Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Bead Give Away!!! ...and my monthly challenge for June

Fabulous bead give away over at Denise Yezbak Moore's blog! The link below this image (of the beads she will be giving away) will get you there...















I know you all probably thought I blew off my June monthly challenge. Well, I almost did. It has been such a busy month getting my studio photos ready for the huge 'show off your studio' blog party (link on my sidebar), designing and photographing an entry for the Delphi contest I just entered (see details on my previous post...and please vote for my design if you like it!), and trying to get in shape for a couple of bicycle rides coming up...Atchison, KS this weekend for the Amelia Earhart bicycle ride and Ragbrai in about a month. Anyway, enough whining and coming up with excuses. I did come across a beading technique I thought looked interesting. It's called the Russian Spiral and the instructions are to use bugle beads (the tube shapes) and seed beads (shaped like seeds). I am addicted to this stitch! It is so simple once you get started, yet it looks difficult. I love that! Below is a close-up.









The instructions I have are old ones I copied years ago and unfortunately there were no directions on how to finish it off. It does say the completed piece is 27" long and I have about 17" to go. If anyone out there knows where I can find finishing instructions, let me know. In the meantime I will do a little Internet search. What did we ever do before the Internet???

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful beads and that Russian Spiral is just wonderful! You have ALOT of patience!
Good luck on the Amelia ride. Sounds fun! I'll have to look it up and see what that's all about!

Jan

Anonymous said...

Have a great ride and when you're settled, the Bloggerette Sisters would love to have you join!

I looked up Amelia's ride...sounds fun.

Dave is running the SLACKER half-marathon tomorrow from Loveland to Georgetown. He's doing it to get the shirt! I'm staying home and planting new shrubs. hmmmm

Ride on.......
Jan

In the Light of the Moon said...

That Russian Spiral is amazing..I know you said its simple once you get started...but..it looks really hard..for someone like me..hehehehe.Lately with the kids on summer break I'm lucky if I can walk and chew gum..hehheehe!Big Hugs,Cat

Lynn-Teacupstitches said...

Hi Connie!
Thank you for your visit and lovely comment!!
Wowzers that is one gorgeous bead stitch! It would make such a beautiful bracelet!
You could say its easy forever and a day and I could still never do it! If my eyesight was better I would love to try though!!
Hugs and Smiles,
Lynn

Decor To Adore said...

I can't even imagine the time and patience it took to create such a piece. The necklace one post below is also a treasure.

Well done.

Jillayne said...

Connie, this is gorgeous! I love the way the bugle beads look in this - I have only ever used them flat on felt or other fabrics. This design has a kind of Art Deco look to me and look forward to you getting the other 17" finished!

Cindy said...

So happy to have found your blog! I love seeing jewelry designs that are so different and beautiful, as I know nothing about bead stitching and I'm really amazed!
Cindy
www.sweetbeadstudio.com

Kelly Littmann said...

Wow Connie! Wonderful Blog! So much talent! Thank you for sharing, your work and words are inspiring! Keep up the creative works! Farmgirl Kelly Of Farmstead Lifestyle

SharDon Exclusives said...

Connie, thank you for stopping in to my place. It was so kind of you to leave a comment and I would love to follow your blog also. It is so fun meeting new people this way and seeing all of the creative spirits. Your Russian Spiral is beautiful! I am going back to read the rest of your posts as I peaked and saw the previous post with that gorgeous necklace that is stunning. Thanks again and let's keep in touch.
Sharon

SharDon Exclusives said...

For some reason your "Follower" is down tonight. I will try again tomorrow.
Blessings,
Sharon