ABC's of Creativity - Z is Zing

We have finally reached the end of our creative journey thru the alphabet. We started with A is Art and are ending with Z is Zing.

Zing is defined as vitality, zest or a quality or characteristic that excites the interest or enthusiasm (from dictionary.com).

Creatively zing could be the finding of that one color that will make you finished project different and special.  Here is an original variation of Julia Pretl's vase, with a matte olive green leaf color. The new variation I switched many colors including the leaf color to a silver lined lawn green. The use of the contasting purple for the flowers gives the new vase another needed zing.

Original variation, beaded by J. Woolverton

Revised variation, beaded by J. Woolverton

 
During her recent visit to Ukraine Maria met up with a fellow beader, Iryna Berdal-Shewchuk, who uses ndebele stitch with zing.  Here are some of her necklaces made with ndebele stitched beaded beads.

Assorted beaded bead necklaces, beaded by I. Berdal-Shewchuk

She also has an amazing way to share her creations with the world. She created this wonderful video showing her necklaces artistically arranged on the interesting and unusual manhole covers in Lviv.



Inspired by Iryna's use the ndebele stitch, Maria started to play with this stitch with zing. She played with variations of a basic motif to create this beaded bracelet. Maria will be teaching this new project at beadFX on Tuesday January 28.

Variation in ndebele, beaded by M. Rypan

Finished bracelet, beaded by M. Rypan

I hope that this past year Maria and I have inspired you to try something new with the same zing that Maria did after her visit with Iryna.

Maria and I have enjoyed taking on this creative journey thru the alphabet this year. In January we will each share some of our favourite posts.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and creative New Year!

ABC's of Creativity - H is Herringbone

Herringbone is defined a pattern consisting of adjoining vertical rows of slanting lines, any two contiguous lines forming either a V  or an inverted V  , used in masonry, textiles, embroidery, etc. (Dictionary.com)

Herringbone fabric

Herringbone stone path

Herringbone embrodiery (from Magpies Laundry)

In beading the most well known herringbone stitch is also called Ndebele, named for the Ndebele people of Africia.

Ndebele figure (from ROM 2010)

I was first introduced to herringbone in the Oct/Nov 2004 issue of Beadwork. Kathleen Kimball-Baker's ribbon bracelet used flat herringbone. It was hard to make just one.

Ribbon bracelets, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Tubular herringbone allows for the creation of 3 dimensional items.

Herringbone Vase, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Tea Candle holder, designed by Dorothy Wood, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Foxglove flowers, designed by Kerrie Slade, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Flowers on twisted herringbone rope, designed by Kerrie Slade, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Basic herringbone rope can be structural parts of a design.

Solitaire Ring, designed by Maria Teresa Ferreira, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Collar of glass & light, designed by Margie Deeb, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Pansy necklace, herringbone rope covers beading wire, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Here is a collection of Beading Daily posts about herringbone, with links to how to instructions and patterns.

Maria has created a beaded herringbone band, using bugles and seedbeads.

Herringbone necklace with ball and socket closure

Changing the seedbead sizes and styles add texture to the band.

Beaded Soutache Bracelet

Beaded Soutache Necklace with Fluorite pendant

Detail of Beaded Soutache

Maria will be teaching this herringbone design on May 4, 2013 at Beadfx.

Hope that you will try either of these herringbone stitches and create something beautiful!

Happy Beading!!