Back to Beading - First Necklaces of 2013

This week has been busy, but I’ve fit in a bit of time to do what pleases me. I finished one mitten, but the idea of knitting another and lining both, by my false deadline of the end of January, is daunting.

I have the desire to wear something with colour to work tomorrow, so I decided to go for something with purple in it. This, of course, led me to thoughts of my beads and the fact that I had some purple beads looking to be made into a finished product.

I had two sets of purple beads that were intended for one project. When I looked closer I saw that one type needed to be put on string or wire, and the other needed jump rings. I couldn’t figure out how to bring the two together, so I decided to make two necklaces. I made them so they could be worn together, or on their own.

The jury is still out on these. I can’t decide if I like them enough to wear them.

Whole Lot of Beading Going On

I’ve managed to finish beading two necklaces this week.

The first one I loved making, but the jury is still out on if I like this necklace. I think I’ll have to see what I have to wear it with before I commit to expressing my feelings fully.

The second one, I love. The tiger eye and amber-look beads are so nice. (This picture does not do these beads justice.)  I will definitely wear this one often.

What to do, what to do...

I find myself with some time to fill. I’m in that rare state in life where I just left one job and don’t start my next until October 9. Lying in front of me are 10 glorious days where I can do so many different things.

I will be spending some time catching up with some friends; there are some family milestones to celebrate; there is a teenager to bug; there are some chores to do and so much more…

• In the area of chores, I bought shelf liner to inspire me to clean up our cupboards.
• I need to repair a stack of clothes so I can finally put them away.
• I want to finish a pair of mittens before the end of the month (let’s put that at the top of the list).  
• After that pair is finished, I want to get a good start on an October pair of mittens.
• I need to finish the red beaded necklace, so I can get the beads off the sewing table.
• I may decide to get another set of beads together into a finished necklace.
• And, if I’m really ambitious, I’ll start turning some piles of fabric into a quilt.

So what will I really do over the next week and a bit… whatever I want! (So far, day one has started off with sleeping in and eating Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for breakfast.)

 

Nerd Knitting

I saw this idea on Ravelry the other day, and just couldn’t get it out of my mind. I’ve knit up the QR code for my blog website.



The best part is that it really works. You can scan my knitted square and get to my website. J

I have no idea what I will do with this knit square, but it makes me smile, just to know it was possible.


In beading news…

I fell to temptation today when I was offered a ride in the Noramobile to BeadFx. I couldn’t resist and bought some amber and tiger eye beads for a new project, as well as these little lady bugs to add to my current bead project.

Bead Potential

I love this stage of beading. I have a nice little pile of beads that holds so much potential to become a beautiful work of art.

There are thoughts to be had, decisions to be made, and beads to be strung, but for the next couple of days I will just take some time to stare at this beautiful pile of beads and consider what potential they hold.

Let There Be Light! (My Newest Toy)

My “sewing room” in our apartment doesn’t have the best lighting. That combined with my less-than-young eyes, has had me lusting after an OttLite for the past while. OttLite lamps are designed to illuminate an area with light that is similar to natural sunlight. The idea is brighter light, with less glare, in a more efficient format. I don’t really get how it works; I just know things are much easier to see under an OttLite.

Well this past weekend, all my dreams came true. (Or at least, one of my dreams came true.) Thanks to a 40% off sale at The Tire, I was able to purchase this beauty.

I love it and it is definitely the brightest light in our apartment (and it is mine, all mine.) I haven’t taken it for a serious test drive yet, but I do have some beads cued up and ready to go. 

Let the days get shorter, because I’m equipped to handle the darkness.

Sea Glass Inspired Necklace

This weekend I found myself floating around, unable to get focused on any one thing for long, but I did manage to stop by my beading table enough times to finish a necklace.

The necklace is made with beads from the Michaels store we visited a few weeks back. I love the green and turquoise colours, and the shiny small and medium beads, combined with the larger matte beads. All combined, they make me think of sea glass. (I love sea glass and if I lived by the ocean I would spend much time looking for some.)

I struggle with how to best display beaded creations for a photo, so here is a less interesting photo composition, but one that shows the beads off nicely.

As Cici followed me around, playing the role of assistant to my photo session, I thought I’d see if she would make a good model for my beaded creation.

Leftover Blanket Update

I’ve managed to make some progress on the Leftover Blanket. As I captured it for the blog, Cici continued with her assistant responsibilities and chose to add her thoughts and paws to the picture.

Next up, it is time to get started on some socks or mittens as my project for August. I’m going to have to get some focus on a new project soon, if I’m going to be able to finish it by the end of August.

While The Beader's Away...

There were bead shenanigans in our house today.

Yesterday night I began to layout my next beading project. When I came home from work today, I found that the proposed necklace had taken on a new personality.

My Best Beaded Creation to Date

I’m very pleased to announce that I finally finished a beaded necklace today.

