A new skill has been learned.......

It is funny at times when one hobby overlays another hobby.   Even though this page is devoted to Bead Embroidery - Beadweaving - and Chainmailling but while attending a Society event ( Society of Creative Anachronism ) - I was managing the Arts and Science classes and competitions and I had the opportunity to see ( just a little bit ) for a historic embroidery class being taught by Andrea Brooks ( Lady Aesa ).  I was only able to try the Split stitch but I really enjoyed working in thread as a cover medium. One funny thing happened as I was sitting there learning the split stitch though,  I did keep trying to pick up a bead. 

Of course I enjoyed the Celtic Triskele pattern as well.  Soooo....... I'm hooked on Embroidery and starting thinking of ways to incorporate both Embroidery and Bead Embroidery, so I took off so to speak and decided that I would make a SPIKE ( The Unicorn Seahorse ) which is the mascot of the Kingdom of Atlantia.  And of course I added beads. 

SPIKE

I posted a photo on the Closed Needlework Group for the Barony of Hawkwood and I received many kind comments for completing a second piece.  I still have to block and press this piece but I believe it shall be an eye catcher when complete.   Now mind you,  I have several beaded pieces going on at this time but I have found the thread embroidery very relaxing while watching a little TV or taking a break at work.  The first photo ended up as a Cup Cover with brass swans hanging from each corner to keep the piece weighted over the cup.  The Spike piece I believe shall be a table center piece but it is to be determined. 

I have only learned split stitch and taught myself from a You-Tube Video on how to do Satin Stitch but there are numerous other stitches out there that I need to learn.  ( Yes !  Bless you You-Tube ) and now it has my thoughts going to next years Battle piece.  How to incorporate both mediums for a stunning design. 

Now look at this fabulous darling by " Fly Fenix ".   This has the imagination stimulated for sure. 

Stay tuned!  Piece number 3 is underway....... and it is Celtic and it is Swans. 

Current Musings - I am so behind in Blogging with all of the wonderful events going on

I apologize.  I am so behind on Blogging with both Catherine's Musings and A Newby to the Kingdom of Atlantia.  The Battle of the Beadsmith 2016 has begun this week.  Master Steven Weiss has started to post the Battle Pairs as the entire Battle has changed due to many that did not submit their Battle Pieces at the last minute.

Update:

Steven Weiss

1 hr · Carteret, NJ

6-20 UPDATE
As we do not have enough battlers to fill four groups of 64 I will begin posting battles as one large round. Everything remains the same in terms of voting, etc. We will keep voting forms reasonable in size to keep things moving along.
After the results of round one we will re-select battles for round 2 and so on.
Good luck to all
Enjoy the battle for what it is.
A celebration of people coming together to share with each other, inspire each other, and to strut their beady stuff with a group of beaders worldwide who share a common love of the game.

 We have some incredibly beautiful entries and it has been a Bling Event watching each Battle Pair get posted before voting begins.  I would be honored to make it to Round 3.

And here is my submission:

AWEN of the Sea

 

 If I am grateful for anything - it is that Awen stimulated my beading again.  I have a Blog Hop where I was a Bead Angel with two participants that I need to load but as you can see - AWEN - took up a lot of time.  Each size 15 bead was hand sewn individually.  Glutton for punishment.   I will spend time and organize the posts because there is a lot that has happened over the past three months and it has been wonderful.

I've changed my header Photograph...

As you can see - my header has changed from my Battle of the Beadsmith 2015 submission to a lovely piece I finished a month and a half ago.  The Cabachon is Malachite-Azurite and I cabbed this piece myself from a twin that I have with Deborah Apodaca.  Speaking of Deborah - she is the person that took the photograph of this piece and if you are looking for a superb photographer for your jewelry needs please give her a call or send her an email.  She is doing websites for " The Central Florida Bead Society " , Anne Hess and other artisans. 

To see an example of her work - www.annehesseart.com

and to contact her - deborahapodaca1@gmail.com

Please tell her I sent you. 

Any how - why did I remove last years?  Because it is time for the 2016 Battle of the Beadsmith.
I am in Battle Group C ( oh no - Nikki Messal - Courtney Phillips - Joanne Zammit - Betty Cox - my partner from last year - Rebecca Williams ---- Oh such talent in this group ) .  So?  What shall it be?  You'll just have to stand by. 

Bead Peeps - Well my Two Ladies have received their kits...

Both of my Bead Peep partners have received their kits - Both Sheila Poster ( http:catswithbeads.BlogSpot.com ) and Brandy Collier - (www.bhjewelry.wordpress.com) have ooohed and awed on their treasures and Sheila and I had like ideas. 

1st Exchange with Brandy Collier - she loves Purple and Green together.  Actually that is one of my favorites as well. 
2nd Exchange with Sheila Poster -

The bead Embroidery kit.....just to expand those wings. 

