The Sand and the Sea with Humblebeads

I colored outside of the box this weekend crocheting bracelets. I don't usually use bright colored seed beads. My color palette runs with matte metallics and earth tones.

I wanted to show case Art Beads with bead crocheted. Last year I bought these color mixes from Whim Beads. The Ocean is called Fandango. I exchanged a green and added a blue for this combination. The Sand is a mix called Rainforest. I left it alone. It was just right.

The Art Beads are disc beads made by my talented daughter and favorite bead artist Heather Powers of Humblebeads. They were the perfect accent beads for the Sand and the Sea Bracelets.

Stop by Humblebeads. Where you will find beads and inspiration to spark your creativity.

Thanks for stopping!

A Little This and A Little That

I've got a list. It is filled with things I've started and need to finish.

Bead - Do - List

Finish bracelet with triangle beads.
Lariat with Humblebeads.
Owl Necklace.
Blue Queen of Paradise
Crochet Mardis Gras Bracelet
Repeat Black earring

Things to create
Laborite cab necklace
Memory wire with peanut bracelet

Instead of checking something off the list. I strung beads and crocheted a necklace. I found the perfect accent beads at the AKS Gem show last week.

There is something about the heat and humidity that turn my attention span into that of nat!

Urban Stripes

We had so much with the first Urban string along. I love the pop of color in the last section. it's called Silver Perm. Galv. Matte. It has such a nice finish.

While waiting for the last section, Judith challenged us to create a bracelet combining parts from the different sections.

Confessions:
I never quite master the invisible join. I used copper discs to give the bracelet an Urban Chic feel.

The first round of the Urban sting along is complete. We had so much fun that we asked Judith if she would consider doing a second one. I'm pretty sure there was begging and pleading involved!

Stay tuned for part 2. Section one is complete and section two is strung. There has been a lot of crocheting going on!

To see other color combinations and completed ropes stop by and visit Judith's blog

Urban Inspiration

I hear the train a comin'; it's rollin' 'round the bend,
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when.

"Folsom Prison Blues" Song by Johnny Cash

And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away.

photo by safe-growth.blogspot.com

This picture is the inspiration for my Urban stripes color selection. Section three is almost compete and section four should be string before the night is over.

To see other Urban inspired crocheted ropes and color combinations visit Judith's blog.

Urban Stripes

Judith of Beadline Studio started a project called Urban stripes. Thirty three people signed up to join in the experiment. Urban graffiti was the inspiration for our color choices. In my mind's eye I vividly remember sitting at the railroad tracks seeing a black tanker car with these colors painted on the side.

Picture editing: Photostudio app using effect 62 neon lights.

It can be tricky at times stringing a color chart following letters. Picking up the wrong color seed bead to match the letter can really be frustrating once you start crocheting. One mistake and it will throw the whole pattern off. My solution to the problem was using the backside of a business card and double sided sticky tape.

Section one is competed. Section two has been strung with just a few beads left to crochet. I will be posting more pictures of my progress as each section is completed.

Dragonscales and Dragon Bangles

I made my first Dragon Bangle by Nancy Jones featured in Beadwork magazine Feb/March 2011. I shared a sneak peek on BTW. The pattern was done with the brick stitch. I loved the look of the bangle but wasn't happy with how stiff it was. I immediately contacted Judith and asked for her help to make another one using bead crochet. I really had to pay attention while stringing the daggers and seedbeads. All the magatamas had to be facing the same direction. I tried several times before the right combination produced the results I was looking for. I knew I would be using a focal bead to join the bracelet. I had a large hole Tiger Eye bead. It reminded me of the eye of a dragon. Try as I might I have a hard time doing an invisible join with bead crochet. I understand the concept but getting it to work is something my brain can't compute. I love the supple feel bead crochet produces. It rolls over the wrist with ease.

At the Artbead Scene you can learn how to make a quick and easy photo collage using Picnik

If you would like to try your hand at bead crochet I highly recommend you visit Judith's site "beadline.com" where you can purchase her books and CD's.

Turquoise Coyote Road Trip

Last week we took a trip to Turquoise Coyote. I couldn't resist the sparkle of the crystals. I bought Rose Montes in Vitrail medium and Blue Zircon. The 4mm Jet AB 2x were screaming pick me. Followed by 3mm padparadscha and amethyst saying don't forget us. I found some very cool earthy pink/brown stick pearls. I have plans to knot a necklace to wear on Bead Cruise 2010. We stopped and had a great Mexican lunch. Notice how the colors of the crystals I bought match the color scheme of the restaurant? That wasn't planned. Funny how that works out. The marcasite rondells were a must for this crocheted bracelet. The stones are 6mm faceted Amethyst stones. The one thing I discovered is I am in need of a seed bead fix. It's been a couple of years since I have gone to a major bead show. I need to see and touch all the different colors and shapes of those tiny pieces of glass lined up in tubes and laid out in hanks. Those are the type of beads that feed my creative muse.

I've Got A Date

Not a real date but a surgery date on August 18Th for two hernia repairs from previous surgeries. If all goes well they will be able to complete the procedure with laparoscopic surgery. In the mean time I haven't been doing much. Walking, sitting, standing and bending over the bead table are off limits right now. **Thanks for the all the prayers and well wishes for Dona Anderson. After 20 days in the hospital she is home resting. The crochet has been coming along beautifully. I have 3 row to complete and than I can starch and shape it. I recently purchased this Magic Crochet book on etsy: Seller sandritocat I had this magazine many years ago. It was much easier at this time to purchase the magazine than try to dig threw my closets to find the box which holds my crochet books. Thats enough from tonight. I am all worn out!