Bead Cruise Workshops: Recap

Last Sunday I flew back in from Florida after a 10 day trip on the bead cruise.  This was my second year attending and I had an amazing time!

Fashionably matching the tiles in Puerto Rico with my maxi dress.

This trip included stops at 3 bead stores (1 in Florida, 2 in Puerto Rico), 3 workshops, 4 ports and countless parties.

I was honored to have my beads featured in two of the workshops on the cruise.  The first was for Beverly Herman's Star of the Sea class.  

Photo by Beverly Herman

The Star of the Sea necklace featured my stoneware cabochons.  Techniques in this workshop included bead embroidery, peyote and herringbone stitches.

Making the decorative starfish

I have a pretty good handle on basic bead embroidery but bead weaving...bead weaving and I have a history of not getting along very well.  This little starfish took me FOREVER.  Thank goodness Beverly is a very patient teacher!  I only managed to get this starfish and the base bead embroidery done during this workshop.

It didn't help that this workshop was held in a room with an amazing view of the ocean.  LOL!

Working hard on their necklaces

I had also signed up for Tracy Stanley's Byzantine chain bracelet class.  I taught myself Byzantine weave last summer so I ended up assisting some of the other students in class.

Erin Siegel working on her Byzantine weave.

Norma making her chain.

The third workshop was Erin Siegel's Tribal Inspired Beaded Bracelet.

Photo by Erin Siegel

This workshop involved knotting waxed linen and included my ceramic buttons as the clasp!

Selecting the right button for each kit

Here I am working diligently on my bracelet.  Waxed linen is so easy to work with. 

I ended up buying some knotting tweezers from Erin and they were well worth it.  They really get the knot right up against the last bead.

My completed bracelet

Sarajo and Kathleen sat behind me in class and we had a blast.  Speaking of Sarajo, she was the lucky winner of the massive AJE door prize on the cruise!  Congrats Sarajo!  Enjoy playing with all those beads!

I actually made another variation of this bracelet over the weekend.  I have plans to make more in different colors.

Overall, the cruise was fantastic.  I did have some sea sickness here and there but I didn't let it ruin the trip for me.  If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend going on it.  You'll learn new techniques, make new friends, enjoy tropical locales and just have a great time.  

If you'd like to see more photos from my trip, make sure to check out my blog later this week.  I'll be posting a recap with lots of photo highlights.  

Happy Beading!

Bead Fest Stress....Errrrr Prep

Prepping for Bead Fest is stressful.  There are so many things that have to get done before the show;  make a ridiculous amount of inventory, new displays, pricing, sorting, jewelry samples...

Speaking of jewelry samples, remember this rainbow Byzantine weave chain from a few weeks ago?

Well it currently looks like this...

I finished the chain, added the clasp and got the pendant attached.  Then I created more mini links coming off the necklace.  There are supposed to be porcelain charms hanging from them.  Unfortunately, a few weeks ago I was firing a large batch and the kiln shut down during the firing.  Big ERROR message on my screen.  Ahhhhhhhhh!!!

It turns out that after 4 years of solid use, the kiln needed some parts replaced.  The Suburban Guy (Colin) ordered them up and then realized he needed a few other things.  The parts came in a few days ago and Colin made all the repairs.  We did a test firing and it ran a little hot (brand spankin' new parts will do that) so we adjusted the firing.

Yesterday I took that half-fired batch back over and loaded it back in the kiln.  Here's the bottom getting filled up...

And here is the top shelf...

I have never re-fired pieces before but my fellow ceramic artist friends were encouraging.  I'm heading back over to the kiln this morning to see how it all turned out.  I will update this post this evening with the results...good or bad!

*Update*  I do believe the kiln is working again.  Wouldn't you agree?   

Happy Beading!

Diana P.

Suburban Girl Studio LLC

Further Explorations in Chain Maille

I can't stop.  I was warned that chain maille was addictive.  It's true.

I'm working on two projects right now, both of which I hope will become samples for my booth at Bead Fest.  The first involves these pretty autumn-hued anodized aluminum jump rings.

This is a box chain weave.  It was supposed to be a bracelet but I've decided to go ahead and turn it into a necklace.  Still needs several more inches before it's finished.

I'd like to add some of my ceramic leaf pendants and/or charms to it when it's done.

The other necklace I"m working on is for showcasing one of my clowny face pendants.

This is a Byzantine weave.  I love how the rainbow rings pop next to the black rings.

I'm still trying to get my technique right when it comes to opening and closing the rings properly.  Once I'm confident I have it down, I may start making jewelry to sell again.  I love the combination of chain maille next to my ceramic beads.  

If you find yourself wanting to explore chain maille I highly recommend C&T Designs and Blue Buddha Boutique for your ring supply.  All the rings I used in the above pieces were from both these sources.

Happy Beading!

Diana P.

Suburban Girl Studio LLC

Adventures in Chain Maille: The Beginning

Chain maille has been on my to-do list for years.  No really, years.  I bought this kit at a Bead Fest several years ago and just never got around to actually doing it.

The kit is from fe Maille and includes detailed instructions on both jewelry basics and the weave pattern (byzantine variation), jump rings, seed beads and an artisan clasp.  You just need to supply your own pliers.

It only took me a few minutes to understand the basics of making the first byzantine link.  I did have a couple of "What the heck?" moments but they didn't last long.  The instructions really are that good.

I was able to get through making five more links relatively quickly with only minimal destruction to a few jump rings.  I've always suffered from plier death grip-itis.  

I left the house for a bit and when I came home I easily completed the large jump ring and seed bead connectors.  It doesn't hurt either that I have tiny baby-sized wrists so I didn't have to create as many links.

Well look at that!  I made my first chain maille piece....a Byzantine variation bracelet!

And since my wrists are so ridiculously small, I had enough jump rings left to make some earrings!  I paired them with my porcelain ammonite charms.  I think they look pretty spiffy!  Yes, I said spiffy.

I was warned that chain maille is addictive.  It's true.  I've since ordered a practice kit from The Ring Lord and plan to order higher quality saw-cut rings from C&T Designs once I'm confident I won't wreck all the good stuff.  I also purchased two books on Amazon; Chained and Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop.  

I hope you'll enjoy following along with me while I embark on this jump ring-filled adventure!

Happy Beading!

Diana P.

Suburban Girl Studio LLC