So please keep and eye for when we reveal our treasures.

An addition to the 2nd Annual Bead Peeps - An Angel request...........................

Well - all the goodies have been sent to partner one and I was asked to be an Angel and add a second partner - Sheila Poster.  Absolutley!  My second partner is proficient in Bead weaving and works in a medium where I seldom venture - Geometric Beadwork - Jean Power style.  Not that I do not admire the style of this type of beadwork - I've just never ventured there. 

I find Sheila's blog a very natural expansion of growing into our craft and her curiosity admirable.  Therefore,  she shall have a surprise package coming her way tomorrow - a new style of beading. 

Please take a moment and meet my second partner for the 2nd Annual Bead Peeps Blog Hop:
http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com,  and stay tuned for our reveals. 

Two for one..... yippee!

It's Kinga....... Kinga Nichols that is................

Last month I was able to exchange a few Cabachon's with Kinga - she had posted she was looking for Sugar Skull cabs to complete her kits and I had ( 5 ) spare Cab's from a order I had placed.  Lovely little Sugar Skulls..........................

In exchange I received Kinga' leaf cabochons which I just think are wonderful.  I love the pendant technique that she uses by incorporating the bail into the embroidery so I gave it a try and I am very please with the results.  Completing the rope for this piece now.  I'll probably have to photoshop this photo and replace - all my I-Phone photos always rotate.  Aaargh! 

I've always admired her beadwork and use of Lovecraft themes and colors that are just, Wow ..... really Wow! 

Spend a few moments and visit Kinga's Blog at: 
http://crimsonfrogdesigns.blogspot.com/  and view the work of a true artist. 

A new introduction.......

I haven't had the opportunity to introduce Ms. Callie O'Malley - yes I know.... all of my pets have two names.  But here is my latest treasure and she adopted me.  A stray who showed up at the house and started staying as I fed her ( Fancy Feast and milk ) .  Now she has been spayed and all of her health requirements have been met and she now resides at night in a huge dog crate where the pups are getting used to her.  She has her own bed - blankets and tiny little litter box in the corner for a just in case.  I've never been a cat person until this little gem arrived.  To hear her purr in the morning is just wonderful. 

#Battle Nation - 2016 Battle of the Beadsmith

Well - it looks official - the lists are being confirmed now and the 1st of April is looming on the horizon.......    # Battle Nation here we come....

Let me introduce you....... 2nd Annual Bead Peeps Swap 'n' Hop

It is that time again - the 2nd Annual Bead Peeps Swap 'n' Hop and our partners have been selected.
I'm excited with this partner as she is a new beader and I find this refreshing.  We also have the same taste in colors - love that purple and green. 

Let me introduce you to- Brandy Collier, my new partner.  She is a new beadweaver and she is also planning a wedding to boot.  Her blog is -http://www.bhjewelry.wordpress.com and her blog is easy to navigate using the archives to the right.  He has done Kumihimo and uses seed beads throughout her work.  A kindred spirit.  Nothing better than a new seed bead artist.  I look forward to selecting her " goody bag " and seeing what she does with it. 

It seems I have been remiss in Blogging

With the new Bead Peeps Exchange beginning -  it would seem I have been remiss in blogging.  Doubly so with my SCA blog too boot.  So let me say I have a lot of updating to do to include The Bead Peeps 2016 Exchange, I am approved to be in the 2016 Battle of the Beadsmith -----just all kinds of beading related goodies.   Over the next week I'll post photos of the new wonders in progress as a Bead Embroiderer and the Chainmaille is hopping.  I need to post my SCA period piece " Tudor Chain of Office" in bead embroidery and after two competitions I have broken it apart and it shall become a new wonder.  I also have the Florida Jewelry Artist Retreat coming up so stay tuned.

There is Superstition................................

 

There is Superstition………………..

su·per·sti·tion

ˌso͞opərˈstiSH(ə)n/

noun

noun: superstition

1.    excessively credulous belief in and reverence for supernatural beings.

"he dismissed the ghost stories as mere superstition"

synonyms:

unfounded belief, credulity, fallacy, delusion, illusion; More magic, sorcery; informalhumbug, hooey "medicine was riddled with superstition"

§  a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or a practice based on such a belief.

plural noun: superstitions

"she touched her locket for luck, a superstition she had had since childhood"

synonyms:

myth, belief, old wives' tale; More

 When Tammy Adams, owner of the Paisley Lizard advertised the Superstition Blog Hop and the participants were to design around her “ Black Cat “ Polymer Clay pieces, I thought – “ How delightful “.  You were to request drilled or Cabachon and of course, I ordered a Cab for Bead Embroidery – my element.  After completing the Morrigan for the Battle of the Beadsmith 2015 I figured this little cab would fit right in with black, hematite and gray which I had plenty of but I also decided this piece would not be a standard Bead Embroidery piece.  I elected to use ( 2 ) two of my weak points in composition which were to design an asymmetrical piece and to use fringe while incorporated the aspect of Superstition.  But heck!  Friday the 13^th is a most superstitious day – but I’ve always had great luck on this day.

First, let me thank Tammy Adams for a unique Blog Hop subject and for her tireless work making the Black Cat Pendants/Cabs.  She is our hostess and I do hope you will spend time visiting each participant and their interpretation of Superstition.

Second, the composition of this piece is Bead Embroidery in an asymmetrical back round.  My left hand-right mind had issues with this type of format as it is not balanced and it took the strength of steel not to modify this piece

With the cabochon containing the Black Cat, I then began to incorporate – the spiders web – a Black Widow Spider – a Bird Skull and in the fringing – a human skull or two.  As this format is bead embroidery it was labor intensive – so I hung it on a silk cord for the reveal and am currently beading a rope to go with this pendant.   

I do look forward to visiting everyone’s blog today to see all of the wonderful designs that were composed using the Polymer Black Cat and I do hope you’ll leave a comment or two – I adore comments.  So start by visiting our Hostess Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard and enjoy the show.

Update;  Well - I did not fully complete her - but here she is.  She still has fringing and binding left as well as her rope but I wasn't going to let the reveal down.  Please do check back this weekend to see her in all her glory.  Don't you just love those little hints of red?

 

The List of Participants: 

Tammy Adams (Hostess)	http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Renee Hong	http://www.fineanddandyjewelry.blogspot.com
Betony Maiden	http://beadwenches.blogspot.com/
Coral Law	http://abcoraldesign.blogspot.com/
Lee Koopman	http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Jeanette Belmont	http://www.onecanvasatatime.com
Shai Williams	http://www.ShaihasRamblings.com
Beth McCord	http://ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com/
Robin Lynne Showstack	http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
Lori Blanchard	https://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com/
Deb Fortin	http://www.mhotistudio.blogspot.ca
Michelle McCarthy	http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa Sharrow	http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Kim Dworak	http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/
Divya N	http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Karin Grosset Grange	http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr
Mowse Doyle	http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Rebecca White	http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/#sec-blog
Shawneen Fagnani	http://blondespotpinkshoe.blogspot.com/
Catherine King ( You are here )	http://Catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Brook Bock	http://artisticendeavor101.blogspot.com/
Kari Asbury	http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog
Nan Smith	http://wirednan.blogspot.ca
Carolyn Lawson	http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Linda Anderson	http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Ann Schroeder	http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com
Melissa Trudinger	https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
Kathy Lindemer	http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

 

Cross Post from the SCA page ...

War of Wings X is over - sadly!  This was my first large event in this area and it was a perfect event for the SCA ( Society of Creative Anachronism ) I did teach Bead Embroidery in a historical fashion.  I chose to teach historical bead embroidery on a pouch ( the one I selected could hold a cell phone ) as women in the 14th, 15th and 16th century did not carry handbags but love " Sweet Bags" and beautiful pouches.  If you have time to visit the SCA page - you'll see the , rest of the story. 

Each class member learned the perfect Bead Embroidery stitch before I let them begin on their pouch - but I am looking forward to seeing each pouch that posts from each class member.  Yes!  The pouch is closed.  I've developed a nice little process of beading on closed bags.  I have another wonderful belt pouch that I bead embroidered to develop the technique above - it is on my SCA pages for historical garbing.

I am currently finishing the design on the " Superstition Blog Hop" as our reveal is coming up on the 13th of November,  actually a very cute Halloween ( Samhain ) design. 

Working on new chainmailing projects and beading projects so I cannot wait to share.

Coronation Gift for her Majesty Adelhait Fuchs - October 10, 2015

I haven't been quiet on the Bead Embroidery front so to speak.......  the local SCA has been keeping me very busy and I just completed my Coronation gift for the new Queen of Atlantia - Adelhait Fuchs ( Ash Terrell ).  My cohort in crime, Mary Novgrod was able to find out her gown colors and I sat and composed a beautiful bead embroidery necklace with matching earrings.  I was only able to take a few quick photographs and I requested a photo of her wearing it with the gown for my portfolio.  The research paper was very specific and included.

Here are the Coronation Photographs-

Here is the Bead Embroidery Tudor style necklace that I completed for Ash Terrell.

I was blessed!  It matched perfectly and as soon as I receive the photograph of Her Majesty wearing the piece - I'll post it. 
I'll add the research to Dropbox and add the link so you can see why this type of necklace was selected to present.

The Smell of Beading in the Air and a new Blog Hop

Don't you just love it when you feel the " Beading Itch " after being withdrawn for a few weeks?  Yes!  I feel it returning.  I'm looking at colors - fabrics - beads - dimensions - just totally fabulous things. 

