New Partnership with EtsyATX

I'm so focused on marketing my business and finding other local artists that have travelled this path that I'm on has been instrumental in my growth.

I was referred to this group on etsy (www.etsy.com) which consisted of other local Artisans who shared tips and tricks...not just about Etsy, but also about handmade Austin. With this group, I found a community willing to share knowledge, experiences and darned near everything else if they had the answer.  Through them, I learned about building treasuries on etsy, about how to advertise events that your shop will be participating in plus other things.

Most recently, less than two months ago, an idea was thrown out...interested in doing a craft show?...and from the kernel of an idea sprouts Etsy ATX Holiday Market.  Come join a group of Austin artists on December 15, 2013 from 10:00am-5:00pm at the Holiday Inn Midtown.

 

Bezel vs Embroidery

How I love my beadalicious friends on Facebook in my many various groups!  I'm not an expert by any means in this craft that I have chosen and I turn to them for lots of guidance and advice...so thanks up front to the Beadiful one of my Auntie's Bead Chat group.

In another group that I'm in on Facebook, "Seed Beads and More", the monthly challenge project is to create a bead embroidered piece.  For those that know me, know that although I admire all the wonderfully creative embroidered pieces, this form of beadwork is generally not for me.  Why?  It's free form and my brain just doesn't work that way (I'm working on that though). 

What caused my confusion you may ask?  Well, in a tutorial and a book I have about bezeling cabachons, they both recommend (not in all cases) adhereing the cabochon to a product called "Lacy Stiff Stuff" and the encircling the cab with beads using a 2-bead backstitch.  Well now, this is the same stitch used in bead embroidery so I didn't understand what made one thing bezeling and the other bead embroidery.

I couldn't tell the difference between bead embroidery and bezeling as in my humble opinion seemed to be the same so I start doing a little research.
 

Bead embroidery courtesy of Google Images

 Per Wikipedia, Bead embroidery is a type of beadwork that uses a needle and thread to stitch beads to a surface of fabric, suede, or leather.

Bead embroidery is an embellishment that does not form an essential part of a textile's structure.





Beaded Cabochon Bezel courtesy of Google Images

No such luck with a definition of beaded bezeling on Wikipedia, the closest I come is.."a general term for a setting holding the stone in place using a raised surrounding for the stone with a lip encircling and overlapping the edges of the stone, thus holding it in place"


After posing the question to my Chat friends, +Katarina Walker Ray, said it best..."Embroidery is decorative stitching, usually done on on fabric or leather. Bezeling is creating a setting that cradles a stone or other focal component. Bead embroidery can be used to create a bezel. Bead stitching, without an underlying fabric, can also be used to create a bezel."


Thanks guys!  Now I have a better understanding...

Happy Beading!

Recall

Well...my play time is over!  Some federal employees have been called back to work and I'm blessed to say, that I am one of them...although the devil on my left shoulder isn't as happy about that.  You see, she wanted more time to stay at home and play with the beads.  Be that as it may, we used our time in a most advantageous manner.  I finished so many pieces, learned new stitches to incorporate in my creative process, and did some administrative stuff, like getting prepared to file my quarterly TX Sales and Use Tax, create business forms that I can use during craft shows (i.e. credit card authorization form, Resale Certificate form) and actually "pricing and labeling" by pieces and entering them into the square card library application.  I also met a photographer who will take photos of my pieces for posting to my various sites.

So while the government has been shut down, Sweets Signatures has not!  Now that I'm back to work, I'll have to schedule my time wisely as the need to bead is ever present!

Happy Beading!

Those things you must do!

While I love playing with my beads, as a "small business" owner, there are other administrative things that must be done..to avoid having issues with the government...such as filing and paying the sales and use tax. I file quarterly so I don't have go through the tedious exercise every month so that's a good thing.  This quarter though, I didn't log any of my receipts on a weekly basis as I generally do, so I just spend the last hour entering them in my database in preparation for doing my report.  To my artistic mind, that's a waste of precious beading time..:(, but such a necessary evil. 

I used to store my receipts (more like stuff them) in little gallon size storage bags until I discovered the tabbed Pendaflex folios. Now I store them by month of purchase so it's easier for me when it comes time to enter them into the database.

The other administrative thing that I need to do is update my website and my Etsy shop inventory...golly gracious...with all these administrative things to do when will I bead...don't you worry now, find the time I do...

Happy Beading!

Government Shut Down Beading Frenzy

As a Federal Government employee, I am a "victim" of the Government Shut Down (GSD). Am I upset about that...yes, but at this point in the game, there's not much that I can do about it.  So...what's a Bead Babe to do with the lemons?  Why, make lemonade of course...I've been a busy bee. 

