Quite a few years ago (let's say eight), before my love affair with beads began I was a cross stitcher. I was always working on something in the evenings and weekends. It is that path that eventually led me to beads, but wait... I'm getting ahead of myself.
So, I was living in the San Francisco Bay area and cross stitching up a storm, but always looking for other creative projects to keep my hands and mind busy when I was not at work.
Somehow I found these bead kits online, not sure how or where since it was before I discovered EBay. And had I found the kits now - feeling the way I do about beads, I'm not sure I would have tried this since it does involve dipping beads in glue *gasp*. Not a thread to be found!
The first kit included tweezers, glue, a clam shell and enough beads to cover it in a dragon fly pattern on both sides.
The second kit, pictured above makes a pendant and includes the same items mentioned above (well not the clam shell) in addition to a quail egg (it's real), bead cap, jump ring and cord.
They both came in good quality, sturdy boxes and included detailed instructions. I think the dragonfly is pretty cute and sparkly. You can even open the clam shell - not too far, but you could put a little treasure in there if you really wanted.
As much as I tried to get a good shot of the beads, the true deep purple color did not come through.
I have to say, they are fun - really fun. I'm not sure when I'll get around to putting together the ladybug, but I hope it doesn't take another 8 years.
I've looked the web over and cannot find the woman that made these kits. The business name is Terrilyn Designs and I remember the owner being extremely nice. If I remember correctly, she was also in the Bay area - Orinda sticks in my mind, but am not sure why. I have found her name on the web, but never anything that leads to an active website. The kits are so unusual and it is obvious much care went into putting them together. They were also extremely inexpensive considering the high quality of not only the contents but the boxes.
I'm thrilled I found my way back to the kits after so many years!
6 comments:
And I'm just as eager to see what you create in 09 as I was in 08! Onwards & upwards... CLAMFUL of surprises await you! Happy day to you, me :)
is it safe to say...
nothing is "bead-safe" in your home..when you start embellishing the loo.. lemme know!
Adorable Clam!
These are cute. I imagine a lot of people would still like to do something like this as a project who really think they can't learn to embroider or weave beads with thread.
Loved Lisa's comment above...LOL!!! Please take a shot of that if you get there! ~wink~
Good for you to pull out an unfinished project. What a nice looking kit and the dragon fly clam shell turned out great! What fun! I'd love to see the ladybug done on the quail egg too. Great pendant or even x-mas ornament!?
Hey, you could slip a pearl in that clam shell. ;-)
Hope you've been enjoying the sights and sounds of the season.
Hugs to you...Lisa ;-)
P.S. Beautiful candy cane bracelet too! Someone is going to love and enjoy that bracelet for Christmas!
I like that clam, it's really sweet.
That's fun! Amazing how whimsical a clamshell can be, once you get decorating...
--Dave
at Rings & Things
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