Etsy Shop for MoreThanSomewhat

Amber Gold Necklace

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:28:15 -0500

$70.00
Warm golden-amber silver-lined and silk-finished Czech seed beads, brass and copper wire, and vintage glass accent beads are an asymmetric symphony of textures in this all-season necklace.

Heavy-gauge copper wire forms a hand-forged clasp and jump rings connecting the fluid seed beaded rope and brass-and-vintage-bead components.

Wear the accent beads-and-metal to one side, and the seed-beaded rope to the other for a balanced yet asymmetric look, or wear the rope around the back with the accent beads in front - or reverse it! No matter how the beads array themselves around your neck, this necklace is a tasteful enhancement.

Total finished length is just about 22"

Floralai Earrings in Turquoise and Silver

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:07:26 -0500

$20.00
These seed beaded earrings are fun, swingy and bright - perfect to herald the start of spring! Made by sewing one bead to the next, these earrings are a study in texture and colour. The ear wires are sterling silver, the larger beads are faceted Czech fire-polished glass, and the silvery glass seed beads have a durable, permanent metal coating.

Each floral medallion is just over an inch in diameter, and hangs about 2 1/4" from the curve of the ear wire to the bottom tip of the dangle.

Light and colourful, these are eminently wearable.

If you're interested in a different colour combination or a matching necklace or bracelet, please convo me!

KIT -- Earring Kit of the Month Club -- Twelve Months

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:07:25 -0500

$221.00
Do you like to be surprised?

Are you the sort of person who loves to always have a project in the queue? Do you get antsy if you're finishing something up but haven't decided what you want to do next?

Do you have a busy life (who doesn't!) with only small chunks of time available for beading? Do you like seed beading projects that aren't too much of a commitment in terms of time? Something you know you'll be able to complete in a couple of evenings at most?

Do you hate deciding on a project and then not having all the supplies? Do you just want to sit down with the instructions and beads and just START BEADING?

If any of the above describes you or a beading friend, join the Earring Kit of the Month Club.

Three-, six-, nine- and twelve-month memberships are available (this listing is for the twelve-month membership).

Starting in January or whenever you designate, join the Kit of the Month for $5, and for $18 per month, including First Class shipping in the US (convo me if you live outside the US, and we can talk shipping costs), you will get one seed beaded earring kit each month. Each project comes with fully-illustrated colour instructions and all the beads and findings to make a pair of earrings. All you supply is a beading surface and tools (kits also include needle and thread).

Most designs are somewhat beyond beginner level - closer to intermediate - to offer a satisfying beading experience. Any kit included in your membership will not be available outside the Earring Kit of the Month Club for at least a year - and even then, it might not be offered in the colourway you receive.

If you have a colour preference, please let me know when you order, as some kits may be available in different colourways, though some will be available in only a single variant. Please also let me know if you can't wear certain metals - ear wires may be silver, copper or anodized niobium. If you need gold-filled only, please let me know, as the kit price will have to be adjusted to cover this.

No matter which membership (three, six, nine or twelve months) you choose, you will receive a variety of earring styles. All are for pierced ears. Some are bigger and bolder, some more demure. The pictures show a random selection of earring styles which could be included in Club memberships, though colours may vary.

If this Club membership is a gift, please let me know when ordering, and also let me know the address of the recipient, and when you would like the first kit to be delivered. Gift memberships will include a gift card with a message of your choice, and will also include a message describing the Club membership.

KIT -- Earring Kit of the Month Club -- Nine Months

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:03:09 -0500

$167.00
Do you like to be surprised?

Are you the sort of person who loves to always have a project in the queue? Do you get antsy if you're finishing something up but haven't decided what you want to do next?

Do you have a busy life (who doesn't!) with only small chunks of time available for beading? Do you like seed beading projects that aren't too much of a commitment in terms of time? Something you know you'll be able to complete in a couple of evenings at most?

