Calendar UpDate

Yes, I know it has been a while since my last post. To be honest, I have been in kind of depressed and have just not wanted to do any beading lately. And, I had to force myself to finish the necklaces and bracelet that I was making my sister for Christmas.

The main reason for my depression was “The Beadwork Calendar” that has a picture of the bracelet that I made in it. Yes, I know, I was very excited about my bracelet being chosen for the calendar; after all, this is the first professional publication of my work, so my getting depressed doesn’t make much sense. So, I will explain.

When the calendars came out, I rushed to the store to get my copy. I opened the calendar and all of the pictures taken of the submitted beadwork were so beautiful and so professional looking, all except on, that is, MINE!

The photo of my bracelet was awful. I don’t understand how they could have put such a horrible, unprofessional looking picture of my bracelet into the calendar. First of all, my bracelet was made using purple ab. beads and brown beads. The colors of the photographed bracelet looked as though “Photoshop” had been used to change the bead colors to red shades. Secondly, the picture of the bracelet was blurry and not a clear image. Thirdly the “white” background used for the photo did nothing to enhance the picture of my bracelet but actually helped to detract from the look of the bracelet.

So my first professional publication experience turned out to be a big disappointment. I take solace in the fact, however, that the picture of my bracelet appears for the month of January. By the time the calendar pages are turned to March, the purchasers of the calendar will have forgotten all about the horrible photo of my bracelet.

I have been working thru my beading depression and have resolved not to let outside forces take away from my enjoyment of beading. 2010 is a brand new beading year with brand new beading goals. With this in mind, I have recently started on a new project that I am thinking seriously about submitting to a beading magazine for publication. I also am hoping to learn how to do “French Beadwork” this year.

I wish everyone a safe, joyous, healthy, prosperous, heartfelt, “Happy New Year!!!”

I invite you to visit my picturetrail website “Bead Between The Lines.” You just might find something that you like or something that will inspire you.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

I am also on myspace.

http://www.myspace.beadbetweenthelines.com/

Contest Entry

I haven’t posted a blog entry in a while, but that is because I have been really busy beading. I am working on some Christmas presents but as soon as they are finished I will post pictures.

Also, over the summer, I spent some time working on a bracelet for a contest. The contest was being hosted by one of my local bead stores. They asked for beadwork entry submissions from their customers to be featured in their first beadwork calendar for 2010. The winners would receive a free copy of the published calendar along with a professionally taken photograph of their beadwork entry. So I decided to enter.

I decided to make a “herringbone stitch bracelet” for the contest using 8/0 purple ab. seed beads and 11/0 rust colored seed beads. I added a dark purple brick stitch flower, using 11/0 seed beads, to the bracelet as a focal point. A small dyed purple peal bead formed the center of the flower. I was very pleased with how the bracelet turned out.

Now, I have entered several on line contest before where you submit a photo of your work, but this contest wanted the actual beadwork piece. This was the very first time that my beadwork would be picked up, held and examined for flaws by the contest judges. So, you can imagine that I was somewhat apprehensive about submitting my bracelet for such close scrutiny.

On the second to the last day, for contest entry submissions, I finally got the nerve up to submit my bracelet. So with butterflies the size of raven’s wings, fluttering in my stomach, I drove to the bead store to submit my bracelet into the contest. The girl who processed my entry told me that the contest entry winners would be announced during and after-hours special store event at the end of August.

My anxiety grew palatably day by day as I waited for four weeks on pins and needles to find out if my bracelet would be chosen as one of the contest winners. I had planned on attending the “special calendar night announcement” event at the bead store to find out who the lucky winners would be. But, of course things do not always go as planned.

A day before “announcement night” my car died. It just would not start. It had to be towed to the mechanic and would not be fixed until the following week. Since the event at the store was an “adults only” event, and I was unable to obtain a sitter, or a ride for that matter, I ended up staying home. To say the least, I was extremely disappointed.

