Work in Progress: Ocean Ombre

Is there anything more lovely than a bunch of seed bead hanks all in a row? This week I’m starting a new blue-green ombre project, this time with all transparent colors. It was a little tricky putting the palette together, because I wanted seed beads of the same make, and I was under a bit of a timeline for sourcing the supplies. I’ve had to make up the palette with only 8 colors, although I would have preferred at least ten. In any case, I’ll be able to create a pattern that flows seamlessly back and forth from blue to green, and that will do just fine.

The new pharaoh pendant way in the background is a few rounds in. After all the fussing we had over making sure to save enough hot pink seed beads, they might not have ended up in the design at all if I hadn’t given a little nudge. Sometimes it’s difficult not to give any input on my helper’s choices, because I have to take the overall design into consideration - how well the beads will fit in smaller curves, or how many more rounds a design can take before getting too large. We’re both pretty happy with this design so far, even if it’s a lot different from what we imagined in the beginning.

What are you working on this week?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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July Bead Stash Favorites

Nothing beats trying out new beads for the first time. This month I’ve got my eye on a couple of new things, and I can’t wait to try them out. I’ve also got a new favorite seed bead color, one that might just replace transparent cobalt for my go-to blue.

These pretty little Czech glass bird ovals arrived just this morning. I purchased them on a whim while stocking up on other Czech glass essentials at Bead and Ribbon. It was the first time I’d seen them, and of course I couldn’t resist the Picasso finish. They will definitely be a welcome addition to medallion pendants. I’m curious if the design will look best with the beads resting vertically or horizontally, although I don’t mind experimenting with new embroidery shapes if we decided to go width-wise.

My camera can’t quite capture the amazing color of these transparent sea blue seed beads. They are intense and tropical, and I’ve already used up half a hank. I've actually had these beads for quite awhile, and I find that I’m turning to them any time a project calls for blue, and at the same time I’m reluctant to use them because I like them so much.

Finally, I recently added some new baroque pearls to my stash, this time in lovely green. I had such a great time doing some freeform embroidery with the culled beads from a previous strand, and I’m looking forward to adding some new variations. The pearls with flush holes will also look great in some necklace designs. These pearls are still on the strand, and need a bit of a rinse before I separate them into piles for stringing or embroidery.

Are you trying out any new bead styles right now?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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Work in Progress: Starfish and Hieroglyphs

Once again I’m juggling several projects in my workspace this week. I’m just getting started on a new secret starfish necklace, and I can’t wait to see how the new palette looks when it’s all together. The mixture of black, purple and blue is quite a bit different from the original design.

We’re also starting a new medallion pendant. Ever since I received some lovely hot pink seed beads from The Best Beads, my helper has been begging to use them in a design. He was so terrified that my first project would use up all the beads that he hovered over me nervously through much of the work. Luckily, we had enough to make a new Egyptian pendant with a pharaoh cabochon.

Last week’s medallion is just about finished. I had actually added the bail, but forgot to check for symmetry before reinforcing the stitches. By the time I realized that it needed to be redone, the thread was hopelessly incorporated and I ended up having to cut it and start again.

What are you working on this week?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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Inspired Beader: Osofree Jewellery

There are so many ways in which we can define our own signature jewelry styles, from materials, techniques, and colors, to the way that we combine them. One jewelry artist whose designs really make in impact is Arnaz of Osofree Jewelry. Her one of a kind combinations of gemstones, faux leather, chain and beads are stunning and memorable.

Inspriational Beading: When did you first get started with jewelry design?

Arnaz: I started showing interest in jewelry design way back in 2004 after acquiring my degree in fine art, and so I took a course in fine jewelry design at GIA California. I later decided to launch my own line of fashion jewelry.

Inspriational Beading: Do you remember your first piece? Where is it today?

Arnaz: The first piece I designed and fabricated was a necklace made up of glued bits of an old chunky fashion ring back when I was in college. I don't know where it is today but I sure did get a lot of compliments for it!

Inspriational Beading: What kinds of beads do you like to use the most?

Arnaz: My favorites are gemstone beads, the varieties and colors available today just amaze me.

Inspriational Beading: Where do you look for your favorite inspiration?

Arnaz: My best source of inspiration is Mother nature and all her gorgeous creations!

Inspriational Beading: What’s the most interesting or unique thing about your design process?

Arnaz: I just go with the flow and try to do things as uniquely as possible. I rarely have a plan when I work and am always surprised at the outcome!

Inspriational Beading: Do you have a favorite color to work with?

Arnaz: No real favourite color really but I like bright vibrant hues.

Inspriational Beading: What are some of your other favorite materials?

Arnaz: I love shell, wood, cotton cord and other natural materials.

Inspriational Beading: What is the most exciting design in your shop right now? What makes it special?

Arnaz: This piece - Folk Bib Necklace - excites me the most! I really wanted to achieve something that was quirky and ugly cute and was thrilled with what I came up with!

Inspriational Beading: Who do you hope to inspire with your work?

Arnaz: I hope to inspire any designer or artist who wants to be unique and not be bound or restricted with specific materials or styles, thus the name "Osofree"!

You can see more gorgeous handmade jewelry at Osofree on Etsy. Following along with Arnaz on Facebook and Twitter to see her latest designs and inspirations.

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading and Osofree Jewellery
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Beading Tutorial: Triangle Weave

Beading techniques that offer naturally occurring geometric patterns can make for wonderfully intricate and deceptively simple beadwork. One of the most interesting - but unfortunately lesser used - techniques is triangle weave. Similar in many ways to right angle weave, this stitch can be worked with a variety of bead combinations - from a single bead in each segment to multiple seed beads and everything in between.

Just like RAW, triangle weave uses a lot of thread, and requires multiple passes through each bead or segment. It also incorporates a looping thread path, but with three segments per grouping, instead of four. For this tutorial, I’ve used 4 seed beads for each segment, alternating from blue to yellow for clarity.

How to Stitch Triangle Weave

Attach a stop bead to a comfortable length of thread, and pick up 12 seed beads. You can also knot your thread, if preferred, after sliding the beads down to the end. Pass through the first 4 seed beads again and pull snug.

Pass through the following 4 beads. Pick up 8 seed beads, and pass through the same 4 beads again to form the next triangle. Pass through all of the beads just added.

Pick up 8 seed beads, and stitch through the same 4 bead segment that your thread is exiting. Pass through all of the beads just added. Repeat to create a chain of the desired length.

To add a new layer to the beadwork, exit from the first segment at the bottom of the triangle chain. Pick up 8 beads and pass through the same segment again. Pass through all of the beads just added.

At this point, it may feel natural to weave into the next segment of the upper chain, as you would with right angle weave. However, you will need to add a new triangle to complete the pattern. As you work and get used to the pattern, refer to the chain above for help.

Pick up 8 seed beads, and pass through the segment that your thread is exiting. Pass through the next 4 beads.

Pick up 4 seed beads, and pass through the closest segment in the chain above, and the segment that your thread is exiting. Pass through the 4 beads just added.

Continue adding new triangles to your chain as desired. You can increase or decrease to create interesting geometric shapes, and add additional triangles in any direction from an existing one.

The structure of triangle weave is ideal for floral patterns. You can even work it in rounds - instead of adding segments in a straight line, move in a circle pattern and connect the first and last stitches together. Think of it like a pie with six slices.

Have you tried triangle weave? How do you like to use it?

Copyright 2014 Inspirational Beading
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