Spring Fever Design Challenge

I was really thrilled to discover I was a participant in the Spring Fever Design Challenge

The beads arrived mid week - but the hard drive on my laptop died - so hence the delay in posting pics.

Just love this focal from Caroline......as many of you know I have a bit of a thing for purple!  This is perfectly complemented with the sari fabric from Smitten Beads 

Ceramic focal beads from Lesley...........again purple...... 

What's in a name?

My business name reflects two strong influences in my life.  Keith (my dad) and Agnes (my nan) both lost their battles with cancer.  I chose the name to reflect the values instilled and the aspirations I had for the direction the business would evolve. I dedicated my PhD to my nan.....perhaps moving from hobby to part time business was taking that step my dad never did. 

The half term break saw me complete my rick rack cuff - designed by Jean Power - stitched over 30 hours by me.  Handy that it matches my new jacket!  There is a real honesty to this final piece - the first few rows show the imperfections only I can see - the crushed delica beads and buckles from tension that was too tight.......but a few hours in I relaxed into the design - and perfected my tension.  Of course the mathematician in me - ended up with a symmetric design - that was much deeper than i'd originally intended.

I often participate in a few facebook group monthly challenges.  A search on herringbone patterns revealed a simple earring design that was asking to be stitched.  Justyna Slezak has created a fabulous blog - offering some free patterns and tutorials in her Etsy shop.  Having lived with cancer in the family for over 10 years - the content of the blog struck home with me.  Her pattern is well written - and easy to follow - I had to tweak the final round - probably my brand of size 11 seed beads!  

There was some fabulous entries for last months challenge - Operation tackle that beadstash.  Already inspired for next months challenge....thinking geometry and pattern!

The final creation reminds me of a poppy - and spending remembrance Sunday in Rothwell with my nan - who lost her husband Walter shortly after the end of the second world war - my dad was 4 days old.

I do like a challenge!

Challenges come in many shapes or forms - and as blogged before - I love the restrictions of a challenge pack or a kit!  The beauty of a challenge is that there are three dimensions to it - the beads shape what is possible, imagination realizes the potential of the beads and the excitement of seeing what your peers have achieved with the same beads.

After purchasing from these stalls at the Big Bead Show - was thrilled to see the combination available for the challenge.  Pop over to see how to participate.  Fingers crossed......

 

Baking, bead clubs & braids!

Third Saturday of the month has been devoted to beads for almost 5 years - I have been a member of Darlington Bead Club since it was established in the summer of 2009.  This group meets at Northern Beads - 10:30am to 2:30pm - format being that you take your own project.  I love seeing what everyone has created over the month - some fab Soutache creations from Karen.  Roll on the summer when I get to play with this medium again.

Valentines day saw me experiment with a new bake from a blog I follow - easy-black-and-white-cake.  Chocolate can now easily be sourced from a deli in Grainger market - ages since I've had white chocolate buttons!  I substituted coconut milk with whole milk - and the bake proved popular at bead club.  

North East Beading Buddies (NEBBies) featured on the Sunday Experience.  Afternoons see NEBBies meet a Coopers Cafe in Ferryhill, 2 to 5pm - format being that we work on the same project or bring our own.  Today there were several projects on the go - many were doing wirework spiders - others beaded braids.  I have been waiting for Bead & Button to hit the shops in the North East  - as I loved the cover project by Kerrie Slade.  2014 has seen me tackling stash - so replaced the glass bell flowers with lucite - really happy with the braid - might need to invest in size 11 beads for the beaded end caps..........

Works in progress.......

I seem to be in that stacking bead mats phase.....working with a variety of mediums - copper wire is out, kumihimo disc is loaded, bead embroidery and stitching projects on the go .....  problem seems to be that I'm getting side tracked with new ideas and not completing anything!

I love the cuff I'm working on - but as it's for me...often put to one side to work on something else.  Started the project last summer at a two day workshop in Torquay with Jean Power   - project joined me at North Tyneside bead club......after unpicking a row for one rogue bead......now making progress again!

Good evening - and made even better as I had funds for beads from sales through the Box Clever scheme at Rosewill Cottage.

Baking & Beads!

I bake a lot - as well as bead - and did consider calling this blog baking beads!  I have the autoimmune conditions coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.  Further complicated by a sulphite sensitivity......in real terms it means I make everything from scratch.  

Orange Shortbread baked tonight for North Tyneside Bead Club.........hope they like - first time they've being subjected to my gluten free baking!  Great gluten free recipe - but do prefer them when they spread and are crispy!  The tips provided with the recipe are great - the addition of freshly squeezed orange juice helps with the binding process - something that is an issue in gluten free biscuits.  Resting dough in the fridge helps with the flavor.

Mathematician at dawn - that beads by dusk!

Geometry shapes how I design beadwork - I visualize structures and the next challenge is to create what's in my head.  I rarely sketch my work - often ideas occur on my long commute to school or as I'm about to drift to sleep......I struggle to follow patterns and always have variation ideas as I stitch a design.  What would happen if I change the size of the bead? How could I graduate? What would make this twist?  How can I maintain a structure that defies gravity?

My latest design Copper Curvy Pearls & Bicones was created for the geometric challenge set by the Bead Barmy Blog.   The challenge was to extend the structure of the earring design across 7 inches rather than 2 inches - to create this stunning 6 inch bracelet with copper closure - the angular twists and turns in the design influence the circumference.  It is a perfect fit!