet is softly draping my wrist.

Now all I have to do is to find something nice to wear that goes with this set, which is another challenge for me! I never had to match the clothes to the jewelry - it usually goes the other way around, right?... ;D

New Beaded Beads Necklace

2011-08-17T18:43:00.012+03:00

I decided to design something new with sharp triangle beads. At first, I was trying to make a flat design (without much success), but somehow it evolved into these textured, self-supporting beaded beads...

I made one version of the beads with Swarovski crystals and combined them in this bold plum necklace. The other version, is a longer bead embellished with smaller triangles and used as a focal in the blue/pink necklace.

Summer 2011 - Heat, Health and Hope...

2011-08-08T23:02:00.003+03:00

My Muse is gone.... It's probably the combination of July/August heat, my eyes getting tired too quickly and the excitement I feel about people's protest over the huge social-economic gaps that is taking place here in Israel in the last couple of weeks. Daily life worries and health problems can be a real turn off to any creativity sparkle...

Last Saturday night, I joined the largest ever protest parade in Israel that took place in Tel Aviv, as well as in many cities throughout the country and in my town. I came back home all sweaty and tired, but my spirit was filled with fresh energy and hope. It was amazing to see (and be part of) a large group of good people making an effort in trying to make our life and our children's future better... It was a great reminder of how beautiful, united, supportive and strong Israeli people still are, even though this time the issue was not our complicated security situation, but about fighting social injustice and corruption - the main reasons for our domestic social problems ... I am looking forward to a real change, even if I know it would take more time and effort before we can feel it!...

Okay, back to beady subjects... This necklace is the ONLY thing I created since my last post (I still haven't finished the bracelet I wanted to make to complete the set of necklace & earrings I created...). My inspiration for this necklace was one of Lisa Peter's Art beads, used for a wire wrapped pendant. The colorful beads in the necklace are Indonesian "trade" glass beads - beautiful, irregular shaped handcrafted & hand-painted striped large "seed beads", strung on orange cotton cord.

New - Antique Silver Necklace with Crystal Pendant

2011-07-22T20:50:00.001+03:00

I haven't done much beading in the past month. All these eye tests I had to make and the fact that even with my new multi-focal glasses (I had those replaced for me twice last month, but I still don't see 100% well with them), made me feel a bit nervous & depressed and made beading being an uncomfortable task. One eye test - which I feared the most about its results - came out (relatively) good :) , and the doctor said that even though the only treatment for the problem is laser eye surgery, it is up to me if I want to have it now, or I can wait and see if there are any changes in the next scheduled tests in every six months. I want to wait and see (pun intended ;) what happens... I am now using another new eyeglasses just for computer & beading work, and it works and feels much better. I am optimistic! :)

This is my newest necklace - herringbone rope with strung beads and a bead embroidered pendant with Swarovski crystal beautiful chessboard stone, and I also beaded matching stud earrings. I like how the necklace turned out - it reminds me of the silver jewelry my grandfather used to make. It has a bit of antique feel to it thanks to the beautiful Miyuki Duracoat #4222 seed beads I used for the main color. I started working on a matching bracelet about a week ago, but I got stuck with the design and my Muse has left me again, so it is still waiting, unfinished, on my beading tray...

Published in Creative Beading Vol. 6

2011-07-13T01:08:00.006+03:00

I love the smell of the pages in a new book. Today I opened a large package received in the mail and before I finished unwrapping it, I noticed the special smell of a new book. It was Creative Beading Vol. 6 by Kalmbach Publishing - an annual book of collection of projects picked by Editors of Bead&Button magazine. Two of my designed are published in it: Layered Loops bracelet and Fine Woven Rings necklace.

Amongst the various sections and 77 projects included in this book, there are two beadwoven stunning necklaces by Melissa Grakowsky; beautiful wire wrapped earrings by Sonia Kumar; a gorgeous bead-embroidered cuff by Heidi Kummli; a very interesting "beadpunk" (steampunk with beads) necklace by Diane Hyde; a chainmaille & lampwork bead collaboration bracelet by Kathy Peterson and Susan Matych-Hager, and many, many other beautiful designs in a large variety of styles and techniques!

Layered Loops Bracelet

Fine Woven Rings Necklace

Tribal Geometric Bib Necklace

2011-06-26T02:29:00.009+03:00

I have finally finished the necklace I told you about in my previous post and named it Tribal Geometric Bib Necklace. I love how it eventually turned out, so the many trials and errors were worth it! ;) A tutorial for this necklace is already available.

I also made a smaller version of the beadwork and used it as a fan shaped pendant. I might make matching earrings, too, but that could happen only after I will work on somethings else - I just can't see the same beads on my working table for any longer!... ;D

Rosette Embroidered Cuff

2011-06-20T14:23:00.004+03:00

I had been working on a new necklace project last week, but it didn't go as good as I thought. So after the 10th time I had to unpick the beadwork and try different "engineering", I thought it would be better to take a break, relax and work on something else for a while. Nervousness doesn't go well with a needle and thread... ;)
I bead embroidered this cuff, using one of Lisa Peters Art beautiful cabochons as a focal and used the cabochon itself as my source of inspiration for colors and shape. I especially like the the gentle sparkle Lisa added to the center of the cabochon - a beautiful white opal Swarovski stone.

It was a good decision to take a break, and by now I have managed to finish the beadweaving project I was working on... :) Photos coming soon, and maybe even a tutorial.

BAO Color Challenge

2011-06-13T21:44:00.006+03:00

This is my entry for the Bead Art Originals June Color Challenge. Our source of inspiration was "A Gentle Notion" - a beautiful illustration by Jeannie L Paske of Obsolet World on Etsy. Check out the BAO blog and see other entries for this challenge.

The bracelet is made with tiny 1.8 mm Miyuki cube beads in gorgeous color of metallic green patina iris (#2008) and a beaded Swarovski crystal navette stone as the button clasp. I love how soft this bracelet came out, thanks to the small size of the cubes.
At first I wasn't sure if I had enough beads to finish it, but eventually the bracelet was completed and 3 (!!!) beads were left out of 30 grams... I always thought that it's better to have a little more beads than you think is needed. Missing just a few beads to finish a project would be a disaster!... ;))

A Gentle Notion by Jeannie L Paske
of Obsolet World on Etsy

New Set of Jewelry and a WIP (and some other things...)

2011-06-08T19:56:00.015+03:00

In the last couple of weeks I have been having some issues with my eye sight. I don't see very clearly and there were times that no matter how hard I tried to focus, everything looked blurry. So I thought I should go see a doctor and check if new glasses are called for. The doctor took some tests and she found out that besides the new glasses I do need, there's a start of cataract (at my age?! I though that only elderly people have that, and I'm not even 47 y/o yet!) and there's also a small scar on my right eye retina that needs to be further checked... Of course I set up an appointment with a specialist in the hospital, but what a nightmare! - the earliest available appointment in for next month! Now I get a whole month waiting and thinking whatever this scar is, would I be able to work and bead like before?! :( But I really try to chase away the horrible thoughts and stay positive...I keep reminding myself that it could be a minor thing after all, and except for the new glasses, maybe I won't have to do anything, just live with it... I just hope that time would fly faster this month!....

Okay...on a happier note - this is my newest finished project - a jewelry set of a necklace, earrings and a bracelet, made with seed beads (of course ;), fire polished beads and with Swarovski crystal bicones and drops. A tutorial is available, both for Personal and Personal & Commercial use.

And below is my current work in progress - I'm making a necklace with an embroidered pendant with a Lisa Peters Art beautiful cabochon as the focal. Inspired by the gorgeous artwork of Bead Quilling Queen, Kathy King, I combined a little bead quilling for the first time in this work (it's a fun technique!). I hope I will be able to finish the necklace on time for the next Bead Art Originals color challenge. I still haven't decided on which kind of a necklace to attach the pendant to. BTW, Lisa Peters is attending the Bead&Button show (booth #1213) and she's offering some great deals at the show and in her Etsy shop. You can read all about it here.

Today is Shavuot holiday, the Jewish holiday I like most, especially because we eat many kinds of cheese and other yummy dairy food. I spent a great time yesterday afternoon preparing a nice holiday eve dinner, and I even got some help from my boy, who made us tasty pasta with cheese and vegetable sauce. The cold cheese cake is the only thing that is left from what I made, but I promise you it won't stay in the fridge for a lot longer... ;)

Happy Shavuot Holiday! !חג שמח

Spiky Branch Bracelet

2011-05-25T01:35:00.003+03:00

This is my new bracelet named Spiky Branch. I couldn't decide if its pattern reminds me of a pineapple with its leaves or a palm tree with wide branches... Anyway, everyone in my family said it definitely reminds them of some kind of a branch...so branch it is! :) It's a relatively narrow bracelet, which is made with Miyuki long magatama beads, seeds, crystals and fire polished beads.

I love the long magatama beads, as they are offering more possibilities for a play with different textures and shapes in a piece. But their large, diagonal hole makes them quite challenging to work with. I was challenged by their unique shape in the past and have created Sparkling Wreath pendant / beaded bead, but this time I wanted to design something with a bit more of them in the piece and that's what I came up with.
I learned a few things about this special beads while I designed this bracelet and I still have more of them in other colors and finishes, so playing with them isn't over yet... ;)

A tutorial for the bracelet is already available. I am also happy to let you know that all my tutorials are now available for both personal only and personal & commercial uses.

