A Beaded Christmas

Drove by the Town and County Center during Halloween only to discover that it already had all its Christmas decorations out! But, you know, I have discovered once Halloween is over, the rest of the year just seems to fly by.

So with that in mind, here are some cute, easy Christmas projects for you to try from one of my favorite places to look for inspiration and, yea, shop too.

Click on the name of the project and it will take you the instructions.

Santa Was Here Earrings

Santa Was Here Earrings by Fusion Beads

Kris Kringle Earrings

Kris Kringle Earrings by Fusion Beads

Nick at Night Bracelet

Nick at Night Bracelet by Fusion Beads

Happy Beading Ya'll!

(All photos by Fusion Beads)

Luscious Leaf Fringe Technique

Photo and technique by Fusion Beads

I am a ginormous fan of fringe and I am so loving this Leaf Fringe Beading technique from Fusion Beads!

Click HERE to see how it's done.

2013 Bead It Forward Quilt Project

The Bead & Button staff will once again be organizing the Bead-It-Forward Bead Quilt Project for 2013. This project is an international beading effort that benefits breast cancer research and was started by bead artist Jeanette Shanigan in honor of her mother who died from the disease. For a number of years, Jeanette collected tiny, 1.5” by 1.5” squares of beadwork submitted by bead artists from around the world and pieced them into mini mosaic quilts. The quilts were auctioned at the annual Bead and Button show. In 2012 alone, the bead quilts and other donations by bead artists raised $19,500 for breast cancer research at the Medical College of Wisconsin! In 2011 Jeanette relinquished her much love project to Bead & Button magazine.

And, Bead & Button is doing it again. This year’s theme is: “Flowers: Stitching to Find a Bloomin' Cure.” All you have to do to participate in this fun and worthwhile project is create one or more 1.5" x 1.5: (3.8 x 3.8 cm) beaded squares (stitched onto a 2" square) and send them to Bead & Button. The complete rules and guidelines, as well as a sample pattern can be downloaded HERE.

The deadline for submitting squares is March 1, 2013, so we have plenty of time to create squares. In fact, the January 2013 program will be dedicated to this project. In years past, we have met in the 7th floor meeting room at Bayou Manor after the the meeting for a fun afternoon of beading and I expect we will do the same this time.

HBS has been delighted to be a part of this worthy cause for several years now – won’t you join us this time? More information will follow as the time draws near, but we hope to see you there.

To see examples of bead squares created by members and friends of Houston Bead Society (including Peanut, Nancy Jones' beloved pooch), click HERE.

November 2012 Meeting

Hello Everyone:

In addition to voting for officers for 2013, we'll be having some "shrinky stuff" fun during the November 17 meeting. Please join us for this important gathering at Bayou Manor, 4141 South Braeswood, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Remember to park in the uncovered spaces in the rear of the gated lot. Covered spaces are reserved for the residents of Bayou Manor. After parking, walk back through either the vehicle or pedestrian gate and access the building through the main entrance. Stop by the receptionist's desk for an ID badge before proceeding to the auditorium.

ELECTION:
HBS holds an election for officers for the coming year at each November meeting. Your vote is important because it represents your interest in the continued success of your bead society. In addition to the previously announced candidates, which are listed below, nominations will also be accepted from the floor with the permission and presence of the person being nominated. Current membership for a minimum of one year and a serious desire to help HBS continue to be the best it can be are the requirements.

• Shirley Nowlin - President
• Lillian Skogsberg - Vice-President 
• Carolyn Slater - Secretary
• Tish Reed - Treasurer

PROGRAM:
Tish Reed will present the "Shrink Shrank Shrunk" program. Remember, some lucky person will win the book - Shrink, Shrank, Shrunk: Making Stylish Shrink Plastic Jewelry by Kathy Sheldon from which Tish is taking the program. This is fun you don't want to miss!!!

Kits will be available for sale (to members taking the program first) for $10.00 and include all the components you need to make the above projects as well as enough shrink plastic material to play with at home.

