Hear Ye... Hear Ye

A new queen has been named... Beadtrice, Queen of Vintage Sparkle. And we all know queens wear crowns, right?




Okay, let me back up just a little. A few weeks ago, by way of Dulcey's blog, I discovered Nancy Eha was hosting an embellished tiara contest and I could not resist taking part.



A wonderful kit was provided as well as clearly defined guidelines, one of which was coming up with a royal name.

The theme for the challenge... 'All About the Sparkle'



The deadline to get the images entered is the same day I leave for the Tahoe Bead Retreat, I managed to get my entry sent off yesterday - one more thing off my 'to do' list before I leave - HOORAY!



Details about the construction of the piece and the materials used - a large piece of 'black crown magic' was provided in the kit as the base for the crown. Since I rarely measure or plan anything I bead, I encountered more measuring and cutting than I am used to and was a bit intimidated by it but am pleased with the results.



Something else I am not so experienced with is fusing. I applied it on the material used for the backing of the crown. For added stability, I ran a thin piece of wire along the bottom of the crown line and added poster board between the material on the back and the 'crown magic'. The finished crown is soft but sturdy.



I used 9 vintage Swarovski sew-on's along the bottom of the crown as well as 6 - 6mm Swarovski margarita beads. Also added are 2 tiny (3mm) Swarovski crystal sequins, 17 purple Swarovski 4mm bicones and two vintage glass sew on jewels in purple and royal blue. Makes for LOTS of sparkle. I added size 11/0 gold beads with size 15/0 violet gold luster beads in a pointed edge stitch as found in Beading with Cabochons by Jamie Cloud Eakin. Not only does is add a golden glow around the edge, it's a great way to attached the back to the front. It is one of my favorite edge stitches.

Speaking of sparkle - how about those sequins? I have a limited number of these vintage sequins in a rainbow of colors. I was lucky enough to find them on EBay through a woman that was selling off wonderful vintage stock used long ago by her grandmother. These sequins were used by the grandmother and great aunt to decorate/create Christmas ornaments. They are so pretty and the colors are like nothing I have seen in newer sequins, they don't fade, rub off or lose their brilliance no matter how much they are handled. Fit for royalty I think.

One of the requirements is to include a photo of the creator wearing the crown. I am not including that photo here, but it will be included in the final entries for the contest.

If you are interested in seeing the entries (and voting for your favorite), you can sign up for Nancy's newsletter through her website (see the bottom of the web page) If you are not familiar with Nancy's work, take a few minutes to view her gallery. There is some great stuff there!

On a roll...

Seems I am on a bit of a roll with beading lately and it feels pretty good! I finished up the kitty face for the collaboration piece mentioned in my last post. I just basically colored it with beads.



Laurel Burch fabrics are so colorful and fun. I am very excited to see the whole finished piece once my friends add their magic.



In addition to finishing the face I beaded up this little pin/pendant for a fund raising auction at work. I started with a 25mm glass cab with this star (star fish? sand dollar?) pattern encased in the glass.



I added these pretty size 11/0 mottled purple beads in the bezel topped with transparent size 15/0 purple beads. There are size 8/0 silver lined beads around the outside and on the edge.



Because it was really hard to capture this without glare, I took several shots at different angles.



I backed it with a light purple Ultrasuede and added a pin back with bail.



For the auction I added the hand dyed purple satin ribbon that was included in my Use the Muse II kit. It matched the cab perfectly - I love it when things work out that way!

Next up... my very own tiara. I ordered a kit from Nancy Eha for her Embellished Tiara challenge after seeing it posted on Dulcey's blog. The theme ... All about the sparkle. How could I resist.

After that or in the meantime, I MUST take the time to learn/practice RAW (right angle weave). I should know that basics (at a minimum) prior to the Bead Retreat in Lake Tahoe (see the class titled "Queen Anne's Lace").

In between all the beading, I'm spending as much time as possible with family. The newest addition is growing so fast. Changing so much each time I see her. Here's a photo I took last weekend - she's is just over 3 months old now and ever the cutie!

Earrings, a pin and a collaboration in progress

I am having the best time! In addition to making pins/brooches for a swap at the Bead Retreat, I beaded up a couple of items for a fund raising auction at work. Seems it's that time of year.



One last (for now) pair of earrings. They just might be my favorites. I've had these vintage German glass cabs for a few years and just love them. They look like Lily of the Valley flowers to me - what do you think?



They are tiny, all beads used are size 15. The ear wires are 14k gold filled and they are backed with brown Ultrasuede



Next, I finished a brooch. I started with a beautiful raku button by Lisa Peters, it has a brown swirl with blue flecks in the background - I love her 'stuff'.



I was having a little issue with glare on the day I snapped the photos, so 2 of them here - between the two of them I think the colors are well represented.



It measures about 2 inches including the outside beads, the dangle adds about another inch. It is backed with brown Ultrasuede.

I'm also working on a beaded pin as part of a collaboration with a couple of friends for a fund raiser for Candlelighters for Children with cancer in Portland. We have worked together on a couple of other quilted/beaded projects and always have a great time doing it. We live in different states (Oregon, Minnesota, Indiana) and manage to coordinate some pretty neat projects, all by email.

My partners... Bobbie in Oregon and Anne in Minnesota, they are sisters and between them have an amazing array of creative talents including (but not limited to) sewing, quilting, painting, knitting, beading, felting and creating pottery. Several years ago, we happened to meet on a volunteer vacation in Eastern Kentucky. I would be remiss if I did not mention Sammie (from Washington) - the woman that completes our circle, she keeps up laughing and very well fed when we are together. I would direct you to photos of their work, but alas - none of them have websites or blogs. They donate the bulk of their creations to a wide range of worthy causes. I'm lucky to call them my friends!

So the project we are working on now began with a large (approx 24 x 45 inches) Laural Burch panel - Secret Jungle. Bobbie will be working some sort of quilt magic and Anne will add her beautiful embroidery to the piece. For my part, Bobbie sent an extra panel of the fabric - I cut out one of the cat faces (I know... it felt so wrong to cut into it) and am working on beading it up and adding a pin back. It will then be attached to the larger piece as a removable/wearable component. The entire piece will be auctioned off at the Harvest of Hope Dinner in Portland, OR on October 24.

While I'm on the topic of kids with cancer, and if you're so inclined - please pray/send positive thoughts for a precious and brave little girl named Regina and her equally brave and precious family. They could use it right now. I don't know them personally, but have been following her blog for quite awhile.