Two days later I received and email from the bead store, with the heading, “Calendar Winners Announced.” It took me at least 10 minutes to work up the courage to open the email. The email stated that there had been over 250 entry submission. Out of the 250 entries they had chosen 54 beadwork submissions to be photographed and published as the calendar winners. Six entries were to be featured on the cover, and 4 entries were to be featured for each of the 12 months.

After reading this, I scrolled down the alphabetical list to the “F’s.” To my amazed delight, my name was among the list of names of the calendar contest winners!!! In celebration, I danced around the room doing a silly little happy dance. My daughter, Angie probably thought that her “mother” had gone off her rocker, but she started dancing with me.

So, for the first time, I am a “published” bead artist. The calendars should be coming out soon. I am looking forward to seeing my bracelet in the calendar and viewing all of the other winning beadwork that was chosen to be featured.

Here is a picture of my winning bracelet.

I invite you to visit my picturetrail website, "Bead Between The Lines." You just might find something that you like or something that will inspire you.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

I am also on myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/beadbetweenthelines

Beading Dilemma: Choosing Bead Colors

As a beader, I have found that the hardest part of designing a project is choosing the colors of the beads for my design. For some strange reason choosing the color of the beads for a project that I am designing does not come naturally to me. Fortunately, I have discovered a few resources that are actually free, and who doesn’t like free, to help me when I am trying to decide what colors of beads to use.

The first free resource is to look at nature. By taking a walk through my neighborhood or my local park, I find much color inspiration in the colors and beauty of trees flowers, leaves, grasses and plants. Especially, in the Autumn when the foliage is changing colors and at the beginning of Spring when colors begins to emerge from Winter’s sleep. The extra benefit is that I also get some much needed exercise.

Color Schemer is another free resource that I utilize. Color Schemer is an on-line color palette. To use I just click on one of the little color boxes at the bottom of the screen. The color palette then shows a variety of color choices that go together so I can make my selection. I can also lighten or darken my color scheme by clicking on the “lighten scheme” or “darken scheme” boxes located at the lower left side of my computer screen. And, if I am not satisfied with my color choice, I can start over until I find a color selection that I want to use. The website address for Color Schemer Online is,
http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html

My sisters, Laura, Patty, and Jamie are all quilters. Through them I have discovered that looking at the finished quilts that they have made, as well as images of quilts made by other quilt makers, to be another excellent source of color inspiration. Quilters carefully choose the colors of their fabrics so that each different color pattern creates a harmonious and beautiful color balance. Not only do I get the advantage of color inspiration from looking at quilts, I also am able to get the added advantage of design inspiration when creating a beaded graph pattern. When typing the words “quilt images” into a search engine, I am rewarded with listings of tons of quilting sites.

Another free color resource that I have found is at my favorite hardware store in the paint department. I am referring to those little color cards that help to decide what colors to paint your walls (or whatever project you are working on). Each card has a predetermined color chart, and the cards are free. I have found that they are great for taking with me into the bead store or craft store to use to help me match, as closely as possible, my beads to the color scheme on the card.

So even though I am most definitely a color challenged individual, when it comes to designing a new project, I have discovered several free resources to aid me in my beading color quest. If you too are color challenged, I would love to hear about what free resources that you have discovered to assist you in your personal color quest.

I invite you to visit my picturetrail website "Bead Between The Lines." You just might find something that you like or something that will inspire you. And, please, take a moment to sign my guestbook

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

I am also on myspace

http://www.myspace.com/beadbetweenthelines

Murphy's Law

Today I’ve been having one of those frustrating “Murphy’s Law” beading days. I don’t have beading days like that very often but when I do, the saying is true, “What can go wrong will go wrong!” I had an idea for a new necklace projects. I made a rough sketch on paper of what I wanted the necklace to look like. However, transferring my beaded vision into beaded reality was a different matter all together.

