The Traveling Bag O'Crafts

As many of you know, I'm in the process of moving from New Jersey to upstate New York.  My studio is packed at this point and all the beads, tools and craft items are packed away in cardboard boxes.

Boxes full of beads

I can't bear the thought of being without crafts for too long so I decided I needed to pack a traveling bag o'crafts!

I grabbed my trusty 2012 Bead & Button tote and my bead travel case and started selecting some projects to take with me.

Traveling bag o'crafts and bead case

Before packing up the seed beads, I pulled a few for two new projects using a lampwork cabochon by Sue Kennedy and one of my own stoneware starfish cabs.

Bead embroidery projects

I also found these two unfinished turquoise pieces that have been sitting for a loooooooooong time.

Long unfinished cabochons

In addition to bead projects, I have this cool special edition of Flow magazine.  It's filled with all sorts of fun papercrafts including; stickers, envelopes, paper dolls, scrapbooking, etc...

Flow magazine

I just need to toss some scissors and a glue stick in the bag.

Coloring book and markers

I'm also taking a coloring book and some fine tip markers with me because sometimes you need to get all zen after unpacking and this is the perfect way to do that.

Sketch book

While packing up the office, I found this unused sketch book.  Perfect!  I can use this to put down any new bead/pottery/craft ideas I have.  My new ceramics studio won't be ready until early September so I can keep all my ideas in this book.

These few items should hold me over for now.  I honestly just can't wait to get the new office AND studio set up so I can get back to work.  

If this were your traveling bag o'crafts, what would be in it?

Happy Beading!

Crafty Cruising

Earlier this month, I went on a 7-night Caribbean cruise with Colin.  I knew I wanted to create during our "at sea" days and evenings after leaving the ports.  Originally, I intended to pack my chainmaille supplies but then I thought the pliers could be an issue. So I packed two other things; an adult coloring book and a bead embroidery project.

Cabochon glued to backing

I selected a glass cabochon by SueBeads that reminded me of a tide pool and glued it to some dyed Stiff Stuff (from Bead My Love).

Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.  Norwegian Spirit in the background.

I gathered up an assortment of seed beads that were inspired by the colors of Caribbean waters.

Base row of galvanized seed beads

I fell in love with these galvanized seed beads at the bead retreat last month so I came home with an assortment of them, including these fabulous blue ones.

Even-count peyote bezel

And thanks to Jenny and Meg, they taught me peyote bezel at the retreat.  I loved how those little 15's  matched some of the speckles in the cabochon.

Adding visual interest and playing off the bubble-design

Each night, I sat on our balcony and added a little more to the design.  It was a nice way to wind down in the evening.

Final row consisting of size 8 and 6 seeds.

This is where my design ended on the cruise.  I realized I hadn't packed any glue or leather for backing material.

Travel-size coloring book

Once I could no longer work on the bead embroidery, I pulled out my travel-size coloring book.  I picked this up last minute at Barnes & Noble before we left.

Completed pages

These are just a few of the pages I worked on between the cruise and my flights.  These were so much fun, I can see why adult coloring books are trendy right now!

Costa Maya, Mexico

I had a great time on the cruise and it was so nice to have projects to work on.  I don't think I'll ever travel again without a craft to take with me!

Happy Beading!