Beading by the Bay

Atlas by Rachel Nelson Smith

Asis by Sherry Serafini

Aelia by Marcia DeCoster

Beading by the Bay is back for its third year in March of 2012. The pieces for the upcoming retreat are fantastic. A bead-weaver's dream! Swarovski Elements will be hosting our Thursday night Meet and Greet with a special Trends presentation by their Key Account Manager for North America, Ron Rock (My BFF). General registration begins on September 15th. It's shaping up to be another sell out event.

Eating Blog Crow

Okay, I'm the first to admit that I made a big boo boo. On a previous blog, I stated that I don't like hook and eye closures as I was referring to a bracelet called "Diamonds are Forever". I was informed that the piece actually called for a snap! I stand corrected. I don't mind the hook and eye in itself, but I just don't like sewing them in place! Go figure....

Summer Fun With Filigrees

A few blogs ago, I mentioned that when Create-Your-Style with Swarovski Elements posts "Summer Fun with Filigrees" by Design Team America, I would send you the link. The directions are now on the website under the "Design" heading and then under "mini projects". 


Encourage your local bead store to carry these wonderful filigree components. They can be made in all sorts of color combinations and metal finishes. It does take a couple of weeks to get them in though. 


I love show and tell. So if you design something you want to share, please let me know. It can also be submitted to Swarovski as well. I'm not sure how it works, but they do post designs that are submitted by their followers on their website.

Sunday Beading...

Why is it that we seem to find ourselves in the middle of a dozen or so projects at the same time and still want to make something new? I was getting ready to watch the ballgame on T.V. - Mets vs Giants and I needed some inspiration. So, I began flipping through some old beading publications. On the cover of Beadwork, Dec. 09/Jan. 10 is a piece called "Diamonds are Forever" and just so happened to be designed by my BFF Marcia Decoster.

The piece is made up of matching medallions using ladder stitch, netting and making picots. I recall seeing Marcia wearing one in oranges and fuchsias with dangles wired in between the medallions that was fabu. Just the ticket, I thought. Using a beautiful chocolate matte seed bead for the base with a matching metallic brown to complement, the piece was coming along. I added pea-green firepolish with Swarovski Elements Bronze Shade crystals and dark brown pearls as accents. My dangles are made up of vintage crystal and Czech glass and some metal beads and charms. I will admit that I'm not big on hook and eye closures (don't tell Marcia) so I used a bronze magnetic clasp and eliminated the small hook and eye medallion. Ready to wear in just a few short hours and my Giants won too!!