Santa Is "Checking it Twice", on the Loom.

As a follow up to what I have been weaving lately, a further picture of the Santa cuff.

I decided to hang some Christmas Balls, on Rudolph's antlers. These are not "round" crystals, but "FLAT round" Crystals. I considered these because they would lay better than a round crystal.

One more accent to complete and add, then on to my Fall Holiday cuffs!

Weaving an Irregular Edge, on the Loom

I have talked about his before, under the tags of ©Weighted Warp Method. However, I have also devised very advantageous way, of creating the same irregular edge. Here is a picture of what I am working on right now. The inset also shares a picture of a loom I had built. This is a ©Tri-Warp Loom.

My past patterns included an extended pattern by hand weaving it, along the edge. Now I prefer to include the extension, while I weave. This was also accomplished on my recent cuff, 'The Baltimore Oriole Baseball' cuff.

You can see, in the picture above, how I am starting to accent this cuff. One way was to add a 3D 'list', in Santa's hand. Much more to complete, so I will share later!

Bead Loom Smocking, a smoking Amulet Bag!

Next up, for me, a class at BEAD SOUP, in Savage Mills Maryland. I'll be offering the technique I use to 'smock' beads, after being woven, on a loom.

You will notice only one side is designed to offer a smocking. The other can be worn just as well, without. There are four simple steps to complete this amulet. One step, adding the fringe, will be a special lesson in itself!

Would love to see many beaders, that day. August 10 & 11, 2013. Call the store for reservations!

Oriole Baseball Cuff & Baseball Bracelet!

Finally completed, clasps attached.

In my stash, I found some ceramic baseballs. Originally, I thought they would be great to add as a fringe, but then decided to make a separate bracelet to match. Worn together, they finish a perfect look!

"Out of the Park"!

So many tell me, when they see a newly completed cuff, "You hit this one out of the park!" This time, I really did...Oriole Baseball, park that is!

This edging seems to be my favorite, lately. I also did similar on the "Weaving Along the Warps", cuff I post not too long ago. This time, I used some sterling bead caps, to hold the black obsidian 4mm beads.

After I add the clasp, I'll take photos of the finish cuff, for my Gallery and Website. I'm behind starting a new piece, for the upcoming August class, so I get started on that tonight!

Baltimore Orioles Baseball Cuff!

I have decided to offer a "WIP", (work in progress), of a "Baltimore Orioles Baseball Cuff" I designed and now weaving, on a loom.

You can see how I have extended the helmet and ball, both of which were not added after the actual weaving, of each row, but included in the length of the bead rows, when added. This is new to me and so glad I have perfected a way to extend the pattern, without using a hand weaving stitch. This method even moves much faster along, than if hand woven, along the edge.

Originally, I was only going to extend the base ball, portion of this design, but after tweaking the extensions "on the loom", I decided to also extend the helmet. Adding warps was all it took.

I'll share more later, as I complete this cuff.

"Weaving Along the Warps!"

I warped my loom, with C-Lon Tex 400, grabbed just about every type of bead, unknown to a bead loom, and began weaving along the warps.

Creating a wide width, I attached two box claps, instead of finagling to find one large one. You may also notice the perfect color match. This was acquired by using 'Gilder's Paste', in a dark red tone, or clay.

Included, in the array of weavings, are some Super Duos, 4mm and 6mm glass pearls, 3mm press glass beads, 11/0 and 15/0 seed beads, just to name a few.

The lighter portion, of woven Super Duo, two hole beads, have given me an idea for a new cuff theme.....stay tuned :D