Colors:

Now - how lovely is this?  Summery - Clean - Warm..... just awesome.  I can envision a new project for next summer.

A new " Blog Hop " called Superstition......  Yes!  My type of Halloween Blog Hop. 
Tammy Adams of the Paisley Lizard has developed Polymer Focals ( 29 of us ) and they will be the center piece of our design.  We have a very nice line up of ladies.  The spooky thing is - " There were 29 Focals and 29 Sign ups.  How delightful.

http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
As we get closer I will post the blog list for you to visit.

And then of course - A very treasured picture.  The Central Florida Bead Society had their retreat this past weekend and Kinga Nichols was coming back to teach.  I could not go with everything going on in my life but I had good friends in attendance from our " Ladies of the Evening ".  I sent an email to Anne Hess and asked if she could get a picture of Kinga with her , Genny Smith and Susan Barrette and look what I received.

This is the greatest gift I could ever receive........ Thank you ladies.  From Left to Right :  Kinga Nichols ( Artist Extraordinaire ) - Anne Hess ( Another Artist Extraordinaire ) - Genny Smith ( the Chainmaille Goddess ) and Susan Barrett ( the lady that started it all ). 

I had a very eventful SCA Hawkwood event on Saturday so please stop on by to the SCA page in the next day and catch a look at some wonderful events.  Give me a day and it will be up for perusing.

Cross Post - for the SCA page

Just a quick catch up as the beading is still Non-Stop, the drawings and designs are still going and I am looking forward to posting a few " How to's "...... but in the meantime please take a moment and
visit Patrick Duggan's blog post on " How many beads for a Rivoli "?  The post is quite informative and does give great thought to the process.  I know out of the many times I have taught to bezel a Rivoli or a Cabachon there has always been the count factor depending on the medium used.  These actually turned out to be some of my best classes.  Why you say?  Because of the creativity of each artist on how they bezzeled a piece or completed a piece.  I'll have to gather up the photographs of each creative beauty after the class was done. 

Patricks Blog Site :   http://patrickduggandesigns.blogspot.com/

You can also read his " How it came together - on his Battle of the Beadsmith 2015.

Now on to a current completion.  I have always wanted a handmade Needle Book.  It must be an obsession of bead artists to collect an unknown count of beading needles - sewing needles - Beaded Art Doll needles - just every type of needle imaginable.  So I designed the following needle book using my persona in the SCA where I will be teaching Bead Embroidery in October.  I was actually quite happy with the book and I finally got to use the Singer that I just acquired. 

As most of my garb is Celtic " Scottish " in the Amber and green colors, I think it came out very well.  Finally got to use those pinking shears too!   I see visions of Beaded Garb in my future.

I have missed the " Blog Hop " competitions and I've just signed up for two new Blog Hops - Superstition and the Macabre Dance ".  Yes - it is that time of the year soon.  I'll post more as the particulars come to light. 

Battle of the Beadsmith - Round 2 - Group C

Ahhh!   The results are posted and I would say that Battle 10 and 11 were very close.  Alas, I am out but not really.  This has been the greatest experience I could ever have asked for. 

Round 2 Winners

Group C

1 Giuseppe Buraschi-Italy

2-Janice Cuozzo-USA

3 Sabrina Milardi-Italy

4-Serena Di Mercione-Italy 

5- Loli Garcia Tirado-Spain 

6-Edit Peng-Hungary 

7- Clara Lai- Hong Kong

8- Aleksandra Multan-Poland 

9- Carin Riese-Sweden

10-Elena Konstantinova-Russia (Decided By Public vote)

11-Anna Lindell-Sweden (Decided By Public Vote)

12-Neeltje Meerman-Netherlands

13-Marsha Wiest Hines-USA 

14- Lia Kurz-Israel

15-Pauline Kuzemchik-USA

16- Nadya Gerber-Germany

 

        BOTB15  Group C Rnd 2 Battle #10  - Elena Konstantinova vs Catherine King

1 Photography is a key factor to a good design. 

2. I have not really marketed myself.  It is time to sit and determine where I wish to advertise myself in this industry. 

Additionally, I will ask a few individuals that I admire and ask for a critique and of course - I will share. 

All I know is that I am still a winner.  With all of the wonderful friends that entered the battle- I lasted one round longer and this was my first entry.  I am already ready for the next Battle. 

Phew!  I am looking forward to see who wins this Battle.  What an incredible group of entries.  This one will be hard pressed for the winner.

                            **********************************************

Now on to Jill Wiseman's Daydreamer Rope -

http://shop.jillwisemandesigns.com/free-instructions-daydreamer-rope/

It is a wonderfully presented pattern and she just posted a U-Tube video to help you along.  I elected Purple's and gold ( which is out of my norm for sure )

Lovely piece and I enjoyed the rhythmic stitching.