Wheels of Fortune Bracelet

2011-05-10T14:42:00.002+03:00

Wheels of Fortune Bracelets

When I designed my Wheels of Fortune bracelet, I tried to find a way to avoid the less enjoyable part of sewing the round components together. I often give up on an idea for a design if it would involve many separate parts that needs to be connected and too many threads that needs to be hidden. I played with the basic design and then came up with a rather easy way to do it. It's actually a way that can be easily implemented in other symmetric designs.
But I can't tell you exactly how to do it, because the project of this bracelet is published in the latest (June/July 2011) issue of Beadwork magazine. So you would might be interested in getting a copy of the Beadwork magazine, which includes more than a few other wonderful projects; Quick and Easy bonus section and the fun, inspiring Pattern Play section!

The EBW May challenge voting is up! Check out the EBW blog to see what our members came up with for the Lord of the Rings challenge. Voting lasts until the 16th, so don't miss out, there are gorgeous works to see!

And...

***Happy 63 Birthday to Israel!***

!חג עצמאות שמח

Another Publication & a New Tutorial

2011-04-25T17:00:00.011+03:00

I have designed a new eight-pointed star pendant, using Swarovski crystal Rivoli and bicones, Miyuki Tila beads, cubes and seed beads. I like the way the pendant came out, especially the "pixelated" look of the edges. A tutorial is available.

I am also happy to tell that my Pewter Lace bracelet project is published in Interweave Publication "Best of Beadwork 12 - Right-Angle Weave Stitch" e-book. I am honored to have my bracelet included in the great company of many of the most talented artists in the beady world, like Marcia DeCoster, Jennifer VanBenschoten, Leslee Frumin, Shelley Nybakke, Kate McKinnon and others!

This e-book includes 12 beautiful creations, all done in RAW stitch. It's a part of a whole series of e-books, each dedicated to a different beading stitch. I bet you want to have them all!... ;D

S for Small Serpents

2011-04-16T18:34:00.002+03:00

"S for Small Serpents" Bracelet

Things don't always come easy... The initial idea for this design had popped in my mind a while ago, and I was sure I could easily stitch the bracelet as envisioned.

Well, as simple as it may have looked at first, it wasn't so. It took me quite a few trials before I have found the way to maintain the repetitive curving pattern the way I wanted it, and more time and trials to find the shortest thread path for stitching it.
Who said that designer's work is always fun?...I had the initial image of the bracelet stuck in mind all the time, and the more I tried and it didn't work, the more annoying the whole process became... It eventually came out a little different from how I envisioned it, but I had to either compromise on a few minor details, or give up on it all together.

But when the designing process was over and everything worked smoothly, I had much fun working on the bracelet. I was also pleased to realize that a few other possibilities for playing with the basic design were born thanks to the compromises I had to make. So I guess that sometimes being stubborn pays off... :)

"S for Small Serpents" Bracelet - Version 2

A tutorial is available (for the two versions shown)

Spring Around the Corner

2011-04-10T00:15:00.003+03:00

This is "Early Spring", my entry for the April challenge of Etsy BeadWeavers - Spring Around the Corner.Check out the EBW blog to see all 49, spring inspired, beautiful entries and vote for your favorite (my necklace is #21 on the list). Voting ends on the 15th of April.

Inspiring Beads

2011-04-05T13:01:00.004+03:00

A new necklace with a bead embroidered pendant. My inspiration for this necklace came from the focal beautiful donut ceramic bead by a fellow Bead Art Originals team member, Lisa of Lisa Peters Art.

I liked how the pendant in the first necklace came out, and since I already had the right beads on my table, I created another necklace in similar colors, with a leather embroidered pendant.

And then I beaded a matching embroidered leather cuff... I love it when my inspiration comes from the beads themselves... It all started with the beautiful ceramic bead by Lisa Peters... Thank you, Lisa! :)

Fashion Through the Ages - EBW Challenge

2011-03-09T16:50:00.006+02:00

I can't believe that another month had passed so quickly, but it's already time for posting the Etsy Beadweavers challenge again! March challenge theme was Fashion Through the Ages.

My Echo of Deco bracelet design was inspired by the Art Deco era between in the 30's. In my bracelet design I used repetitive, symmetrical pattern of geometric shapes, which are often found in Art Deco designs.

Please visit the EBW blog between now and the 15th to see all 38 entries (my entry is #17 on the list) and vote for your favorite.

Images from: http://tiddley-bits.blogspot.com;

http://www.art-deco-style.com/art-deco-fashion-2.html

A tutorial for my Echo of Deco bracelet is available

New Necklaces & EBW Challenge

2011-02-14T12:13:00.004+02:00

The embroidered medallions in these two necklaces were made to be used as parts of a larger necklace that I intended to create for the February EBW challenge "A Touch of Royalty". Jumping from one project to another, I realized that I would not be able to make all the parts I needed for the necklace in time to submit it to the challenge, so I decided to use the ones I already made in two separate necklaces. Time is the most precious thing.... ;)

Check out the EBW blog to see all 62 (!) entries. I am sure, that like myself, you will find it hard to pick just one to vote for from all the beautiful and original works created for this challenge!

A Trip to Marrakesh

2011-02-11T00:10:00.003+02:00

One of the places that I am dreaming of visiting to is Marrakesh, the Moroccan "Red City". I'm not seeing a trip to Morocco happening in the future (not only because of personal reasons, but also because it's difficult for Israelis to enter this country freely), so for now I have to see the views of Marrakesh on the internet. I am fascinated and excited by the abundance of details, patterns and colors that are in the traditional Moroccan architecture, art and fabrics, and even their food and spices look more tastier and richer to me... The richness of colors and details makes me dizzy just by looking at the images on the screen. I wonder how it would feel to actually be there...I think I could happily get lost in a city like Marrakesh...

"Marrakesh" bracelet was inspired by patterns that can be found in Moroccan windows and home decor. I used beads in warm colors - reddish copper, copper, padparadsha and burgundy, that I found in many of Marrakesh images.

The other Marrakesh bracelet, in grey/blue colorway was created for the next BAO Color Challenge. Also, a tutorial for this bracelet is available, in case you would want to bead your own little piece of Marrakesh... :)

Below is a mosaic of a tiny bit of the amazing, beautiful, vibrant images of Marrakesh I found on Google Images. It worth the click if you are looking for excitement and inspiration...

BAO Color Challenge

2011-01-17T15:28:00.003+02:00

This geometric net bracelet was created for the new Bead Art Originals Color Challenge. We had to pick any three colors from the beautiful image below for inspiration. I picked fuchsia, violet and light blue (there is light blue in the seed beads - fuchsia lined light blue AB, although the photo doesn't show it much..). Check out the BAO blog to see what other members of the team created for this challenge.

A tutorial for this bracelet is available

Crystal Flower Cuff

2011-01-04T23:35:00.001+02:00

New Tutorial - Mystic Stars Bracelet

2010-12-30T21:54:00.006+02:00

This new bracelet is designed to be created in one continuous stitch. I love jewelry that consist of a few repetitive elements, but I don't like so much that part of work of sewing them to one piece, and hiding too many threads is always a pain... ;) A tutorial for this bracelet is available and also includes instructions for a matching clasp and a few other ideas of using the basic design for other jewelry items.

I have also created another variation of this bracelet with much more crystals in it, but I'm waiting for the sun to come out so I will be able to take photos of it. I will update this blog when I have them, hopefully soon... and

*** HAPPY and CREATIVE 2011 to ALL! ***

Colorful Club Pendant - BAO Art Inspired Challenge

2010-12-20T13:13:00.003+02:00

This necklace was created especially for the Bead Art Original group's December challenge. We had to create a work inspired by famous works of art. I chose Teo Alfonso's Healing Heart abstract painting as my inspiration . This painting became famous and was printed on T-shirts, postcards, bags and other accessories.
I love this painting for its colorfulness and the "texture" created by the brush strokes. It is part of the artist's poker series, and it inspired me to create this colorful cabochons pendant and arrange them in another poker shape - clubs.

Check out the BAO blog and see the beautiful entries created by other members of the BAO team. To vote for your favorite, leave a comment on the blog.

New Pendant "Esmeralda"

2010-12-18T17:42:00.005+02:00

Textured, sparkling pendant with gold pearls, drop beads and lots of Swarovski crystals.

Asian Geometric Bracelet

2010-12-12T00:15:00.002+02:00

About a quarter of this bracelet was beadwoven by my son. I think he did a great job! He is younger than I, and can concentrate in following a pattern much better than I do... ;D).
I thought I'd offer my kids something else to do during their Hannukah vacation from school, instead of the TV/PC routine... My daughter still didn't finish her bracelet (a different one, which we designed together), and I hope that now that the vacation is over, she will soon find the time to finish it. I don't have high hopes, though. Both my kids love to bead and find it relaxing, but they don't commit to finish anything they start... I guess Japanese Manga and Anime are much more attractive for them than playing with Japanese seed beads... ;)

So I had to finish this bracelet myself and can mark this one done!. A tutorial for it (including a few other design ideas) is also available now. Yay for a productive weekend!

Songs of Inspiration

2010-12-09T16:12:00.002+02:00

Come vote on the EBW December challenge "Simon and Garfunkel songs of inspiration"! Visit the EBW blog from now until the 15th and vote for your favorite.

