New beadweaving tutorial: Starflower Earrings

Try your herringbone stitch skills with my "starflower" earring tutorial .

Flowering Edge Herringbone Bracelet

Flowering Edge Herringbone Bracelet, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

Here's a little experiment I did the other night. I started with a long ladder of beads and wanted to create a ruffle on each side in herringbone stitch. Didn't have any success with that idea, and rather than starting over, I decided to build on the ladder row. I ended up making one row of herringbone in black with one colored bead in between each pair. Then I went back around in RAW with each colored bead to create the "daisies."

Beadweaving Classes

I'll be teaching three classes at Beads on Parade in Fredericksburg, VA in February. It's a wonderful little shop just north of Fredericksburg on Route 17 between I-95 and Route 1. They have a good selection of gemstone, glass and seed beads and findings in a cute bungalow. They offer a wide range of classes in beadwork and wirework. I'll be teaching two earring classes; my three designs using Czech beads and three designs using Delicas, also my Chevron Chain and Peyote bracelet pattern.

"Metropolis" Bracelet

"Metropolis" Bracelet, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

Another recently finished bracelet. I used herringbone stitch again with Delicas. I call it "Metropolis" because the design reminds me of art deco patterns.

"Limelight" Herringbone Cuff Bracelet

Lime Green Herringbone Cuff, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

Here is the next cuff-style bracelet. I've created recently.I have collected quite a few different kinds of beads in the same lime green color and this herringbone design came to mind.

"Riverbed" Herringbone Bracelet

Green Herringbone Bracelet, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

My latest experiment was a success, in my opinion. I tried herringbone stitch with "inclusions" as shown in the "Mastering Beadwork" book by Carol Huber Cypher (my Christmas present to myself) and named the bracelet "Riverbed" because it reminds me of a flowing stream over rocks.

The RED Challenge

The Etsy Beadweavers are seeing "red" with their latest beadweaving challenge and voting begins Monday, January 7th. This month's challenge focuses on the use of the color red in any and all forms of beadweaving. There are beautiful and striking articles of jewelry as well as sculptural and useful pieces. A warning though, you are going to have a very difficult time choosing a favorite !

Triangle Twister Bracelet

Triangle Twister Bracelet, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

Here's a new bracelet that I just finished. I had an idea in my head once I learned how to make these triangles ("Mastering Beadwork" by Carol Huber Cypher). There are other projects I'm "supposed" to be working on, but this one wouldn't let me stop.