Love is in the Air....Valentine's Day

I have to admit that I always forget about Valentine's Day until the last minute.  It's not that I don't want to do something special for my wonderful husband, but we do loving little things all year long for each other. 

For example, I'm really not "gaga" over chocolate or roses, I'm much more of a practical gal.  I make my own jewellery so he doesn't buy it for me.  A new, cool tool, or a wedge of really nice cheese is more up my alley.

I like to make red jewellery but I don't really want it to scream "Valentine's Day", I want it to be worn year 'round.

Here are some pieces I currently have made up...see what you think.

 Genuine Garnet & Antiqued Silver Chandelier Earrings

 Red & Black Handmade Lampwork Glass Beaded Bracelet

 Deep Red Lampwork & Swarovski Crystal Hummingbird Earrings

Candy Apple Red Enameled & Silver Beaded Necklace

Kumihimo...The Japanese Art of Braiding

I've always been fascinated by braiding and plaiting.  Recently I discovered kumihimo...the Japanese art of braiding.  Long ago, samurai warriors would use this technique with silk cord to braid armour to protect themselves in battle.

The addition of beads to the braid is challenging but the end result is lovely.  I've been using up my seedbead stash with some kumihimo bracelets and coordinating them with some of my handmade lampwork beads.

Here are a couple of examples:

 Amber Lampwork Kumihimo Bracelet

Turquoise & Orange Kumihimo Bracelet

 

I'm looking forward to making more of these...the braiding is quite a meditative activity and nice to do after a long day at work.  I have a Celadon Green and black double-wrap bracelet I'm working on right now...it's coming along nicely.

 

If you have any questions about kumihimo or have a request for a custom order, please contact me.

Lampwork Glass Bead Bracelets

Do you know how the feel of a smooth stone between your fingers can soothe you? I find that the feel of lampwork glass beads against my wrist do the same thing...and you can fondle them with your other hand.

I love the tapered shape of lentil beads...they lie nice and flat against the wrist, and go well with other round or oval-shaped beads.

Here are some bracelets that are available on my website. (Edited April 22, 2010: The top blue bracelet is now sold)

Seedbead Tutorial - Spiral Weave Rope Chain

This beautiful pattern can be used in short pieces with larger beads in between (see my Aqua Lampwork bracelet in previous post), or in greater lengths for an entire bracelet or necklace (see my Bronzite Pendant necklace in previous post). It’s very versatile, and once you get the basic pattern mastered you can experiment with different sizes of seedbeads within the pattern to give it a different look.

You will need:

Beading Thread – Nymo or Fireline will work well

Thin Beading Needle

11/0 seedbeads – in 2 colours, I’ll refer to them as “A” and “B”

1. Cut a 4 foot length of beading thread and thread needle.

2. Tie a stopper bead (any 6mm or larger bead will do) about 8” from the end of the thread. Tie it so you can get the stopper bead off at the end of the project…you will be weaving the 8” of thread back through your rope chain after the clasp is added.

3. Decide which colour you want for the “core” of the spiral…you will use fewer of these beads. The other colour will be for the outside of the spiral. I will refer to them as:

“A” = core colour beads

“B” = outside colour beads

4. String 4 A and 3 B beads onto needle. Slide them down to lie next to the stopper bead.

5. Go back and pass needle through the 4 A beads. (I enlarged the picture to show detail).

6. Now string 1 A and 3 B beads. This pattern will repeat and form the spiral rope as we proceed.

7. Go back and pass needle through 3 of the previous 4 A beads from step #5, and the new A bead (for a total of 4 A beads...3 old, 1 new). Do not pass the needle through any of the B beads.

8. Continue in this pattern, adding 1 A and 3 B beads each stitch, then going through only the last four A beads in the core part of the rope chain each time. The B beads will spiral up in groups of three as the core of the chain is built.

9. Here is a close-up of the finished rope chain...

You can see the white "core" forms the backbone of the spiral, and the silver-lined aqua beads in groups of three wind around the core.

10. Continue in this pattern for the length desired, whether it's for a bracelet or necklace. I'll show you how to attach the clasp in the next posting.

Enjoy...