There are 34 entries in this challenge - all of them are beautiful! But my favorite entry is #12 - Hazy Shade of Winter by Triz Designs. This unique, GORGEOUS piece of wearable art took my breath away! And it's also a collaboration between Triz and Lisa Peters Art - another talented fellow member of the Bead Art Originals team, who created the beautiful hexagonal ceramic cabochon in the center of this wonderful bag. Check out the links above, and your heart will start singing.... ;)

Haze Shade of Winter -

Bead Embroidered Bag by Triz Designs

Holidays Treasure Challenge

2010-11-10T16:08:00.001+02:00

Come and see all 36 entries to the EBW November challenge - Holiday Treasures.
There are some really festive pieces in this challenge. My favorite is #23 by gypsyeyesjewelry. Such a beautiful composition in this necklace!
Voting for your favorite is only until the 15th, so don't miss this out!

"Champagne Under Starry Skies" by gypsyeyesjewelry

Mixed Media Necklace

2010-11-08T13:10:00.001+02:00

This simple necklace is the only work I have managed to create in the last couple of days. I have this terrible back ache again, which also badly influence my arm functioning and makes it feel numb. Despite all the pain, I enjoyed playing with the different materials and techniques, and I like the simple look of it. The beautiful large disc beads are made from nut tree nutshell. "Nuts" is pretty much how I go now...;) I have a lot of work to do, and this backache is ruining all my plans! ;(

A New Pendant Design and Some Good News

2010-10-28T01:59:00.005+02:00

I have finished working on Sparkling Wreath tutorial - a cabochon pendant with crystals and Miyuki long Magatama beads. Playing with the design, I came up with three versions of the pendant (two of them are included in the tutorial available).

Other ideas for using these beautiful Magatama beads, with their challenging diagonal hole, came up while working, but I had no time for trying them too, so they went straight into my 'ideas' notebook. I wonder if I will ever have the chance to try any of the ideas written in that notebook. It's either that I am working very slowly, or the time flies faster than before... but ok,....I will spare you the rest of my usual rant about the lack of time... ;P

My Star Pendant is published in the latest December issue of Bead & Button magazine (top right corner on the cover; project on p.48). A video instructing this project is also available for Registered Users on the Bead & Button website. Thanks to Anna Elizabeth Draeger for editing this project. It was a pleasure working with you, Anna!

More good news about publications came in yesterday - two of my projects are going to be published in the next (Vol. 6) Kalmbach publishing Creative Beading annual book. Also a project for a medallions bracelet - stitched in a new technique, is going to be published in the June/July 2011 issue of Beadwork Magazine. Double Yay!

My friends from Bead Art Originals group also have some Extra! news to tell, so check out our blog to read all about it.

EBW October Challenge and New Design with Tila Beads

2010-10-10T11:31:00.003+02:00

EBW October challenge theme was "Autumn Falling of Leaves". Check out the EBW blog to see all 59 entries in beautiful, warm colors. My entry is number 33 on the list.

Also, there is a new tutorial available for a pendant and earrings made with Miyuki new Tila beads.

BAO September Challenge

2010-09-26T18:46:00.003+02:00

Bead Art Originals September challenge was to create something inspired by Bones show and the jewelry worn by the main actress. I don't watch the show, but the ethnic/tribal style necklaces were sure a great source of inspiration to me.

Check out the BAO blog to see all other entries and cast your vote (comment on post).

Urban Night Bracelet in Beadwork Magazine

2010-09-22T15:29:00.013+02:00

My Urban Night bracelet is published in the latest (Oct.-Nov.) issue of Beadwork magazine.The bracelet is worked in a combination of odd-count peyote, square and fringe stitch.

Don't miss out this issue, as there are many beautiful projects in it! Peter Sewell's Sonja necklace (on the cover); a gorgeous set of bracelet and earrings by Lanai Kinsky and a beautiful bracelet with metal beads by Shelley Nybakke are just a few of them.

Also, an article by Marlene Blessing about Copyright and Ethics is published in this issue and is a recommended read for beaders who want to learn about the subject.

The clasps I used in both of the bracelets shown in the magazine are from Claspgarten.com.

BAO Color Challenge

2010-09-15T11:20:00.007+02:00

The latest Color Challenge for the Bead Art Originals team was copper, deep red and gold. Thank you, Katie of Texas U.S for your suggestion! I love this warm combination of colors! Check out the BAO blog and see what other members of the group created for this challenge.

Cube Delight Bracelet with Tila Beads

2010-09-11T16:13:00.011+03:00

Several beaders contacted me and asked if my Cube Delight bracelet (published in Bead and Button magazine latest issue (#99)) can be also made with Miuyki's new Tila beads.

I haven't had the chance yet to see Tila beads in person, but based on the bead measurements provided by Miyuki (including the one between the two holes, thanks to Mr.Katsuoka of Miyuki), I think it's possible to substitute Tila beads for the cubes, with some modifications as described in this illustration.

I ordered some Tila beads from Beadedimages and I hope I'll receive them soon, so I can test these suggested modifications myself and also try some of other design ideas I have in mind for these new beauties. If you try working by this illustration and succeed, I would love it if you could send me a photo of your bracelet!

Mumbai Masala - Bollywood EBWC

2010-09-09T18:57:00.015+03:00

Those of you who read my blog often can probably guess how fun it was for me to create Mumbai Masala bracelet - my entry (#33) for this month EBW Challenge, themed Bollywood.

Not only did I enjoy every minute of designing and working on it, but I also got inspired from it and more ideas and possibilities popped up while I was working. The photo might not show it, but this bracelet has Bling! I used a lot of crystals, and I really like the way it turned out.
I want to continue working on Bollywood inspired designs, as I feel I did not have enough of it yet... :)

Please visit the EBW blog to view all GORGEOUS, colorful entries between now and Sep. 15, and vote for your favorite. Also, if you find this bracelet interesting, a tutorial for it is available.

Shana Tova!

2010-09-09T05:07:00.002+03:00

WISHING YOU ALL

HAPPY ROSH HASHANA
AND
A GOOD,
PEACEFUL
AND PROSPEROUS
YEAR AHEAD!

!שנה טובה

BAO Color Inspiration

2010-09-01T13:57:00.022+03:00

This is my "Toss the Feathers" bracelet, created especially for the Bead Art Originals Color Inspiration challenge - copper, green and black. I have to admit that at first I didn't like this color combination so much, but after I put some beads together and started to play with them, I found that it is a lovely, sophisticated combination. So thanks to Nancy of NEDbeads, I had the opportunity to work with this color combo I wouldn't have thought of myself.

You are invited to suggest your colors for the next challenge to the team by leaving your comment on this blog post. It's really fun and interesting to see how each member used the colors suggested.

These are another two bracelet of the same design I created in different colors for testing the tutorial I made for this bracelet.

Cube Delight Bracelet in Bead and Button Magazine

2010-08-30T16:26:00.013+03:00

My cubes and little flowers bracelet (Cube Delight) project is published in the latest issue of Bead& Button magazine. Just got my contributor's copy in the mail today and I am delighted to see three of them on the cover! :)
Thanks to the B&B editors and assistants, it was a pleasure working with you again, and the editor's bracelets look great! Thank you!

Multi Layered Necklace

2010-08-23T23:31:00.011+03:00

I love it when it happens to me, that while working on one design, (as simple as it may be, like in this case, this necklace from the lazy week ago), an idea for a completely different design pops up and then I feel back on track again. The feeling of bursting creativity and being busy with good stuff is so great! :)

So I was enthusiastically working on the third sample of a new bracelet (I'm going to write a tutorial for it and I needed to test various ways of creating the bracelet, otherwise I wouldn't have made 3 of the same in a row... it's boring me...), when I suddenly realized that I completely forgot about the three deadlines of challenges I wanted to create items for!.

I didn't want to stop working on the tutorial (you know the feeling when you are in a "shvoong"?), so I decided to create another sample (the forth!) of the new design for the closest deadline (Aug. 30), in copper, black and dark green - the colors of BAO team Color Inspiration challenge (you can suggest your own colors to the team by posting on the 'color suggestion thread' on the BAO Facebook page). I'm glad I can check this entry 'done!', and the tutorial is almost finished as well. Now I only hope that soon my photographer will not be too tired from his day work to be able to take pics of the bracelet before the dead line... The poor man is working all day outside in this horrible heat+humidity, and I'd hate to nag him about this...(my photographer, if you are reading this...pretty please?... ;))

The other two entries are for the EBW "Bollywood" challenge and the BAO "Bones" themed challenge. I already have ideas for these themes, which fit two of the styles I love to work the most. I just hope I'll be able to finish everything on time... One week you spend doing almost nothing, and the next one is working on the fast lane.. ;)

Happy Beading, everyone!

Vintage Style Pendant

2010-08-15T17:59:00.009+03:00

I feel a bit of beading laziness lately. I do want to bead something new, but I don't feel like going through all my stash and start to pick colors and materials, in the hope that some idea will pop up. Usually I enjoy this process and I have a lot of patience for it (and it also gives me the chance to see again forgotten items I have...fun!) but now, maybe because of the heat and humidity we have here, I don't feel like it, it's too much effort when you are almost drowning in sweat, even late at night...
So I thought I'd just pick up a stone from the stone box and bead bezel it - something simple and rather quick, and this vintage style pendant with a cute little rose is the result.