Do you hate deciding on a project and then not having all the supplies? Do you just want to sit down with the instructions and beads and just START BEADING?

If any of the above describes you or a beading friend, join the Earring Kit of the Month Club.

Three-, six-, nine- and twelve-month memberships are available (this listing is for the nine-month membership).

Starting in January or whenever you designate, join the Kit of the Month for $5, and for $18 per month, including First Class shipping in the US (convo me if you live outside the US, and we can talk shipping costs), you will get one seed beaded earring kit each month. Each project comes with fully-illustrated colour instructions and all the beads and findings to make a pair of earrings. All you supply is a beading surface and tools (kits also include needle and thread).

Most designs are somewhat beyond beginner level - closer to intermediate - to offer a satisfying beading experience. Any kit included in your membership will not be available outside the Earring Kit of the Month Club for at least a year - and even then, it might not be offered in the colourway you receive.

If you have a colour preference, please let me know when you order, as some kits may be available in different colourways, though some will be available in only a single variant. Please also let me know if you can't wear certain metals - ear wires may be silver, copper or anodized niobium. If you need gold-filled only, please let me know, as the kit price will have to be adjusted to cover this.

No matter which membership (three, six, nine or twelve months) you choose, you will receive a variety of earring styles. All are for pierced ears. Some are bigger and bolder, some more demure. The pictures show a random selection of earring styles which could be included in Club memberships, though colours may vary.

If this Club membership is a gift, please let me know when ordering, and also let me know the address of the recipient, and when you would like the first kit to be delivered. Gift memberships will include a gift card with a message of your choice, and will also include a message describing the Club membership.

If, after purchasing a nine-month membership, you decide that it's just too much fun, and you want another three months, I will waive the $5 membership fee to extend your original membership up to twelve months - why should you be penalised for wanting more beading joy, after all?

KIT -- Earring Kit of the Month Club -- Six Months

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:58:35 -0500

$113.00
Do you like to be surprised?

Are you the sort of person who loves to always have a project in the queue? Do you get antsy if you're finishing something up but haven't decided what you want to do next?

Do you have a busy life (who doesn't!) with only small chunks of time available for beading? Do you like seed beading projects that aren't too much of a commitment in terms of time? Something you know you'll be able to complete in a couple of evenings at most?

Do you hate deciding on a project and then not having all the supplies? Do you just want to sit down with the instructions and beads and just START BEADING?

If any of the above describes you or a beading friend, join the Earring Kit of the Month Club.

Three-, six-, nine- and twelve-month memberships are available (this listing is for the six-month membership).

Starting in January or whenever you designate, join the Kit of the Month for $5, and for $18 per month, including First Class shipping in the US (convo me if you live outside the US, and we can talk shipping costs), you will get one seed beaded earring kit each month. Each project comes with fully-illustrated colour instructions and all the beads and findings to make a pair of earrings. All you supply is a beading surface and tools (kits also include needle and thread).

Most designs are somewhat beyond beginner level - closer to intermediate - to offer a satisfying beading experience. Any kit included in your membership will not be available outside the Earring Kit of the Month Club for at least a year - and even then, it might not be offered in the colourway you receive.

If you have a colour preference, please let me know when you order, as some kits may be available in different colourways, though some will be available in only a single variant. Please also let me know if you can't wear certain metals - ear wires may be silver, copper or anodized niobium. If you need gold-filled only, please let me know, as the kit price will have to be adjusted to cover this.

No matter which membership (three, six, nine or twelve months) you choose, you will receive a variety of earring styles. All are for pierced ears. Some are bigger and bolder, some more demure. The pictures show a random selection of earring styles which could be included in Club memberships, though colours may vary.

If this Club membership is a gift, please let me know when ordering, and also let me know the address of the recipient, and when you would like the first kit to be delivered. Gift memberships will include a gift card with a message of your choice, and will also include a message describing the Club membership.

If, after purchasing a six-month membership, you decide that it's just too much fun, and you want another three or six months, I will waive the $5 membership fee to extend your original membership up to twelve months - why should you be penalised for wanting more beading joy, after all?

