Autumn Leaf Earrings

Autumn Leaves by Beadsmagic.com
Photo by Beadsmagic.com

So, you're not much of a Halloween fan, huh? Well, then, here's a really lovely pair of Autumn Leaf Earrings that are so fast and simple to make, you'll be able to wear them the same day.

These are from Beadsmagic.com and although they are in a kinda, sorta Christmas like colorway, I could easily see these in golds, browns, tans, oranges and yellows for Autumn.

Come to think of it, they would make really nice Christmas gifts in this colorway.

Just sayin...

Have fun ya'll!

Diane Fitzgerald's Favorite Beading Projects

Diamond Chain Bracelet and Snowflake created by Pat Powell
from Diane Fitzgerald's Favorite Beading Projects

By: Pat Powell,
      HBS Member

Recently, I had the opportunity to review and play with some great and fun beading projects from the book, Diane Fitzgerald's Favorite Beading Projects (published by Larkcrafts).

I found so many different types of projects in the book that I didn't know which project to select first. But, I soon decided on the Diamond Chain Bracelet. As you can tell from the accompanying photo, I did not stop with one. In fact, I’m still making them with beads other than Swarovski crystal bicones! (I did stop for a breath, however, to make one snowflake. They are wonderful by themselves or used in multiples, as pictured in the book.)

All the projects in the book have very detailed instructions. At the end of the instructions, there are also ideas for project variations with photos. Although, the projects use mostly bead-weaving techniques, there are some that include fibers. The most fun is the Button Doll Ornament. I look forward to going through my button stash and making one of those.

Basically, this is just a great book with something for everyone.

(Editor's Note: You can check out the HBS Library for a copy of this book. Remember, you  must be an HBS member in good standing to check out books. For more information, contact Lillian Skogsberg, HBS Librarian).

Beaded Fantasies by Sabine Lippert

Scheherazade Pendant by Sabine Lippert
From the Book Beaded Fantasies
Beaded by Carolyn Slater

By Carolyn Slater,

HBS Treasurer/Webmistress

I was very excited to receive my copy of Sabine's book. I love the intricate patterns she paints with the different sizes and shapes of beads. I chose the Scheherazade Pendant as my first project using mainly fire polish beads in greens. I found the directions very easy to follow and the diagrams helpful. 

Sabine uses different sizes of beads to create the structures then reinforces them with netting which holds that shape and also covers any exposed threads. I recommend using fire line for her projects due to the wear and stress factor with the glass beads.

I'm shopping for my next project - the purple Rope Necklace on page 111 and, no, I won't be beading in my car.

Happy Beading!

Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2012

Pantone has been the world recognized color authority for many years.

Fall 2012 Color Trends - Photo by Pantone

This is their prediction of color trends for Fall 2012.

Boo! Halloween is Coming

The holidays will be here before you know it, so why not enjoy Halloween before all the hectic-ness starts? Here are a couple of cute patterns for Halloween themed bracelets.

This one is from one of my all time favorite sites - About Beadwork. Click HERE to go the site for instructions.



Designed by Chris Franchetti Micahes for About Beadwork

Are you in the mood for a darker version - then how about this one? Click HERE to go to the Peyote Dreams' blog for instructions.

 

 

 

Have an eerily, creepy, spooky Halloween!

Beautiful Beaded Ropes by Jill Wiseman

The weekend is coming and you need a project. Well, you're in luck. Thanks to larkcrafts.com here are two more gorgeous projects from Jill Wiseman's book Beautiful Beaded Ropes to download.

Jill's book is a multitude of what would normally be your average, every day bead techniques magically transformed to luscious, gorgeously beaded ropes. Beautiful Beaded Ropes is beautiful enough to be a coffee table book and, yet, functional enough to teach you what you need to create the project as well as variations to make it your own. Total beginners will have the opportunity to practice the techniques (thanks to the detailed instructions and photographs) while more intermediate and advanced beaders will be able to head right in to the projects.

Clearly narrated, step by step instructions combined with awesome photographs and topped with one awe inspiring, jaw dropping gallery makes this one sweet cherry of a book that will have you running to the bead store to buy more beads... and that's not a bad thing at all.

Without further ado, here are the links and projects for you to download. By the way, if you can't buy the book just yet, check out the HBS library. Thanks to Lark Crafts, we've been given a complimentary copy.

Click here to download the Ray of Light Bangle

Ray of Light Bangle by Jill Wiseman from her book
Beautiful Beaded Ropes

And, click here to download the The French Quarter Lariat

French Quarter Lariat
 by Jill Wiseman from her book
Beautiful Beaded Ropes

Please be sure to drop Lark Crafts a line to thank them for their generous donation.

Free Books Contest by Lark Crafts

Lark Crafts is celebrating their latest release - Beautiful Beaded Ropes by Jill Wiseman (check it out in our library) by giving you a chance to win a dozen books and nine of them are from the Beadweaving Master Class series - all autographed by their respective author.

The Beadweaving Master Class books being given away are:
 

• Shaped Beadwork - Diane Fitzgerald
• Beaded Opulence - Marcia DeCoster
• Embellished Beadweaving - Laura McCabe
• Sensational Bead Embroidery - Sherry Serafini
• Classical Elegance - Maggie Meister
• Bead Riffs - Rachel Nelson - Smith
• Japanese Beadwork - Sonoko Nozue
• Beaded Fantasies - Sabine Lippert
• Beautiful Beaded Ropes - Jill Wiseman

But, wait... they are also throwing in three of their most popular gallery books all filled with photographs of gorgeous beaded jewelry:

• Showcase 500 Beaded Jewelry
• Masters: Beadweaving
• 500 Beaded Objects

All you have to do to enter the contest is leave a comment on the Lark Crafts blog post by 9 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, October 17. Click here - Lark Crafts Free Books Contest - and you will be taken directly to the site.

Good Luck!