Beaded Seams

Here are a few beaded seams finished recently...eye candy anyone?

They aren't completely finished...but close!

LAST CHANCE SALE!!!

I just finished marking down the clearance prices at ShawklDesignStudio...and this is your last chance to get stuff before it is gone!Thanks to those who are asking "what next"...and here's the scoop! The Studio is run by a software package from Intuit, managed by a company called Homestead. It is cumbersome, slow, and does not have it's own inventory controls...unless I buy an expensive upgrade. So, I've decided not to do that...and after the inventory is sold or donated the Studio will simple not exist.I considered keeping a small inventory...but, that is just money down a rabbit hole because of the monthly fee the software costs.So, anything I decide to make or supplies I want to carry will be on the Etsy site after the Studio closes. There will be things I'll be buying for myself...and if you can't find something elsewhere...please feel free to email me and perhaps I can help you out in your hunt!

Some Spiders on Etsy Now!--Sold Out Already!!

 

 Thank you to those of you that admired the Victorian spider yesterday, and asked about purchasing one. I decided to add a few of the larger and more decorative spiders to the Etsy site. 

Here are the ones that are listed there now.

 

 

 

 

And, if you use Coupon Code BLOG10 you'll get 10% off your order! A thanks to my blog followers!! Update: Sold Out Already!! Looks like I need to get busy! I have another of the Ruby Pink (last photo above) and I'll post that on the site ASAP...and I'll be beading some more up today of the crystal and blacks. Waiting on more beads for the pink ones!

Beaded Spider Tutorial

 Here are the simple steps to create a large (about 3-4 inches square) beaded spider. The beads used are for the spider shown. The size of beads can be adjusted to fit the size of spider you want to create. These are fun to create! 

 Step One: Find a large bead for the spider body and a slightly smaller one for the head. Here I'm using a 16mm round bead for the body and a 10mm round bead for the head. I also added a 3mm Swarvoski crystal and a crystal rondelle spacer to the back of the body to just add a little more sparkle.  You could also add bead caps and a rondelle in the center of the spider if you desired. Place the beads on a flat head pin and twist the end down like a little coil with a pair of jeweler pliers or needle-nose pliers (use the very tip).

 Step Two: Cut 4 long pieces of wire, about 7 inches long each. Use wire that can easily bend and twist. I use from 24-28 gauge and different colors depending on the spider color. Fold the four wires in the middle, creating eight legs.

Step Three: Place the wires between the head and body beads and twist them in the under side. Thinner wire can be twisted once, but thicker wire will only be able to be "pointed" in the opposite direction...without any actual twists. That is the case with this spider, here is what the wire looks like at the underside of the spider.

Step Four: Plan your beads for the legs. Always start with seed beads because the legs will begin by hugging the body and need to have small beads to start. Add larger beads or combination of beads to mimic "joints" in the legs, there will be two of these areas. Then end with seed beads and bugle beads for long slender portions of the legs. For this spider I've used this sequence of beads for front/back legs: 5 seed beads pink, 4mm flat round pink, 6 mm round ivory pearl, 4mm flat round pink, seed bead, bugle bead, seed bead, 5mm rice bead, seed bead, bugle bead, seed bead, bugle bead, seed bead, bugle bead, seed bead, seed bead. The center legs have one less bugle bead and seed bead than the front and back legs..this is optional as all eight legs could be the same.

Step Five: Place the beads on the wire. Cut the end of the wire until you have about 1" of extra wire left. Twist the end like a spiral until it touches the last seed bead placed. Repeat this to complete all eight legs.

Step Six. The spider is finished. You can play around with the placement of legs until you have a realistic pose. I start by pulling all eight legs straight up and putting the spider body flat on the table with the top facing up. Then I bring the middle legs down bending at the "joints" and having the legs at a straight angle out from the body. The front and back legs are done in a similiar manner but are pointed towards the front and back instead of the side. (Note: This spider would hang from it's "head" because that is the coil end of the head pin...if you wanted it to hang down from it's "tail" the head pin would start at the head and be coiled at the tail instead.)

Here is how the spider looks underneath when finished.

So, go find some beads...and wire...and one flat head pin (or use a piece of wire and coil both and head/tail ends)...and create a beaded spider. Have some fun!

Still Making Spiders

Here's the condition of my craft table at the moment...

I'm still making spiders for my sister to take to her co-workers. It's mindless work, and I like it. Except...I got big orange beads to use...and promptly misplaced them in the middle of all this clutter! So, I had to re-order them and I hope the new ones arrive before October!I'm sure that they are here somewhere...in a very safe place! But, I'm tired of looking for them...