As I am beading, the thread tangles up into a knot. I hate having to tie off and add a new thread when I have just started a project. I had added only 7 beads. So, I patiently picked at the thread, with out causing it to fray. After about 10 minutes I was able to untangle the thread and start beading again. I added a few more beads and the thread tangled again. So I went through the detangling process again. And this pattern kept repeating itself over and over again, add a few beads, detangle the thread. I spent more time detangling thread than beading. AAARGUG!!!! I decided to set the project aside for a while, get my frustration under control, and then later on, continue where I left off beading.

After washing the dishes (no I do not have a dishwasher), cleaning the bathroom, reading to and playing with Angelina for a while, I was ready to bead again. I picked up my beads, but the beads and thread still did not want to cooperate. The beaded kept curling up and twisting in strange directions. I pulled out the bead that I had added and looked over my sketch to figure out where I should be adding more beads so that my necklace would not be curly and twisty in the wrong places.

After figuring out how to fix my design I picked up my thread and needle again to bead. Only this time, I could not get the needle threaded. I must have spent 15 minutes trying to bring the thread through the needle’s tiny little hole. Yes they do make big eyed beading needles but I prefer using the smaller eyed needle. It just must be my masochistic tendency, but I was determined not to let needle threading get the best of me.

When I finally got the needle threaded and started to get into a beading groove, the phone rang. And of course it was across the room and not sitting next to me like it usually is when I bead. Normally I would just let the phone ring, but I was expecting a call. So with a frustrated huff, I put my beading back down onto my beading tray and walked a crossed the room to answer the phone. But, as soon as I got the phone in my hand, naturally, it quit ringing.

With phone in hand, I walked a crossed the room again and settled down to bead. I finally got my groove back and was able to get 11 rows of beading done before Angelina was ready for a snack. Angie and I fixed and ate a snack together, and then she decided she wanted to watch a movie in her room so I decided to bead some more.

I picked up my project and to my horror I discovered that I had made a color mistake at the very beginning of all the beadwork that I had just done. With a totally aggravated sigh, I began to rip out all of the 11 rows, which I had just previously beaded, in order to fix my mistake!!! I decided to quit beading for the day since the beads and I were just not in harmony. So I put my project away and quoted to myself in the immortal words of Scarlett O’Hara, “After all tomorrow is another day!”

I invite you to visit my picturetrail website, “Bead Between The Lines.” You just might find something that you like or something that will inspire you. And, please, take a moment to sign my guest book.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

I am also on myspace

http://www.myspace.com/beadbetweenthelines

Update: What I Have Been Doing In The Last 3 Months

Wow!!! I can’t believe that it has been a little over 3 months since my last post. Time can sure fly away from you. I guess I really blew my New Years Resolution to update my blog at least twice a month. However, I am here to correct that and from here on I will try to write at least 2 blog posts every month.

The last time I posted a blog, I was participating in 5 Minutes For Mom’s Ultimate Blog Party. What fun that was. I so enjoyed discovering, reading and posting comments on new and exciting blogs and discovering new blogs to follow. During this week long blog party, I offered a Corraling Technique Necklace as blog party prize (a picture of this necklace can be seen on my “Ultimate Bead Party post”). Beth of “Jus Shar Designs” was the winner of this necklace. I was so very honored when Beth told me that she was going to give the necklace to her mom for Mothers Day. Thank you, Beth!!!

Beth is a very talented fiber artist. She creates beautiful knitted and crochet items. I urge you to checkout all of her beautiful handcrafted goodies. Her website is,
“Jus Shar Designs”
http://www.jusshardesigns.com/

During the blog party, I also offered readers of my blog, 3 free bead patterns that I designed. (A picture of these patterns can also be seen on my “Ultimate Bead Party Post” and if you would like a copy of any or all the patterns contact information for me is also on that post). So, during my 3 month hiatus, I created 2 of the patterns. I made a lovely pair of earrings using the tulip pattern. I used size 11/0 seed beads. Purple beads were used for the tulips, green beads for the leaves and stem, white for the background and copper for the edge and fringe. They turned out beautifully. A picture of the earrings is posted below.

