I want to share a part of my wonderful time at 'Bead Soup', in Savage Mills Maryland. Last Saturday, I finished up with the second half, of the two part class, I instructed, "Weaving on a Loom". You can see all the looms on the tables and the interest in everyone's hands. Every piece, rolling off the loom, was 'perfect'. It was so successful, I am planning on taking this same group, to the next level. I'll be putting together a more advanced technique, to be completed on the loom. These advanced classes will continue to stroll through many ideas and creative techniques to the point that each student can take them on to their own design concepts. Beginner classes, or the 101 Loom Bead Weaving, will also be offered, every few months. I'll be sure to post when these will be available again.

To those who took this class, I would like to offer another tip....hehehehe, I just didn't stop, did I?
If you warp the loom, finding it was not warped in 'each dent', or mistakenly loosen the warp tension, secure the warp bar with tape, (paper or clear). Place the tape across the warp bar, before you relax the warps. Doing this, will help to keep the warps you already have in place, properly in their dents. Some have shown me, the releasing of the warp tension, caused other warps to jump out. Taping them down, may really minimize the other warps' movement. You can then remove the tape, when you begin weaving.

Thank you again, to everyone who attended and especially to Bead Soup! (I really have a hard time putting down some Miyuki Broth....being so technical on the warps, I find it hard to love bead soup, lol)

A Channel Cuff Design

I warped my loom, ready to begin my next 'cuff adventure'. In keeping with the Holiday trail, this will be a cuff to imortallize "St. Patrick's Day".

You can notice the 'Celtic' knot pattern, I'm working in here. This cuff will be a montage of elements, related to the background of St. Patty's Day.

The Celtic knot symbol, is also referred to as the mystic knot, or the endless knot. The more esoteric or spiritual meaning, of this symbol, eludes to beginnings and endings. We cannot see a beginning or and end, and therefore reminded of the timeless nature, of our spirit. This can also contemplate the infinite cycles of birth and rebirth, in both physical and ethereal realms.

A less spiritual representation is also related to the knots endless nature. Due to it's infinite path, the Celtic knot can represent an uninterrupted life cycle. Some may use this symbol as a charm of sorts, – warding against sickness or setbacks that might interfere, with an otherwise calm and stable life. In this vein, these knots are used as emblems, which can be found in jewelry, clothing, or home décor. In ancient times, gifts adorned with mystic knots would be given, with best wishes of longevity, or luck with new endeavors. In this vein, of "luck", I included the Celtic knot in my cuff.

The 'Channel' style cuff is ala: Caron Michelle!

A Punny Cuff, with Charm(s)!

Cut, from the loom, ready for the clasp!

To help see the pun, I developed with the pattern, this cuff was finalized as a 'charm bracelet'. Silver Initials were dangled, depicting the same title as each subject. Also included, are the engraved silver hearts, which ties the pun together, with the silver initials.

Of course, the Ewe needed some long, thin black legs, too!

Finished pictures, with the clasp, will be posted on my website, as I use this as my Gallery of finished pieces. Now, off to begin my next cuff...celebrating St. Patrick's Day!

Olive Ewe - "I love You"!

I have so much more completed, on this cuff, but hadn't been able to post here. Now you will see the actual Pun, taking shape.

Below, you can see the entire picture of the ewe I drew, but to bring it to life, I decided to make 'wooly'. Basically, this is no different that how we were taught to cross stitch seed beads on to Aida, Hardanger or Linen. Since the woven base is an even weave, I followed the same directions, adding 15/0 opal white glass seed beads.

Completed with the ewe, I also added further interest to the flower, in the ewe's mouth. This allowed me to introduce another well known Valentine's Day color, "pink". The center of the flower is a yellow gold montee.

The picture of the olive, also woven on the loom, was drawn to capture a coloring book feel. I think this allows for better sudject transfer, in beads. My selection of greens were also detailed to use opague olive tones, in the olive itself, then transparent greens, for the foliage, surrounding it. Knowing the olive and foliage would be a large area of 'just green', I made the bead finish choices so I can denote these two areas, as actual differences.

Below, is the entire olive. You amy also notice a bit of '3D effect' I am beginning to add. You'll see more of this finished, when I share the next stages of my cuff's developement.

One more thought, I know wearing a cuff, like this, makes the 'pun' hard to recognize. Therefore, I have worked out another creative means to bring it all together!

Valentine's Day Cuff: Still Unrevealed!

Here is hint #2, of my Valentine's Day Cuff:

pun /pən
Noun
A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings.

Verb
Make a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word.

Synonyms
wordplay - quibble - quirk - play on words - paronomasia

Any "Takers" on the idea? :D