Jewelry

Here are the creations I’ve made this past year:

Freeform crochet with brass leaves.

The necklace hooks in front

 

Features shell, drops and 2x2 chain mail links

Choker length with some room to adjust

 

Three crocheted strands of mixed glass beads

Twists and seed beads add interest

 

Freeform crochet with mixed glass beads

Crocheted with fire-polished beads

 

Three crocheted strands with mixed glass beads

 

Beadweaving with seed beads and twisted bugles

Three variations of chandeliers with seed beads, twisted bugles and crystal

 

Overall view of earrings

Another overall view

 

Left: Shell with Sterling Silver Chain, Middle: Handworked metal, Brick Stitch, Right: Bugles, Seed Beads, Crystal in Brick Stitch

Left: Twisted bugles, seed beads, cystal, Middle: Glass beads, silver chain, drops, Right: Copper handworked, Sterling chain, Twisted Bugles, Glass

 

Middle: Green crystal, Red coral with Silverplate Findings, Right: Handworked silver with gemstone

Two different lengths. Seed beads, Twisted Bugles and Delicas

 

Showcasing the flexible nature of this bracelet

This is the night goddess rising from the ocean, her face is the moon with phases on each side. The main body is bead embroidery with seed beads, delicas, bugles, sequins, metallic floss. The fringe contains twisted bugles and turquoise chips.

The Mermaid’s Bodice

Initially I started out with the intention of directly beading onto the cloth body. After trying to poke my needle through the painted fabric, I changed my mind (and possibly saved my fingertips!!) I just hate how sweaty my fingertips get when I use a thimble soooooo ….. 

So then I had to find something that blended in with her “skin” and was beading friendly! I love the idea of lace but I needed something more substantial to bead on. My favorite to bead on is felt. I love felt because it doesn’t fray and has a little grip to it when I use the tiny beads. 

In going with the mermaid theme I really wanted something “scaly” … sequins came to mind and I was off to get my bodice done! It turned out just the way I envisioned it in my mind (which is not always the case) and now she sits happily waiting for her arms! 

Mermaid’s Tail

Ok, so my original plan was to work on the bodice …. ended up working on the tail instead! I found a fun little stitch that twists which works perfectly for my tail. It is attached to a peyote band of delicas. Well, here are some closeups of the beading …. 

Beaded Doll Project – Lady of the Water

My current project is a beaded cloth doll inspired by a rock star in the doll world (along with some rockettes): Patti Culea, Anne Hesse and Laura McCabe. Her most recent book out is “Creative Cloth Doll Beading” and this doll is based off the mermaid pattern. Several things are happening with my Lady. She is a cloth doll with several layers of paint on her torso and head (and arms which are not in the photos). I have one more layer of paint to apply that has a pearlescent color to it.

Originally I had all the pieces in the “proper” places but strayed from there …. I moved fins to her head – I wanted a more sculpted look to her hair and I lengthened her tail for more flexibility in movement. I am currently beading her torso and finishing up her scales. These photos are my “work in progress” on her creation. Thanks to Anne for the email this morning and motivating me to get these photos in place!

Metal Beaded Pendant

One of my most recent projects involves chipboard, scrapbook metal paper and beads! I layered my chipboard shapes and covered them with glue and metal scrapbooking paper. I used a stylus to mold the metal around the shapes and folded the edges to the back. From that point, I glued a faux leather on the back to cover the metal edges. At this point I am working on the edging with beads. I think this piece is going to become a necklace with some fringe hanging down. I have two other pieces to play with once it is complete. 

Wire Crochet Necklace

Here is one of my finished projects! This necklace is created using wire, a crochet hook and beads. Although it may look challenging, it is surprisingly easy! One of my favorite magazines, Bead & Button, had an article in June 2008 for this necklace!!! The designer for this particular piece is Brenda MacLellan. To check out how to do this for yourself, go to www.BeadAndButton.com or pick up their June 2008 issue – pp 59-60! It’s so much fun!!!

On a jewelry run!

My creative juices flow in circles within circles. Some days I am on the outside rims …. other days I find myself close to my core! Once again,  I have been drawn to beading  … and wire crochet! I have just finished a couple of really cool necklaces but as they are gifts I can’t post yet …. but soon! I am waiting patiently for the last of my orders to arrive today from the UPS driver …. so I have immersed myself in wire, thread, beeswax and lots of teeny, tiny little beads  

My Night Goddess

Beading is another passion of mine. My current project right now is a necklace called Night Goddess. She is rising from the sea during the night. The main piece started out life as a sketch which I used as a guide while deciding which beads to use in the design. Everything is stitched on felt, then fused to a backing fabric, trimmed and edged. My next step is to attach the actual necklace …. but I haven’t decided if I want to create a rope, flat chain or use a different material. Anyhoo …. here she is in all her glory!

Beaded Necklace

This necklace was quite some work. There were several stages involved in getting to the final piece. The main section is bead embroidery on paper and then backed with felt. I used a variety of beads to fill in the sections of this butterfly. Size 8 and size 10 seed beads, bugle beads, fire-polished czech beads to name a few. My chain is a combination of herringbone and brick stitch. I like the herringbone because I can put things between the stitches as in my transition from the main piece to the necklace. My finishing touch was the tassel fringe at the base. Although I would love to claim this beautiful butterfly completely as my own – it is inspired by a pattern found in the most wonderful beading book: “Classic Beadweaving: New Needle Techniques & Original Designs” by Ann Benson. She has wonderful ideas and patterns throughout the book! So now you know what I’ve been up to the last few days! This necklace is a gift for my mother on her birthday! – Melinda

Beaded Bracelet

Today I thought I would share one of my other obsessions – beading! Off-loom beadweaving is one of my favorite beading techniques and this bracelet is a very quick workup! This design was featured in Bead & Button, August 2007 Issue 80 pp 50-52 “Quick Stitch”. To know more about this particular design or to buy a kit, contact the designer Jill Wiseman at Tapestry Beads.

The supplies I used to create my bracelet are as follows:

Bugle Beads – Rainbow Pink 12mm
Seed Beads – Pink size 8
Delicas – Champagne
SpiderWire Fishing Line – 10lb (any thicker and you can’t thread the needle I used!)
Size 10/13 Beading Needle

I order most of my supplies at Fire Mountain Gems. This bracelet is really comfortable and very sleek! If you are intrigued with beading, especially beadweaving, check out Bead&Button magazine for other wonderful ideas!!! Happy Creating! -Melinda