I also made a book hook using the rosebud pattern. For the book hook I used size 8/0 seed beads. Red and dark red beads were used for the rosebud, green beads for the leaves and stem, cream beads for the background, and orange for the edge and fringe accent. I think that the book hook turned out beautifully too. A picture of the book hook can be seen below. I have as yet to make the moon pattern, but creating a pendant using the moon pattern is on my to-do list.

As many of you know, my daughter, Angelina has autism. In addition to creating the tulip earrings and rosebud book hook, I also designed and created some “Autism Support” beadwork. What causes autism is still a mystery, though in some cases, such as Angelina’s, there is a genetic link. Her cousin is also autistic. Autism is a spectrum disorder and the degrees of this disorder vary from person to person. So it is no wonder that a “puzzle piece” is a perfect symbol for autism. Pictures of my “Autism Support” beadwork can be seen on my picture tails site as well as purchasing information.



http://picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

When I wasn’t beading, I was doing all the usual things that single moms do, such as, housework, shopping, running errands, paying bills, taking care and playing with Angelina and my adorable new granddaughter, Anastacia Rachael, etc…

Now that I have updated you, here is what I will be doing in the future. My daughter Charlotte has commissioned me to create a bracelet and necklace for her nieces. The bead store near my house is having a bracelet making contest which I plan to enter. I also have several other beading projects lined up for this summer. And I will be making an earnest effort to update this blog on a regular basis.

I invite you to visit my picturetrail website, “Bead Between The Lines.” You just might find something that you like or something that will inspire you. And, please, take a moment to sign my guestbook.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

Jus Shar Designshttp://www.jusshardesigns.com/

Welcome To My Ultimate Bead Party

Hello Ladies,
My name is Brenda. Welcome to my “Ultimate Bead Party.” I’m so glad that you could stop by and party with me. Virtual cocktails are being served at the bar along with a virtual picnic smorgasbord, and, virtual chocolates for dessert.

And, what would an ultimate bead party be with out beads?! I have a lovely selection of beads available so that you may sit back and create for yourself a fabulous piece of jewelry.

If you are not sure what to make, I can help you get started. I have designed 3 patterns for this party and you are welcome to use them. If you choose to use one or all of these patterns, I encourage you to put your own stamp on them. Do not feel that you have to use the colors that I chose. And, feel free to choose whatever size seed bead you would like to use. These patterns would look great beaded into earrings, pendants, book hook, or whatever your imagination may come up with.



If you would like a free copy of one or all of these patterns, email me at

beadbetweenthelines@hotmail.com

My patterns are copyrighted. So, the only thing that I ask is that you do not distribute the patterns themselves in any paper or electronic media form, as I claim distribution rights. If you know someone who would like to have a copy of any or all of these patterns, give him or her, my email address, and I will send out a copy of the pattern(s). You are more than welcome to sell any piece of beadwork that you create with my patterns. Just, please give me (Brenda Federighi) credit as the designer. Additionally, I would love to see a picture of what you have created using my design(s) so that I may share it on this blog.

As hostess of this party, I should tell you a little about myself. I am a self-confessed beadaholique who cannot go into a craft store or bead store without purchasing beads. You will find beads in every corner of my house. Be not alarmed if you walk out the door with a bead stuck to the bottom of your shoe. Hopefully when we move this summer, I will get a little more organized, but I highly doubt it. I firmly believe that beads have a mind of their own and like to invade the most unlikely of spaces.

Also, you might be interested to know that “Bead Between The Lines” is giving away a necklace as a prize during the “Ultimate Blog Party” event. Below is a picture of the necklace. I made it using the “coraling” beading technique.


So, thank you again for partying with me. You are welcome to come back at any time. Please leave me a comment telling me something about yourself along with a link to your blog so that I may come and party at your place.


