ABC's of Creativity - Some of Our Favs

Back in January of 2013 Maria and I were working to get her newsletter setup and published. We talked about things to include and the idea of the "ABC's of creavitity" was mentioned. I thought that it would be great to have here on her blog and I offered to write the first one about being inspired by Art. So we started on journey last January 14 with A is Art.

Over the year every 2 weeks either Maria or I have written about a topic suggested by a letter of the alphabet that would inspire, inform or entertain you, our readers. There have been challenges along the way, including the time that Maria and Blogger did not get along; remembering who was going to to which subject and family committments. But together we were able to take you on this creative journey.

Today I am going to look back at some of our favorites.

My post B is Beads was fun to look at different types of beads and how they can be used. It was great to find information about some of the oldest beads ever found.

These ancient shell beads with manmade holes are among the oldest ones ever found. They could be about 90,000 years old. (from National Geographic News)

Maria's post C is Color was both informative and inspiring. It touched on the various color relationships and shared inspiring palettes and beadwork. Including this amazing collaborative piece entitled Teczak - The Rainbow.

This ultimate color wheel was designed as a fundraiser by Ewelina Rzad. 50 beaders from Poland participated. Soutache and seed bead wrapped cabochons are tastefully layered into a collar. Each cabochon is a mini work of art.

One of Maria's favorites is her post E is Embroidery. She was able to show the amazing embroidery with both thread and beads from across Ukraine and around the world.

This "sorochka" chemise uses beads to create a row between stylized flowers or acced their centres. It was created in Ukraine and is now part of Maria's collection.

The post J is Jewelry was fun to write as I looked as accessorizing from top to bottom. There is lots of eyecandy but also helpful images like this.

Guideline for necklace lengths

The two posts about Maria's areas of beading expertise are informative and inspiring - L is Loomwork and N is Netting.

"Costume of Kabuki" kimono on display at Bead & Button Show with designer and beader Takako Sako

Bead Shroud of Tabakenkhonsu @ MET

I enjoyed the challenge of preparing the post Q is Quills. There is limited information online about this unique First Nations art form. Using pictures Maria took during a class with First Nations' beadwork artist Naomi Smith, I was able to take you thru the basic steps of this variation of beadwork.

Maria's work in progress

And of course we could not take you on this creative journey without including S is Seed Beads. Maria's post does everything we were hoping do with each post; inspire and inform.

Czech seed beads with iris, silver-lined, matte painted stripe and opaque finishes.
From "Beader's Paint Box", 2013 seminar

I hope that you have enjoyed our creative journey thru the alphabet and that we have inspired and been informative along the way.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and creative New Year.

Happy Beading!

ABC's of Creativity - J is Jewelry

Whether you started with a pasta necklace for your mom as a child or with Swarovski crystal necklace as a bride-to-be, jewelry is likely what got you started working with beads.

Here is a look at some favourites and lesser known jewelry styles, with tips and ideas to make them your own.

Start at the top, hair jewelry or accessories have become very popular thanks to Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. Combining the needed comb or clip with wire and crystals you can make elegant fascinator or hair comb.

Feather Fascinator (free instructions)

Pinch and twist method (beaded by M. Rypan)

As worn by the bride with veil

Pink Plumeria Hair pin (beaded by S. Alfano)

For something more elaboret you might what to try a tiara. There are metal forms to serve as the base for a tiara. You can then use the pinch and twist technique to add crystals, pearls and beads to create your one of a kind headpiece.

Cream Pearl Swarovski Tiara from Making Jewellry Magazine (project instructions)

Here is a video from Beads Direct showing how to make your own tiara.

Now let's look at earrings. They range from simple, a bead on a head pin or wire hoop, to an elaborated beadwoven design.

Lampwork beads and Swarovski crystals, beaded by J. Woolverton

Lucite Calla lilies and Swarovski crystals, beaded by J. Woolverton

Crystal drops embellished with no, some or lots of tiny pearls and crystal.  (Collaboration by M. Rypan & J. Woolverton)

Swarovski Dangle Earrings, beaded by M. Rypan

Netted Diamond Earrings, beaded by M. Rypan

Obelisk Earrings, mini & maxi using Swarovski crystals, pearls or fire polished beads, beaded by M. Rypan

Mini-Radiant Sun Earring, beaded by M. Deeb

Class Act Chandleir style earring, beaded by S. Dixon

Now onto necklaces. A question often asked about making necklaces, other then techniques, is about the lengths for various styles. 

Guidelines for necklace lengths

These are of course a good starting point that may need to be adjusted for the wearer.

Gothic Cross pendant and choker, beaded by M. Rypan

Netted Diamond Collar, beaded by M. Rypan

Using an extender chain will allow the necklace to be worn at just the right length.

Looped Net Collar, beaded by J. Woolverton

Polka Dot Heart "Y" style necklace, beaded by J. Woolverton

Rope length pearl necklace, beaded by J. Woolverton

Rope length necklace doubled around to be choker, beaded by J. Woolverton

Electric Circus lariat, beaded by K. Harris

interesting idea found on pinterest

 Brooches and pins are another style of jewelry that can be fun to make as well.

