Archive for March, 2010

I did it, I finally bought the Nortel Bead Core Liner! It is really easy to use. After only a few “yuckies” I was able to make some pretty decent looking cored beads. I still need to refine my technique a bit. I haven’t figured out how to round the edges nicely and I think I need to polish them somehow to get the nice smooth shiny look, but so far I am quite happy with my new purchase.

I bought my silver tubing and bead caps from GinkoDesigns on Etsy.

Take a look at the results…first the “Yuckies”…

and here are the good ones…

Spring has always been my least favorite season. Here in Michigan spring takes its dear sweet time getting here. Winter always seems to loiter around way longer than it should. The weather begins to warm up only to reveal huge piles of dirty snow melting everywhere and a flat, cold, gray landscape. Blech!

I have developed a new workshop for Bead Quest to help get me and my students in the swing of spring! Spring Flower Power beads! I started making these to use as examples for the class, but now I just can’t seem to stop. They are just so colorful and fun, they really lift my spirits and put me a better mood. I am definitely ready to see some real flowers, but these bright cheerful beads will have to do for now.

I have my first two entries for the Spring Designer Challenge!

My very first entry is from Kim Forrer of Kim Forrer Designs. If you like this bracelet you should stop by her Etsy Shop and 1000 Markets Storefront for more of her amazing designs.

Some details about the piece:

Whitney Lassini focal bead
Faceted Labradorite stones
Amethyst Stones
Sterling Silver wire and spacer beads
Lapis Lazuli Bead Dangle to bring out the blue in the focal bead
Sterling Silver hand-forged abstract hook and eye clasp with Amethyst stone accent

The next entry comes from Luann Zanke Gilliland of LZG Beaded Designs. Her work is currently featured at a local gallery, Framing by CJ, in Bloomsburg, PA.

Some details about the piece:

“I was inspired by the colors and swirls of this bead. I used three different shades and textures of purples to capture the movement of colors swirling around in the bead. (Czech glass, Asian crystal, Greek ceramic spacers) I used the amber color as a complimentary accent color. I carried the swirl into the finished piece by incorporating a sterling silver swirl clasp.”

Thanks so much for sending in those entries! I can see that my judges over at Bead Quest are going to have their work cut out for them!