Happy to have finished it, I then realized that I ran out of the chain necklace I wanted to use, so I just hung it on this brass collar. I am not sure about the collar and I think I will change it (what do you think?), but for this I have to go to Tel Aviv to buy some chains, because unfortunately, we don't have a decent bead store in our area. This would have to wait, as I can't even think about going there before the weather is a bit cooler. I don't think I would survive the humidity in Tel Aviv... it's the worst! I survived 40 long horrible summers when I used to live there, up until 5 years ago... but I am now 5 years older!... :)

Gold and Pink, Bollywood Style

2010-07-26T15:10:00.009+03:00

New embroidered pink and gold cuff with Swarovski crystals. Inspired by beautiful embroidered dress image I came across on the internet while browsing, once again, gorgeous India designs in fashion and jewelry.

Click on the image to go to this designers' Flickr page

Creative Beading Book

2010-07-18T16:21:00.008+03:00

I am so happy! Today I received a heavy small package in the mail. A nice 'Thank You' letter was attached to a copy of Creative Beading Vol. 5 book, which is published annually by Kalmbach. TWO of my designs - Diagonal View bracelet and Hojas pendant - are included in it. I'm honored and excited! It's a really nice book with a large variety of beautiful beadwork and wire work projects.

I promised myself to try creating at least one wire project from the book. I fell in love with Lilian Chen's Modest Exhibition necklace project and it looks pretty easy to create...I think... Another project is Sharilyn Miller's Rosy Posy pendant, which will give me the chance to use the round WigJig tool I bought a while ago for the first time. I have all the materials needed for these projects, so there's no excuse for me really, except for the time...

EBW Challenge - Secret Garden

2010-07-09T11:34:00.007+03:00

Voting on the Etsy BeadWeavers July Challenge, themed Secret Garden, has begun and will last until July 15th. Please visit the EBW blog to view all 24 beautiful entries and vote for your favorite.

My entry, number 3 on the poll, is the necklace shown in my previous post. My inspiration for this necklace came from the mysterious gardens of Pandora, as seen in the movie Avatar, and from the beautiful, unusual shapes and colors of the plants in this garden.

Bermuda Blue Bling

2010-06-30T00:10:00.011+03:00

I am in love with this Swarovski color Bermuda Blue! Cobalt blue, sapphire blue, a hint of emerald green, blue zircon and gorgeous purple - all these beautiful colors are iridescently dancing in the light, mesmerizing... Outrageously beautiful! ;D

I created the pendant first and working on it went fluently and quite quick. But then I got stuck on the necklace design. After a few experiments (read: irritating construction failure designs; over 10 hours of work and half a spool of fireline wasted), I decided that 'simple', like in many other cases, will work the best for me... ;) So, embellished RAW necklace it is, made with just seed beads.

Dangling Drop Earrings in Perlen Poesie Magazine

2010-06-18T22:22:00.010+03:00

These drop earrings are published as a project in the latest issue of Perlen Poesie German magazine. They are quite simple, easy and fast to make, so they can make a great project for beginners.

I haven't received my contributor's copy of the latest Perlen Poesei magazine (No. 5) , but I think it's on the market already... I am curious to see this European version of bead magazine and also to see the editor's take on my design. Hope it gets here sooner or later...

Anna Karenina Necklace - BAO Challenge

2010-06-16T13:02:00.015+03:00

Bead Art Originals first ever Challenge was "A Novel Idea" - we had to create a work inspired by a written work or fiction. I chose Anna Karenina by Tolstoy and created this necklace for the challenge. I was inspired by a painting of Anna Karenina, wearing a heavy dress with high ruffled collar, which was very fashionable back at that time. I used plum purple beads and burgundy crystals and highlighted the necklace with gorgeous 3-cut rose gold seed beads. These 3-cut s/b really sparkle!

Please visit the BAO blog to see all other entries for our first challenge. You can leave a comment and place your vote until June 22. A random reader will be selected to win a prize.

You may also want to check out what some of BAO members created for the Color Inspiration - a color combination suggested by our blog readers - this time it was turquoise and brown.

The past week was crazy. Except these two BAO challenges, I also had to finish writing instructions for a necklace for B&B magazine, and another project for Beadwork magazine is still in the works. All these and the regular "challenges" of life, which makes me a crazy juggler... ;) The kids' vacation from school is only a few days away and I have to find a good way to keep them busy.. If they'll choose for themselves, spending long days on the computer and watching TV will be their favorite to pass the time, and I can't let it happen... Maybe we will do some beading together, or go biking again...we didn't do it for a long time. OK, now back to work!... ;)

Beadweaving Tutorials

2010-05-22T13:14:00.016+03:00

Lazy Daisy - New Tutorial Now Available

Tutorials (click image)

In the past two months I haven't been beading as much as I wanted, since I spent most of my free time in preparing beadweaving tutorials. Most of what I've beaded were more samples of existing designs for the tutorials and workshops I teach. I have completed writing three tutorials so far and already listed them for sale. A new tutorial for a bracelet design (with a new method) is in the works and will be available in a few days.
Creating the instruction and illustrations files is hard work, but the feedback I get from satisfied buyers is worth all the time and efforts put in it, plus it also allows me to connect with new beaders from around the world, which is really fun! So I do enjoy preparing tutorials, but I wish it would have not taken so much time to finish them.. I have ideas in my head for some new designs that I can't wait to start checking, so I decided to take a little break from tutorials after I finish the one I am currently working on ... ;)

Thank you everyone who answered and commented on the poll about tutorial preferences! The preference ratio of 70% for illustrations and 30% for photos was kept all along the time the poll was open.

Urban Nights Bracelet

2010-05-04T15:31:00.008+03:00

This is a new bracelet with Swarovski crystals and Delica beads and with a gorgeous, sparkling clasp from Claspgarten (the pattern for this bracelet will be published soon in Beadwork magazine).

The photo does not do justice to the Delica # 251 beads I used for this bracelet. They have beautiful metallic finish in different hues of gold that really shine. Beautiful color!

Bead Dreams 2010 Competition

2010-04-24T15:08:00.030+03:00

After more than two weeks of waiting, which seemed like forever to me, yesterday evening I finally got a notification from Bead & Button about my first try in entering the Bead Dreams competition. I am disappointed, because my entries were not accepted... *double sigh*...
Congratulations to everyone who did make it to the finals! I can't wait to see all the pieces and I am sure each and everyone is a stunner! :)

I submitted two entries: The first is "Jerusalem" - a beadwoven necklace, made with seed beads and Swarovski crystals, and the other one is "Growing from Within" - a wire-wrapped necklace with Swarovski crystals.

Jerusalem, Beadwoven Necklace

Growing from Within, Wire- wrapped Necklace

I didn't have too many high hopes as for the wire wrapped necklace (I have started working in wire wrapping only recently, but I thought I should give it a try), but I did hope that my beadwoven necklace would enter the finals.

I had the whole night to think about this experience. I realize that although I spent long weeks in designing and working on these two pieces (especially on 'Jerusalem') just to find out that they didn't make it to the finals - I don't regret trying to enter. I have learned a few important things about how to approach and plan a work for this kind of challenge and I have tested again my ability to work under time pressure (the wire wrapped necklace idea was born less than a week before the deadline). But good as this experience may be, it doesn't take out the sadness about not being accepted.

I remembered that Louise Hill, who is a creative, honorable, award winning bead artist and also a friend wrote about this rejection on her blog about a year ago. I read it again and it helped putting things in proportions... I remember Louise's words that she once wrote to me (reffering art in general) - don't let the rejection define who you are and what you do. Well, I am trying hard not to let this rejection influence me, my motivation and my creativity (I am almost done designing the last variation of a new beaded cabochon I have been working on in the past few days, so I am not letting this stop me now). I am not going to let this rejection change the way I feel about beadwork. I will keep creating what I love, whether in beadweaving or in other medium, and I will always try to do the best I can to be able to call my works "mine".

And I even think I would still like to try again next year. But in the meantime, as I said, I have a few projects in the works to finish (to be followed by tutorials). It's always been easier for me to "digest" unpleasant information or to think about problems while I'm beadweaving... and the Bead Dreams rejection is not an exceptional... ;)

Oh, and I want to say a big Thank You to each and everyone of you who took the time to answer the poll about tutorials here on my blog! About 70% of you said they'd prefer to have illustrations and that is exactly what you are going to get... a lot of them! ;) Thanks again!

Oriental Lace Bracelet

2010-03-18T13:57:00.029+02:00

Thank you everyone who took the time to answer the poll on the right side bar here! I really appreciate it!

I had a fabulous time yesterday, teaching a group of nice women this bracelet I named "Oriental Lace" .
The students kindly forgiven me for my huge, embarrassing 25 minutes delay, caused by an accident on the highway. Well, the accident was on the opposite lane, but curious drivers on my lane stopped their cars near where the accident took place, causing a long traffic jam behind them during rush hour... I never understood why would anyone want to see the results of an accident from close if they don't have to... :( Anyway, when I finally arrived, the students enthusiasm compensated the lost of time and they all worked hard to make a nice progress.

We took a little break during the three-hours workshop and then each student told the group about how she started beadweaving. It was surprising to hear that many of them (like myself) came in to the beading world by accident (this kind of "accident" is one that I really liked hearing all the details about ;)...