In a bead group that I'm a part of, the monthly Challenge for October is to learn the Cubic Right Angle Weave (CRAW) stitch.  So using my trusty pal Google...I set out to find tutorials on how to do the CRAW. I found this tutorial and it was really good and simple to follow.  Tell me what you think...

I did a very basic rope using this tutorial, now to figure out how to embellish and make it unique.  Here's my finished product...

New Techniques - Beaded Wire Crochet and Making Paper Beads

***Delayed posting...This was actually August 2013***


What a busy week this week...and it's not over yet...starting with the +Austin Bead Society meeting on Monday, 26 August 2013.

A little messy, but...still learning

Not a really good shot, but random beads

Much better photo

During the meeting, one of our members provided us instruction on how to make beaded wire crochet jewelry.  Of course, I was running around like a chicken without its head and didn't get to participate in the instruction, but really wanted to learn...so off I went on a YouTube search and found what I needed to be able to make a piece that I was happy with. Knowledge of crocheting helped me and having worked bead crochet with cord I was familiar with the steps.  What I lacked was knowledge of how to finish the piece.  Tell me what you think? 

Later that week, the Jems and I had a Meetup where the project of the evening was learning to make paper beads.  After pouring over YouTube videos and Google searches...we set about to the business of making paper beads...we didn't do so bad...

Who could imagine that with paper, toothpicks, glue and Mod Podge, you could create some awesome things...+Suzy and I both decided to use scrapbook paper to make as our bead source and here's some of the finished beads.

Oglala Stitch - September Challenge Piece

Hi all:

I know it's been a minute since I've posted in my blog, but I haven't been idle at all.  I belong to several beading groups on Facebook and some of them have challenges (monthly) that I participate in.  I've decided to share those with you.

Bead Club - Monthly Challenge, is one such group.  It's a closed group so you'll have to request to join.  Any way, this month's challenge was to learn a new stitch and the winning stitch was the Oglala Stitch.  I know...try saying that 10x fast why don'tcha...

The Oglala stitch  (aka the Oglala Butterfly Weave) is a Native American Stitch named for the Oglala Lakota or Oglala Sioux tribe (click on the link to see what Wikipedia has to say about the history).  It is a variation of netting that tend to work up very quickly. 

While I tend to get along with most of the stitches I've encountered in my path, for some reason, this one I didn't enjoy.  It wasn't difficult or hard to comprehend, I just could get "into" it.  It took me at least a week to get my necklace done...of course my project didn't start out as a bracelet, but...take a look... 

Not sure that I'll do another one, but who knows...the point of being in a challenge group is to challenge ones self otherwise, what's the point? 

Next month's challenge is yet to be determined...stay tuned!!!


Happy Beading!

Crochet vs Kumihimo

My Bead Chat friend +Susan Giuliano asked me today, which method do I  prefer, Kumihimo or Bead Crochet?  So y'all have her to thank for this post.  So here we go...


Crochet Bangles Designed and made by +Betsy Morgen Glen

Bead Crochet is a crochet technique that incorporates beads into a crochet fabric.  Most bead crochet is created by stringing beads onto uncut crochet thread prior to crocheting. Most artists either use a beading needle or apply clear nail polish to the end of the thread to create an anchor point for beading. At predetermined stitches, the crocheter slides one bead down and incorporates it into the fabric. Pre-stringing requires both the bead sequence and the crochet pattern to be fully planned in advance of manufacture.



Kumihimo Bracelet Handcrafted by Caron @ Sweets Signatures

Kumihimo is a Japanese form of braid-making. Cords and ribbons are made by interlacing strands.^[1] Kumi himo is Japanese for "gathered threads".

The resulting end product of both look similar



Here are just some of my observations regarding the differences....remember this is strictly my own opinion.

Kumihimo                                                   Bead Crochet      

Beads do not have to be pre-loaded             Beads must be pre-loaded/strung
/pre-strung prior to starting your
braid or pattern

You can load a "pattern" in the stage           When working a design/pattern
add size 8/0 for 2", then add leaves             it must be clearly thought out prior
 etc...                                                        as the pattern must be loaded

Many clasp options: cones, caps, toggles      Most I've seen are made into
                                                                 bangles

Fairly quick...not including the preloading      More time consuming...even
                                                                  without the pre-loading

And the winner is?!!!! 

I like both methods, but I would default to Kumihimo before a beaded crochet piece...primarily because of time.

Happy Beading!

Beaders' Conundrum - What's a Beader to Do?

In my Aunties Bead Chat Group on FB, this situation/question was posed...