Tussie Mussie pin, beaded by K. Naray

Blue Star pin, beaded by M. Rypan

Poppy Pin, beaded by K. Slade

Zinna Flower pin, beaded by J. Power

Bracelets range from simply strung beads to detailed bead embroidered or beadwoven cuff. Here are some great tips for ensure that it will fit the intended wrist.

Lizzie's Trio, child size bracelets, beaded by J. Woolverton

Rypan Designs' Crystal Elevation, beaded by J. Woolverton

MAD Designs' Queen Anne's Lace Cuff, beaded by J. Woolverton

Marilyn Gardiner Design's Elf Weave Chain Maille, made by J. Woolverton

Bollywod Chic Chicklet Bracelet, beaded by J. Woolverton

Interchangable cuff, beaded by J. Power

Rings can be quick and simple or detailed and statement pieces.

Daisy Stitch Ring, beaded by J. Woolverton

Quetzal Ring (From Beaded Opulence), beaded by J. Woolverton

Why not make a special piece of jewelry for someone special...you!!

Happy Beading!

ABC's of Creativity - D is Design Decisions

One definition of to design is to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully (from dictionary.com). The decisions that you make as part of the design process are as varied as the sources that drive them. 

Many brides look for matching jewelry for the bridesmaids. Sometimes you maybe lucky enough to find a kit for the perfect style in the perfect color. Rebecca, a bride from southwest Ontario, was that lucky with this 1-drape Gothic necklace. The color was a perfect match to the aqua dresses the bridesmaids were wearing.

Beadwoven by Rebecca Rynsoever

Of course sometimes a friend will ask to have something made in a color you may not normally work with. Here my friend Susan want a pink necklace for a young family member's first communion. Using the same design as Rebecca did for her bridesmaids I used pink Swarovski crystals and seed beads.

Beadwoven by Jo-Ann Woolverton

Then there are times when someone asks what if you used something different. My friend Anna thought that the 1-drape Gothic necklace would look great done with Swarovski crystal pearls. She was right, it a elegant necklace that would be perfect for a bride.

Beadwoven by Jo-Ann Woolverton

 
So that is one style of necklace with three different looks created by the decision to use different materials.

The Twig Chip Cascade necklace like so many designs can be changed by make a unique design decision for your personal necklace.

Here is the original, the multi-colored chips look great with basic black and a red accent. Beadwoven by Patricia A. Huff

Change the chips to orange cat's eye chips and a more monochrom color palette looks great. Beadwoven by Jo-Ann Woolverton

Green Millifori chips with a hint of orange needs an accent of orange in the netted band. Beadwoven by Jo-Ann Woolverton

The blue millifore chips look best with white cubes and accents of dark blue. Beadwoven by Jo-Ann Woolverton

Here our bride Rebecca has used pink crystals on the twigs to go with the vibrant flowers in her bouquet. To add texture to the netted band she change the chicklets to an alternating pattern of bugles and clear crystals.

Beadwoven by Rebecca Rynsoever

Last year Maria was contacted by a bride in Winnipeg asking about have a necklace designed to wear on her wedding day. She wanted something that would look great with her gown but still represent her Ukranian heritage. Taking the Twig Chip Cascade necklace Maria changed the chips to pearls and used silver lined beads as an accent.

Beadwoven by Jo-Ann Woolverton

Here is a look a the trials made during the original design process of painted strips edition of Textured Net and Chicklet bracelet.

On the left black picots, in the middle strip beads used for picot with a black accent above the picot and on the right same as the middle with the addition of a black accent at the neck edge.

Here on the left we have added a silver lined clear accent above the picot and on the right we changed it to a lime green accent.

On the left picot on the bottom, in the middle fire polished crystals on the bottom and on the right a larger fire polished crystal

Final version with a black lantern shaped bead on the bottom

On the left painted strip beads on upper and lower edge as well as either side of chicket, in the middle lime green on upper and lower edge and on the right black on the upper and lower edge

Here are the finished final designs from the painted strips collection.

Here are a series of necklaces that are variations of the Suspensed Swags. Each is unique because the beader asked 'what if' as they worked the design.

What if --- you wanted to have a unique closure.

Suspensed Swags with Swarovski embellished chain and handcrafted closure hook, beadwoven by Kathy Foernzler

What if ---- you added a drop bead to the finish the connecting pillars.

Cascading Swags with drops and handmade closure, beadwoven by Nance Carter

What if ---- the swags were longer and overlapping.

Reversible suspended swags, beadwoven by Jo-Ann Woolverton

What if ---- you added drops to the middle of some of the swags.

Suspended swags with bronze drops, beadwoven by Tatiana Martschenko

Let what ifs, requests and playing with colors continue to help you on the creative path to making amazing and unique beadwork.