Merry 2011…

January 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

"Merry 2011!"  This is what my college freshman cousin texted back to me after I wished his family (who were somewhere skiing–I love their NYE style btw) a Happy New Year.  It made me smile and giggle.  He is refreshing!  

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This is me and Rocker earlier today, warm and toasty in our new cabin digs and oh so lucky to have each other.  Rocker suggested we give you our best mysterious model look.  Did we get it?  Haha.  We love us some PhotoBooth!  Which leads me to I got a new computer finally….I converted to Mac-alisism! Praise the Lord!  My old one was old and that's all I need to say.  Ok, but I feel like I'm driving a caddy when I work on this thing.  Smooth.  Fast.  I love it!  

2010's life brought ups and downs…just like every year.  I'm lucky, that's one thing I know for sure.  I made so many new friends this past year and a beautiful new place to live and work fell from the stars into my lap.  Still no "Mr. Right."  I think that's ok for now though.  I found that my work really grew and changed this year and some neat projects fell into my lap.  I tried some new things, like my first Steampunk necklace that uses Jangles parts featured in Winter 2010 Stringing magazine.  

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Thank you everyone who has friended me on facebook.  Facebook…whoulda thought?!  If you haven't, please come on over and look me up!  I want to also say thank you to those of you who purchased my Metalworking 101 for Beaders book this past year and dropped lines to say hello.  I have a few goals for 2011 and one of them is to teach more creative jewelry workshops anywhere and everywhere starting with the Indiana Bead Society on March 19th.


 

There's lots more, but I'll stop here.  I like this song  so I'm sharing!  It gives me that get-up-and-go-do-whatever-you-need-to-get- done-energy….which is what I'm all about this year.

Filed Under: Beads, Chin-up!

Beaded Beads…

January 16, 2010 By 13 Comments

This is a little re-play post from March of 2006 that I swiped from my ol' podcast site, The Candie Cast.  If I remember right, I damn near lost my mind putting this tutorial together because I was living in China at the time and got the pattern from a Chinese beading book….a VERY tiny diagram, lots of loops, arrows and characters…you get the idea.  (Sorry for the language, but sometimes there is no other way to describe it.  Aiya!)   But!  A good challenge, none the less.   I've had so many people fall in love with making these beads, the latest Terry, from FL.  So Terry, this one's for you…

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I warn you these are addicting to make.  They will be spilling out of your pockets, purses, drawers etc….  I warn you!  Now have fun!

Materials-

  • 30 beads of any shape and size (just be sure the hole in the bead is big enough for the cord to pass through twice)
  • good quality nylon cord
  • bit of glue

Here goes nothing:

Cut 20" of cord and double it over so the ends meet and string 5 beads onto the left end/side of the tail.

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Thread the right end of the cord through the 5th bead in the opposite direction that the left tail is going-I call this a 'cross'.

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Pull the two ends snug so it makes a star in the middle of your bead cluster.

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String 4 beads onto the left tail.

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But on the 4th bead thread the right tail through in the opposite direction that the left tail is going (I call this a cross).

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Look carefully at the orientation here.  At the top is the original 5 beads and in my fingers is the 4 beads.  The right cord comes out and goes into the bead directly to the right of it.

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This is how it should look.  Notice how the cord looks like it is going through two beads side by side.

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String 3 beads onto the left tail.

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And cross the right tail through the 3rd bead.

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And the right tail goes through the bead directly to the right of it again.

**Repeat the last three steps TWO more times so that you will have a total of 4 clusters around your central star at this point. 

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Now run your right tail through the two beads to the right of the bead where the right tail comes out (as seen in picture) and string 2 beads onto the left tail.

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Cross the right tail through the 2nd bead and pull the two ends snug.

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This completes the top half of the bead, making sort of a dome shape.  Deep breath, let's push on!

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The right tail goes through the bead just next to it.

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String 3 beads onto the left tail.

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Right tail goes through the 3rd bead, making the cross.

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Now this time, the right tail goes through not one but TWO beads to the right of it!

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String 2 beads on the left tail.

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Right tail crosses through the second bead.

**Repeat the last the last three steps TWO more times!  We're almost there!!!!

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Now, do you see that tiny gap….and notice you have one bead left? 

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String the remaining bead on the left tail.

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This is where it gets a little confusing, but I think you will understand the idea.  The left tail with the bead on it goes across and through the bead on the left, then it keeps going through the remaining 3 beads in the cluster of 5.  Same goes for the right tail except it goes through the right side, opposite the left.  Remember that the cord should make a triangle at each bead junction and the cord must pass through each bead twice.  Tie the tails in a knot where they meet up. 

