More Circular Brick Stitch Projects

Lately I have been interested in making a series of pieces based on one shape. Right now, it is circles. I had posted earlier about learning circular brick stitch. Once I made a few pieces with this technique, I came up ideas for several more.

I made several pendants. I decided to post some of them in my shop. I also made some earrings using circular brick stitch and wire work. I noticed that I either used pastel colors or blue, orange and beige. I made some with a striped effect and also made a couple using a freeform beading technique. I am thinking I may need to expand my color choices. I am also getting a little tired of circles.  I am thinking of working with either spiral or leaf shapes next.

Finished Bead Weaving Projects

Here are a couple of bead weaving projects I finished. The first project was a modification of a brick stitch bracelet I made several months ago. I liked the design a lot and enjoyed making the linked squares. However, I didn’t like the clasp in the pattern.  I could tell right away that the bar part of the clasp was too flimsy and would fall through the other end of the clasp. I could just see the bracelet falling off my wrist while I was wearing it. I loved the rest of the bracelet so I decided try and fix the clasp. I cut off the old clasp and then added a new clasp using tubular peyote stitch.  I think it looks much better with the new clasp and it much sturdier.  Here is a picture of the new clasp. 

I also made this choker. I had made the base out of peyote stitch. I used a netting stitch to add a fringe to the bottom. I originally wanted  the fringe to be flat. However, I made the stitches too close together and it became a ruffle. I liked how it turned out and I received a lot of compliments on the ruffle so it was a happy accident. Once I finished the base and the ruffle, it didn’t look finished so I added a picot stitch edging to the top. Unfortunately, I ran out of the blue crystals and none of the bead stores had them. I found some the last time I was in Seattle and finally finished the necklace. 

Repurposing Yarn

A few years ago, I crocheted this shirt. I really like the pattern. However, it was too big for me and it never fit right. It always bagged up in the back and I never wore it. I kept debating whether I wanted to unravel it and reuse the yarn. I decided to go for it. I would rather have more yarn than look at a shirt I made that I never wear. It took me a while to find where I could start unraveling it. Now that I did it, I am a little relieved that I don’t have to stare at a project that never fit right. I am already eying projects to use the yarn. I have also started the process to claim my blog on Technorati. I have included this code as part of this process. 6F688XZ9DBH2.

Xenobia Bailey

When most people think of crochet, they think of hats, scarves or afghans, or doilies. As much as I like those things, I think that crochet is capable of so much more than that. With crochet, you could make any shape you want. I think it is a good medium for sculpture.I love to see artists that use crocheting in novel creative ways that stretch the possibilities of what crochet can do. One artist I really like is Xenobia Bailey. I first heard of her a few years ago. She had an exhibit of crocheted mandalas I loved. Here is a blog post that shows a lot of pictures of that exhibit. She lives in New York City but grew up in Seattle, Washington. I grew up near Seattle so it is cool to see she has ties to the area. Not too long ago, Etsy featured her in one of their videos. I was very excited to see her video on Etsy.  Here is a link to her blog and here is the video.

A Finished Beadwork Project

Many times, I will start a project with one thing in mind and end up with something completely different than I originally pictured. This project is a good example. I really like the finished result but it took a few twists and turns to get there.

Several months ago, I had made several black and white diamond shapes pieces using brick stitch. I then sewed them together to make this piece. I was originally planning to make this a focal point for a choker.  I attached a chain on each side and put it on. I could see it didn't look right and wasn’t hanging right on my neck.

I then decided to make the pendant longer. I was going to make several more diamonds and make a necklace that used them as beads that are evenly spaced throughout the necklace.  I made some additional diamonds using red, black and beige. I ended up making a piece the same shape as the first one. I then realized it would look good to sew both pieces together. Once I attached both parts together, I realized it looks pretty good as an asymmetrical necklace.The finished product is definitely a statement necklace. I am very happy with the result.

A Fun Yard Sale Find

This past weekend, I checked out some yard sales.  I love to bargain shop and it is prime yard sale season. I found this animal print wallet for a dollar. I am excited I found it. I have wanted to get a new wallet for a while.

I am also broke so I am happy I found it cheap. I love animal prints. I think every woman should have a little animal print in their wardrobe.  I wouldn’t do a whole outfit of animal print because that can veer into tacky and be too much. But one piece in animal print adds a bit of fun.

My New Etsy Shop

I have started an Etsy shop. I have also changed the banner on my blog to match my shop. I started the shop just over a month ago. I have wanted to start an Etsy shop for a few years. I had wanted to make pieces that combined my skills in beading, jewelry making and crochet. One of my big goals for 2012 was to start an Etsy shop. I finally started it and it took longer than I thought to get going.

I have already learned a lot. Just from starting it, I have learned about international shipping, pricing formulas, marketing and product photography. I still have a lot to learn. When I was in the process of starting the shop, I hesitated to make the shop live. I wasn’t sure my pictures looked good enough, or that I had enough items. I finally decided I needed to start somewhere. I decided to start the shop with what I had and fix it as I go. I have already re done the banner twice, replaced the photos, and changed the item descriptions. I am finally at a point where I am happy with the way the shop looks. Here is a link to my shop.