Bead & Button 2018 Submission

I've been working really hard the last couple of months, getting ready for next year's Bead & Button Show a year in advance really pushes me to stay on top of what's new and going to take off.
For this year, I have another couple dodecahedrons, but I've tried new techniques and new styles of beads. (Even some that aren't out yet! I used samples for my piece, so I hope I can get more soon.) I wanted to make sure that I can get a good number of classes accepted, so I submitted several different kinds.
So, check out what may be coming to Bead & Button 2018!

12 Dancing Princesses - Fun with Super Duos, Quadratiles, Crystals, and more.

Crystalline Crescents - A unique rope made of crescents and seeds with a fun mandala medallion.

 Globular Clusters - Sparkling chatons accent each star shaped bezel on this unique beaded bead.

 Heavenly Bodies - First there was Spherical Stars, now this advanced level variation adds all new potential as the beads can be arranges all together to make an intricate necklace or a necklace earring set. This set uses the unique RounDuos by Potomac Bead Co.

 Puffy Polyhedrals - Inspired by the new Iris Duos and Miyuki Spacer beads, this set is a sparkling, spiky treasure that lacks the hard edges of other dodecahedrons.

 Quasar - These were a class last year, so I'm hoping they do even better this year. Check out my other post for more info. (Under DodecaBeadron)

 Serpentine Bliss - I've been sitting on this design for several years, but it got such good reception at Meet the Teachers this year that I've finalized the pattern for a class that's sure to be a hit.

That's all of them. Thanks for checking them out! Fingers crossed that I get a good selection for next year's show.

Until next time...

TOHO Challenge

Better late than never...
I finally finished my TOHO Challenge. I'd have finished on time if not for an awful flu season, but it's been totally worth the wait. Check out what I did with my set of beads, selected by TOHO, for me and others to do whatever we want without adding to the kit.
This felt so far outside my norm, but I love how it pushed me to think with new colors and styles of beads.
You'll notice I kept to my dodecahedron shape, but this is inspired by the Roman Dodecahedrons that have been found all over Europe. Their origins and purpose is unknown, so is the use for this little piece...Too big to wear, but too fancy to just put away.
This one was so much fun to do, I'll probably teach a class for it with a pattern later on.

Thanks for Looking!
I'm excited to try again this year.

Bead & Button Show 2017

It's OFFICIAL! Spherical Stars and DodecaBeadron are going to be classes at the Bead & Button Show 2017.

It is funny to me that of the 4 I submitted, my two beaded beads, both dodecahedrons, were selected. I love beaded beads and how the geometry of the structure comes through even though it is a piece of wearable art. These are fun to make but it will be interesting to see how others take on the challenge. I have lots of other beaded beads in mind for projects, so I'll have to get around to making them in my few and far between spare moments.

I'm officially an international beading instructor. I've been working on this all year and it has really paid off. 2 of the 4 classes I submitted were selected, for a rookie, that's great. I may get 4 next year, but I was hoping for 2 this year so I don't push it too hard my first time teaching on such a large scale. My classes here are relatively small and I don't have to provide the materials, so there is a lot more work for me to do in the next few months, finding the best beads for my kits. Plus, I have to pack them all nice and pretty for my students. Thankfully, I have lots of ideas and I've already been kitting out my other patterns. Crazy how all of this stacks skill on top of skill to get to the top. I'm over the moon with excitement and hope to fill my classes as soon as registration opens at the beginning of next year. Pass the word around to all fellow beaders. Thanks everyone for the support as I've been working toward this goal.

DodecaBeadron

I love a good play on words. And nothing else seemed to fit the crazy shape of this piece. It is a solid dodecahedron and I love how the crescents make up the majority of the shape. However, this is not a project for the faint of heart. Each crescent grabs the thread at every pass. Yet, I am very excited to make another one and have already picked out the colors. Check back soon for the new colorway that is not monochromatic, but playful bronze, green, and a pink/purple.

This was my first attempt at bezeling with the new Demi Round beads from Toho. They worked like a charm and give a delicate look to the piece that would otherwise be bulky with any other size. Also, the embellishment is done with them and I couldn't have asked for a better way to do it. Take a look and see how it turned out.

It may look large, but it is not much larger than a golf ball. For those not wanting to wear such a piece, it would make a great ornament that is sturdy enough to last the years. The chatons in the middles add that extra sparkle as well.

Again, this is going to be a class, hopefully, and please check back to see the availability.

Thanks for looking.

Spherical Stars

This design also came from the Potomac Bead Co. Challenge, but I never submitted it because it didn't feel right for what they were looking for. I knew I had other plans for it and now it is going to be a class if it gets accepted. (Fingers crossed)

This design is a dodecahedron core with stars overlayed which round out the sides. It is a fun design that whips up fairly quickly, though patience is needed with the crystals and embellishing all the sides. It is surprisingly good for beginners looking to get into structural geometric beadwork.

This one had three colors, but it also works well with two.

It completely changes the focus of the beaded bead allowing for the beader to customize theirs as they want.  Check back to see if this class makes the cut.

Thanks.