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!!

Dallas is coming for a visit!!

Sedona

I love having Dallas Lovett come to visit from one of our favorite cities, Phoenix. Actually, it feels like Arizona weather today with it being in the 80's - 90's. Dallas will be teaching for us in September, the 10th and 11th. So save the date everyone! We have two brand new pieces being taught here first (on the west coast). The way he engineers his designs are brilliant; as well as his use of crystals and seed beads as an enhancement in his pieces! I will let you know when the classes are open for registration. Sedona, pictured above will be on Saturday, and Camelot, pictured below will be on Sunday. Dallas' sister Roni does all his photography. Aren't they beautiful?

Camelot

 

Swarovski Elements Filigrees are Awesome!!

I have just finished 14 pieces that I collaborated on, with my friend Ron, that are being sent to Swarovski Elements in Austria. The interesting thing is that we designed solely with filigrees as the focal pieces. I was unprepared for how great the pieces turned out. When you wear filigrees, you feel like Royalty so a lot of the named pieces are after famous "Royal" women. Notice, I followed my own advice and named the pieces before I sent them off! The beautiful collar below was also created with one of my most favorite findings, the Radiant ring, by our friends at TierraCast. 

Three of the 14 pieces will be held out so that they can be taught for Swarovski in Tucson next year.  Swarovski's website Create-Your-Style (which highlights the Do-It-Yourself projects) will feature all eleven projects with pictures and instructions by America's design team! When they are posted, I will let you know.

Little Hoot's Got Relatives Everywhere!

It's been a while since I've been in front of my computer blogging, but I just had to share this one with you. My BFF Marcia has a traveling companion called Little Hoot. When she travels, Little Hoot goes with her to many exotic places, I might add. Marcia usually shares her travels with Little Hoot on her blog.  So I was helping set up the jewelery entries in the Fine Arts division of the San Mateo County Fair and as I was leaving, I was walking through the Home Arts division. Whom do you think I saw on display for all to see? One of Little Hoot's relatives. He's probably one of his cousins from his Dad's side. So to all you Dads, Grandpas and Brothers, have an early Happy Father's Day from the Hoot family!