Tendril Necklace

It's been quite a while since I last blogged... This is my newly finished project - Tendril Necklace, which is beadwoven with seed beads, fire polished beads and druk beads. I enjoyed designing this project, mainly because my muse cooperated excellently all way long  and offered me ideas for another two versions for the necklace... I love how soft the necklace turned out and how beautifully it sits around the neckline. A tutorial is already available in my Artfire and Etsy shops, in case you want to try it for yourself...

The winner of the Battle of the Beadsmith 2012 was announced today, and it is Alla Maslennikova from Russia. Congrats to Alla on winning the first BOTB! And thanks to Steven Weiss for arranging such  a great happening for the beading community! 
I was one of the judges in this years competition (I plan to participate as a contestant next year, and I hope my muse won't get intimidated by all those gorgeous works presented this year!... ), and I have to say that from the very first rounds, it was really, really hard to pick one work to move forward to the next round. But in the final round was almost impossible for me to decide who is the winner - Alla with her absolutely gorgeous Baroque necklace, or Ann Braginsky from Israel, with her stunning, artful and interesting New Age Valkyrie neck piece. I love both of the pieces and even though I had to pick just one (I voted for Ann's work), still - both Alla's and Ann's works are winners in my eyes! The two works are so different from each other, but each one is amazingly and beautifully designed and beaded!

Baroque by Alla Maslennikova, Russia

New Age Valkyrie by Ann Braginski, Israel

50% Tutorials Sale, a New Free Pattern & Publication

I'm having a 50% sale on all beading tutorials and patterns, no minimum order required! The sale is valid on Personal Use Only editions; package deal tutorials are not included in the sale. Use coupon code  50AUG2012  (copy&paste) when you checkout, either through my Artfire or my Etsy shop. Sale ends in two days (Aug 18), so hurry up and buy my tutorials at this big discount!

UPDATE: I am extending the sale in one day, so it will end on Sunday, Aug. 19 at midnight.


And there's a free pattern, too!...

I saw this beautiful table runner online and was inspired by it to design African Motifs peyote bracelet, and I am giving it away as a free pattern here on my blog. I don't know if I ever told you, but I like designing peyote patterns more than I like working by ones...so I create one every now and then, when  my Muse calls for it...

I hope you like the bracelet pattern! You can use size 11/0 Delica or Rocaille beads to make it and, of course, you can replace the colors suggested with ones to your liking.

The above image is from: 

http://homeinteriordesignthemes.com

African Motifs Bracelet

a Free Peyote Pattern 

Also, I was pleased to receive a contributor copy of Kalmbach Publishing book Creative Beading Vol.7, where two of my designs - Cube Delight Bracelet and Star Pendant - are appearing in. 

Lacy Clover Ribbon Jewelry Set

This is my newest project - Lacy Clover Ribbon - a design of a bracelet, 2 options for a necklace and matching earrings. I love the delicate clover shape that the drop beads create, and the whole design reminds me of lace ribbons. The jewelry are made with Twin beads (or Superduo beads), fire polished beads (or Swarovski crystal rounds, as in the silver set) and with Japanese drop and seed beads. A tutorial for this beading project is available in my shops.

I love working with those two-hole beads, but once again I experienced the downside of them - if you miss catching a bead with a blocked hole - you're in trouble! Luckily, in this project, it was easy to unpick the work instead of having to break the blocked bead, as I was forced to do in my previous Twin beads project. I wanted to start beading the design idea right away and I didn't want to select from a pile of beads before starting to bead, so the solution I found was to get myself used to stinging the needle in both holes of the bead to check if they're open before stringing it, and this somewhat-strange method seemed to have saved me a lot of time and and frustration... Try it! :)

Also, I am happy to tell that my Layered Loops Bracelet is included (and appears on the cover!)in the recently published Stitch Workshop: Herringbone Stitch by Kalmbach Publishing (click on the link to go to Amazon and preview the book). This reminds me that it has been quite a while since I beaded something in herringbone stitch... maybe it's time again... I love this stitch!

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.