I started this project back on February 20. I began by stringing three strands of assorted pink and crystal beads (that was the fun part); next I strung one strand of double-holed pink and clear beads (that was the not fun part). My conclusion at this point was that beads with two holes are stupid and a pain in the butt to string.

Once the beads were strung I went into a serious procrastination state as I contemplated how to finish the necklace. I knew I could put some cones on the end, but didn’t know how to secure everything. Today I sat down at my table to tackle the finishing and by using a combination of knots and crimp beads, I believe I have securely finished this multi-strand necklace.

I’m very happy with the way it turned out. Now I need to go shopping and buy an outfit to wear it with!

Stay Tuned... Someday I'll Finish Something

I’ve been slower on the updates this month, due mostly  to my day job exhausting me, and the weather being too hot to make much more than a cold drink each night. Every day I do a bit of work on something and think about how I’d like to post it on my blog when it is finished.

Eventually I will finish something, but in the meantime here are the things I wish I was making enough progress on to be blog worthy.

I’m back into beading and this pile of beads and strings is just about to grow up to be a necklace.

I love these new green and turquoise beads and they will be quickly strung as soon as the pink piece is finished.

This month’s mitten project is only a few days from completion, but not ready for prime time blogging yet.

And once those mittens are off the needle, I’m be diving back into the Leftover Blanket and hope to make enough progress on that to warrant a blog update soon.

So, stay tuned and I’ll post a finished item soon (hopefully.)

Time to get my bead sorting on

I’ve just finished a fun morning which was focused on checking out Michaels. It was exactly as expected – a shiny, new store that offered a better selection of craft items that the other stores I know of on the subway line.

I showed amazing restraint and only spent $12. For that small amount of money I bought some fun turquoise and green beads, for a necklace, and two bead storage boxes. Sadly, I’m way more excited about sorting my beads, than making a new necklace. While we were out, we also snuck in a pedicure, so I have some nice, new, pink polish on my toes.

The boys are out watching Batman, so I’m going to head for the couch and sort this mess into the wonderful new storage boxes. I figure the act of sorting will inspire me to begin a new beading project.

Side note for those in Toronto…  Michaels claims to be located at Yonge and Sheppard. It is not. It is actually located further north, beside Empress Walk. For my fellow subway riders, get off the train at the North York Civic Centre.

Snow Crocus Socks and Ice Cream

I finished my May project a couple of nights ago. It is a pair of socks knit from Fleece Artist Trail Socks yarn. Fleece Artist is a wonderful yarn mill from Nova Scotia. They offer beautiful spun fibres in gorgeous colours.

While these socks will not match my wardrobe, I couldn’t resist the beautiful Snow Crocus colour way. It captures the beauty of a first crocus perfectly. Maybe I will keep these socks, or maybe I will add them to the for sale pile at some point.


In food news…

Look out Cherry Garcia, there’s a new kid in town.

This is some seriously good ice cream! The flavours are more blended than those in Cherry Garcia, but still amazing.  If I were choosing, I would likely reach for the Cherry Garcia first, but Häagen Dazs Cherry Chocolate Chunk is a worthy opponent.

The danger of taking a picture of ice cream on a Saturday morning is that you wind up eating the ice cream for breakfast. It was good!

Long Weekend Bead Sorting and Cookies (Mmm)

I made good progress this weekend with about 10cm of sock leg knit. This was mostly due to the enjoyable company of Meredith.

As far as the beads go, the progress on Saturday was limited to putting them into a big pile and admiring them. It is hard to believe that any completed piece of jewellery would be as beautiful as the way the beads look just sitting in a pile.




As I looked at the beads it occurred to me that while many had the standard single hole, there were also many that had two holes. The addition of the second hole would make stringing them with a single hole bead challenging. So, I decided to do some sorting and yesterday and today was spent moving the beads into these two piles.

I’ve come to realize that my favourite beading tools may be the bead mat and bead scoop that my sister sent me. Both tools made the sorting exercise much easier.

Now I have to figure out how to string these beads to bring them together into a beautiful necklace.

Tonight is cookie baking night in our house.

My cookies…

Jacob’s cookies…

Long Weekend Projects

I’ve looked through my stash and pulled out the following to keep me busy this long weekend (I love long weekends!)

I’ll be making starting a pair of socks out of KnitPicks Imagination in the Frog Prince colour. It is a discontinued colour so I feel happy to have a chance at using it.  

And I’ll be coming up with some sort of idea of what to do with this batch of pink and white beads.

The weather outside is warm (love this winter) but wet enough that the thought of staying at home is nice.

Happy Family Day everyone!

Looking Forward to the Long Weekend!

The work week is done and I am ready to begin my long weekend. Three glorious days of doing whatever I want!

Last night I finished this bracelet.

This week I almost finished the unknit mitten.

So, if I finish the unknit mitten tonight, I will have three days of unlimited crafting ahead. I’ll get to start a new knitting project and pick out some beads to work with. What a great way to start a long weekend!