KIT -- Earring Kit of the Month Club -- Three Months

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:53:20 -0500

$59.00
Do you like to be surprised?

Are you the sort of person who loves to always have a project in the queue? Do you get antsy if you're finishing something up but haven't decided what you want to do next?

Do you have a busy life (who doesn't!) with only small chunks of time available for beading? Do you like seed beading projects that aren't too much of a commitment in terms of time? Something you know you'll be able to complete in a couple of evenings at most?

Do you hate deciding on a project and then not having all the supplies? Do you just want to sit down with the instructions and beads and just START BEADING?

If any of the above describes you or a beading friend, join the Earring Kit of the Month Club.

Three-, six-, nine- and twelve-month memberships are available (this listing is for the three-month membership).

Starting in January or whenever you designate, join the Kit of the Month for $5, and for $18 per month, including First Class shipping in the US (convo me if you live outside the US, and we can talk shipping costs), you will get one seed beaded earring kit each month. Each project comes with fully-illustrated colour instructions and all the beads and findings to make a pair of earrings. All you supply is a beading surface and tools (kits also include needle and thread).

Most designs are somewhat beyond beginner level - closer to intermediate - to offer a satisfying beading experience. Any kit included in your membership will not be available outside the Earring Kit of the Month Club for at least a year - and even then, it might not be offered in the colourway you receive.

If you have a colour preference, please let me know when you order, as some kits may be available in different colourways, though some will be available in only a single variant. Please also let me know if you can't wear certain metals - ear wires may be silver, copper or anodized niobium. If you need gold-filled only, please let me know, as the kit price will have to be adjusted to cover this.

No matter which membership (three, six, nine or twelve months) you choose, you will receive a variety of earring styles. All are for pierced ears. Some are bigger and bolder, some more demure. The pictures show a random selection of earring styles which could be included in Club memberships, though colours may vary.

If this Club membership is a gift, please let me know when ordering, and also let me know the address of the recipient, and when you would like the first kit to be delivered. Gift memberships will include a gift card with a message of your choice, and will also include a message describing the Club membership.

If, after purchasing a three-month membership, you decide that it's just too much fun, and you want another three, six or nine months, I will waive the $5 membership fee to extend your original membership up to twelve months - why should you be penalised for wanting more beading joy, after all?

Red Burst Necklace

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:31:53 -0500

$165.00
Dare to be noticed in this startling necklace.

Four Swarovski crystal rivolis in paparadscha, a fabulous not-quite-red shade are captured in their own dark bronze seed bead bezels and embellished with Czech drop beads and Japanese fringe beads in tones of reds and bronzes. Suspended from a rope of dark bronze seed beads and red Czech fire-polished beads which fastens with a beaded toggle and loop, this fiery sparkling cluster makes its own statement.

The necklace is just about eighteen inches long, and the two vertically-placed bursts add almost three inches, which means it is perfectly placed for a range of neck sizes: exquisite at either choker-length or longer.

The colour of the paparadscha rivolis is best described as a somewhat pale red with pink-orange tints; an intense salmon. The small fringe beads surrounding the two vertical rivolis, as well as the accent beads in the necklace chain are a deep ruby red, while the drop beads around the two flanking rivolis tend more towards the cranberry-pink. Choosing a subtly-varied colour lends a complexity to the whole, further enhanced by pairing with deep metallic bronze-brown.

Flangiflora Memories

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:50:11 -0500

$55.00
Warm shades of coppers and browns with accents of palest gold make up this intricate beaded pendant choker. Memory wire ensures both that the focal nestles at the base of the throat, and that it fits everyone perfectly. And this choker does not choke!

The five-sided pendant has floral overtones, shrouded in the delicate sparkle of faceted glass in fall tones. It measures about an inch across, and is almost a substantial half-inch high, its hollow structure woven of seed beads and fire-polished glass beads.