"have a huge stash of beads. So much so that I am overwhelmed and don't know what to do next. I have ideas and patterns galore, even so I find I rarely have the right sizes and colors to complete a pattern, which sends me back to the bead store. I almost always come back with more than I went for, something completely different having not found what was looking for. It's a conundrum!"  The feedback on the post was instantaneous with other members emphatically agreeing.  I have so much yet don't have what I need for this project or that project.

Conundrum may refer to:

• A riddle whose answer is or involves a pun or unexpected twist
• A logical postulation that evades resolution, an intricate and difficult problem

There were variations on the answer, but bottom line was it was an "Addiction" we all shared but because we tend to be "Distracted by the Shinies" it is inevitable. 

Most of us have libraries of patterns and tutorials that we want to dive into and when that time comes, we either 1) don't have enough of one (or several of the items called for in the instructions) 2) have the materials, but not in the color pallet that you want to used or 3) have enough of the beads and finish the piece but then don't have the right clasp (can you tell this one is me...LOL)....  Most of the time, I'm a sale shopper and the items I need for a particular piece may not be on sale...Here are some tips on how to minimize the "Beaders' Conundrum":

Tip 1.  When you go shopping, shop with a pattern/tutorial/idea in mind.  If you have some of the items, take them with you to match/coordinate/accent colors (remember to mark it so the store knows it's been previously purchased.

Tip 2.  Invest in baggies (less expensive than the photo boxes but you can use those too).  Store the items you've bought for that project together in the baggies (I use rubber bands as well).  That way when you are ready, you can grab a baggie and move out smartly.  I also recommend that you somehow note what project you bought the beads for (idea:  note paper...B&B Oct11 issue, pg XX or a picture).  This would also be a good time to note if you are missing an item (i.e. 3mm bicone).  That way when +Aunties' Beads or Firemountain Gems or INM Crystals has a sale you can go through your projects, see what it anything is missing then spend your money wisely.

Tip 3.  Another of the group members says she treats bead shopping just like a grocery list.  Before you leave home, make a list of materials needed...If it ain't on her list, it doesn't get bought...I don't think this works very well for me as I'm always attached by a case of the "Distracted by the Shinies".

Tip 4.  Another group member's tip...buy Kits.  When you buy a kit, the artisan includes all the materials needed for the piece...some even include the fireline and needle (+Laura Zeiner).  This way you are guaranteed to have all the materials needed to complete a project. 

Tip 5.  I think one of the best tip I can give is this.  Keep a running inventory sheet (I gotta find one now) of what you are out of (jump rings, wire, lobster claws, XXX color 11/0 seed bead) and prioritize what you need and then use your inventory sheet when you go shopping.

See, I told you...all variations of the same answer.  Bottom line:  it will take some organization and planning to ensure you have a fruitful yet efficient shopping trip that will net you what you need for your projects.

Hope this helps!

Happy Beading!

Sharing my Passion

Today, I invited my sister to step into my beaded world and we took a trip to New Braunfels to the North American Wholesale Jewelry and Gift Show at the New Braunfels Convention Center.  

And we had a good time...we didn't spend as much time as I usually do at a bead show because we had another commitment to attend.  My sister is a scrapbooker and she found some findings that could be useful in her own chosen craft.

Hopefully she and I can spend more time together teacher each other our passion for crafts...

While I always love bead shopping, my purpose was 2-fold...see how this show was organized and if there was anything we could implement in the Austin Bead Bazaar coming up 21 - 22 September 2013...My opinion?  must too much "mass produced" looking jewelry.  I made some contacts and potential vendors for out 2014 Bazaar.

Jems on the Road Northward Bound

Today was an awesome day in Jemville. For over 4 months we've been planning to start road tripping to other cities within Texas to visit beadshops.  Originally, we had about 6 members sign up, but we ended up tripping with 4.  Our plan was to coordinate visits with as many bead stores as we could from Killeen, Texas back to Austin.  D&G Designs, Killeen, Texas; Bead Bistro, Killeen, Texas; Brazos Collections, In, Salado, Texas and round it out with Intrisic Beads, Georgetown, Texas.  What follows next is some of the highlights of our trip.  Loved hanging with +Suzanne; +Ida Stringfellow; +Annette...we even did Austin Bead Society business.



Annette

Ida - our intrepid researcher...thanks you did a great job!

Suzy, our dedicated driver...thanks!

Our first stop was at D&G Designs Store.  Well wouldn't you know we were so anxious that we met the owners Dahlen and her husband (sorry in my excitement I forgot his name).  She greeted us with a hug and took a picture with us...before opening the shop...bless her heart.

 

  

 

Our 2nd stop on the trip was to Bead Bistro...again we met the owner and they were so full of fun.  They had a chainmaille class going but we hadn't planned for that so we just shopped and spent money instead.