Presenting... My First Necklace

This week I finished my first necklace. Sure I’ve made necklaces before but this is the first time I picked out the beads, strung the beads and attached the findings all by myself.

Here is my creation…

Next up is a coordinating bracelet, something I can wear for special occasions.


Unknit mitten update

I’m making great progress on the unknit mitten and will potentially finish it by my needless deadline of tomorrow night. A new Survivor starts tonight which offers the great potential of a new Survivor pool, and hours of TV viewing enjoyment to knit by.

And finally, a little something for Kim

Don't Start Beading

My recommendation to my blog readers is to not start beading, or rather don’t start buying beads. If you do slip up and buy beads, you should definitely start beading with them.

I still haven’t made anything with my New Year’s bead purchases, but yesterday I went out and bought these beads.

Now that they are home I’m already waffling on what to make with them. I bought the lovely black beads with the silver cross hatch intending to pair them with these round black beads and silver seed beads.

I’m already changing my mind and thinking of taking the seed beads out of the mix and replacing them with some silver tubes.

The one challenge with beading is that my world is filled with bead enablers. Meredith’s love of beads set the stage for my constant distraction by shiny things in bead stores. Once she cracked the surface Stephanie just chipped away at me until I caved and started buying beads. 

Through Steph, Nora has also influenced my bead purchases and yesterday Nora whisked Steph and I off to BeadFx which is a dream come true for anyone who likes beads. It is a crazy big store with more beads than anyone could imagine. Once in the store you can’t help but buy and buy and buy. Steph bought the most but we all did some damage to our credit cards and walked out with enough beads for multiple projects.

Now it is time for me to get focused on completing a necklace or something out of beads. I was all set to string the brown beads I’ve been showing you lately and then Steph (as enabler) brought down some more brown beads to add to the mix which means it is back to the drawing board to determine the best composition for the final necklace.

So many beads, so little time.

Unknit mitten update

I’m hoping that I can reknit this mitten by Thursday night. I’m really getting bored with this project and would like to get it over and done with before I head into the long weekend (Long Weekend – Yay!)

Here is where it is at after yesterday. I hoping a good round of watching TV will allow me to make some good progress today.

In other thoughts…

Why is it when we give my dog a biscuit she must eat on the carpet instead of the ceramic tile that is much easier to clean? (She just pulled a biscuit out of her food dish and took it to the living room to eat. Sigh)

Getting Closer to a Necklace

The brown beads continue to draw my attention but have yet to form themselves into a final creation.

As of now it is looking like I might make a necklace and a bracelet.

Jalapeno Poppers and Cornbread

Last night we had some friends over and so I made some more snacks.

First up came the idea to make some easy and tasty jalapeno poppers which are simply jalapenos stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon. I was running out of bacon so mine look a bit patched together, but still tasty. Thank you to Christina for inspiring Glen who inspired us.

Next came the idea to add some cornbread. The recipe comes from Paul Prudhomme’sLouisiana Kitchen cookbook.

And here they are both fresh out of the oven and ready to eat. Mmm.

In other crafts… the beads continue to draw my attention but have yet to become a necklace. They are now off the strings they were bought on and sitting in a pile waiting for further inspiration.

Scared to Dive In and Bead

Over the Christmas holidays I spent some money on beads and findings. I made a rare (possibly my first) trip to Michael’s and spent much money on beads for two projects and a bunch of miscellaneous findings that would equip me to make some jewellery. But I didn’t dive in and create something.

Then I went to the library and took out several books on beads and jewellery making. I’ve looked at the books, I’ve read all the how-to’s, I’ve studied the samples for inspiration and I’ve renewed the books so I can keep them at hand. But still I haven’t created something.

Next I decided using our old pliers wasn’t for me and I went to Mary Maxim and bought special round nose pliers and a crimper. After all, to make glorious creations I need to be equipped with the best tools. But still I haven’t created something.

This past week I finally bought some bead stringing wire, the only supply that I didn’t yet have on hand. But still… I haven’t created something.

I’ve now realized that I am scared to make a necklace. I have these beautiful brown and topaz beads that hold so much potential for great beauty. Each individual bead is beautiful. The silver wrapped beads are gorgeous and the pendant is stunning. The problem is that I’m scared to take these beautiful bits and create a necklace. The end creation should be something that is more beautiful than the sum of its parts… but what if it isn’t?  What if the resulting necklace is just a pile of beads that detract from the individual pieces of beauty?

Should I use all the beads in one necklace? Should I use a more minimalistic approach and not stress if all the beads aren’t used? Should I create a necklace from the pendants and brownish/topaz beads and use the silver wrapped beads to make a coordinating bracelet? So many beads, so many possibilities…

We will see what this weekend brings. I may create a necklace or I may just hide in the safety of a pair of mittens that I am working on.