Tools You Need to Bring:

• Round nose pliers 
• Chain nose pliers 
• Wire cutters 
• Good pair of small, sharp scissors (but, not your fabric scissors) 
• Fine and medium tipped black marker 
• A few colored permanent markers with a medium tip 

Optional, But Recommended:

• Beads to add to the shrink, shrank, shrunk charms 
• Favorite rubberstamps 
• Clip art or other art work you can trace 
• Staz-On Ink pad(s) 
• Colored pencils 
• Permanent markers in a variety of colors 
• Embossing gun 
• Regular size single hole puncher (used for paper) 
• Large size decorative punches like those found in the scrapbooking store 

Remember: Shrink Art Sheets shrink 30% to 50% so artwork and punches should be no smaller than 2” or larger than 5” – depending on your project.

VENDORS:
Current members are eligible to be vendors at each monthly meeting. The cost is $10 for one six-foot table, payable when the Treasurer, Carolyn Slater, comes by to collect. Vendors may arrive at 9 a.m. and can sell until the President, Diane Mayes, calls the meeting to order. At that time, vendors are required to cover their tables. Once the meeting is adjourned, sales may resume. Please remember that HBS must vacate the auditorium no later than 12:30 p.m.

LIBRARY RAFFLE:
Our Librarian, Lillian Skogsberg, maintains an excellent library for current members to check out books for a period of one month. Lillian is always adding new selections so stop by and check out the offerings.

The library raffle is held to generate funds for operating expenses. Tickets are 50 cents each. Be sure to get your tickets early because once the meeting is called to order, ticket sales will cease. There are lots of "beady" prizes just waiting to go home with a lucky winner.

MEMBERSHIP:
Our Membership Coordinator, Kim Butler, will not be at this meeting. If you would like to join or renew, please contact her at kimb528@yahoo.com for the address. Dues are $30 per year for individuals and $40 per year for a family membership (two persons living in the same household).

I'm looking forward to the election, the "shrinky stuff" and show and tell with all your beautiful creations. I'll see you there.

Shirley Nowlin
HBS Vice President - Programs

Beadsmith - Looking for Your Works of Beady Art

To celebrate the “dawning of the Golden Age” of the two hole bead, Beadsmith is looking for photos of your works for the following albums:

• Dynamic Duos (Super Duos)
• Tantalizing Tilas (Miyuki Tila Beads) 
• Totally Tiles (Czech Tile Beads)
• Terrific Twins (Preciosa Twin Beads)

Please send j-pegs (.jpg format) of your two holed beaded inspirations to one of the following address for possible inclusion in their albums:

• steven@beadsmith.com
• steven@helby.com 
• Beadsmithsteven@gmail.com

2013 Bead Journal Project - Registration Open Now!

The Bead Journal Project (BJP) is the brain child of bead artist and author, Robin Atkins, and began in June 2007. That first year, over 240 women and 1 man committed to creating one bead journal page per month - for a total of 12 pages.

To participate, you need to register (see link below) and then create one journal page per month using any media and technique, provided it includes some beading. Participants are encourage to freely structure their page in any way and in any size as long as all 12 pages are the same size.

The 2013 Bead Journal Project will run from January 2013 through December 2013 and there is a blog you can go to for inspiration, encouragement and support.

For more information, including how to register for the 2013 Bead Journal Project, go to:
Bead Journal Project. Registration ends November 25, 2012, so hurry and join now!

Easy Focal Bead Bracelet

If you're like me, you probably have a small (or maybe not so small) collection of "special" beads you've collected over the years - lampworked beads, gemstones - beads you found fascinating or loved on sight! But, you can't figure out exactly what to do with them. Well, worry no more. Here is a cute and easy  wire work bracelet from favecrafts.com that uses some 14 and 22 gauge wire, a clasp and your favorite bead to showcase. And, although it calls for a Coiling Gizmo, you can easy make your own coil without one.

So click HERE, pull out one of your favorite focal beads and make a bracelet (or three or four). Did I mention Christmas is coming and how easy this would be to make for gifts? I think, I  just did.