June 11, 2012

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!



Katherine Gale - you are here 

















23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow that bracelet is gorgeous! Love it!

Therese's Treasures said...

Katherine,
Thank you for participating in mine and Christine's challenge. I am glad you stepped out of your comfort zone and tried something new. The cuff you made is gorgeous, I love how it turned out with the fringed edge. Great job!
Therese

Amy S. said...

Wow Katherine! I just adore the cuff - I think it's beautiful!!!

Christine Altmiller said...

Wow~What a gorgeous and earthy and substantial bracelet! I love this and the added fringe sealed the deal with me (as if the bracelet itself wasn't enough!). I am so glad you had the time to do this in and among the moving and the exhaustion. See...easy ;-) I would have told you if it was gonna be hard. LoL
Thanks so much for signing on to the hop, Katherine!

AntiquityTravelers said...

Agree with Christine - beautiful earthy feel to this bracelet. Just wonderful!

Unknown said...

Oh, your pieces are so fun! I love the rings, and the bracelet is just right! Beautiful!

Lola said...

I love the multi-colored rings and the stunning bracelet! Beautiful!

Karin Slaton said...

Your colors really came together, and your bracelet is so lush with its beautiful fringe. I know it feels wonderful with the added swish! One nice thing about these challenges is discovering new (to me)bead artists. So glad I found your lovely blog!

Karen Williams said...

Lovely! I had to go back and forth between the text and pictures several times to make sure that I was indeed looking at one bracelet cuff and not two.

I love how different your cuff looks on the different backgrounds. The pictures of it backlit reminded me of stained glass.

Shirley said...

I'm so glad you found herringbone! It really is a wonderful stitch, and your bracelet proves it. I'm in love with that fringe, it adds the perfect touch!

kimmykats said...

Katherine, I had visited your blog early and saw that you were moving....a beautiful story. Your work is so amazing and beautiful to me. I am too new so I need patterns. Hopefully some day I will be able to free form and come up with beautiful pieces like you make. I acutally picked up some picasso beads at Bead and Button! So glad to meet you through this hop!

Bits of Learning said...

Katherine, I love the fringe on the beautiful herringbone bracelet you created.. it gives the bracelet such great movement! I'm the opposite from you.. freeform is a challenge for me, I tend to be a pattern girl!

Tanya said...

That is a fabulous bracelet. I adore the fringe--it really adds something to the already gorgeous bracelet. I would have a hard time believing this was your first attempt at herringbone .. you did a great job!

Marla said...

Ohhh love the bracelet! So pretty! And I agree moving is, well, it is just ugh!

Bobbie said...

Isn't herringbone fun? I'm so impressed that you tackled this during a move, and that you created something so beautiful amid all the madness that you must be going through. Great job!

Sarah Sequins said...

I'm so impressed that you decided to learn a new technique! And in the middle of moving, no less. The bracelet is lovely, and the fringe is such a great finishing touch.

I have to confess that I'm not so good at following instructions, either -- but I'll have to check out Fusion Beads! Learning is always easier with a good teacher. :)

Paula, Chief Bead Officer said...

Ooooh, pretty bracelet. Love the fringe and the colors you selected are beautiful. Your move sure didn't put in kink in your beadwork! Great job!

Andra said...

The bracelet is great. I really love the colors and you are a brave woman to create this and move at the same time!

Emma said...

Oh, very nice! They all look great. Those rings are sooo cute!
Emma
xXx

LisaS said...

So unusual - I love it:)

lamplight crafts said...

That cuff is absolutely my favorite by far, but only because it's in one of my favorite bead colors...green!

Jenni said...

Beautiful work..and you achieved what you set out to do and now have a very wearable piece. I love the fringe...perfect touch...I would be playing with that every time I wore it!.
The rings are adorable!
Jenni

Ababeads said...

Beautiful...Love it!!