The memory wire necklace continues the same thematic motif.

Aqua-Teal Cobblestone Wave

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:10:35 -0500

$60.00
This slinky bracelet in cool shades of aqua, teal and raku bring to mind the deep, deep waters of the Tropics. From silver-lined to matte to iridescent to metallic to gilt-lined, these variations on a colour theme add a surprising and subtle complexity.

The contrasting textures of small round seed beads interspersed with rows of slightly larger cube-shaped seed beads are a charming juxtaposition of the rustic with the sleek, and add interest and depth while retaining a smooth wearability. The different sizes of the beads also produce a gently waving silhouette, while the secure beaded toggle and buttonhole closure results in an unbroken band around your wrist.

This bracelet will fit up to a 6 1/2" wrist fairly snugly, and is about 1 1/4" at widest.

Wrist Corsage

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:43:24 -0500

$95.00
Add a hint of colour to highlight the beauty of a white wedding.

Fanciful blooms adorn a lacy base which is itself a tapestry of silver-centred daisies. The slightly iridescent clear glass flower that serves as a button fastener is echoed in the tiny clear glass flowers bordering the dimensional central flower garden.

This delicate feminine wash of opalescent pastel shades realized in a lush profusion of floral motifs is the perfect touch to complete any wedding dress, no matter the style.

Your bracelet is around one and a half inches wide and will fit a six-inch to six-and-a-half-inch wrist snugly.

KIT -- Bling Fling Bracelet - Blue or Red

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:40:37 -0500

$40.00
Don't you hate it when you sit down to bead a project, and look forward to spending time with it, enjoying every stitch, but then it's finished much too quickly? You just want to have fun, but not have to do rocket science? This project is perfect!

Use cube seed beads and fire-polished beads to make the bracelet base, and then add full fringes along both edges, adding a variety of accent beads at random, making the fringes random lengths, for a lush, swishy, bracelet extravaganza.

There are no advanced techniques, just simple flat even count peyote and fringing, but because of the variety and quantity of accent and seed beads used for the fringes, this will give you quite a few hours of pleasure - both in the making as well as the wearing!

Each step is photographed and described in detail in full colour, showing the progression of the actual project using the same beads as you will receive.

Each kit contains enough beads for a bracelet up to 8" in length, as well as a silvertone button which is used as a clasp.

Please convo me with your colour choice: red with accents of gunmetal, grey and white, or smoky blues with aqua and a touch of lavender. If neither of these colourways float your boat, convo me and I'll work with you to create a colour-customized kit.

KIT -- Victoriana Lariat

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:37:36 -0400

$25.00
This is loosely based on a tradition Victorian Lariat design - I was excited to see a genuine vintage exemplar in Lacis in San Francisco a few months ago - but with a contemporary twist and today's colours.

The kit contains enough beads to make the lariat long enough to slip over your head easily, and the stitch used (netting) ensures a very comfortable and easy-to-wear piece of jewellery. The medallions hanging off each end are made using cross-weaving, with every step carefully explained and photographed. Unlike traditional Victorian lariats, which were generally knotted, this one is cleverly joined in the front so there's no need to continually adjust it as you wear it.

The finished length is about 36", but can be adjusted to suit.

Available colour choice are copper-lined seed beads with deep coppery-brown faceted beads, or copper-lined olivine seed beads with half gold coated soft green faceted beads.

If you would prefer another colourway, but don't see it listed here, please convo me so that I can work with you to make it happen - I'd love to customize the colours in a kit for you!

Skill level: Advanced beginner/Intermediate

Royal Rivoli Earrings

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:52:13 -0400

$28.00
I just love this pairing of elegant gold and matte metallic deep blue-purple rainbow - the colours of royalty. The seed beads perfectly compliment the gold Swarovski rivoli which they frame.

The back of these earrings are completely covered with seed beads woven in a charming circular motif, as pretty on the reverse as they are on the front, so you're gorgeous from every perspective.