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Trim the ends and dot the knot with some glue to secure.  Yay!  We made it!

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Please, please, please let me know if you try to make these and the pattern has a glitch.  I've checked over it, but I need a proof-reader so to speak!  And also, if you make something with these, please send me a picture of the finished project. 

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XO, Candie

Filed Under: Beads, Get Crafty, Jewelry, Tutorials

Soupa Doop, Soupa doop…

February 22, 2009 By 2 Comments

Remember that song by Salt-N-Peppa?  It just came to me when I thought about the word, "soup."  "Shoop"! Oh, I have to go You-Tube it now…it's stuck in my head.——————–Ok, I'm back.  I was going to insert the link, but  the lyrics are kinda naughty, lol.  I can't remember the last time I heard that song. 8th grade maybe?  It's funny how "adult" ears interpret the lyrics now—I think as a kid we just like the melody and the beat.  No wonder when our parent's were leery, we said, "what's the big deal?!?"

Anyway.  Soup.  If you are in a soup rut, and you've an adventurous palette try this:

Illustrations 045 (Small) 

Spicy Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup.  Mmmmmm, full of flavor awesomeness.  I froze some of it and it thawed just dandy.  Throw some fresh cilantro on it and you're good to go.

Flower bracelet (Medium) 

I've been Spring cleaning as of late…closets, computer files, pictures, drawers, you name it!  But, itseems to be going soooo slow! Doesn't it always look really really bad before it gets better?  This bracelet is one of the pictures I found.  I made it for my mom a couple of years ago and I really love it because it doesn't have a pattern.  It's composed of some favorite beads I've picked up on my travels and some woven beads.  While cleaning, I've come across some bits and bobs, beads and charms (you can imagine), and so I started a big "bead soup" bowl of inspiring beads that I hope to make something for myself with someday….as a reward for all this parting and sorting. 

Filed Under: Beads, Food and Drink

Soup Sunday and Links…

February 24, 2008 By Leave a Comment

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Tomato Bisque pre-CHA (note beads and bits laying all over my coffee table)

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Tomato Bisque Post-CHA (clean coffee table)

I sort of fused these two recipes:  here and here.  Then, I did a hit and run with about 1 1/2 cups of cooked elbow macaroni which may sound strange, but most of the time the soup is The Meal so I try to make it as "meaty" as possible.  And don’t forget the culinary cream on top! 

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy updates you on some of the latest discussions going on over at the Jewelry Making Forum.
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2008/02/21/low-on-snark-high-on-jewelry-info.htm

Art Bead Scene
Here’s a tool just "bent" on becoming your favorite!
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-heart-tools.html

Jewelry & Beading
Heather Powers of Humblebeads catches us up on what’s going on with her this spring!
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2008/02/21/artist-profile-heather-powers/

Katie’s Beading Blog
Katie’s giving away 2 copies of Vintage Style Jewelry from the editors of Bead & Button. Comment on her post to be included in the drawing!
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2008/02/vintage-style-jewelry.html

PearlEsq.
Read Robin’s funny stories of her latest CHA trip and what a friend of hers has deemed, "Nailgate"!
http://pearlesq.blogspot.com/2008/02/im-baaaaack-crappy-fingernails-and-all.html

Savvy Crafter
Candie’s sharing the dove-love over on her blog! Check out a pair of earrings she made using peaceful dove chandelier findings. While you’re there, leave a comment for a chance to win your own dove charms!
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!
Jean made a pretty spring-like necklace using a Russian bead and Vintaj findings. It is titled, "Looking Out Her Window".
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/02/jean-explaining-what-she-did-as-usual.html

The Impatient Blogger
Margot shares stories of her first day at CHA (The Craft and Hobby Association Show) and why she prefers to do "fake demos" at book signings.
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2008/02/day-one-cha.html

Filed Under: Beads

Another Heartsy Idea…

February 11, 2008 By 2 Comments

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Here’s a bracelet I made about a year and a half ago…  I will always love old scrabble tiles—who won’t right?  I drilled these from end to end vs. right through the top.  It’s a little tricky because you have to drill both ends, hoping the holes line up (or use a ruler for insurance).  The beads and charms were collected from broken jewelry and necklaces.  The silver chain bracelet I believe was some sort of extender so I took the beady end of an old necklace and made it part of the closure.

I’m hanging out in the Plaid booth at CHA this week making jewelry.  Stop by and say hey if you’re in the neighborhood! 

