Love Your Hands!

Whether you are a beader, painter, woodworker or artist in general, our hands are probably the most important tool we use. And, if you are like me, you can get so engrossed in a project that you easily lose track of time and forget to take a break.

But, it's time we learn to appreciate and love our hands by giving them a break. Here is a chart created by We are Knitters of easy to do exercises to help our hands relax and get them ready for another round of beading.

Graphic by We Are Knitters

Sure, this was created by a knitter, but it is useful for all of us - especially beaders.

You wouldn't leave a paint brush in thinner, you wouldn't leave a tube of paint open and you certainly wouldn't leave your beloved Swarovski crystals are strewn about - so, treat your hands (and your body) to an occasional break with some nice stretching exercises and they will help you continue your next beading masterpiece in a less painful manner.

Thanks to We are Knitters for the hand exercise tips!

Now go bead something - but, take a break - will ya?

Plant Stand Pendant Display

As you probably already know, Houston Bead Society has an upcoming bead show set for October 23 through 25, 2015 - check it out by clicking HERE.

So, when I saw this Pendant Display made out of a plant stand, I thought I'd share it here.

Plant Stand Pendant Display
Photo and Project by Mary Lyda

Mary says she was trying to come up with some DIY displays when she found this plant stand in her bathroom. The stand is actually a faux metal plastic stand in a gold color with black accents, but she cut pieces of burgundy fabric to help showcase her pieces. I think it looks great. 

So, if you are doing some shows this coming Fall, you might want to find a plant stand (try thrift stores) and make your own display. Even if you're not, I think this would look really pretty sitting on a bedside table or dresser.

So click HERE to find how how Mary Lyda made it.

Now go bead something.

Beaded Flower Pendant

Beads by Becs has this adorable beaded flower tutorial on her blog using seed beads and an 8mm chaton. Check it out:

Beaded Flower
Project and Photo by Beads by Becs

Beads by Becs uses the herringbone stitch to bezel around the 8mm chaton then embellishes it with seed beads. And, this sweet little beaded flower (she uses an 8mm chaton afterall) can be used on its one or as a component to another piece. There are endless possibilities for this project simply by changing the color or color combinations that you use. And, it's so easy to do, you can do this with your favorite kiddo.

Click HERE to get all the how tos.

Happy Summer Y'all!

Now go bead something.

Silky Cameo Bracelet

Linda at Linda's Crafty Inspirations is so clever and her designs are so pretty. In fact, check out this gorgeous Silky Cameo Bracelet she designed recently (and is sharing her pattern for FREE!).

Silky Cameo Bracelet 
Photo and Pattern by Linda's Crafty Inspirations

Silky Cameo Bracelet
Photo and Pattern by Linda's Crafty Inspirations

The bracelet is not difficult to make and her color choices are to die for - check them out on her blog. And, her instructions come in a pdf format with lots and lots of step by step directions and graphics. Best of all, it uses those new "silky" beads we've all been itching to use.

So, get you some Silkys, pull out your seed beads and make a whole bunch of these (your family and friends will want their own when they see yours). Click HERE to get the pattern.

Now go bead something.

Patty Perline's Lucky Phone Charm

Check out this little cutie by Patty Perline!

Lucky Phone Charm
Photo and Project by Patty Perline

Patty uses the hottest bead on the market right now - Super Duos - to create this little cutie to hang on your phone. The design is really easy to create with Patty's step by step graphic tutorial. And, with a design this cute, who wouldn't want to make one (see what I did there)?

Any who, click HERE to find out to make your own lucky phone charm.

Now go bead something.

Japanese Fan Earrings

Japanese Fan Earrings
Photo and Project by Handmade Jewelry Club

Here's another earring project to help you learn or warm up your Brickstitch skills - Japanese Fan Earrings by Handmade Jewelry Club.

Although this is the second Brickstitch tutorial I've posted this week (see Cha Cha Earrings from June 22, 2015), this tutorial goes on to teach you Brickstitch increases and descreases in a very detailed and graphic way and it only takes 12 easy steps


So, yes you can make these!

Like most earrings projects, it doesn't take a lot of beads to make and it is a great way to use up some leftover beads.

Click HERE to find out how to make your own pair of Japanese Fan Earrings.

Now go bead something.

Cha-Cha Earrings

Ooh lala - check out these Cha-Cha earrings by beadwork.com 

Cha-Cha Earrings
Photo and Project by beadwork.com

Normally, I am not a pink person, but I am loving the luscious colors on these swingy, stylish earrings. Oh yeah - did I mention - hoops? I love hoops.

Anyway, it uses the old tried and true brick stitch. Earrings are such a fast project to make and it's a great way to practice an old (or a new) technique for a few hours. I often make earrings when I haven't used a particular stitch in a while to not only refresh my memory on the technique, but to warm me up for the real project.

So click HERE to find out how to make your own. Wouldn't they look fabulous in blues?

Now go bead something.