I invite you to visit my picturetrail website “Bead Between The Lines.” You just might find something that you like or something that will inspire you. And, please, take a moment to sign my guestbook.
http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

Angelina's 11th Birthday Present

My daughter Angelina will be 11 years old on March 20th. When she turned 9 yrs. old I made her a Daisy Chain bracelet. Last year, I made her a Very Pink Heart Pendant necklace. But, this year I had some trouble deciding what I should make for her. Since Angelina was born on the first day of Spring, I wanted her present to have a Spring theme. Inspiration hit as Angelina and I were watching the move, James And The Giant Peach. The ladybug was Angelina’s favorite character in the movie. So, I decided to create a Ladybug Pendant Necklace for her. And a ladybug fits right into the Spring theme.

I went to my computer and opened up my Beadesigner program. Then I sat down and created the Ladybug pattern for the necklace. I have to admit, the Ladybug in the movie was much cuter than the one that I designed for her necklace. However, I never claimed to be an artist. Here is a picture of the pattern that I made.


After creating and printing out the pattern, I realized that I only had 2 of the 7 colors of beads that I needed in my bead stash to make her necklace. A trip to the bead store was in order so that I could obtain the other five colors of beads necessary for me to create this necklace. So, I hopped on the bus and went to the bead store that is about 2 miles away from my house. At the bead store, I chose five tubes of size 8/0 beads, paid for them, and hopped on the bus for the return trip home.

When I got home I immediately began to work on her necklace. Unfortunately, I caught a bad cold. So I was only able to bead in between the breaks of sneezing fits and watery eyes. It took me 3 day to create her necklace because of my cold. But, all things considered I think her necklace turned out rather well and I am excited about giving it to her for her birthday. Below is a picture of the finished necklace.





I invite you to visit my picturetrail website “Bead Between The Lines.” You just might find something that you like, or something that will inspire you.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_bead_between_the_lines

I am also on myspace

http://www.myspace.com/beadbetweenthelines

Learning Herringbone Stitch

One of my beading related New Years resolutions was to learn “herringbone stitch", also called “Nbedele.” So, since I am dyslexic finding a tutorial with good graphics and clearly written instructions is essential for me. So after googling “herringbone stitch” I found a wonderful tutorial for “flat herringbone stitch" on Billie Sanchez’s site, Wicked Oak Designs. So, I downloaded and printed a copy of Billie’s tutorial and proceeded to learn “flat herringbone stitch".

When learning a new bead weaving stitch, I like to use the larger size 6/0 seed beads for my practice piece. These beads are easier to see, and have larger holes than the smaller size 10/0 and 11/0 seed beads. After beading about five inches of my practice piece, with some trial and error, I felt like I had a feel for the stitch. I was ready to try creating a “herringbone stitch” bracelet.

For my bracelet I chose 2 colors of size 8/0 seed beads, color lined crystal copper and color lined amethyst copper ab (aurora borealis). The size 8/0 gave the bracelet a marvelous texture. I used the color lined crystal copper to create a toggle clasp and loop closure. Here is a picture of my first “herringbone stitch” bracelet.

I am very pleased with how this bracelet turned out, even though it is just a little bit too big on my wrist, although, it fits my neighbor’s wrist perfectly. And, she has been dropping broad hints about her upcoming birthday.

After finishing this bracelet, I also created 2 more bracelets using a variation of the “herringbone stitch." One bracelet was made using size pink 8/0 seed beads and size 10/0 cream seed beads. The other bracelet was created using size 8/0 yellow, orange and 10/0 cream seed beads. These two bracelets can be seen on my picturetrail website. They are located in the bracelet album and are labeled as “Cotton Candy” and “Florida Citrus”

So, I would like to thank Billie Sanchez for creating and offering this tutorial free of charge and I think that I am now ready to tackle “tubular herringbone stitch. If you are interested in learning “herringbone stitch, I highly recommend Billie’s “herringbone stitch” tutorial. You can find this tutorial on her website, Wicked Oak Designs. Billie also has lots of other beading -related goodies available on her site.