Filed Under: Beads

Soup and Links…

January 14, 2008 By 2 Comments

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The other day I was reading Posie Gets Cozy, a lovely blog, and she talked about comfort foods.  I was thinking about my comfort foods and how they’ve changed over the years.  In college, it was pizza, chips and salsa with orange juice.  In early marriage, I remember making carmel corn and baked croissants with meat and cheese in the middle.  Now it seems to be anything that isn’t local to here—baked apples, soups, casseroles, but also those seem kind of traditional comfort foods to my Midwestern up-bringing.  My mom sent a bag of egg noodles and they were gone in a weekend–used in Chicken and Noodles.  I’m going home in less than a month, perfect timing for baking Valentine cookies with my grandma—something I haven’t gotten to do in two years.  I wasn’t forgotten, I’ve gotten a parcel of cookies both years, but this year I will be there to eat them in person with my grandpa, fresh cookie baking aromas and all!  It is about smell too, isn’t it.  After living here (or getting older), I also think comfort not only comes with the flavors or warmth, but also with making something by hand because it takes your mind off everything else.  I look at the list of foods and each takes a little bit longer to make than the last.  Hmmm.  Food for thought, Thanks Posie.  And this cream of tomato soup was also one of her comfort foods.  I gave it a whirl today and it was so simple and delightful alongside a ham n’ cheese wrap.

About.com Jewelry Making 
Do you like two tone metal jewelry? Are you a metal clay jewelry maker? Tammy tells us about a new product to help you mix up metals using metal clay techniques.
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2008/01/10/go-for-gold-with-metal-clay.htm

Art Bead Scene 
We are feeling groovy here at Art Bead Scene, as we celebrate our own Tari Sasser’s recent press with her tie dyed beads. What trippy thing would *you* make with them?
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2008/01/fit-to-print-tari-sasser-in-bead-style.html


Jewelry & Beading 
Cyndi has a free book giveaway going on! You can enter to win a copy of "Crazy About Jewelry" simply by leaving a comment on this post! What could be easier?
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2008/01/09/book-review-crazy-about-jewelry/


Naughty Secretary Club 
Thinking of selling your jewelry for a living? Jen has some tips on free promotion and suggested reading to get you started.
http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/2008/01/few-small-business-tips.html
PearlEsq. 
Check out the latest adventure of a rubber stamp that’s made its way to Australia!
http://pearlesq.blogspot.com/2008/01/journey-of-strange-stamp.html
Savvy Crafter 
Finding the findings is always an interesting experience in Candie’s part of the world. This week she shares a couple of pictures from a trip to Hong Kong.
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2008/01/find-the-findin.html
Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done! 
Beautiful (…possibly even…sexy?) champagne coin pearl chandeliers by Jean!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/01/its-psych-marathon-on-channel-usa-and-i.html

The Impatient Blogger 
Need a dose of inspiration? Check out this video blog post by Margot Potter as she traverses a whole new dimension of bloggy goodness!
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2008/01/say-it-dont-spray-itoran-inspirational.html

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We have a glass coffee table that we often eat at.  I’m not crazy about the table, but it is kind of fun when a little white dog sits under it looking up at the food or us.

Filed Under: Beads

Links….

January 8, 2008 By Leave a Comment

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About.com Jewelry Making
Along with a blog, Tammy’s jewelry making web site has a pretty active forum. She gives you a peek inside at a few hot topics.
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2008/01/01/happy-2008.html

Art Bead Scene
It’s a new year, a new month, and thus a new challenge! Bundle up and break out your art beads for January’s Ice Storm theme.
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2008/01/abs-monthly-challenge-january.html
 

Jewelry & Beading
Artist Irma Peredne is profiled on Jewelry & Beading this week. Irma has the most wonderful story about the origin of her business name, The Amber Box!
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2008/01/03/artist-profile-irma-peredne/

 
Katie’s Beading Blog
Katie’s Dreams of Topaz necklace is featured in Beadalon’s new ad campaign. Get the scoop and links to the instructions on Katie’s blog this week.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2008/01/dreams-of-topaz.html 
PearlEsq.
Check out Robin’s collaged and soldered Birdies! A fun way to start off the New Year!
http://pearlesq.blogspot.com/2008/01/little-birdie-told-me.html


 

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!
Jean is excited to particpate in the Art Bead Scene competition, as always!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/01/its-psych-marathon-on-channel-usa-and-i.html
 

The Impatient Blogger
Need a kick start for the New Year? The Impatient Blogger has a few thoughts about creating success.
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/12/some-advice-for-new-year.html

Filed Under: Beads
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