The students asked me how I got to think of the bracelet design and I told that my inspiration came from a beautiful fabric pattern I saw in Interfilier article about fashion trends for Summer 2010.

Image from Interferier.com

I fell in love with the pattern and just had to create something similar in beadweaving.
It was time consuming, as always, when it comes to designing something new, but as much fun playing with different beads size in different stitches until I found the right way to stitch the desired pattern. I then spent some more time stitching a few samples in different colors, improving ans simplifying the beadwoven pattern until I found the one that worked best. I just love this process!

Twisting and Bending Wire

2010-03-06T13:23:00.012+02:00

OK, so this is harder than I thought. While working on this cuff, I realized that wire working requires a lot of thinking about structure and construction beforehand.
I tried to work in the same way as I, in many cases, work in beadweaving - creating a base and then add more materials as I go along and build the design. Implementing the same process with wire could have worked (I think) if it was a free form wire cuff, but in this case, it didn't work well.

I built a frame around the focal bead and then connected more pieces, one at a time. I should have measure and cut all the pieces first and then connect them with another piece of wire in order to have a symmetrical body. Another thing I learned is that I should have used thicker, harder wire for the foundation (the wire here is dead-soft 20 gauge). I also had problems with creating the closure after the whole body was finished - another thing that I should have thought of beforehand and resulted in an awkward finish.
Although I spent more than 5 hours working on it, struggling with the wire and pliers, and it didn't came out as I envisioned it, I learned a lot of things through the process, which is most important.

I have so much more to learn and practicing to do and I'm excited about it! The only bad thing I can tell about this new work is that my fingers are aching from all the twisting and bending...

New Bracelet in Soft Spring Colors

2010-02-27T21:11:00.008+02:00

I usually like to work with Fireline thread for most beadworks, but when a softer result or matching color is needed, like in this bracelet, I choose K.O. thread .
I like K.O. because it's already waxed and it's thinner than Nymo or C-lon. But, as I realized yesterday, it's not as strong enough as Fireline or Nymo.
I've put about 5 hours of work in this bracelet, but just when I finished hiding all the threads and thought to myself 'Done!' (at 4 AM in the morning), the thread broke in the middle and a few seed beads fell out. Probably one of the fire polished beads cut it.
I was mad! I wanted to take the scissors and cut the bracelet into pieces. I cried instead, like a baby... I then had to thread the needle with a new K.O. to stitch together the broken parts. Just to be on the safe side, I passed through all the beads again. So, it actually turned out like beading the bracelet again, and of course, like using doubled thread... Lesson learned.
I like the textured result, though.

Wire Wrapped Pendant

2010-02-24T20:33:00.009+02:00

I am enjoying the new love affair... This is a simple pendant, created with 3 sizes of (pre-made) hammered hoops which are connected by wrapped wire with some beads embellishment.
It was a bit difficult to me to keep the wire wrapped close together on the hoops, because their width is changing. Adding the Swarovski daisies was challenge, too, because they cut the 28 gauge wire several times...

Wire working seem to be much fun, although not as much relaxing as beadweaving to me.. I am yet to get used to this technique and feel comfortable using different wire gauges and pliers. I decided to take it slowly by working on small projects each time.
My next wire project will be a bracelet with similar materials. First attempt of creating it failed (and almost a whole spool of wire was wasted..) as I didn't construct it well. I will post photos if and when it's finished.

Wire Jewelry

2010-02-16T00:00:00.012+02:00

This purple/fuchsia pendant is my first finished wire work. I started working on it yesterday at a workshop (the first for me), instructed by Angelika Motzkin at Bogal's. I wanted to learn the basics of making wire jewelry for a long time now. I waited a long time for Angelika's workshop and it was worth it! I receive some good tips from her and enjoyed her clear instructions.

At the end of the workshop Angelika showed us some of her wire jewelry and... I am not the only one who was almost speechless... Each and everyone of her creations is a jaw-dropper! Her work of art is so intricate, abundant and inspiring...
Her beadwoven pieces are as much beautiful. It's a pity that she doesn't have a website (as for now), but you can see a bit of what I am so excited about in this bead art necklace of her, which came in as a finalist in Bead Dreams 2009 competition.

*October 2011 UPDATE: Angelica now has a web site, where you can see some of her amazing works:
http://angelikamotzkin.com/decoration.html

Angelika, if you are reading this - Thank you so much for a wonderful, inspiring workshop. I enjoyed every minute of it!
Thank you too, Gloria of Bogal, for taking care of everything and for making everyone feel comfortable. It was a pleasure being on the students' side, for a change... ;)

Today, I woke up and immediately set down to complete the purple pendant. The plan was to attach it to a necklace with linked wire components (as in Angelika's sample), but my daughter fell in love with it, so I decided to give it to her, hanging from a simple sterling silver necklace (she's allergic to other metals). I turned the one single part I created for the necklace into another pendant and hung it from a simply strung necklace.

I can't wait to finish all the other works that are on my To-Do list, so I can start a whole new wire project. This is really fun!

Treasures By the Sea

2010-02-09T15:07:00.008+02:00

EBW challenge theme for February was Ocean/Sea Inspired. What a great source of inspiration it was! No wonder there are 46 (!) entries this month. Voting is going to be very hard, as there is an abundance of great pieces!
My entry "Treasures by the Sea" necklace is # 5 on the list.

Voting lasts until the 15th, so don't miss out your chance to check out all entries and vote for your favorite!

Have a Heart for Tanya

2010-01-22T22:54:00.005+02:00

I rarely post twice a day (and lately, rarely twice a month..) but this issue is very important - a matter of life and death. Tanya is in a life-threatening situation and she need to have a surgery *very* soon to save her life.
You can read about Tanya and her story on her blog and here on this Facebook page.

Please click on this button to donate and help save Tanya's life:

Vintage Style Lacy Bracelet

2010-01-22T15:13:00.015+02:00

How I wish that the nice way new year 2010 started would continue. The past few weeks have been so stressful for me. I have some unpleasant family and financial businesses I'm dealing with for quite a long time now, among other 'real life' regular stuff (two teenagers at home, to give you an idea of "regular"...;) , and this seem to take out a lot of energy from me. I try to find my mind & soul some rest by bead weaving, but this also doesn't work for me as it usually does. This reminds me of the say "muses are silent when the cannons are roaring"... I wish this period is over soon so I will be able to get back to my routine and concentrate more in my work.

I started working on this simple bracelet 4 days ago and it took me more than 10 hours to finish, would you believe it? I couldn't concentrate, kept mistaking the order of beads and couldn't complete one single row without unpicking it several times. Really annoying. If it wasn't my love for playing with different sizes, shapes and colors of beads in order to create texture in my work, I would have given up after just a few rows... I'm now glad I didn't because I love it!

I used one of Claspgarten clasps again - a gorgeous, sparkly, multi-strand rhodium plated clasp with Swarovski crystals set in it, and it fitted the bracelet's size perfectly. That was a relief - no need to struggle.. :)

I also used the same beads for this matching small pendant.

Let's hope the weekend will be peaceful, pleasant and fruitful! :)

"Slides" Bracelet in B&B Magazine

2010-01-02T03:37:00.016+02:00

Wishing You a Very Happy, Joyful Creative and Prosperous New Year!!

What a nice way to start new year 2010! Yesterday I received my contributor's copy of Jan-Feb 2010 issue of Bead & Button magazine. My "Slides" (Layered Loops) bracelet project is published in it.

I have to thank editor Anna Elizabeth Draeger for simplifying the steps for attaching the clasp to the bracelet. Thank you, Anna, it was a pleasure working with you!

Heavy Metal Cuff

2009-12-17T00:45:00.009+02:00

This is a new cuff bracelet, woven with textured, shiny corner-less brass beads I bought a while ago from TheJadeDog Beads (thanks Darcy, they're gorgeous!) and using another one of Claspgarten beautiful clasps (check Claspgarten main page and see an absolutely gorgeous bracelet, created by Diane Fitzgerald, using on of their clasps).

If I were to wear any jewelry, this cuff bracelet would probably have been my favorite. I love the simplicity of it!

Peace and Winter Olympics EBW Challenge

2009-12-09T17:31:00.008+02:00

This is my entry (#13 on the list) for the EBW December Challenge.The theme was chosen by tied first place winners of the October challenge, AngelqueCreations and yours truly (thanks again for everyone who voted for my piece!).
I chose Peace and Jacquie of AngelqueCreations chose the Winter Olympics as a theme. So the two themes were combined and the idea was to create a piece that promote peace and understanding among nations. Friendly competitions like the Olympic games is one example of how conflicts can be put aside and differences in culture or religion become irrelevant...

The inspiration for my Peace on Earth necklace came from the dove with olive branch, which is the symbol of peace in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Another source of inspiration, which represent the other part of the theme, is the Greek laurel wreath that winners of the ancient Olympic Games wore on their heads.

Please visit the EBW blog, between now and the 15th to view all 19 beautiful entries and vote for your favorite. Your comment would also be appreciated.

Surprise in The Mail!

2009-11-15T17:28:00.009+02:00

A little box came in the mail and I was so surprised to see these five gorgeous clasps sent to me, again, by Claspgarten! Thank you, Karin of Claspgarten! I am so grateful and flattered to have been chosen to design with your clasps... :)

I am so in love with the brass rectangle clasp I got and can't wait to start working on something with it (probably a bracelet) .. The photo doesn't do justice to the other ones with crystals... they are so beautiful and really sparkle!

