My Stash

In my earlier post I mentioned subeed asking what is in our stash. I took a look at other people’s in the forum (also mentioned in my previous post). I thought I had a lot of beads. One of them looks like a store. They are all so organized. Mine are bagged and dumped into baskets. I have to dig through it all and pray what I’m looking for is there.

I was organized at one time. It was just so not me. So here is some of my stash minus threads, wires, charms and tools. I couldn’t find them…just kidding. Who wants to see that stuff anyway?

Findings and metals:

Various beads:

Seedbeads (am I ever getting low, now I HAVE to shop):

My “One Of” pile:

This is what it looks like when an idea gets into my head:

That’s about it. Anything else is way too unorganized to post. When I finally get my own work room (next year) I might be neater, probably not though.

Happy Beading

Now I’m excited!

I knew it would take time to meet up with other beaders here at WordPress. I did notice a bunch of us had started our blogs in January. I think the staff  here should be forewarned, once word gets out, this place will be flooded. They will have to give us a front page tag of our own. Beading is a popular craft and showing no signs of slowing down.

I was reading subeed’s blog today and found a link to forum that she moderates. The Starving Jewelry Artist forum. Ha, I love it. If you’d like to check it out click here .

She also took photo’s of her bead stash. It’s funny how just seeing pictures of someones beads can get you all excited. I used to keep my beads in those metal storage containers with the drawers but when we made a little workroom I emptied my beads back into bags and filled the units with our nails and screws.

I have containers, bags and baskets. Little jars filled with “leftovers”. BUT since she asked what’s in our stash. I think I’ll get out my camera tonight! So, what’s in your stash?

Beading Contest

beadFX has announced weekly contests.  You choose a colour category, they send you various beads and you create! Winners receive gift certificates.

I shop there on-line and had always wanted to see it in person. A few weeks ago my husband told me he had to get a new sump-pump for the basement, I wondered why we were going so far for a pump we could have bought anywhere. We finally pull into a parking lot, I looked up and saw the sign. beadFX!!! OMGoodness, was I shocked. 3 hours later I walked out with my little bag of goodies and didn’t stop smiling the rest of the day.

I’m not confident enough in my skills to enter but for any beaders that are interested click here. Good Luck (The page looks blank if you don’t maximize the screen. I don’t know why)

Under Construction

Making some changes with the site today. Sorry for the inconvenience but it should be worth it in the end.

Have a sneak peek at the new HOW TO section here (still under construction)

The Sunday Report #2

It’s Sunday, the one day I allow myself to post off-topic and share interesting tidbits. First of all I’ll TRY not to talk politics, because I know how much my family loves it when I do. (I can see you clapping…)

But I do have to post my weekly quote:

“The real reason that we can’t have the Ten Commandments in a courthouse: You cannot post “Thou shalt not steal,” “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” and “Thou shalt not lie” in a building full of lawyers, judges, and politicians. It creates a hostile work environment.” - George Carlin

On a lighter note, I know a few family members who would like this site called The Sacred Path.  Very interesting stuff, check it out.

I was making a necklace for my niece before Christmas, and let her pick out the beads. I have tonnes, and my husband also picks some up if he sees something I might like. So keeping track of my inventory is hard. One of the packages she choose were tiny black cube beads. (With a bunch of large lime coloured ones. She said “I need lime because people notice it, like, it stands out.” She’s growing up much too fast!) Back to the black beads, they ended up being magnetic beads, I had no idea. Ughhhh, what a pain. They kept clinging to each-other and getting in the way of what I was doing. I can laugh about it now, but you should have heard me when I was making it. It was worth it in the end, because she loved it. I made 3 of them for her, and then made a bunch of beaded dangles that clip on the front so she could mix and match.

That’s all for now. Happy Beading

I finished my bracelet.

I got around to putting the last touches on my bracelet that I posted about a few days ago. I put it on, snapped a few pictures and then noticed my dry skin! Just ignore it please…  My occupation doesn’t allow me to pamper my skin and anyone with callouses knows you want to keep them otherwise you’ll end up pretty sore.

Back to the topic, here are a few shots:

I’m working on a copper one as well. I have 3 more spirals to finish up sometime this week. After that who knows?

Another Bead and Wire Necklace

I got this design from wonderful book my Grandmother lent me a while back. I’ll have to give her a call to get the name of it and who created it. It looks better when it is being worn. Here it’s laying flat so the beads aren’t hanging properly. I really enjoyed making this one. Wire isn’t the easiest thing (for me) to work with, so when it actually turned out, I was impressed!

I’ve been experimenting with different wires and techniques. I was in the next room hammering away at a piece and my husband came in wondering what I was up to with all the noise. I had discovered you can flatten it into ribbon wire. Very cool! On top of that, you can twist it! I love my seed beads but working with wire is getting to be quite fun!