Introduction and Welcome

Hello to Old Friends and New Friends!

Welcome to my Bead Designs Log, where I describe bead creations I have made and some backstory and inspirations where applicable.

I am creating this blog to have a place to show pictures of what I have made. At this time, some of these pictures are scans. I explain this because sometimes the colors are not "true"; and I will say so in the accompanying captions. When the time comes to re-photograph these items, I will replace or addend the pictures where I can.

It is also a place to solicit comments on my work. Please be kind. This is the closest I have ever come to having a gallery exhibition!

Enjoy!

All pictures, photos, scans, designs, and descriptions are copyrighted to the author!!
>>>>>MPK

Friday, January 30, 2009

Blue Leaves




I found these blue glass leaves in a craft shop a few years ago - the store has long since closed. They were in a mixed package, (and yes I still have the other colors.) Not an embroidered bracelet, this base band was made using my favorite stitch: the Peyote stitch. I used transparent blue #11 beads from Lisa A. with transparent Vanish thread since I didn't want any thread color to change the purity of the beads. I edged the strip base with a 5-bead close picot. The glass leaves have a metal bail set into them and so to prevent the bail from slipping off the thread, I surrounded the attachment thread with six blue beads and doubled the thread through them. The leaves have an AB coating. They do stick out when the bracelet is worn and clink delicately when shaken. I had ideas to add some fringing among the leaves, but didn't try it because of the thicknesses of the thread already in the center of the base strip. I'm not fond of working with this clear thread, it kinks and sometimes splits. But I felt the struggle was worth it to keep the color transparent. 1-09>>MPK

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Vintage Valentine



Shiny sparkling vintage Czech sliced cube beads make the base for this simple peyote stitch bracelet that took less than 2 hours to make. These beads are approximately size 6, and their quirky shapes cause the interesting texture. The clear red sparkles in the light. The beads have an indigo blue lining. The button is a red Czech button from Awesome B&B, which is a new button made from an old mold. It has little silver accents. Another marriage of long time, I have had those sliced beads for over 30 years. I used black 6# Fireline for this one because I don't trust that the holes are smooth.
And yes, if I had more of these beads I would have made a necklace. 1/09 >>MPK

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Wild Pink Ornament P



This wild pink ornament makes me smile when I look at it. Made with milky Czech #11 and hot pink Japanese silverlined 11, as wll as the Czech blue raku bugles. The base felt is pink, which gives a rosy color to the Czech glass cabochon with sparkly iridescence from Lisa A. The multiple fringes are just for fun! I'll probably wear this...>>MPK

New Photo Coming Soon!



Blue Ornament N


Another ornament made with one of those sweet cabochons from Lisa A. The milkiness of the glass is distinct in this one. I used Czech bugles of a blue matte "raku" finish as well as cat's eye beads on this one.
>>MPK
New Photo Coming Soon!

Milky Ornament H


An ornament made with an old Czech glass cabochon (from Lisa A.) with a new coating on the back reminiscent of early attempts at simulating opals. This one would look pretty good! Although it is hard to see, the faceted bead dangling from the bottom is AB coated. The #11 beads are also a mix from Lisa A. >>MPK
New Photo coming Soon!