Wicked Oak Designs
http://www.wickedoakdesigns/

I invite you to visit my picturetrail website, “Bead Between The Lines.” You just might find something that you like or something that will inspire you. And, please, take a moment to sign my guestbook.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

I am, also, on myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/beadbetweenthelines

Beading With Angelina

The other day I went into the craft store to purchase some yarn so that I can make a hat and scarf for my son. So, of course, being a self confessed beadaholic, I did not pass up the opportunity to peruse the craft store’s selection of beads. While debating with my self whether or not I wanted to spend the money on a strand of ridiculously over priced glass beads (for which I had no clear idea as what to make with them), Angelina said to me, “Mother, I want to bead too.”

I looked down at her, smiled, abandoned the string of ridiculously over priced beads and said to her, “Alright lets go get you some beads.” Angie picked out a large bag of multi-shaped and brightly colored plastic beads and some clear plastic cord in which to string them on. Angie had a huge grin on her face and hugged her beads tightly to her chest as we made our way to the check out line.

When we got home I poured the beads into a bowl, cut a long length of plastic cord, added a stopper bead to the end of the cord, and gave her the bead bowl and prepped plastic cord. She went into her bedroom with her beading supplies, sat down on her bed, and began to string the beads on the cord. I grabbed my current beading project and joined her in her room and, also, began to bead.

As we sat together and beaded, I found myself more engrossed in watching her string beads, than working on my own project. At first, it seemed as though she picked out and strung the beads on the cord at random. There didn’t seem to be any type of color pattern or particular bead shape pattern. I thought that she was creating a sort of freeform necklace. But as I watched her more closely, I saw that before she added a bead to the cord she would rub it between her fingers. Then she would decide if the bead would be strung on the necklace or would be put back into the bowl in favor of a different bead. It was then that I realized that she was choosing the beads that she would string by their texture.

If you are unfamiliar with Autism, this probably doesn’t make much sense. Many autistic individual, Angelina included, are very tactile sensitive. There are textures that feel good to them as well as textures they can’t tolerate the feel of. That is why it is not surprising that she would choose the beads for her necklace based on their different textures.

When she was finished, I tied the knot for her, buried the ends of the cord inside the beads, and cut off the excess cord. Angie then asked for a second piece of plastic cord to be cut for her so that she could create another necklace. Angie beaded 2 brightly colored, multi-textured necklaces. She was very proud of her work and so am I. She kept one necklace for herself and gave the other one to me. The necklace she made for me is the best present that anyone has ever given me!!!





I invite you to visit my picturetrail website, “Bead Between The Lines.” I recently added pictures of several necklaces and chokers that I have created. You just might find something that you like or something that will inspire you. And please, take a moment to sign my guestbook


http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

I am also on myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/beadbetweenthelines

Beading Threads

When I first started beading, (a long time ago) beaders were fairly limited in the selection of thread choices used to string or weave beads. Because cottons thread deteriorate, break, or mold and mildew, beaders commonly used nylon thread or, believe it or not, dental floss as their beading medium. But as times have evolved, so have our selection of beading threads. Today there are many types of threads that are used and are quite suitable for beading. Here is a list of a just a few of them…

Salamide is an all purpose beading thread. It is twisted and pre-waxed. Salamide comes in a variety of colors. I have tried using Salamide on several occasions, and I personally do not care for it. For me, it was hard to thread, tangled, and broke too easily. However, many beaders swear by this thread and won’t use anything else.

Nylon Coated Beading Wire is a great choice for bead stringing. The wire is very strong. You can easily tie knots with it. The wire also comes in many varying sizes or gauges depending on the weight and type of beads you are using.

Stretchy Cord is another great stringing material, especially if you do not want to use clasps. Stretchy cord is thin and flexible enough to stretch over your wrist for a bracelet, your neck for a necklace, and even your ankles, for an ankle bracelet. The ends tie easy and are fairly easy to hide when you tuck them into your beadwork. Stretch cord is also great to use when you create a gift for a child. No complicated clasps for the child to have to fasten. Stretchy cord is also a great first beading medium if a child is interested in learning how to string beads

100% Polyester Thread that is sold in the notions department in any sewing or fabric store is a great choice for bead crochet. This thread makes lovely soft crochet ropes. It is strong, difficult to break, and comes in a variety of colors. And, because polyester threads do not break easily or mildew, polyester thread is a good choice for warping a beading loom.

