Beaded Beads

I recently discovered a new love: circular brick-stitch. It's a great way to use up leftover pairs of beads (round, preferably), and embellish them with seed beads. I was sick for a week and ended up making about 12 pairs of these, in a whole array of colors. They're fun, easy, and relatively quick.

I have to give props to my fellow Nomad and Etsian, Laura, and her "Some Enchanted Earrings" class; I had a peek at the handout to help get me started. She's even got some tutorials for even more intricate bracelet and necklace versions. I think I'll stick with the earrings for now... the beads are calling to me to make more!

Check out the link to the "Beadweaving" section of my Etsy site, where I have several of these beauties listed!

-Astra

"Red as Blood" Gothic Choker

First, I have to give props to Laura Zeiner of Stick Lizard Designs -- she's the one who came up with the seed-bead pattern for this gorgeous Victorian-style necklace. I took her class at Nomadic Notions and learned how to make this piece, and so far, I've made three!

This red & black one is probably my favorite, though. I was inspired by watching "True Blood" (oh yes, I'm a fan). Pam, in particular, has some awesome taste in jewelry (or at least her wardrobe designer does!) and this seemed like the sort of thing she might wear. You really can't go wrong with red and black! I used red velvet Chinese crystal rondelles, along with some black crystals, size 11 black seed beads, and a few sterling silver spacers, then finished the whole thing with some gunmetal chain. It's all Gothic and sexy, and makes me think of vampires, which is why I've called it "Red as Blood." How very fitting, as Halloween looms ever closer!

Expanding my Repertoire

Yep, the unthinkable is happening. I'm slowly becoming a seed-beader.

I'm not sure why I was resistant for so long. I suppose because I'd worked at Anthony Nak enough to where I only considered it "real" jewelry if it was made with chain and wire. That, and I'm just stubborn when it comes to trying new things (hey, at least I admit it!). When I started working at Nomadic, it seemed as though beaders fell into two camps: wire-workers or seed-beaders. And I was firmly ensconced in the former, to the point where it took me about 4 years to finally take the plunge with those darn seed beads.

And y'know what? I like it. I mean, sure, that darn thread gets tangled, and I'm still figuring out the patterns and such, but I'm coming to realize that many of the designs I've fantasized about can be achieved much more easily and with less hassle with a needle and thread (or Fireline) rather than all that wire and chain.

I don't think I'm going to give up on my beloved wire & chain, or even chainmail (which I also "discovered" a couple of years ago and really enjoy). I'm just expanding my repertoire. Best to know a little bit of everything, right?

Here's one of my more recent projects, made with fake pearls, size 11 seed beads, glass drops, and some little sea-green stones I had lying around: