Beaded, Big and Black

I created these three black necklaces upon a request for "beaded, big and black" necklaces. Notice the increase in the size of the pendants -- the first image shows my idea of 'big' (approx. 60x40mm center part and the fringe adds about 100mm of length), but that was not large enough, and so the last one I created was in size (approx. 130x150mm center part) that is more likely to meet the customer's idea of "the bigger - the better".
I hope my customer likes the larger pendant...It's huge in my eyes, and I had to challenge and stretch my designing abilities beyond my personal taste, which is a good thing...I think...I'm not sure... Maybe the need to "listen to my own voice" while designing is the reason I don't usually do commissioned work. Need to think about it more.

After working continuously on these three black necklaces, I needed a break from black, so I played with wire for a while and created this wire wrapped pendant. I had a few tough, discouraging moments while I constructed the part that holds the large carnelian bead, but the rest was very pleasing to do. I like how the design came out (although I still need more practice!). What do you think?...

Mother's Day Sale

My kids forgot about Mother's Day, but I completely forgot, too... ;-)  But there's still time to celebrate!

I am having a special sale on both my Etsy and Artfire shops - receive 15% discount on any item you purchase (jewelry and/or beading tutorials & patterns; not including items already on sale). Simply enter coupon code: MOTHER15 when you checkout. Sale ends on Friday, May 18 at midnight (GMT+2).

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there!

Visit SmadarsTreasure's Studio

SAVE 15% Off All Items

Use Coupon Code:

MOTHER15

during checkout.

2012 Battle of the Beadsmith

The Battle of the Beadsmith is about to begin...

It's going to be a real hot summer in the bead land! 

Join this Facebook group to read all about it and
to stay updated with all the happenings!

Out of the Frame Cuff Bracelet

I felt like working on something that I usually don't do much - design a peyote pattern and bead from it, so I came up with this two-drop, odd count pattern of rectangle "frames" in bright colors. 

I must honestly admit that following the pattern was hard for me and I kept stringing the wrong colors in every few rows. After too many times I had to unpick the work because I hadn't noticed the mistake on time,  I almost lost my patience and I had to push myself real hard to make me finish it...  ;D 

I salute beaders who can bead this kind of bands time after time and even on a daily basis! You are my beading heroes! ;)

This beading pattern is listed for sale on my Etsy and Artfire shops.

Twin Spades Necklace and Bracelet

This is a new set of necklace and bracelet I designed with Twin beads. The pattern created by the arrangement of beads reminded me of the shape of spades, so Twin Spades is the name I gave to this project.
A tutorial for both necklace and bracelet is available in both my Etsy and Artfire shops.

I purchased some Twin beads not long ago, without knowing that actually there are two different brands of this bead with two holes - Twin beads, manufactured by Preciosa-Ornela and Superduo beads, manufactured by Jablonec (both are Czech copmanies). I haven't tried Superduo beads, but thanks to Sabine Lippert posting an image on Facebook, I learned that Twin beads are a bit non-uniformed, compared to the Superduo beads (which are much more expensive than Twins) and that there is a larger selection of colors of  Twins compared to Superduos.

I can tell from my experience working on this new necklace & bracelet project, that in a pile of 50 gr of Twin beads I found a few beads with irregular shape, but there were not too many of them - most of the beads were fine. But what really turned into a nightmare was finding out that I can't continue working and pass the needle through the free hole of one bead, simply because it was blocked! I tried to open the hole, but had not succeeded. So the only thing I could do was to break the bead using pliers and replace it with a new one. Breaking a Twin bead seemed to be a challenging task - I had to use great force and to try different angles before it finally broke. Then I had to re-fill the two spaces the removed bead created (that was the easiest part..).So I know that I will be sorting and selecting my Twin beads before I start the next project, in the hope that I will detect and take out any beads with blocked hole...

But except all of the above, Twin beads are really beautiful and fun to work with I love the texture they add to the beadwork!

It's Passover Eve today, so I wish all who celebrate it Hag Sameach! 

Passover means that spring had officially sprung!... I love the smell of spring and the warming weather is doing wonders to my energy. :) And to those who celebrate Easter - Happy Easter!