From the top of the earwire to the bottom of the drop is a smidge over 2", while the medallion itself is about 1 1/4".

Lush Floral

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:39:59 -0400

$85.00
A lush flower nestles below your throat, suspended by lacy leaves on one side and a golden filligree chain on the other, fastening with a flower button.

Length: 15.75"

KIT -- Pearl Ruffle Bracelet

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:56:29 -0400

$25.00
Start with large, succulent fresh-water pearls, join them with a sinuous wave of seed beads, using a stick pearl as a button clasp, and then build on the wave to make a luscious graduated-colour ruffle of seed beads.

I choose to use Czech seed beads which tend to be rounder and smaller than Japanese seed beads. I prefer the way their delicacy of size and gentle shape lends itself to the organic ruffle, moreso than the Japanese seed beads.

When I find pearls I like, I buy a enough for a limited number of kits, then pick out coordinating seed beads. When all kits in that colourway are sold out, I replace them with another colourway. Since the availability of a particular pearl tends to be limited, I tend to not repeat Pearl Ruffle colourways (except for white pearls, which are easier to find).

The purple pearls are a much deeper royal purple than the picture shows (my camera just doesn't capture purple well!), and are almost gone, but the rich, deep magenta pearls also work really well with the combination of seed beads used in the purple set.

The green is the newest colourway, to be taken to Bead Fest in Portland in September, but offered first here on Etsy! The pearls are a juicy golden kiwi-lime green, and the seed beads range from deep green iris through silver-lined straw gold.

Classic white pearls coordinate with grey and silvery seed beads, while tropical turquoise pearls nestle amongst seed beads from deepest iridescent blue to summery, shimmery deep aqua.

All kits include enough pearls and seed beads to make a bracelet up to 8.5", as well as coordinating nylon beading thread and a size 10 English beading needle - all the supplies you need!

Please let me know your choice of colourway when you order.

Silvermint Necklace

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:49:32 -0400

$125.00
This sophisticated, elegant confection of opalescent mint green accented with silver and touches of gunmetal is the perfect all-season, all-occasion neckwear: light and cool for summer, fresh and delicate for spring, icy silver for winter, and an airy antithesis to deep, warm fall tones.

Fastening at front (or side, if you prefer) the hand-stitched donut toggle closure is accented with a large pair of stunning green fluorite rondelles and a quintet of Czech opal green glass daggers.

The rippling, hollow spiral, hand-stitched with nylon beadng thread, is a melange of nickel-plated Japanese seed beads, and a coordinating palette of faceted Czech fire-polished beads and Japanese seed beads in a variety of different finishes.

Finished length is just shy of 20" and the donut is almost an inch and a half, excluding the daggers.

KIT -- Chatterley Necklace

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:49:03 -0400

$42.00
Named for the D H Lawrence book, this short necklace reminds me of the restrained delicacy of the era which seemed to mask a passionate extroversion underneath the etiquette-bound constraints of society.

Bezel a 16mm Swarovski rivoli using fire-polished beads, seed beads and fringe beads, and centre it in an intricately netted collar of Czech and Japanese seed beads which fastens with a Swarovski margareta formed into a shank button by a sterling head pin.

While there are no stitch-specific skills required for this project, it is probably not a suitable first project for a beginner either, as it uses right angle weave techniques, vertical netting as well as daisy stitch. It is not difficult, but it is a little more complex. Not boring, for sure!

There are two-and-a-half colourways (two are very similar, differing only in one seed bead colour):
-- Light Crystal and Dark Crystal, both of which start with a crystal aurora borealis rivoli and margareta, amethyst and aqua seed beads and faceted beads; the background colour of the collar is silver-lined crystal in the Light Crystal colourway (as in the first picture), while the background is transparent grey in the Dark Crystal colourway as shown in the third picture.
-- Summer Wheat, staring with a crystal golden shadow rivoli, and seeds and faceted beads in shades of golden, soft green and soft golden browns.