I have completed working on a necklace using this large clasp I got in the first batch, but I can't post the images yet, since I am thinking of sending this necklace to Perlen Poesie magazine for publication, so it has to be kept as a secret for a few months..

Like it has always been for me, new materials to work with excite me and give my muse a huge push! Fun! :)

Warm Winter Bloom Necklace

2009-11-09T05:00:00.002+02:00

This is my entry (#17 on the list) for the Etsy Beadweavers challenge "Beauty of the Flower". Please visit the EBW blog between the 9th and 15th, pick your favorite entry and vote for it.

New Glitzy Bracelet

2009-11-01T21:57:00.011+02:00

A new bracelet with Claspgarten clasp - rhodium plated clasp with Swarovski crystals. I really like how this one turned out. :)

I have one last item to create with Claspgarten clasp - it is the most challenging one for me. I'll probably have to try a few possible designs, as this one has a unique shape, (relatively) large size and heavy weight...

Too many thoughts and ideas are running in my head right now, making too much "noise", like in a busy train station... One is for the current EBW challenge (which I doubt I'll be able to finish on time, but that's as per usual..:D); one is for a bride's custom necklace (luckily I have enough time for this one); another one is for a project to be published in the European magazine Perlen Poesie next year, and lots of ideas for details of my (possible) entry for the Bead&Button show 2010, which I really (really!) hope I'll be able to create and finish on time...
It seems like I'm 'beading' in my mind more than I'm actually beading.. ;)

Claspgarten Clasp #3

2009-10-29T21:17:00.007+02:00

This is a new bracelet, designed around another one of Claspgarten clasps. I love the Swarovski Black Diamond stones that are set in the clasp - they are beautiful and sparkling in a wide spectrum of colors when you move them in the light. Gorgeous color!

Two more clasps to go. I need more time for beading....too many projects and not enough time...

Different Approach in Designing

2009-10-24T11:40:00.017+02:00

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a very nice lady from Claspgarten - a German company which manufactures high-quality clasps of many kinds. She asked me if I could design a few items and use their clasps in them.

Usually, when I bead a bracelet or a necklace, I first bead them and then I look for the clasp I think would complement and work best in the design. And if I then can't find the right clasp, I just beadweave one. I thought it would be interesting for me to try building a whole design around the clasp.

I realized that although the process is similar to building a design around a focal bead or a pendant, it's still a bit different because of the clasp's functionality.
In addition, I didn't get to choose the clasps and when I received them I realized that 4 0f 5 of them are not in the style I would normally pick, so it was a bit of a challenge and a good chance to see if I can come up with a nice idea for using them.

In this necklace, I decided that the clasp should also act as a bead and be placed on the front side of the necklace. I had to try several bead additions and arrangements in order to have the necklace's weight balanced, because the clasp itself (of high quality rhodium plated with Swarovski crystals) is quite heavy, and also to make sure that the whole arrangement allows the wearer to open and close the clasp easily.

The second item I've created using another one of the clasps she sent me, is this bracelet. I love using metal clasps for my bracelets and this beautiful rhodium plated clasp was no exception.

I still have 3 more clasps to go, so the fun continues...

Video Tutorials

2009-10-14T14:34:00.020+02:00

Recently, a few beaders wrote to me, telling about their first steps in the beadweaving world. This reminded me of my own first steps, when as a self-taught beader, I used to spend long hours on trying to learn the basic techniques, until I had grasped them. I never attended any workshop as a student because I couldn't afford them, so I mostly learned from illustration.
Just a few years later, when I started teaching other beaders, I realized that for some people illustrations and graphs are very difficult to follow.
Workshops are the best way to learn beadweaving, but if one, for any reason, can't attend them, there are still ways to learn without having to follow illustrations - video tutorials on the internet. I found a whole section of them (as well as articles and SBS instructions) on Auntie's Beads site. I watched some of them and I think they are great. So if you are a beader and you can't use illustrations, you might find these very helpful...
While I was browsing Auntie's Beads site, I also found these Awareness pink beads. Aren't they beautiful?

Super Power Hero Challenge

2009-10-10T00:12:00.008+02:00

I managed to finish this Spider Woman necklace for the current EBW challenge, Super Power Hero, in no time!..
I came up with an initial idea when it was less than two days before the deadline and I was not sure I'll be able to create, photograph and post my entry on time.

But I was lucky, because when I opened the bag of black beads I wanted to use for this necklace, I discovered that there were two woven St. Petersburg straps in it.
I came to think that these black beads must be of super power kind - they weave themselves whenever you just think of them!.. ;D I just couldn't remember when and why I put them in there and what I intended to create with them in the first place.. I always try not to keep any unfinished works and my bead boxes are always tidy... Well, not always, it seems...
So of course I decided to use the straps for this necklace. All I had to add was a pendant and a clasp, and Voila! I had my entry finished... :)
I think I have to reconsider the rule of not keeping unfinished works (I take them apart and put all the materials back in place) - it could save the precious time put in creating them if they are used as part of another new design... Now let's just see if I can break my own rule.. ;)

Please check out all 15 entries to the Super Power challenge on the EBW blog. Voting has started today and will last until the 15th, so don't miss it!

Back on Track

2009-10-01T15:40:00.011+02:00

I want to thank each and everyone of you, who have sent me messages and e-mails during my internet absence. I apologize if I won't be able to reply to each one of you personally, but I want you to know that I really appreciate you writing to me and your concern!
I had some family stuff to deal with, which had badly overtook my mind and took all energy out of me... I'm glad I decided to take some time off, because I now feel much better and ready to go back on track...

I haven't picked a needle and thread during all that time and I miss creating something! I think that an EBW challenge entry would be a nice 'restart' for my creativity and I hope I will be able to finish it before the deadline in four days!...
My previous challenge entry was this Indian Summer necklace.

And, I would like to ask if anyone of you who use Blogspot knows how to block spam comments? One of my blog posts is under such an attack - it looks like a robot spamming, using a different username each time - and I have no idea of what to do other than deleting the comment every time... any suggestions?

My Lacy Bracelets in Beadwork Magazine

2009-09-02T18:04:00.013+03:00

These two bracelets are published in the latest (Oct./Nov.) issue of Beadwork Magazine.
My inspiration for this design came from one of my favorite ethnic patterns - the Saraguro Hojas, which is basically done using modified brick stitch technique.

Check out Kerrie Slade's project on p.74 in this issue - a colorful, stunning Peacock necklace. You can also see many other of Kerrie's beautiful designs on her site.

Necklace with Removeable Rings and Beadwoven Caps

2009-08-25T23:58:00.019+03:00

I finally got my advance contributor's copy of the Oct/Nov issue of Bead & Button magazine this afternoon. I worked with editor Lesley Weiss on the project for this necklace and had much fun. Thank you, Lesley!

In this issue, there's also a beautiful bracelet project by talented bead artist Cindy Caraway, who is also the creator of the Nile Queen necklace published in the Your Work section - fabulous design in a great color combination! You should visit Cindy's site and see more of her gorgeous creations! Here's just one gorgeous example of her work "Chakra Pendant necklace":

Gem Stones Free Form Bracelet

2009-08-20T12:51:00.009+03:00

I bought these gold Toho 3-cut 8/0 seed beads from The Bead Parlor (yes, they do ship outside the US, thanks again, Shelly!) and I was very pleased to discover that they sparkle even more than in the photos. They are gorgeous! The 3-cut shape gives them extra shine and a very nice texture, too.
The first idea I came up with of what to use them for was an oriental design. I though that August's birthstone Peridot, Carnelian, Garnet and Amethyst gem stone beads would make a nice combination with the bright gold.

August in Israel...

2009-08-16T00:24:00.018+03:00

I wish the summer was over, I can't stand the heat and humidity anymore! I miss the fall, or better the spring...(I don't like the winter. I feel like a bear with all the cloths on). The weather makes me nervous-- I hate sweating, but I hate the sound of the air condition even more.. I can't sleep well.. I'm always tiered... very hard to concentrate on the work, even in the late night hours. I'm going crazy.

The only good thing I can think of August right now is that it's the weddings season, and weddings are always so exciting!..
Today I finished working on this cuff, made especially upon the request of a cute bride-to-be. Her wedding is going to take place on the beach, so she asked for a simple design, in clear, silver and just a bit of silver colors, that reminds the soft sand and the waves on the beach. This is the design I came up with for her bracelet (I'm happy, she was very pleased :).

This is the first time I've created something by following a graph of the pattern, and I have to admit that it was hard for me to do (it's the ^&*%$%# heat! ;), and maybe it was even harder because I had to use three kinds of clear seed beads with slight differences in the color. I now admire artists like SandFibers even more than before. She creates her lovely intricate designs using tiny Delica beads. Amazing!. It is really a hard, challenging work and very time consuming! I am not sure I'll do this kind of work again. OK, maybe I'll do it again, but only in the fall or winter...or if a cute bride asks me.. :)

This is another necklace I recently finished working on-- a simple design in bright colors. Great for summer, isn't it?.. ;)

"First Lady of Style" Challenge

2009-08-10T19:43:00.012+03:00

First Lady of Style was the theme for the EBW August challenge. There are 30 entries this month - a gorgeous, varied collection of styles. My entry is # 22 on the list.

