A Time To Stitch Blog Hop

So I guess the reason we sign up for a challenge is to do just that. A Time To Stitch Blog Hop is hosted by Therese and Christine two wonderful ladies I have had the privilege of meeting recently.

Rings made when practicing Peyote stitch

  I signed up in the middle of moving and not sure if I would learn something new but because I love bead work and no matter what, I knew I would make something.  I figured I could fall back on my favorite free form peyote technique if need be.  I just didn't know how tired and exhausted I was going to be 'after the move'.

I thought it would be cool to do a  Photo Layout on the Latest Bead Trends Magazine  

Thankfully, I had researched Herringbone and found techniques on Fusion Beads a month ago so had instructions printed out and beads ready to go.  I had an idea in my head of a fringe bracelet I wanted to make but I needed to practice first.  Christine said, no worries, it is an easy stitch.... but that didn't ease my hesitant beating heart.  I am not good at following instructions and guess that is why free form appeals to me.

  I had a vial of 8/0 beads that I loved and thought it would be more than enough for a bracelet.  A few days ago, I finally got bead fever back again so sat down to play.  Well, the instructions were great and I whipped up the bracelet in no time, except that I ran out of 8/0 beads and it probably wouldn't have even fit a small child..... I was so disappointed.  So, I ripped it all apart and started over making sure to add green co-ordinating beads at each end to make it longer.  This time success.

Sure do like the transparent picasso beads used for the main body of the bracelet then adding transparent green every third row.  Surprisingly Christine was right Herringbone is an easy stitch once you get the hang of it!  My plan was to make a beaded toggle clasp as I have never made one before, but that idea fizzled out when I saw this beautiful faceted Agate stone.  I wish I knew the name of it but of course it was in a tray mixed with other stones and my beads are packed away so impossible to find the name..... anyway it is transparent with colors inside that match the rest of the bracelet.

I added a picot edging thinking that would be enough to finish off both sides but somehow it looked unfinished so I added fringe on one side and I love the texture and movement when its on my wrist and it swings back and forth.  This is exactly the bracelet that I had in mind when I started but I didn't know if it would ever materialize.  I am very happy that I learned a new stitch and joined in this challenge and now I want to go see everyone else's beautiful work. Thanks Christine and Therese for hosting.  Enjoy the Hop!

Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller

Katherine Gale - you are here 

Emma Andrews

Karin Slaton

Kim Bender

Lola Surwillo

Amy Severino

Bobbie Rafferty

Sally Russick

Tanya Goodwin

Paula Kramer

Sarah

Karen Williams

Shannon Hicks

Andra Weber

Beth

DW

Marla Gibson

Lisa Stukel

Mandy Duffy

Cynthia Machata

Shirley Moore