KIT -- Berries Necklace

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:10:30 -0400

$34.00
Use Japanese fringe beads to add a new dimension to a herringbone necklace.

The fringe beads are incorporated in two different ways to form two different types of "berry clusters" in this fluid herringbone rope, which closes with a beaded (in herringbone!) toggle bar and loop for a seamless, secure closure.

If you're comfortable with tubular herringbone, this should be a breeze - though you will have to pay attention when making the berry clusters, as those fringe beads seem to want to fall inside the rope unless you're firm with them!

Two colourways:
-- PurpleBerries (iridescent green rope with matte lavender berries)
-- GoldBerries (raku-style matte green rope with silver-lined gold berries)

KIT -- Nubbles Bracelet

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:56:57 -0400

$20.00
The texture on this deceptively simple rope is utterly captivating. Using seed beads in contrasting sizes and shapes and finishes in a monochrome palette makes a sophisticated, subtle statement. The shape of the closure echoes the shape of the triangle seed beads for a well-integrated look.

There are enough beads to make a bracelet to fit up to an 8" wrist.

Three colourways:
-- gunmetal and grey
-- maroon and deep rosey-pink
-- bronzed seafoam

Skill Level: Intermediate

KIT -- Maldekstra

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:52:19 -0400

$34.00
Make links using seed beads, and interlace them into a substantial yet lightweight chain that works well as a bracelet or necklace, fastening with a matching beaded toggle clasp.

The instructions show how to make each link, as well as how to join them in a simple chain (as shown in the Stormy Blues colourway), and two more complex chains - these are illustrated in the Tropical and Bronze pictures. The toggle bar and loop are also explained.

Enough beads are enclosed to make a shortish simple chain necklace, or a more complex bracelet.

Three colourways:
-- Tropical Tutti Fruitti
-- Stormy Blues and Greys
-- Bronze (with greens, cream, black)

KIT -- Flangiflora

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:48:47 -0400

$30.00
OK, so names may not be my strongest suit!

Use right angle weave, cross-weaving and non-specific beading techniques to weave the focal of this necklace, floral in aspect, or perhaps star-shaped, with a flange around the lower edge that gives it definition, stability and more dimensional interest. The necklace chain comprising size 8 seeds and Japanese fringe beads works up quite quickly, making this not quite instantaneous to complete, but certainly not s slow as Penelope's weaving!

(Penelope was Ulysses'/Odysseues' wife who avoided choosing a new husband from among her one hundred-odd suitors saying she couldn't choose until she'd finished weaving a shroud for her father-in-law - which she secretly undid every night).

The necklace fastens with a beaded toggle and loop.

Two colourways, warm and cool: bright pink and iridescent deep peacock blue with silvery and lavender accents, or delicate green and warm brown with coppery-gold accents.

The focal measures about an inch acrosss, and the kit contains enough beads to make a necklace up to 18" - but this looks best on the short side.

KIT -- Verdura

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:12:14 -0400

$40.00
Make this necklace as lush as you like, with oodles of leaves in a coordinated palette. The herringbone chain divides and rejoins to provide an extra "branch" for even more leaves, and terminates in a beaded toggle loop-and-bar closure that can also be decorated with, yes, more leaves.

Full instructions for a basic beaded leaf, as well as a few colour and shape variations.

You should be comfortable with flat peyote - knowing how to increase and decrease is a bonus, but not necessary, as the instructions do explain both. You should also be comfortable with tubular herringbone with a step-up, as this is used for the bulk of the actual necklace, with variations to form the toggle loop, and to allow the front of the necklace to split and rejoin.

Each of the colourways has seven colours for leaves, and a coordinating "branch" colour for the necklace:
-- green leaves on a dark brown branch
-- fall leaves in golds and oranges on a medium brown branch
-- moonlit leaves and branch in shades of blues and greys through black

KIT -- Rondo Bracelet and Earrings

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:52:55 -0400

$32.00
Trust me, this one looks more difficult than it is!