69 Weight Upholstery Thread is also excellent for bead crochet. It works well with size 11/0, 10/0, 8/0, and 6/0 seed beads. This is also a good thread to use when creating netting stitch beadwork or loom work.

Kevlar Thread, yes the type of thread that is used to make Kevlar vest, is another thread that is used in some types of beading. Kevlar is strong and durable, but does have it’s drawbacks as a beading thread. For one, it has a bad reaction when exposed to UV light. Over exposure to sunlight can reduce the strength of your thread. I would not recommend it for use in beaded jewelry because the thread tends to breakdown when exposed to skin. This thread does not knot well either. Beaders tend to use this thread mainly for bead appliqué that does not involve direct skin contact, such as an appliqué on a purse. It is also often used for tapestries but said tapestries should not be hung in direct sunlight.

DandyLine is a new beading thread from Beadalon. I have a spool, but have, as yet, not used any of it. It is suppose to be as strong as the GSP fishing lines. But, DandyLine is a soft unlike the GSP fishing lines which are stiffer. I have only seen this thread in the colors of white and black, but it probably comes in other colors. Dandyline was created specifically for beading and it is also water proof. I am looking forward to trying out this product, and if I like it, I will most probably right a blog post about his thread.

PowerPro is a GSP braided fishing line. PowerPro is very strong and is great for beading. It comes in various thicknesses and weights (test is the official term used on the packaging). You can buy PowerPro at almost any sporting goods supply store that sell fishing tackle. I have also seen reels for sale at K-mart. PowerPro is available in 3 different colors, moss green, hi-vis-yellow, and white.

Fireline is also a GSP braided fishing line used by beaders. It is also very strong and comes in various test sizes. You can purchase Fireline, also, at almost any sporting goods store that sells fishing tackle. I have also purchased reels of Fireline at K-mart. Fireline is one of my preferred beading mediums. I usually use 4, 6, 8, and sometimes 10 lb test. It just depends on the project that I happen to be working on. The colors of Fireline that I purchase are smoke gray, and crystal. I have also seen it at K-mart in pink and a sort of lime green but have not purchased those colors.

Nymo is my current other preferred beading medium. It is a non twisted fiber. It is easy to thread and fairly strong. You can purchase nymo thread in small bobbins or large spindals. It comes in a rainbow variety of colors. The 3 biggest drawbacks to nymo are that it stretches while you are beading, so pre-stretching your thread is definitely recommended. The other drawback is that the thread does tend to fray if you have to repeatedly fix mistakes in your beadwork. So when the thread does start to fray, I recommend tying off and weaving in a new length of thread in order to continue your beadwork project. The 3rd drawback is that nymo is not waterproof. So you do not want to get any beadwork made with nymo wet. Nymo thread comes in various thicknesses, E, D, C, B, A, 0, 00. E is the thickest thread size on down to 00 which is the thinnest.

There are many more types of thread that are used for beading. The ones listed above are just the ones that I am most familiar with. But as you can now see the choices for beading thread has come a long way from the days when beaders used dental floss. Beaders are now able to retire the dental floss as a beading medium and now it can go back to its original purpose, flossing our teeth.

I invite you to visit my picturetrails website “Bead Between The Lines.” You just might find something there that you like or something that will inspire you. And, please, take a moment to sign my guestbook.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

I am also on now on myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/beadbetweenthelines

Happy New Year: New Years Resolution For 2009

Happy New Year Everyone! 2008 held a lot of changes for me. Some good and some bad, but every change was a learning experience. And I hope those learning experiences both the positive and negative have helped to shape me into a better person. I am now ready and happily anticipating all the learning experiences that this new year, 2009 will have to offer, especially those learning experiences in regards to beading.

