Netted Bracelet in Turquoise, Garnet and Silver with Beaded Bead Dangle

Well, that's a mouthful for a title, eh?! I had made the beaded bead awhile ago and had envisioned using it for a dangle on a bracelet. After learning the tubular netting technique, I decided the beaded bead was the perfect accent for a coordinating bracelet. I used turquoise crazy lace agate, Czech druks in garnet AB and silver 15/0 seed beads. I added additional coordinating accent beads and a decorative toggle clasp with the beaded bead dangle inserted into the accent beads. Fun to make and wear!

Beaded Helm Weave

After completing the Dragonscale bracelet, I had extra 20g Sterling Silver and Enameled Copper in Red rings left. As luck would have it, I discovered that the simple, but elegant Helm Weave could be made with 20g rings of the exact same inner diameters! What luck!!! So, I set to work on the weave, but I decided to vary the monotony of the pattern by adding Sterling Silver beads to the single, large rings. It gives the necklace a beautiful drape and adds a touch of beauty to an already lovely chain maille design. I'm not the first person to think of adding beads to chain maille, but I think I can make many variations on this theme in the future.

Dragonscale Chain Maille

I've been a busy little beading and mailling bee, finishing up myriad UFOs and plotting new twists on old designs. I finished (after running out of the Sterling Silver jump rings and reordering) my first Dragonscale chain maille bracelet in Sterling Silver and Enameled Copper (EC) in Red with a Sterling Silver tube clasp. It is a pain-staking weave, slow and intricate. However, the resulting piece is lavish and drapes beautifully! I'm working up another using EC in Red and Amber on a double bias. Yes, I like to torture myself :P

Ootheca Cuff Finished!

I have finally completed the Ootheca Cuff in Berry Colorway. The design is from Rachel Nelson-Smith's Seed Bead Fusion book. This was a labor-intensive effort, but the resulting reversible cuff was worth the time. I didn't realize the bracelet was reversible until after I had created both bases in the same color, but I did use two different colors of Swarovski bicones on either side to make it somewhat reversible. I'll no doubt make another, however, it will be one of my go-to projects when I'm between other designs. My next project from her inspirational book will be a pair of earrings that seem to be able to be worked up in a day!

Beading is...Stress Therapy

I made this bracelet while staying in Madeira Beach during our kitchen/family room demolition phase (see my new blog "Age of Destruction at http://ageofdestruction1.blogspot.com/.) I went to the local bead store, Celestial Beads, and bought my supplies and sat down with Anne to make an Autumn-themed bracelet using a pattern by Deborah Farrand. I used Swarovski Pearls in Burgundy, Swarovski crystal bicones in Crystal Copper and a Miyuki seed bead mix in Golden Grains (topaz, brown, beige and cream). The clasp is a sun/moon toggle in antique gold.

I really enjoy beading no matter where I am. I have a plastic portfolio case that I cram with all my latest projects and a travel cosmetic bag crammed with more project components and beading tools. Needless to say, I don't always have what I need to finish a project...jump rings, thread protectors, the 'perfect clasp' or ear wires, but I've got plenty to keep me busy beginning a new project or continuing an existing one. While the house remodel rains chaos and insulation down on my head, I know I'll have a peaceful time in my bead room.