Early Morning Post

Yes, I know, it’s one o’clock in the morning. I have a crazy, busy week ahead of me and have been trying to get things organized and ready. In between playing with my beads, of course.

I get a heavy load of traffic at my site for beaded Christmas ornament covers so that is why I have been posting photo’s of my covers, in the works and finished ones. For those who come here for other reasons, I don’t expect you to comment on every one of them, because there will be loads more coming. You’ll probably get sick of them in a while. But for those of you who have done a search and end up here, this is just a hobby, and I am just “winging it” when it comes to design. Some can be pretty tacky, like the one I am about to show you. But I figure with 50 or so others on the tree, no one is going to get “up close and personal” with them. Some will be simple, others ornate and many of them odd.

On to the point of this topic: I am not an expert beader and I have never written out my patterns. I will eventually do some videos while I am in the process of making them. But if there is anything specific I can help you with, or you have any questions, I’d be more than happy to help. Don’t be shy, leave me a comment.

Here is the one I am currently working on: (Tacky, I know…)

I get even more hits on my Russian Spiral with Bugle beads. There is a link under my blog roll to another site that shows you how to make them. I have been meaning to make a few more. So stay tuned for that as well. I wanted to try one with shorter bugle beads this time.

I probably won’t be on much for about a week. Maybe reading a bit here and there. But if all goes as planned I should have some great video’s (not beads though) when I’m back on. (Hope I am not jinxing things by telling you before hand.)

Have a great long week-end to all my fellow Canucks.

Green and Gold Beaded Ornament Cover

This is my latest beaded Christmas ornament cover. I wish it captured just how it sparkles in the light. One day I’ll open the instruction manuel that came with the camera. :)  I do like this one though. It took forever! Well, it felt like forever…

My tree might just be covered in these come Christmas. I hope so! 

Dreamcatcher Christmas Ornament Cover.

I was really working out of my element here. I wasn’t even going to share it because I don’t even know how I feel about it yet. It’s not your typical Ornament Cover, the kind you can say “It’s so delicate” or “I love the way it sparkles.” But it is growing on me. I started it last night, and it took me longer than usual because it wasn’t the type I’m used to. I used chunkier beads and a larger ball.

The other day Joan had said she would have to use bigger beads or balls. And I thought, why not? So here is a chunky cover inspired by her. You don’t even have to say you like it.  

For anyone who wants to know more about Dreamcatchers, click here.

The Evolution of an Ornament Cover.

I thought I would take you with me while I created my latest Christmas ornament cover. I have mentioned before that I don’t follow patterns. I pick out a bunch of beads, set them in front of me and just wing it. Is it a good way of making things? Probably not the best. For one, it’s a little more time consuming because you are not following instructions. You are creating your own pattern in your head. You are just hoping it sits right on the ball. That things hang the way they should and it doesn’t always turn out the way you picture it.  If you make a mistake, it’s a real pain to backtrack and figure out what will work and what won’t.

I suggest anyone who wants to make these to use a pattern. I just like creating my own. Once you catch on to the basics, that’s when you’ll want to come up with your own ideas.

Many times I end up thinking that I should have done this, or that. Why didn’t I use this bead instead. But for me, the challenge is what I like. If it looks so bad that I will never use it, I can still salvage the beads and I have learned what not to do next time.

So, Here we go…

I start off by stringing 36 seed beads on the thread. Let them drop about 5 inches away from the bottom and tie a knot so they form a circle. That goes around the top of the Ornament. Then I just wing it from there.

This is what I came up with:

By now I am starting to think…Uh oh…I’m not really liking where I’m going here. I am hoping something good comes to mind.

I keep working and end up with this:

A few close-ups:

Not too bad. But I have to add a fringe because they look good when they are hanging from the tree branch.

It’s okay, but adding the fringe has pushed some of my beads and they aren’t sitting right. Oh well, I’ll have to live with it. A few extra touches and voila…a new cover.

I put it on a gold ball so it shows up better but when I do use it on the tree, it will be on a clear ball. This one came together rather quickly. An easy one to whip up.

After I make a few more I might even video tape it. A mini tutorial or how-to for Joan or anyone else that might want to try and give it a go.

Oh, I almost forgot to add that MusEditions is celebrating her one year blogging Anniversary.  Muse is one of my most favoritest bloggers and I do hope there will be many more to come. Because I’m selfish that way. Cheers, Muse!

Still Playing With My Beads

I’ve added a bit to the Christmas Ornament cover. Mind the threads still attached. I’m not sure if I am finished yet so I don’t want to tie off.

A few more Christmas ornament covers.

These are a few of the ornaments I have left. I’ll do my best to get photo’s of the ones I gave away. (The ones I’m actually proud of making) I love making these covers and hope that every ball has one on my tree next year.

What to do with plastic beads?

I seem to get quite a few plastic beads as gifts from well meaning people. Glass and metal are my beads of choice so I usually give the rest to my niece. This time I made her a Christmas ornament. I thought it would match the colors in her room where she has her little tree.