What's the Problem?

 Seems like I'm just running around in circles lately! I'm behind in posting motifs, and just can't seem to get caught up in so many household chores. It's like I just lost 3 days somewhere...and I'm running to get back on track. And, the least little thing just adds to the mix. For example, Aidan and I spent some time this weekend painting lace (with dye) because my lace drawer was very low in options. I had photos all ready to go...but, the computer decided they were "unstable" and needed to be scanned and fixed. In computer lingo...I found that means deleted. Rats! So, you are left with a newly taken photo of my current lace drawer...fatter than before. But, no photos of my precious little Aidan helping Nana paint.

400 Followers!!! Let's have another Drawing!! Winner Selected!!

Wow, during the night...we went over 400 Followers! Awesome!So, let's celebrate!!How about a new book...of Embroidery Designs...400+ easy embroidery designs!Doodle Stitching, The Motif Collection by Amiee Ray. 

 It comes with a CD of the designs, so they can be enlarged!and includes 17 projects to give you ideas of what to make. This is a wonderful book with tons of little embroidery designs just right to add to small projects or CQ Blocks. Just leave a comment so I know you want to be entered and I'll pick a winner first thing Monday. So you have until midnight (CST) on Sunday to comment. And, make sure I can reach you...so update your profile to allow public viewing...or add your email address to you comment.

UPDATE: Monday, 8:14 am. WE HAVE A WINNER!I listed all the valid comments and there were 55. (Sorry, couldn't count those that posted after midnight, or repeat posters, or anonymous without a contact) and used a random generator to pick the winning number. The winning number was 54! And that is Turtle! So, an email has been sent and hopefully she will respond within the next 24 hours to claim her prize.

Don't be Afraid...

...these are not real! But I think they are gorgeous! I'm going to have a tree of spider ornaments. My sister wants earrings and a necklace for work ...in orange/black...Halloween style!

Mom wants a larger one to put in her porch window...so, I've ordered some large orange beads. Here are some more to help put a little fright in your day!

 Is your heart beating fast yet?

 The white is so pretty...like a piece of jewelry!

This little fellow would be good to put into a potted plant!! He hides well!!

Roses, roses, roses...beginning

I signed up for a round robin...CQ of course...titled Roses, Roses, Roses! As I receive each ladies CQ Block monthly, I'll be stitching and sharing photos. I'm excited about this round robin...one because it's ROSES!!...and two because I have not stitched in a round robin since the spring...before the garden!I mailed my blank block off yesterday...

 so the ladies can work on it. I'll show you photos when it returns in a few months...all "Pretty!"

Patterns are FINALLY all Loaded!

The Studio now has all of the patterns that I'm getting rid of in my de-cluttering efforts! Some are really great! And all are 50-95% off! There are a variety of quilting patterns, cross-stitch patterns, and some sewing patterns too! Like these...

Next, I'm going to start photographing and measuring fabric! But, not for a few days...cause I need to finish up some Christmas ornaments, a CQ Block, and do some beading! I'll post photos as I work!

Well today is shot!

Had a doctor's appointment first thing...routine...labwork needed. OUCH! I think she was digging for gold!And, worst of all...no coffee!!!!!!...no breakfast.Then to CVS...for vitamins...and to get info from druggist...and a flu shot (because with my insurance it is free he said)...so stuck AGAIN!!Got the vitamins...Geritol liquid...more Yuck!Painted charms for an order...then off to the post office.Back home, ate a bite of lunch...was tired.Tried to nap...but Buddy wanted to nap too and he took all of the bed..(bad dog!) so, finally I just gave up!That's my day! Hope your day is going much better!Now, to go fight with Studio software so I can load all of these patterns I pulled yesterday!
And, what am I going to have for dinner! I don't even want to think about that!

Garden is Kaput...and so are we!

Mom and I both agree...we feel like we've played football for hours! Why so sore? Because we cleared the garden on Saturday...and are still getting over that Herculean effort! Here is what we faced...not very pretty after the morning glories and ZERO rain for weeks!

This little pepper palnt was full of red Jalepeno peppers...which I saved to send to Tracy's mom.

The tomatoes fed the birds for a little while, as you can see by this tasty treat!

 And the okra went to seed...after many pickings!

After pulling a truck load of plants up...

the rest were mowed down!

So, goodbye dear garden...until next year!