 

Unfortunately, after this stop I had a cellphone dying issue so wasn't able to take many pictures after this.  However, we had enough juice to record our thoughts about the shop, the merchandise and anything else. 

I apologize upfront for the pictures...not sure what happened but with import they show as landscape not portrait...anybody know how to fix, please comment.

Learning something new

Decided to work on a new style of beadwork today...I worked on a new piece called the Beaded Flower Bracelet that I found here at, http://www.modernminerals.com/beaded-flower-bracelet-part-1/777/ and http://www.modernminerals.com/beaded-flower-bracelet-part-2/888/... What do you think?

Writing your own Tutorials

Bead Daily published a tip today providing "Expert Advise for Writing Your Own Beading Tutorials".  Boy did I wish this had come out before I hit the send button yesterday and published my first tutorial in my etsy shop.  Input for this daily tip came from three designers:  Cynthia Newcomer Daniels, Mikki Ferrugiaro and Nancy Dale:

I'm going to paraphrase their key points (especially the ones I may have overlooked.)

Photographs or Diagrams, that is the question!  When fellow beaders in my Facebook Group, (Beadchat hosted by Auntie's Beads) encouraged me to write this tutorial, that was the first question I asked...Photos or diagrams and the responses were mixed...there are pros and cons for each media.  I chose to do a combination of both--heavy on the photographs.  Tip here if you choose photographs: take tight shots so that the details show; use a dark color thread (I used crystal fireline and found that at times the thread didn't show clearly); edit your photos well (try to remove as much "background noise" as possible from the photos...no distractions from what you are trying to portray and lastly, make sure you photograph ALL the "important" steps (as a matter of fact photograph all steps especially when there may be some confusion); if you don't you may miss a step that is important to the success of your piece and then you'll have to start over.

Testing your Pattern...now this I didn't do (kinda sorta).  I sent the "final" tutorial to a non-beading friend of mine for review...grammar, layout, and textual context making sure I didn't trip over myself.  What I didn't do was send it to a "beader".  Someone familiar with the language and beading that could have provided feedback from a user standpoint.  Too many times we read some of the instructions in the beading magazines and want to pull our hair out because it just didn't make sense (unless you looked at the pictures of course).  Cynthia Newcomer Daniels recommends..."I think it's very important to have someone else look them over; they see things from a different perspective and I feel more comfortable knowing that someone else understands my tutorials before I sent them out into the world."   Random testers can be a big help, too, since Mikki had someone testing her patterns on a regular basis, but found that they were both missing the same mistakes.  Always take the time to have your patterns tested by someone that you trust -- it can make a huge difference in customer satisfaction, and return sales".

Selling your tutorial through etsy.  A big thank you to +Diana Rehfield, a fellow bead chatter who recommended http://www.crafthub.me/.  A site that ensures your tutorials are available for immediate download at the time of purchase.  This way customers don't have to wait and you are able to be very responsive.

Lastly, photographs:  I touched on it earlier, but taking good photos--if that's the medium you choose--is very important.  Sometimes a picture will tell more than words and confuse you less...  BD recommends the following:Jewelry Photography Beyond the Basics @ $29.95 (An Interweave resouce) http://www.interweavestore.com/Jewelry-Making/DVDs/Jewelry-Photography-Beyond-the-Basics.html?SessionThemeID=18&a=be130320 (couldn't find it on Amazon) and a quick search of Amazaon resulted in Crafter's Guide to Taking Great Photographs http://www.amazon.com/Crafters-Guide-Taking-Great-Photos/dp/159668626X/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1363814763&sr=8-22&keywords=jewelry+photography+book

Here's one to bead on!

Aquamarine...It Is!

March is so special that there are two...count them two birthstones associated (betcha didn't know that!)

Aquamarine and Bloodstone....

The name aquamarine is derived from the Latin word aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning the sea. This gemstone was believed to protect sailors, as well as to guarantee a safe voyage. The serene color of aquamarine is said to cool the temper, allowing the wearer to remain calm and levelheaded. Its pale, cool color beautifully complements spring and summer wardrobes. Aquamarine is most often light in tone and ranges from greenish blue to blue-green; the color usually is more intense in larger stones. This gemstone is mined mainly in Brazil, but also is found in Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan, and Mozambique.

 

Bloodstone: 

The second birthstone for March is bloodstone, a dark-green jasper flecked with vivid red spots of iron oxide. This ancient stone was used by the Babylonians to make seals and amulets and was believed to have healing powers — especially for blood disorders. It is sometimes called the martyr's stone as legend tells that it was created when drops of Christ's blood stained some jasper at the foot of the cross. Generally found embedded in rocks or in riverbeds as pebbles, primary sources for this stone are India, Brazil, and Australia.