2013 Bead It Forward Bead Quilt Squares

Bead and Button magazine has started posting the bead quilt squares they have received, thus far. And, although, I didn't see the almost 100 squares we sent in, I'm sure they will be posted soon as they are posting them almost on a daily basis.

Click HERE to go see the squares. It really is quite amazing what beaders can do with  a teeny 1.5" by 1.5" area to bead with.

Also, here's a picture of one of the bead quilts they have created. I love quilts and I absolutely love how they incorporated these bead squares into fabric quilts.

Hope for a Cure Quilt
Picture courtesy of Bead and Button Magazine

This "Hope for a Cure" quilt was assembled around a trio of squares from Karen Lynch of Arizona. The word "hope" appears twice more in the quilt, and the word "love" is just visible in the lower left-hand corner.

Click HERE to go to the link with the bead quilts.

Now go bead something.

Did You Miss Last Month's Program?

Picture by the Beadsmith

In case you missed last month's demonstration of the Rick's Beading Loom given by Nancy Jones of Tiny Dog Seed Beads, click HERE to view a video.

It shows the inventor demonstrating all the advantages of this new loom - the major advantage is that unlike traditional looms where you are left with multiple warp threads to weave in, Rick's Loom leaves you with only 2 warp threads.

If you are an experienced loomer or someone wanting to get more information, check it out.

Now go bead something.

Call for Bowls

Last year, almost 2,000 bowls in clay, wood, fiber, glass, metal and other media were donated by working artists at colleges, K-12 schools, and from group and individual studios! The Empty Bowls Project is again asking for your time, talent and generosity to help surpass that incredible number this year!

You can help try to end hunger in our community by creating a bowl - it doesn't have to be functional - and donating it to the Empty Bowls Project.

Here are a couple of tutorials to get you started.

Crochet and Bead Bowl
Perler Bead Bowl (especially good for the little ones who want to participate)
Paper Mache Confetti Bowl (you could also use fabric for this one)

Bowls may be dropped off at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main Street (Tuesday through Sunday) or the Ceramic Store, 1002 W. 11th Street (Monday through Saturday). beginning April 29 and continuing through May 17.

If you can't donate a bowl, then drop by the event On May 18th. For $25 you get a delicious soup meal and a handmade bowl donated by an artist.

For more information, click HERE.

Mixed Media Techniques Class at Alvin Community College

To all of you who have wanted to expand your skills or get a little more than a mere taste of metalsmithing - Diane Falkenhagen is teaching a class called Mixed Media Techniques for Jewelers and Metalsmiths at Alvin Community College beginning this Saturday, April 6 and going through May 11. They are all day Saturday classes.

Basic jewelry making skills are helpful, but jewelry and metalsmithing students at all levels should easily understand and be able to participate in these classes. Small-object makers and non-metalsmiths practicing other craft media may also be interested in the content of these classes.

But, you have to register and do it fast - classes start this Saturday!

Alvin Community College has a fabulous metal arts studio and Diane Falkenhagen is a fabulous artist. I've been a great admirer of her work since I was at the U of H program and if Alvin was not an almost 2 hour ride for me - I would definitely be there.

Brooch by Diane Falkenhagen

For questions about course content e-mail: diane@dianefalkenhagen.com;

For questions about registration, contact Cherie Richey at 281-756-3605 or CRichey@alvincollege.edu

Now go bead something.

New Library Books for HBS

HBS Librarian, Vicki Backer recently announced that three new books have been added to the library. They are:

Japanese Braiding, The Art of Kumihimo
by Jacqui Carey

Getting Started with Seed Beads
by Dustin Wedekind

The Beader's Guide to Color
by Margie Deeb

Houston Bead Society has an extensive library of beading and jewelry making books as well as some DVDs. Remember, you have to be a Houston Bead Society member in order to check out books. Checked out books are due the following month.

March 2013 Meeting Highlights

So, what do we do at the monthly HBS meetings?

Meet up with friends...

Left - HBS Vice President, Lillian Skogsberg,
Kathy Musselwhite (who was the March Member Spotlight) and Laurence Dusaulx
Right - HBS Secretary, Carolyn Slater and Royelle Giddings

March Member Spotlight - Kathy Musselwhite talked about her beginnings in beadwork, her pieces and her inspiration...

Some of the fabulous items that Kathy Musselwhite bought to show including
some fabulous lush necklaces (Left) and intricately beaded containers (Right).
(Pictures do not do any justice to the beauty of her pieces)

Show and Tell by Members...

Show and Tell Pieces
Left - Carolyn Slater, Middle - Audra Gladney, Right - Pattie Berg

More Show and Tell
L - Jamie Janick, R - Lynn Lytle

Here is a close-up of Jamie's faux repousse bird.
She learned this technique from Pat Powell during last month's program.

Monthly Program...

Nancy and Peanut Butter Jones of Tiny Dog Seed Beads
demonstrating the Rick's Beading Loom

Join us next month when bead embroiderer extraordinaire and HBS Member Lynn Lytle shows us how to  do some bead embroidery. Check out the Program tab for more information.

Lazy Day Lily Earrings

Lazy Day Lily Earrings by Fusion Beads

The weatherman says we may be in for a couple of dreary, gray days this week. So, what better way to bring some color into our lives than with a cute pair of flower earrings.

These are the Lazy Day Lily Earrings designed by one of my favorite companies,  Fusion Beads.

Not only are they so easy and so fast to create but, they don't use a lot of materials. In fact, you probably have some leftover flower beads from another project. And, I love projects where you can use some of those leftover beads.

I also really like that they fancied them up some by using leverback earring findings.

Click HERE and go make you some now.

Now go bead something.