Take a faceted 10mm bead, bezel it, embellish it - then do another, varying the embellishment, and join it to the first bead. Embellish another bead in yet another way, joining it to the first two, then do another - and another! Use an embellished bead as a button closure, and make another pair into earrings.

If you've seen bezelled cabochons and rivolis and have been apprehensive about trying, this is a foolproof introduction, because the bezels are actually attached to the large beads. It's a great way to get a feel for the way a bezel on a cab or rivoli should fit in order to be secure - and once you're completely confident, you'll have completed most of a bracelet!

While this kit does not require especially advanced beading skills, being suitable for all but rank beginners, beaders should be comfortable with peyote, and with the concept of a step-up. Although one of the embellishments is herringbone, it's fairly straightforward - the students in the class I recently taught didn't have any trouble.

The step-by-step instructions take you through each of the variations, joining them to each other and making the closure. Also included are adjustments to make if your wrist requires either a smaller or larger bracelet.

Three colourways are available:
-- bronze-copper-brown with copper ear wires
-- purples with purple niobium ear wires - you will need to make the loop on these
-- grey and gunmetal with sterling silver ear wires

KIT -- Tudor Necklace

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:59:57 -0400

$43.00
Need something a little bit shinier, a little bit dressier? Something elegant to wear with that little black dress? Something to make you feel special in your jeans? Something with an Old World feel?

Look no further: the Tudor Necklace fits the bill.

Start with five Swarovski crystals and a selection of fire-polished and seed beads. Capture the crystals in a lattice of beads, join them together in a gentle curve around your neck, extending the faceted and seed bead chain to fit you perfectly, and closing with a button woven from the faceted beads.

Use right angle weave and cross-weaving techniques in less time than you'd imagine to make this sparkling treasure.

This kit contains enough beads to make an 18" necklace, but it does look best nestled at the base of the throat.

The icy colourway starts with crystal aurora borealis rivolis, faceted beads in smoky blue and iridescent amethyst, and seed beads in silvery and iridescent amethyst.

The fall tones necklace has olivine crystals, faceted beads in bronze and green, and seed beads in golden and bronze.

All kits have fully illustrated (via photographs) step-by-step instructions.

KIT -- Tiptoe

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:13:42 -0400

$35.00
If you think you know herringbone, you have to try this one, as it's surprising and fun.

Using tubular herringbone, with measured increases and decreases and pearls and picots, form this unusual chain, alternating two coordinating seed bead colours.

Begin in the centre front with a small pearl focal, and then sculpt the rope into what looks like tulips to me (hence the name, from "Tiptoe through the Tulips") or like pussy-willows to others. Switch to smooth tubular herringbone for the back neck, and close with a sterling silver s-hook clasp.

This is probably an intermediate-level pattern, and you should be comfortable with tubular herringbone with a step-up. You won't snooze through it though, as the way the shaping is achieved isn't exactly standard, so you'll need to pay attention!

The kit comes with fully illustrated (via photographs) step-by-step instructions, all the beads, findings and supplies to make a necklace as shown. All you'll need is a beading surface, thread conditioner (I recommend beeswax), good lighting and scissors.

Three colour choices are available: purple and iridescent greyed bronze seed beads with purplish pearls and bright turquoise accents; pearly cream and shimmering green seed beads with golden-beige pearls and gold accents; and matte and shiny teal seed beads with peacock (iridescent bue-grey) pearls and deep blue accents.

Finished length up to 18".

KIT -- Anemone Spiral

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:29:15 -0400

$40.00
When I showed my friends the sample of this design, they wanted to buy it on the spot - but I was teaching it the following week, so the sale had to wait!

Based on embellish-as-you-go tubular netting, this necklace isn't difficult, but it does require concentration, as the repeat changes every few rows to produce the increasingly lush spiral embellishment at the front which fades away to smoothness at the back of the necklace. In addition, each stitch in each round is different, so for those of you who don't zen out at miles and miles of more of the same, this project is perfect: it's always changing, so it keeps your interest.

