Garden by the Sea

It's been a long time since I have felt the bead lust churning inside. Working feverishly this design has been growing in my mind. For Bead Cruise 2008 I wanted to create my class projects using Art Beads from our sponsors. These sponsors help to make our bead cruise a success with their generous donations for door prizes and gifts for those attending our adventures on the high seas. Below is a special edition cuff bead from Humblebeads. Show casing the bead as a focal point in the project was my challenage. The beadwork had to stand out and not take away from the beauty of the bead. The beadweaving techinques used had to enhance it. The end result: Garden by the Sea I wanted the clasp to be a part of the design. I am looking forward to teaching this as a class on Bead Cruise 2008. Open registration begins July 20th. . My To-list is long with a page being due for the Bead Journal Project, another project to complete and rivoli's I want to bead. One thing at a time. *Breath*

A New Size in Delicas

One of my favorite places that we shopped at during the show (Bead & Button) was Foxden Designs. It was great to see Terri Ann and "my" oh "my" she had a great selection of Miyuki's newest addition of Size 10 Delica seed beads. I wanted one of every color. Instead I settle for just a few to get me started. I have already placed an order for more. I love them!! They are just the right size for the Bead Cruise 2008 project I am working on. Wirelace from Alacarteclasps. This next product was new to me but I heard it has been around for awhile. There are several articles published in the bead magazines with projects using the wirelace. Alacarteclasps has a gallery of designs on their website Heather Powers at Humblebeads created this design using the wiremesh. The last booth we stopped at was Earthenwood Studios. Melaine makes some awesome ceramic beads and pendants. To see other Ceramic Bead Makers visit the Art Bead Scene blog.

Beaducation Online Classes

Last night I spent some time thumbing through the Bead & Button Show guide. One of the Ad's that caught my eye was....... beaducation What a great opportunity for those who can not travel to take classes with these wonderful talented instructors. In the comfort of your home and in your own time you will soon be able to take classes with: Lisa Niven Kelly, wirework and metalwork Barb Switzer, wirework and metalwork Laura McCabe, seed bead work Dallas Lovett, wirework and metalwork Kate Richbourg, PMC Lisa Claxton, wirework and metalwork Kriss Silva, wirework and metalwork Emily B. Miller, PMC Mel McCabe, wirework and metalwork Colin Mahler, chainmail Kits and tools can also be purchased from Beaducation. What a great site. I might just get my chance to take that class I have always wanted with Dallas Lovett.

The Bead and Button Show

I haven't been to the Bead & Button show for several years. I remember the first year I went and how inspired I was when I got home. This year was no different. The beadwork on display was humbling. My favorite part of the show is the Bead Dreams Competition. This year I watched the progress of the Lone Beader's 1943 Chevy Fire Truck. What a thrill to see this displayed at the show with a red ribbon. Congratulations Diane! Sherry Serafini "Million Dollar Baby" Be still my heart! This piece took my breath away. Watch for "The Art of Bead Embroidery" Techniques, Designs, & Inspiration by Heidi Kummli and Sherry Serafini to be released September 2007 by Kalmbach. Beki from Out at Whim has some great pictures on her blog. We had one day at the show and my sister had an agenda. She made a list of vendors and items she wanted to find at the show. With limited time this cut down on the time spent looking for things. We went to the booths on the list and found the Treauses we sought. After 5,000 miles on the road in the last two months. I am glad to be back home. Watch for the next post with the names of the vendors we saw and the things I bought.