12 Sides on the Brain!

Back to designing for the last few days, as the back pain allows... Spinal Stenosis in the upper back is the worst. BUT inspiration is everywhere and so are these snub dodecahedrons.

This first one is called In A Pinch because it just barely even works as a design. I'm torn as to if I should drop the 11/0s in the corners for 15/0s to see if it works better, but I just love the 11/0 size for the outside... Maybe use them on the inside, too? This one needs a little tweaking. Take a look at the prototypes.

These next two are one of my favorites. I love the way the crystals turned out on the corners. It gives them that little bit of shimmer that sets the whole design over the top for me. This one I'm debating on calling something between Concave and Convex-ing because they are both the same design, but have different thread paths that cause the faces to either be concave or convex. ??? I tried to duplicate the convex faces on the second one, and it just wouldn't go. The first one just had one face that didn't automatically want to face outward when I worked it up. Very perplexing for me as a designer to have to choose one over the other for the write-up vs. variation. I think a third will be the deciding factor, but I need more bicones first. You decide, Concave or Convex?

 

Thanks for Looking!  These will be a tutorial and class later this year.  BTW, look for new tutorials and kits in my Etsy Shop all year!

Molecules Kits in Ocean Colorway

Ahoy!

The Ocean Colorway of the Molecules Necklace has been kitted. What does that mean for you? It means you can now get the kit and make your very own copy of the Molecules Necklace to wear whenever you want! AND for these first 5 kits available, I've decided to include the PDF Pattern for FREE!

So sail on over to my Etsy page and check out the kits before they wash away.

Thanks for Looking.

Patterns arrive

After much deliberation, I have come up with a method of writing patterns that works for me. I'm very happy with the results and think others will be as well.

So far I've taught two classes using these patterns and both were a huge success. I of course forgot to take photos from the classes, but will try to remember at my next class in a couple weeks.

So without further ramblings, I present my two finished and uploaded patterns.

Get them here.

I am working on kits for them this week, so stay tuned for those. I'll also be posting more photos of finished work very soon.

Thanks for looking.

Patterns from the Past...

My backlog of patterns and designs is more than I had originally thought. I started looking at everything I had made over the last few years and while it is good, I don't see it as being the highlight of my beading career and so here is a look at a blast from the past.  Many will get patterns as they are quick and easy projects, but they aren't what I'd like to be known for as I grow as a bead artist and designer.

Spiraling Duos

This was done by mistake.  I was trying to do a different design, and this is what happened. Unfortunately, my favorite of the colorways are at my local bead store as I am teaching this as a class in September, but here is one of the colorways that I still had on hand. Check back after September and I may be able to post the other colorways. (Lovely Purple/Silver and Blue/Turquoise)

Get the pattern for the Spiral Duos here. https://www.etsy.com/shop/EvasCrazies?ref=search_shop_redirect#


Lily Pads

This was my first attempt at designing anything with the two-hole triangles from the Czechmates. I LOVE these beads and have more than I think I do and always end up ordering more...LOL. I need to redesign the middles as the motifs rotate around the single point attachment, but other than that, I love how this one turned out and will be making a pattern for it. As it is, the bracelet doesn't rotate when I wear it, but not everyone has the same wrist size. (The problems of designing for the masses... ;) ) I also made this one in purples, but in wearing it too much I fidgeted with the clasp and snapped the loop. :( My bad, and a hard lesson to learn.

Snowflake Tiles

These were so fast to whip up. I wanted something festive for the Holidays and these were the perfect colors and style for what I wanted. I may put up a pattern, but it depends on the interest level. Check them out and let me know. Kits would work really well for this pattern as there are so few beads used of each type.

Molecules For The Win!

I thought I'd start out on a high note. My First Place winning design!

Potomac Bead Co. had a contest for designs using their unique beads. I decided to try using as many of them in one design as I could and came up with the Molecules collar necklace.

As you can see the design allows for a bracelet and earrings, too. This pattern is on my Etsy site.  Kits for the above colorway will also be available within the next couple days.

But that isn't the only way to do the design...The DiscDuos can be replaced by Honeycomb beads and it works well, too.

I love the way the iridescent daggers reflect the colors of the rest of the design. It made picking out the other beads a real pleasure. This one looks Egyptian while the other one has a completely different feel. The design really has the ability to dress up or down with different attire.

On a different note, I ran into Allie from Potomac Bead Co. at the Bead and Button Show 2016 and she grabbed me for a quick pic of me in my necklace. So here we are all mussed up from walking the show floor all day, but having a blast.

I hope to see them all again next year.