Spring?????

It is hard to believe that spring is here. We got about 3"s of snow last night. My daughter started the spring sport of Lacrosse last night while snow was coming down. It was crazy!
With spring comes the thought of flowers and color. The past few days I have been making bright colored beads and cabochons with rose gardens.

So as soon as I finish this post, I will be starting another pin, with the rose garden cabochon.
I will show you the progress as work on the pin.
I start with the cabochon glued to a piece of fabric like this. (photo below and to the left)

The next step is to embroider a ring of beads around the cabochon and then, using even count peyote, make the bezel around the cab.
I am off to get started. I will take photos of each step. We will have a spring pin/brooch, before you know it.

A few more views of the cuff.

Felted Cuff

This is the felted cuff that I created for a challenge that I took part in as part of the crafty retailer blog.

I was sent some wool roving, sew on and hot fix crystals, a large crystal rivoli, as well as beads and assorted crystals.

I created two cabochons that matched the colors that were sent in the challenge pack.
It took a few attempts to get two cabochons that worked well and that I was happy with.

I then took the wool roving that was sent and felted a canvas for the cuff. I used my felting machine and played around with the different colors. It was really neat to see how the colors were bold and defined on one side and on the reverse side was soft, and more muted. I chose the bold side for this cuff. I have already started a second cuff and chose the softer side. But I digress..... Back to this cuff.

Once the canvas was complete I glued the cabs and crystals in place. I then went about creating bezels with peyote stitch. This was new for me. Once I got started I could not stop. I went on to create pins with my cabochons and peyote stitch.

Then using the Swarovski yarn, I traced some of the lines of color on the cuff. The yarn really added some different texture. I used seed beads that were sent as well as the ones I used in the bezels to create organic circles around the cabochons to frame them.
The chain was used as a frame around the large rivoli. I thought the chain was a good way to make the crystal look a little less formal, complimenting the organic look of the cabochons.
I applied both the completed felt and a backing of suede to the brass cuff stitching them to together. I used seed beads and bead embroidery to frame the entire piece.

I have created a video of creating a cabochon. This will give you an idea of how I created the cabochons for the cuff.
you can view it on www.thebeadbin.com or by the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr9qqKvs84w

Todays Activities

Today I have been working on adding items to my Etsy store.

I also came to the realization that the felted cuff that I am making for the challenge is due in just a couple of days. I was almost done anyway, it just puts an end to the procrastination.

I also have been researching other items to make with recycled bottles. Some of the duds will work their way into a wind chime.
I am looking at ways to make spoon rests as a new item for this coming gift season.
I will post more information on that as the project progresses.

I am off to work on the cuff. I will post pictures as soon, as it is done.

Hello Everyone,

I hope that you all are well and continue to find the time to bead and create jewelry.
With the rising cost of gasoline, I have been finding myself thinking of doing things differently. I don’t just hop in the car and head to the nearest city where I can get the one item I need. Which brings me to my recent idea of providing beading supplies to you.
We can try it out with what I am calling a “buy”. It is very much like a co-op of sorts.
I am going to start by using the mailing list from the store, however we will need to spread the word so that our customer list will grow, as well as our buying power. In some cases the more people we have buying the better the prices.

As far as delivery, I will most likely use the small flat rate box, which will hold a lot of supplies. 5 dollars will most likely beat out the gasoline that it takes to get to the 1 or 2 stores you have to go to in order to find what you are looking for. However if the item is real small and light I will use a small envelope for a better savings to you.

I have recently run into people looking for wire and chain. Therefore, our first offering will be for chain and wire. I will put up 5 different chain varieties, based on the popularity from the store. The prices you see are less than what they were offered for at the store. I will also give you three different options for wire based on popularity.
I am always running into great deals and beautiful beads. I plan on passing those deals and offering to you as well.

If you are interested just drop me an email and we will start our list.

The first item is 20 gauge wire. This is the german craft wire that I offered in the store. It is available in silver, copper and gold color.

Silver 6m in length 3.65
Copper 6 m in length 3.65
Gold 6 m in length 9.50

Silver, Copper and Gold tone chain. I believe that this is the most popular chain from the bead in. It is available for 4.50/foot. This is 1.00+ saving per/foot

Vintage style 10mm round 9.00/ foot

Vintage style 5.5x8mm oval chain. 7.00 a foot.


Let me know what you would like. I would also love your feedback and input.

Talk to you soon,
stacy

Beading supply Co-Op

Hello everyone,
I have been watching the gas prices as well as the silver prices continue to rise. Two items that I use on a daily basis. So I figured it was time to think out of the box.
Beading is a part of me and I will always find a way to continue to spite the rising costs of everything around us. Therefore I have come up with the idea of forming a beading supply co-op of sorts. This will be a way to get you the supplies you use and need at lower costs with out having to drive all over god's creation to locate it.
I know also that the number of beading stores has dwindled in the seacoast area.
This blog is going to play a crucial part in staying in touch with you and finding out what is needed. I know that I lot of people have expressed a need for wire and chain. This will be our first focus of a buy. The product that I am offering are lower in cost then what was offer in the store. The prices may continue to get better as the number of buyers increase. So join the blog if you are interested in getting involved in the savings. Most important spread the news. Get all of your beading buddies to join in.
In addition to the "buys", I will be hosting beading parties here at my home to continue with the camaraderie as well as the opportunity to feel, touch, see beads that are available for purchase.
I would love to hear some feedback. Do you think that this will be helpful in getting the supplies you want?
Talk to you all soon,
stacy

Beaded Cabochon

Good Morning.
I wanted to show you my beaded cabochon. I took one of the cabochons that I made for a button and instead of mounting a shank on it for a button, I put it on a piece of fabric and made it into a pin.
I am going to create a video tutorial for you so you can see how it was done. It was a great afternoon project this past weekend when the mercury in the thermometer was taking a plunge.
I am off to create the tutorial.
stacy