The kit includes step-by-step illustrated instructions, as well as handy table for quick reference for the pattern that forms the spiral.

The colour selection and placement have been chosen to emphasize the spiral, using Czech seed beads which are more rounded to give a very organic feel to the necklace. It has a delicious, lush heft - you'll fiddle, erm, fondle it as you wear it. The front sections of the necklace are further enhanced with Japanese fringe beads and Czech teardrop beads, and the closure is via a Sterling silver toggle clasp.

If you prefer a bracelet, the pattern also includes sizing guidelines, and you should have enough beads for one full, and one slightly less lush bracelet - or a simple tubular netting (or peyote, or herringbone) necklace if you prefer. As written there are enough beads for a 16-18" necklace - my friends all agreed that it worked really well as a shorter necklace.

Aqua as well as sapphire kits are available.

KIT -- Eleganza Bracelet - Midnight Mystery

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:15:54 -0400

$34.00
Use a form of right angle weave to put this brilliant sparkling band around your wrist. This bracelet fastens with a sterling silver toggle clasp, and comprises fire-polished beads, and seed beads in two sizes woven into a typically fluid fabric in a band about 3/4" wide - enough to be noticeable, but not so wide as to overpower.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

Finished Length: Up to 8.25" (make this to fit you!)

Colourway: Midnight Mystery (matte and iridescent deep blues)

KIT -- Snippets - Teal

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:04:49 -0400

$38.00
Diagonal peyote components are joined to make this light, airy yet substantial chain into a necklace or bracelet. Each little link looks a bit like a figure-eight with a fire-polished bead joining the two halves, each of which may be made in the same or different colours.

You should be comfortable with flat peyote; knowing how to increase and decrease are a bonus, though the instructions will walk you through the process.

The kit contains all beads, clasp, needle, thread and full instructions to make a Snippets necklace (up to approximately 18" long) in a teal palette. All you supply is time!

If you would prefer another colourway, but don't see it listed here, please convo me so that I can work with you to make it happen - I'd love to customize the colours in a kit for you!

Cool Burgundy Blush

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:00:57 -0400

$40.00
Don't be fooled by the simple elegance of this minimalistic wrist adornment. The sultry, smooth bracelet makes its presence known without being overbearing. Its tonal stripes of shiny black, metallic burgundy and soft mauve are offset by earthy faceted glass beads in swirls of black and mauve, its neat closure of matte black buttons the serene completion.

Bracelet will fit a wrist up to 6.5" circumference.

KIT -- Pearl Ruffle Necklace Supplement -- Beads Only

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:25:59 -0400

$15.00
If you like my Pearl Ruffle Kit here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30095030&ref=em

but really prefer a necklace, this listing is for extra beads only - double what's in a bracelet kit, so you just keep going to make a necklace!

This listing is for pearls and seed beads, no needle, no thread, no instructions, and is intended as a supplement for the above listing to extend the bracelet to a choker-length necklace.

Colours are the same as in the above listing: white pearls with grey seeds, turquoise with blues, pink or purple pearls with purple-ish seeds, or green pearls and seeds. If you want to mix up two or more colourways, feel free - but let me know!

Tiger Eye Popcorn Earrings

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:33:38 -0400

$20.00
I've had these faceted tiger eye briolettes for quite some time, just waiting for the right idea, and when I discovered the textural delight of popcorn stitch, I knew this union would be perfect!

The beaded dangle part of the earrings are a little short of 2" (with the ear wire we're talking a full 2.5"), and the briolettes themselves are 1/2" tall and a bit more than that wide.

The beads are a medley of deep iridescent brown, brass-lined clear, silky coppery rainbow and speckled transparanet light brown - apart from the tiger eye, that is! The ear wires are brass-toned, both with brass coils, and one with a coppery ball, the other with a brassy ball - a tiny, almost unnoticeable touch of whimsy!