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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Giveaway: Beaded Bracelet Tutorial

Wintergreen Wavy Wedges Bracelet

Words cannot describe how very excited I am to announce that I have finally launched PDF beading tutorials from The Sage’s Cupboard! I have had many requests for tutorials since opening my Etsy shop, and after much planning and hours of photography sessions, I can finally start sharing my passion for beading with full step-by-step tutorials for some of my favorite designs.

I owe a lot of thanks to all of my wonderful Etsy customers and beading friends, who have given me plenty of encouragement and inspired me to start on this new adventure. I also have a great deal of gratitude for the generous people behind OpenOffice, who have made it possible for a small-time instructor like me to create professional PDFs. I'll be donating a portion of every tutorial sale to OpenOffice.org so that they can continue to offer great services.

Black Candy Corn Bracelet

Today is the start of my unofficial ‘soft launch’. After creating the first two tutorials on my list of designs to teach, I couldn’t hold out any longer. I’ll be working non-stop over the next few weeks to create even more tutorials, and I hope to have a big grand opening to kick off the holiday season.

In the meantime, I want to share some of my excitement with my fellow beaders, so I’m going to be giving away 2 copies of my Wavy Wedges Bracelet tutorial!

This project is one of my most original designs, and it is so much fun to make. The technique is a lot simpler than it looks, and because of the unique shape, the pattern and color possibilities are endless.

Wine Wedge Bracelet

How to Enter:

For your chance to win a copy of Wavy Wedges for Personal Use, just describe how you would use the bars and wedges pattern to make your own unique variation of the design.

Leave a comment on this post with your idea, and your email address (beadlover AT yourmail.com). I’ll be drawing 2 lucky winners on Monday, September 27th.

Good luck and happy beading!

Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading and The Sage's Cupboard

15 comments:

  1. I like this pattern, I think I would do a rainbow version of it if I had the pattern, my daughter loves rainbows, so I would make it for her, and maybe make one in metalic fall colors, I love bronzes and coppers and golds

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  2. Beautiful work, Mortira. It would be a wonderful pattern for a knit or crochet scarf as well ;-)

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  3. Right now in my mind is a 'belt'=) I like the pattern too.

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  4. I love this pattern. I see Christmas Trees made using this technique. Love your blog!

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  5. congrats on your new venture!~ Much luck to you :)
    I think these (as bracelets) would make great 'school spirit' treasures given the right colour combinations

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  6. The moment I saw your bracelet, I thought "Ocean!" I've been in love with the sea for most of my life (though I've only seen it once), and would love to recreate the powerful waves, crests, and sprays with a pattern like this so that I could always carry the ocean with me :-) I imagine a sea shell clasp with an 11/0 loop closure. And maybe a burst of several different blue, gray, black, and white "sprays" in the middle. And maybe a few silver beads here and there, like moonlight on a stormy sea!

    Thank you for your great tutorials, and congrats in advance to whomever wins the tutorial! :-)

    Beth

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  7. I know it doesn't sound very original, but I think that pattern would look great as a basic rainbow for coming out day! rebecca dot loveking at gmail dot com

    Great work!

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  8. Fatemeh: I see something in an ethnic or tribal design. I see the colors of red, black and green. Or even an African style. I also see brown, red, and yellow. My mind is racing with ideas. I would also create one triangle and make a pendant or earrings. also, if I make less rows I can also see it as a choaker or ankle bracelet. The possibilities are endless. One I learn a pattern, I go crazy with it. Thank you. fnggrant@yahoo.com

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  9. I'm loving these ideas! There are some really fun ways to use the shapes for abstract and literal inspirations!

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  10. Congratulations on the new tutorials. I love this pattern. I would encorporate the stitch in cuffs, necklaces, and even earrings. Color coordinations are just endless.
    I hope you take a few minutes to stop by my blog and enter my giveaway.
    You can email me through my blog.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  11. love this pattern...I'm looking at using it in one of my BJP journal pieces I make. The design (depending on the different color beads used) appears to be resemble zentangle or a doodle pattern! I like to have some two dimensional look some of my work and this pattern would fit in perfectly! Here's keeping my fingers crossed! thanks for this offer!!

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  12. Mortira... I just love your candy corn bracelet. What a great design my dear! I think this style would be a STUNNING choker, with a crystal pendant dangling front and center... perfect for holiday parties or just because!

    One thing is certain... you are a true gem and a gift to the artisan community. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us!

    {Hugs!}
    Dawn

    designsbydawnmd@gmail.com

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  13. Thanks Dawn! I love the choker idea! The beadwork is pretty flexible, so with the right findings it could look great.

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  14. I am a new beader my thread shows alot, I have to teach classes when ever they get me my schedual going. I am useing reg sewing thread in the small seed beads still shows. and working on something to sell. the reg seed beads I am using the crochet thread in the small round spools that's fine, like for tatting or lacey things. If i pull too tight it the project buckles at the other end. I have to keep flatning out the project which is a zippered clutch kit, she included flat black thread it doesn't stay knotted. Sometimes knots don't go through the beads, So how do I make my projects with out the stitches showing all the time. I am not a teacher either I will be teaching at Hancock Fabrics at some point. I want to do good at it and for our area because we have no real teachers for beading. So any help is appreciated. Thanks.

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    1. Hi Jackie! I would definitely recommend trying a thread that is meant for beadwork. Either a braided line like Fireline 6lb test, or Nymo that you've stretched and conditioned with beeswax. This will help with overall strength and tension. Rather than knotting threads together, when you want to add new lengths, weave in the old thread, then weave a new thread in near the end of the beadwork, and exit from the place you left off. Continue weaving normally from there.

      As for tension and spaces between beads, this just comes with practice. The more beading you do, the better your finished work will look. There are lots of great projects and stitch tutorials available for free online, and you can usually get back issues of beading magazines at your public library. Keep trying things that you like and you'll find that your technique improves every time. Good luck!

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