This month only, the voting poll have been moved over to HERE and voting will last until the 17th.

This is what I came up with for this challenge. I was inspired by the style of the Sex and the City main character, Carrie Bradshaw. Multi-chain necklaces and pearls are commonly used to complement Carrie's sophisticated look, and many of them became hot trends.

Peace!

2009-07-20T19:28:00.007+03:00

I was playing with the beads (while the song "all we are sayin' is give peace a chance" kept playing in my head :)), trying to weave the hippie peace sign that has recently made a comeback in fashion accessories, and this is the first result.
I want to try to create a three dimensional version of this pendant, using brighter colors. It is so much fun translating things to beadweaving!

But this would have to wait until I finish sending in two new projects for Bead & Button magazine (this is taking me forever...).
I also need to start working on my entry for the next EBW challenge.. and finish an embroidered cuff that has been on the works for weeks now. Time... you know..

And I am looking forward to having Ardjan's mother coming from Holland to spend a lovely week with us. Last time she visited us, she tried to teach me how to do tatting with a shuttle, but I just didn't get it well then and forgot all she taught me the day after she left... :(
She makes beautiful designs using this technique (two of her samples are in this photo) and I really want to learn, so I thought that this time it would be best to film or photograph the whole process, step by step, so I can keep trying until I succeed. I already have some ideas of using tatting and beadweaving together in a design and I can't wait to try it again. I hope I will soon have a new tatting work of my own to share!.. ;)

Here Comes the Bride - EBW July Challenge

2009-07-09T00:41:00.002+03:00

I created this bridal set of jewels especially for the EBW July challenge - Here Comes the Bride. Please visit the EBW blog from the 9th until the 15th, view all 39 entries and vote for your favorite. I assure you it's worth the click...all entries are gorgeous and it's interesting to see each member's take on the theme. My entry is # 27 on the list.

This photo was taken by my dear son, who wanted to try catching the many sparkles
of the crystals in this necklace. He did quite a good job at it, didn't he?

It seems that waiting patiently for my beadweaving muse was worth it in many ways.. After a month or so of general depression and no inspiration for beading, ideas suddenly came up in my mind one after the other... It really felt great beadweaving again, like meeting a good old friend after a long time and having so many things to say to each other...

During the waiting time, except for reorganizing my working area and bead boxes; teaching my kids a few lessons in cooking and "re-discovering" the little garden-in-boxes I have in my balcony, I also spent some time doing some...sport activities. :0) I can't even believe myself...I am so not a sports person...I usually get tiered just by thinking of it... :D Ardjan though it would be a great way to chase the depression away and I think he was right. It did help a bit.
He and I took a long ride on the bike in Tel Aviv port area one day. Thank God riding the bike is not something you forget how to do.. Ardjan, the crazy super-fast rider, had to ride slowly in order to stay in my pace... I felt like a sweat soaked sponge after finishing the 10km+ track and I then thanked God again, this time for keeping me alive during the ride...;)
We also took long walks in the evenings, when the heat was bearable, after which we exercised in the gym area we have in the park near home. And I also did some stretch exercises that my (beading) body really needed...It felt great doing all this stuff.., except for the muscles pains that came afterward...;)
Well, maybe it was too much activity for a start, but I really hope that laziness will not take over me again and I will make at least some of those activities as part of my routine.. so far so good.. :)

Now back to the beading table to finish the new bracelet for a workshop I'm working on..

Waiting for The Muse

2009-06-26T14:04:00.010+03:00

Once again, I'm in this period of time (almost three weeks now) when I don't feel creative or inspired enough to work on a beadwoven item. Other things in life keep my mind busy, unfortunately, unpleasant things. I'm not trying to push my Muse this time (a thing that usually produce more frustration and zero results..) I'm just waiting patiently for "Her" to visit me, so I'll be able to find relaxation in beadweaving again...
I used the time to rearrange my bead boxes, check my inventory or just hold beads in my hands... I found those beautiful, light sea-green beads, which I totally forgot I had them and used them to create this simple stringing necklace. Knowing how much time it takes to create beadwoven or embroidered work, I'm always surprised by how much time it takes me to string a simple necklace like this one... I don't know why, but it takes me twice the time to chose the beads and to come up with the arrangement of them that satisfies me.. But I enjoy stringing anyway. I find it to be a nice way to pass the time until my beadweaving Muse is back..

Beads Gone Wild

2009-06-14T18:20:00.008+03:00

I'm a bit late on posting this, but there's still time for visiting the EBW June Challenge and picking your favorite! There are 20 beautiful entries, so hurry up and vote!

I created this asymmetrical necklace for the current EBW Challenge "Humor".
The idea of this necklace was to create a totally different look on each side of it. On one side, there are round, "innocent" pearls and on the other it's like the beads gone wild and turned into colorful flowers.
I was so busy and a little troubled lately, that I completely forgot about the monthly challenge. I then came up with this idea only a day before the deadline, but didn't listed it on time so couldn't enter the challenge voting. Anyway, I like the summery, cheerful look of this necklace.. Now I have to think of an idea for the next challenge "Here Comes the Bride", picked by Miriam of Cielo Designs, the winner of May challenge.
I have an early idea for this one, and I have two weeks to try to work on it, so I am optimistic.. :)

The Workshop and a New Necklace

2009-06-01T20:42:00.021+03:00

This is the last necklace I finished - combining beadweaving and embroidery work. I enjoyed every minute of the work because I love ethnic style (and beading, of course :) and feel comfortable designing in it, and I really like how it turned out.

The workshop last week was fun! I had 14 students - nice, cheery, chatty and enthusiastic group of beaders of a wide range of skill levels. I was expecting only 6-8 students and was surprised by the "full house" attendance. It was a good workshop, although quite hard to teach, and I was very happy when a few students were able to complete almost the whole pendant.
I have to admit that it took me two days to "recover and recharge" my energy after squeezing every drop of it at the workshop... I have taught a small group of beginner students before and it was fun but not easy, but with 14 students--- I was pleased but e x h a u s t e d ! :D All the long way back home I was thinking about school teachers who have 35-40 students - how demanding and difficult their job is... I now feel a new sense of admiration toward them... ;)
I received nice feedbacks on this workshop, as well as positive criticism, which I am definitely going to consider before my next workshop.

Eight-vertex Star Pendant with Cabochon

2009-05-23T00:50:00.025+03:00

These geometric shapes are so much fun to make! and the work goes easy when using Delica seed beads. I came up with the idea of creating this 8-vertex star after I finished this geometric set. I had to do some calculations (I hate that part as I am not a mathematical-minded person) and a few trials&errors before I came up with the right size to fit the cabochon in the center of it. I've made more of these pendants, hanging from different necklaces, but didn't get them photographed yet.

I am going to teach at Bogal's next week. It's going to be the first workshop I teach with so many students, and I'm pretty much excited about it! I'm sure it's going to be fun, but wish me luck anyway.. :)

New Sparkling Bracelet

2009-05-18T00:12:00.009+03:00

I usually don't use a lot of Swarovski crystals in my work and especially not this many in one piece. But that doesn't mean I don't like BUYING them.. ;D So, I bought these Light Colorado Topaz bicones almost two years ago and I finally came up with this pattern that includes a lot of them (144 beads, to be exact). I have to check how this pattern comes out in a different color palette, but that will have to wait until I'll finish two other works I have in progress. As always, too many ideas to try but not enough time...

Bollywood Glamour - EBW May Challenge "Red Carpet"

2009-05-09T23:09:00.011+03:00

Etsy beadweavers' May challenge theme was "Hollywood Red Carpet".
Please visit the EBW blog to see all 21 Red Carpet entries, pick your favorite and vote for it.
Voting starts today and lasts until the 15th, so don't miss it... My entry, called "Bollywood Glamour" is #8 on the list.

While rolling a few possible ideasfor my entry, the name (nickname) Bollywood - India's equivalent of Hollywood- popped in my head. I've never seen a Bollywood movie, but I've seen a TV documentary show about India's culture and I was amazed by the rich, sometimes overloaded, designs of their traditional jewelry and clothes. As I keep being drawn to ethnic designs, I thought I'd try creating something in this style, but wanted to create a relatively delicate design, with just a few hints of India. So I made these up-side-down drop shaped links with picots and attached a Mandala pendant in the center.
I intended to use gold seed beads, but then realized that I didn't have enough of them to complete the necklace and matching earrings, so chose silver to go with the fuchsia. Silver actually goes very nice with the fuchsia-satin Swarovskis I used, as they have a silvery sparkle.

I am going to create another India-inspired set of a necklace, bracelet and earrings in rich colors, for which I already have the design sketched, but I have to wait until I receive my order of gorgeous orange Toho seed beads in a few days. Can't wait... I am excited about this new journey to India.. :)

Bead Artists Help Fight Breast Cancer Project

2009-05-04T14:10:00.008+03:00

A few months ago I blogged about my contribution to Jeanette Shanigan's project "Bead It Forward" - Bead Artists Against Breast Cancer. Jeanette Shanigan collected the beaded squares, donated from beaders from all over the world and stitched them into quilts. A few members (15) of the Etsy BeadWeavers team donated 35 beaded squares, and Jeanette stitched them into one EBW quilt. The finished quilts are all beautiful and colorful - you can see more of them on Jeanette's site.
The quilts are going to be auctioned at the Bead&Button show and the money raised will be donated to help fight breast cancer. I am happy that I have participated in this project. I might do this again next year.
Special thanks goes to Susan of Clinkscalesarts, who organized the whole thing for EBW team and did a great job at it!

