Second Attempt

Well, I've had my first rejection. The client did not like how the dove grey worked out - she really wanted black. I've been having a tough time finding a black that I really like, especially a "shiny" black that looks like something other than plastic. So I pulled out what I thought was my best option - a matte black that I've been using quite a bit of lately. They're labelled 10/0's, but their height is similar enough to the 15/0's that I was using that the curve wasn't as tight as the other bracelet.

I also found out that I can make this bracelet in about 3.5-4 hours. (I got the e-mail and got to work right away.)

Verdict - client loves it. Wants two more. Eep.

Book Recommendations

 
















I've been asked a couple of times now what books and/or magazines I would recommend to the beginning beader. Just to be clear, I know virtually nothing about stringing, lampworking, chainmaille or wirework. (Wirework actually intimidates the heck out of me.) Bead-weaving, though, I know pretty well.

My first recommendations to any beginning bead-weaver would be Beth Stone's two excellent books - Seed Bead Stitching and More Seed Bead Stitching. Both are easily found at Chapters-Indigo or Amazon.

I love Beth Stone's attitude towards beading - grab some beads and play! You'd be amazed as to what might happen. It has certainly inspired me to go beyond some of my many "oops" moments when I'm creating a new piece to see what would happen if I kept going. Her instructions are very clear and the visuals are genuinely helpful. At first I was taken aback a bit on her choice of beads to photograph for her examples - many books are as pretty as they are informative. To be blunt, some of the bead choices I find butt-ugly. However, it makes extremely clear how the stitch builds on each preceding section. Who can really argue with that? 

I've seen this disclaimer on other sites, so I figure I'd add it here - Beth Stone has no idea who I am. I just really like her books.

Wouldn't it be neat if she did know who I was though!

Guilty

Life gets away from us sometimes. Being a teacher, life getting away from me seems like a perpetual state of being. I've been lucky to have several commissions as of late, so I've been quite busy beading. I didn't take any photos of the wedding sets I did (silly me) but I did finish and photograph this little gem.

The grey looked significantly darker in the tube, which I thought would be a great substitute for the shiny-black the client wanted. In the piece, not so much. It came out a lovely dove grey that is somehow both softened and bolstered by the silver-lined clear beads.

I'm quite tickled on how it turned out.