She's Finished...

I have to thank everyone that has given me advise and fantastic pointers, I appreciate all your words of wisdom! Lisa at Indigo's Beads, Nicole at Beadwright, Ralonda at Beaded to Bless, Marie at Art from my Heart and Beth at Bellesandbeaus Crafts. I've learned quite a bit from my first bead embroidery piece and with all your help my next will be so much better, thank yous so much!
Now I want to thank everyone for helping me to give her a name. Silke, at Metamorphoris, Lisa Criswell at Indigo's Beads, Aryd'ell at Gypsy's Ramblings and Ralonda at Beaded to Bless.
I had fun with her, learning and making her and even though I still have to buy a frame for her yet, I'd like to introduce to you...
Dream Angel




Now if I could only learn how to take good pictures I'd be in business.
I hope that everyone has a beautiful weekend! Until the next...Bead Happy!
Hugs and happy beading...
Bobbi

Snow Angel, Ice, Princess, Snow Maiden??? Help...

I started a new project. It seems ever since I had started beading I've always had a interest in Bead Embroidery. That's all I can even think about any more besides Cabochons...I even dream about it! Now I know that some of you may think that's totally crazy but it's the truth! Which leads me to say that I could no longer wait and learn I had to start and learn as I went! I've learned that you do not use pen when writing on your fabric...this makes for a bad day. Please keep in mind though that I have no clue what I'm doing, just attempting some new stitches and my hand at Bead Embroidery. But gosh, I'm having a blast doing it and learning from it and even using some of my "Bead Stash" (that's for "Operation Tackle that Bead Stash".) I've also used some of the beautiful beads that Marie Segal from: Art from my Heart had sent to me, plus...2 of the gorgeous white cabs that Marie sent. Then I even used some gorgeous beads that my dear friend, Kate from England had sent to me. (Kate's coming here to Ohio in May to visit and it'll be the very first time I'll be blessed to meet!)
Then...I also bought a few new things to, but shhhh please don't tell Sarah from: Bead The Change.

The beautiful Polymer Clay Blue and Pearl Winter Snowflake Lady Face Cab was made by, Kristie-Lou Brigham from: Sculpted Windows Wire Wrapped Jewelry Journal her blog or you may purchase some of her gorgeous work at Kristie's E-bay store Sculpted Windows Jewelry. Kristie has a wide variety of very lovely handmade pieces from Wire Wrapped Pendants to Polymer Clay beads and faces.
I also follow the Bead Journal Project 3 (BJP) with, Robin Atkin's being the founder. Here's Robin Atkin's wonderful blog: Beadlust. You may also find Robin at her website. If you have a chance please stop in on the many Bead Embroidery Artists and see all their amazing, gorgeous and incredible pieces!

Well, I'm not quite finished with this piece yet but...I'm almost there. I have to tell you's though that I'm somewhat intimidated to cut this piece in a circle the way I had planned. But my good friend, Lisa Criswell at Indigo's Beads has given me some wonderful pointers. Thanks so much Lisa! Oh...I have to say Congrats to you Lisa for your 1st sale and Congrats to you for finding out that you're going to be teaching your very first improvisational bead embroidery class...way to go girl, I'm so happy for you! if you haven't been to Lisa's blog yet, please stop in to see all her fantastic Bead Embroidery pieces!

Even though I'm not quite finished with this piece yet, I'm not sure what to name it, maybe you's can help me by leaving me some suggestions in my comments. I sure would appreciate any ideas on a name for my very 1st Bead Embroidery piece. Snow Angel, Ice Angel, Snow Princess, Ice Princess??? hmm or will I use your name that you pick out for me???













I hope that everyone has a great day and a very Happy Easter! So until the next time...Bead Happy!
Hugs and happy beading...
Bobbi

My 5th and counting...

I'm so excited about cabochons now they've even invaded my dreams! I love everything about them, learning how to bead around them, learning new stitches, the way they look, the way they feel...I've now realized that when you start one you don't know how it's going to turn out. You just go with the look of the cab, the beads and then with the different stitches that you are using it just seems to come to life!
Cabochons fascinate me and now I even have my very good friend who is like a sister to me, Beth making them now for me! (Thanks Sweetie, they're gorgeous!) You can take a peek at what she's made since last night at Bellesanbeaus Crafts. I have to say that Beth didn't even know what a cabochon was until I started working with them about a month ago and she's still not seen one in person! But I can't wait to be able to try to bead something with the ones she made, they're awesome! I'm actually thinking I'm going to attempt a Bead Embroidery piece with some of them. That's another project that I'll be self teaching myself, just like cabochons!
But...getting back to my 5th cabochon, I'd like to introduce to you, "Desert Sea".




Thanks so much for stopping in today and I hope that you have a wonderful rest of your weekend, Happy 1st Day of Spring! So, until the next time...Bead Happy everyone!
Hugs and happy beading...
Bobbi

My very first cabochon...

Hi, I hope that everyone has had a wonderful weekend! I've been attempting something new. Beading around a Cabochon. First of all I had ordered a wonderful book, Beading with Cabochons by Jamie Cloud Eakin. This book has fantastic instructions, perfect photography, and teaches and shows the basic techniques and unique stitches that Jamie herself, after a decade of beading shows in this amazing and very well written book.
I gathered all my materials that I need for this project. Making sure to have the right needle, thread, backing material, glue, seed beads, and naturally a cabochon. The cabochon stone that I choose to make my first one with is a Leopardskin Jasper. Then I did take a couple of pictures and off I was on a new adventure.
Next, I cut a piece of under backing and glued my cabochon to that and let it dry. Then, I started the bead base row. This is actually the second row from the center when the cabochon is complete. I used a bead embroidery stitch called the "four-six back stitch" I continued this until I was all around the cab. Then I started my Bezel row. This row is the actual row that holds the cabochon in it's place. It sits slightly above the first row that had already been completed. This Bezel row is made with smaller size seed beads. The stitch I used this time to complete this Bezel row is the "four-two back stitch" variety. I then continued to make this stitch until I was around the entire cab. Then, with my trusty and very sharp small scissors I cut around the under backing making sure not to cut to close and not to cut thru any previous used threads. Then I cut the backing material which I choose to use faux ultra suede because it doesn't ravel. I then glued my cab onto that and let it dry. Making sure again not to cut to close or any previous used threads I cut the backing material around the cabochon. Now I made the basic edge stitch which Jamie says that it's similar to the blanket stitch used in bead embroidery. I did this stitch all the way around the cabochon. Then I found the middle, made the fringe and the used a direct attachment to connect my necklace. When it was finished I was very pleased but thought it might need something else to be complete. I thought about it and looked thru this outstanding book and found a Pointed Edge that I would have loved to have been able to add. However, when I tried, the fringe was getting in the way. So next time, before I do any fringe I'll be making another edge around the cab. But I want to introduce my very first attempt at a Cabochon and I titled this:
"The Enchanted Leopardess"











I know the pictures weren't that great, they actually came from my cell phone, but I tried. I hope that you have a awesome rest of your evening! Thanks so much for stopping in, till next time, Bead Happy!!!
Hugs...
Bobbi