Etsy Beadweavers Quilt

First row (left to right): Susan Clinkscales, Eddy Downing, Eddy Downing, JoJo Curley, Swanee Hielscher
2nd row: Swanee Hielscher, Swanee Hielscher, Swanee Hielscher, Linda Davis, me
3rd row: me, me, me, Lisa Savoy, Lisa Savoy
4th row: Lisa Savoy, Jama Watts, Jama Watts, Jama Watts, Kerrie Slade
5th row: Kerrie Slade, Kerrie Slade, Kerrie Slade, Victoria Thompson
6th row: Kim Shaver, Dawn Nelson, Melody Murray, Melody Murray
7th row: Ileana Munteanu, Ginny Bracht, Ginny Bracht, Ginny Bracht, Ginny Bracht

Treasures of the Ocean Freeform Bracelet

2009-04-28T23:14:00.005+03:00

EBW April Challenge - Time Machine

2009-04-09T11:21:00.012+03:00

***Thanks so much to everyone who voted for my entry!, which came in second place***

Etsy BeadWeavers' Challenge theme for April was "Time Machine". This theme was brought to us by Mariya of BeadCatcher, who won the January/February Challenge
Here's what Mariya had to say about this theme:
"I guess everybody once in a while has had that thought "What if?" Yes, what if you were given a once in a life time chance to travel through time and space; to travel into past or future; to travel into a real or imagined world? Where would you go? What would you see there? Just think about it. Take the trip and share it with us in the form of beading art with its unlimited possibilities!".

Voting on this challenge is open and will last until the 15th. Please visit EBW blog, pick up your favorite and vote for it. My entry is #9 on the list.

Excited about this inspirational, imaginative theme, I decided to use the time machine for traveling in the future. The beautiful women I met on my journey had smooth brilliant hair and they were wearing bright silver elegant outfits. This is the necklace, earrings & bracelet I designed for those women I met on my journey to the future… :)

Welcome Spring Necklace

2009-04-05T11:36:00.008+03:00

I usually buy my beads just because I like their color, shape etc., and then I think what I should make with them. But with these dyed freshwater pearls I knew exactly what I want to create with them - a necklace in coral stitch. It's a very simple coral necklace, "lazy" coral stitched if you'd like.. ;D but I like how airy and delicate it came out.

Good News and New Necklace & Earrings

2009-03-28T15:04:00.012+03:00

I've received good news from Bead&Button magazine, that they are going to publish one of my necklaces in the October-November issue! Yey! :)

I don't bead much lately, mainly because my muse is probably being "mean" to me... I try to start a new work, one of many that I had an idea for, but then I get stuck with picking the right colors and/or the size of beads, or the idea is just not working and I have to unpick the work time after time. So I end up frustrated.
I hate it when it happens, but I decided not to fight this too much - I just sketch the ideas in my notebook and leave them for a later time, when my muse will "play" nicely with me... :)
I anyhow don't have a lot of time for beading, as Passover Holiday is coming soon and there's a lot of preparations to do.
I also volunteered to coordinate the BAO Welcomes Spring Sale & Giveaways, coming soon. You better keep an eye on the Bead Art Originals group , because there are going to be some gorgeous items to give away!

Yemenite Inspired Embroidered Necklace

2009-03-14T20:56:00.009+02:00

Not so long ago, I've created my Ancestral Expressions embroidered cuff and wasn't very pleased with the way it came out. I needed to practice my bead embroidery work. I was really upset back then, after spending so many hours working on my cuff (which intended to enter the EBW challenge, but didn't) but with the encouragement and advice, given to me by a very dear friend, who is a talented bead artist, I decided to try to create another Yemenite inspired embroidered piece.

Well, not that it was easier for me this time... bead embroidery is a difficult task for me, for some reason, and I had some trouble finding the right materials, but leaving it unfinished wasn't an option.. I just had to bring life to a new Yemenite style piece! :)
I had a general idea for a start and the rest just came up with the progress.. And I really love how it came out! I think the embroidery work is not bad; It's a bold necklace, in one of my favorite color combination and it has the Yemenite elements that I really love in it...What could I possibly want more? OK, I wish it would have taken me less than the 30 something hours it took me to create it, but hey!, I managed to finish it without any major disasters, and that's the important thing..
I can't wait to show it to my mother, to hear what she thinks of it. I hope she likes it as much as I do...

Temptation Dance - EBW March Challenge

2009-03-09T21:28:00.012+02:00

Etsy BeadWeavers March challenge theme was Temptation. Please visit the EBW Blog, between now and the 15th, pick your favorite and vote for it. There are fabulous 35 entries, each and every one of them is unique and interesting - real eye candies, so don't miss out! Your comment is also very appreciated. My entry is number 33 on the list.

I named my necklace "Temptation Dance", as I had an image of a man in black and a woman, wearing a hot-red dress, dancing a sensual, seductive Latin dance. I designed the necklace in one continuous line, curling and alternating black and red in the pendant. That part - the pendant, took me 5 or 6 hours of trials and failures, before I was satisfied with the way it turned out. I was so frustrated and almost wanted to give up on the idea, simply because I thought I won't be able to finish it before the deadline. But I did, at almost the last minute, and I'm pretty much satisfied with how it came out. I just need to learn from my own past experience (it was the same with my Yuki Onna challenge necklace) not to postpone working on my challenge piece.. :D It takes some time and it's challenging enough just finding the idea for my entry, and I'm not always good at working under deadlines.. especially if it's something I haven't tried before and it usually is.. :)

I Am a Lucky Mom! :)

2009-03-06T17:20:00.008+02:00

I feel so lucky, being the mother of my two 14.5 y/o kids! I am happy & pleased that they find other interests apart from being computer freaks and book-worms... :D

My girl have recently started to learn beadweaving and she now creates jewelry for herself, and the boy - he cooks!
You know how it goes every time you ask children what they want to be when they grow up - they change their mind often... but, from the time he was 6 or 7 years old, my son always said he wants to be a chef (among other things, of course..) and liked trying new food. He also likes to stay in the kitchen while I cook and gladly gives a hand.
A few days ago he decided to make Sushi! I don't like Sushi so never made it at home and we never went out to eat Sushi in a restaurant, so I am guessing he collected all his knowledge from the internet. He bought all the ingredients needed for these salmon rolls and made everything by himself. I am so proud of him! It looked so delicious that I just had to taste. It was yummy! I had 5 of them... thanks to him I might change my mind about Sushi... :) The only thing he still needs to learn is to clean up the big mess left in the kitchen after cooking, including wiping the walls.. LOL

Celebration Time!

2009-02-28T17:37:00.005+02:00

Carol Dean Sharpe, aka SandFibers, who is a very talented bead artist, is celebrating her 3rd Etsy-versary. Congratulations, Carol Dean!, here's to many more successful years! :)
Check out Sandfibers' blog and her Etsy shop to see how she's decided to celebrate this exciting event with you!

Publication in Bead & Button Magazine

2009-02-27T22:05:00.011+02:00

I got my April issue of Bead & Button magazine two days ago and was happy to see my project published there! :) Once again, it was a pleasure working with editor Lynne Soto on this project, and I thank her for the great communication!.

Right after my first publication in Bead&Button February issue - the Hojas pendant, I got several nice e-mails from readers and I want to thank again everyone who did so. Two of them have also sent me photos of their beautiful pendants. I was so happy to see their work and I would love to see more! ;D

It's Almost Spring

2009-02-21T16:00:00.008+02:00

First I want to say Thanks! to everyone who voted for my EBW challenge entry "Tropical Nights", which came in fifth place. The AMAZING winning piece is called Tropical Treasures, created by Mariya of BeadCatcher. If you haven't had the chance to check the last EBW challenge entries, you better do so, because there are some other tropical eye candies… really worth the click… I especially like Cielo Design's entry, Tropical Paridise – an amazing work, so beautiful!

I am delighted to have received a word from Beadwork magazine – they will publish a project of one of my bracelets in the Oct-Nov. 2009 issue. Yay! :) I just wish that writing instructions (in general and particular in English (not my spoken language)), would be easier… It's much easier to just bead…
My Diagonal View floral bracelet is going to be published in the next issue of Bead&Button magazine.

Between spending much time at the computer and more time at the computer… ;), I managed to bead two new items. Clicking the computer mouse became to be like a body reflex … there are so many beautiful sites to check, so many amazing, inspiring artists to enjoy their work… I have been thinking about sharing and featuring here some of the works I have stumbled upon, I just need to find the … you know, t-i-m-e to write the posts… Hope I'll be able to start with it in the next few weeks..
So, the two new items are a necklace and a bracelet. I named them Almost Spring, as I was inspired by the rapidly changing weather in the end of the (Israeli dry) winter and the beginning of spring.

The last photo is of an embroidered pendant I am now working on. I immediately fell in love with this beautiful ornamented cabochon I bought from Bogal, especially because it reminds me of the Yemenite silversmith work of my grandfather. I am not sure yet how to finish it and what kind of necklace to create to hang it from, but I am really enjoying the process… I'll post photos of the pendant and necklace once they're finished. Hopefully in a short time…