Stargazer Beaded Bead

In celebration of their 15th anniversary, BeadWork magazine is having a beaded bead contest.

Bead One is called Seeing Stars and is by Melinda Barta, editor of BeadWork. You can find this pattern in the February/March 2012 issue.

Bead Two is Clustered Beaded Bead by Gwen Fisher and is in the April/May issue.

Bead Three is the Stargazer Beaded Bead by Florence Turnour in the June/July issue.

Bead Four is the Treasure Trove Beaded Bead by Cynthia Newcomer Daniel in the August/September issue.

The last bead, Bead Five, is the Dewdrop Beaded Bead by Cindy Holsclaw which incorporates Tila's and drop beads. You can find it in the October/November issue.

The contest is to make at least one of each beaded bead and incorporate them into one piece of jewelry. Deadline for entries is October 26, 2012. Visit beadingdaily.com/beadedbeadcontest for entry details and rules.

On Fridays I have a beading day with my friend Gail Smith. As we are both subscribers to the magazine, we have all the issues with the beaded patterns. We decided to tackle Bead Three: Stargazer Beaded Bead by Florence Turnour.

Gail used Peridot and Capri Swarovski Elements bicones and I used Peridot and Violet bicones. Yes, the pattern called for rounds, but we're rebels.

Here's Gail's:








Here's mine:







And here they are side by side:


After years of raging against "those little beads", I concede that to you all that I like them. I think I may make another one using Swarovski Pearls instead of bicones.

I'll keep you posted on the progress of the other beads. I hope you'll join me in participating in this contest.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Congratulations to Pamela Kearns

We were all feeding off the awesome news that Pam shared with us yesterday...
One of her pieces has been accepted for the July 2013 issue of BeadWork Magazine!!!

You can see more off Pam's work on her website Peyote Dreams.

Pam is a popular teacher at BeadFX. I have personally taken some of her courses - Herringbone Bracelet as well as Sparkly Wheels. She is very patient and knowledgeable. If you haven't taken a class with her yet, I suggest you do - and conveniently she has some coming up!

September 27, 2012

Jewellery Making 101 (class at BeadFX)

Do you want to create jewellery for yourself but have no idea where to start? Join us for this ‘newbie’ course and discover just how easy creating jewellery can be. Participants will make a couple of pairs of earrings and a bracelet. You’ll learn how to use headpins, open and close jump rings and find out how to use crimps. Students are to bring an assortment of beads they wish to use; time will be available during the class to select beads. Class will be held at BeadFX, 19 Waterman Avenue, unit 2.
Class fee: $35 + HST; Kit fee: $12, includes an assortment of findings (headpins, earwires, clasps beading wire to complete 2 to 3 pairs of earrings and a bracelet.

Start:	September 27, 2012 6:00 PM
End:	September 27, 2012 9:00 PM
Venue:	BeadFX
Phone:	(416) 701-1373
Address:	19 Waterman Avenue, unit 2, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Cost:	$35 plus kit fee (HST extra)

October 11, 2012

Spectacular Sparkly Wheel bracelet (class at BeadFX)

You’ve seen it in BeadFX’s blog – now create your own! With permission of the designer, we’ll use Nikia Angel’s Sparkly Wheel design to encase 14mm sparkling Swarovski rivolis and assemble them to create an amazing bracelet. Students will need to bring their choice of five 14mm Swarovski rivolis (may be purchased during the class.)
Class will take place at BeadFX, 19 Waterman Avenue, unit 2.
Class fee: $35 + HST; Kit fee: $18, includes enough fire-polished beads, seed beads and findings to complete a bracelet. Various colour choices will be available.

Start:	October 11, 2012 6:00 PM
End:	October 11, 2012 9:00 PM
Venue:	BeadFX
Phone:	(416) 701-1373
Address:	19 Waterman Avenue, unit 2, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Cost:	Class fee: $35 + HST plus kit fee of $18

October 25, 2012

Open-Weave chainmaille accent for Regaliz/Licorice leather bracelet

Regaliz/Licorice leather is all the rage and you can create a stunning accent for your leather bracelet. Using only jump rings, students will learn how to do open-weave chainmaille and discover how it can be used to encase leather and other materials. Students will need to supply enough Regaliz/Licorice leather, appropriate clasp and two Regaliz beads of their choice.
Class will be held at BeadFX; 19 Waterman, Unit 2.
Class fee: $35 + HST; Kit fee: $8, includes jump rings, wire and complete instructions to complete the project.

Start:	October 25, 2012 6:00 PM
End:	October 25, 2012 9:00 PM
Venue:	BeadFX
Phone:	(416) 701-1373
Address:	19 Waterman Avenue, unit 2, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Cost:	$35 plus kit fee (HST extra)

November 8, 2012

Fire and Ice Bracelet

6mm fire-polished beads and delica beads create a colourful and stylish bracelet. Reminiscent of the traditional Xs and Os (Hugs and Kisses) design, the bracelet will be able to be completed within the class time.
Class will be held at BeadFX, 19 Waterman Avenue, Unit 2
Class fee: $35 + HST; Kit fee: $17, includes all materials to complete the project