Bead Inspiration Through Embroidery

I'm always looking at other art and crafts as a source of inspiration.  Recently, I found this lovely blog by Mary Corbet, which offers free patterns, videos and tips & tricks.  I love beautiful needlework and wish that I had the patience to learn it, but instead, I buy it, receive it as gifts (that's what my sis used to do for me), or admire it from afar.

But meanwhile, I'll use some of the lovely patterns as inspiration.  I think this one is made for beads.  It's a great exercise in stringer control, layering dots and surface embellishment.  You could even take it a step further and make the leaves and flowers in murrine.  If you already tend to use these patterns, let us know your sources, if you don't mind sharing.  Google is my usual first stop.

See you tomorrow!

Autumn Leaves, Acorns & Pine Cones Class-Saturday at Flametree

Ah the joys of autumn. I honestly can't wait for the cooler temperatures and leaves changing. So when Maureen and Lance asked me to design a half day class for their FlameTree Glass Studio in Roswell, GA, I jumped at the chance.

I hadn't really made a lot of any fall items other than pumpkin and Halloween related beads, so this was a treat getting to play at my torch and decide what I thought would be fun.

And I think acorns ARE fun. Their shape reminds me of a spinning top and although they are normally rather sweetly muted in color, I thought they are the perfect bead to have a little fun with. So once the shape is learned, it will be great to see how the students can come up with their own ideas. I have all kinds of ideas in my sample box as well. (I just finished making two with glow glass rod and powder for our friend Joe of Glow Glass. That was a kick!)

So if you're in the area and have time, we're going from 12-4. The price is so reasonable too. Just $75. I think that is very fair and I promise, you'll learn a lot too. We'll even work on multiple styles of loops for the leaf beads and get a little glass cutting action with shears as well. Hope to see you...there are only a few spots left in the class, so hurry!

Leaf, Acorn & Pine Cone Class

Oh how I like leaves....almost as much as birds. I tend to often make them off mandrel and in pendant form.

Towards the end of August, I'll be teaching a class on leaves, pinecones, and acorns for FlameTree Glass. I know folks like to start making their autumn inventory before the season, so the jewelry makers can buy them before their shows.

I decided that I wanted to include one leaf using one of the handheld presses, that FlameTree sells. Because sometimes those presses, just make the process easier. (we'll do the other styles too).

So today, when I went by the shop, Maureen handed me 3 different styles of presses. Size, bent or flat seem to be the biggest differences. So my question to you is..which one appeals the most to you? Large- flat or bent?... or small-bent? And why?

I'll be making other leaves off mandrel, and wait until you see the pinecones and the acorns...really fun. But for now ~ just the leaf questions.

See you tomorrow. Don't forget to weigh in with your opinion please.