One of the best beading learning experiences of 2008 was learning how to use my new digital camera. My first beading pictures were blurry, fuzzy and pretty out of focus. But over time, and with the help of some very nice beaders who have been giving me beading photography advice, my beading photos have greatly improved. I am still in the process of editing my pictures, but I hope to have nice images of all the new necklaces that I have created on my picturetrail site by next week.

I also experimented and learned a few new beading techniques. I am currently working on learning herringbone stitch. As soon as I have the stitch mastered I plan to make a choker and bracelet set using this stitch. Learning Russian Spiral stitch is also on my "bead learning to do list"

Unfortunately, due to illnesses and just busy circumstances, during the last half of the year 2008 I only posted 2 beading blog entries. So this being the case, I have made it one of my new years resolutions to update my bead blog on a regular basis. My goal is to have at least 2 beading blog entries a month. I do not thing this is an unreasonable goal. After all, there is so many interesting and informative beadwork topics to blog about. I also plan to share some of my original beadweaving patterns free with all of my beady friends out there in blog land.

With my new bead goals and objectives in mind. I eagerly look forward to all the new beading challenges and experiences that this year, 2009, will have to offer. I wish everyone a Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!!!

I invite you to visit my picturetrails website, "Bead Between The Lines." You just might find someting that you like or something that inspires you. And please, while you are there, take a moment to sign my guestbook.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines.

I am now on myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/beadbetweenthelines

Back To My Beading Blog After A Nearly 4 ½ Months Leave Of Absence

After my post regarding my bracelet collection, I took a long hiatus from blogging. Even though I have sold several bracelets (customized bracelets and a couple of pairs of earrings too) since my last post, I also decided to cut back on beading in favor of devoting more time and attention to other aspects of my life, being the most important aspect, my autistic daughter, Angelina.

Angelina is the light of my life and the center of my world. And, even though she is autistic, Angelina is very loving and very funny. I spent much of the summer months going places with her, playing with her, and just taking the time to get to know her better. Our time together also renewed my appreciation for her and the struggles that she has in her life.

Our summer together flew by very fast. Angelina loves school. She was very excited to be going back. She had missed her friends and her school day routine. I, on the other hand, was not as excited about school resuming for Angelina. I have to admit that it was with some sadness that I put her on the bus and waved good-bye to her on her first day back at school.

So, now she is back in school and I am back to beading nearly every day. I have created several beautiful necklaces and chokers. I am also in the process of learning how to use my new digital camera. I hope to have pictures of my latest creations posted on my picturetrail site very soon. I have also been working on creating a website and will soon have a Blujay store.

I must admit, over the past several months I have come to see that my life is truly blessed. I have a beautiful daughter that I love with all my heart, and I have been blessed with the ability to express myself through my beadwork.



I invite you to visit my picturetrails website, “Bead Between The Lines.” You just might find something that you like, or something that inspires you!! And while you are there, please, take a moment to sign my guestbook

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

"BeadWitching Bracelets" For Sale!!

I have really been neglecting my blog writing in favor of spending my spare time beading. I have been bead-weaving some bracelets. Bead-weaving stitches are much more time consuming than bead stringing and bead-weaving also takes a lot more patience. So with this in mind, after four months of diligent effort, I am please to announce “Bead Between The Lines,” “BeadWitching Bracelet Collection!”

Bracelets are one of my favorite beading items to make and wear. In my opinion, bracelets are an accessory which transforms a great outfit into a fabulous outfit. However, often times in the past when I have gone shopping for a bracelet, I can’t find a bracelet that will fit my wrist. They are usually all too big. This is the main reason I started making bracelets for myself. My wrist circumference is 6”.

Average bracelet sizes are between 7-7 ½” including the clasp (this is because most women’s wrist circumference falls between the 7-7 ½” range). This is why the bracelets I have created are also these lengths. However, I do not feel that if anyone’s wrist measurement does not meet the, so called, “average” range, that they should be penalized for this by paying more for bracelets. With this in mind, I am more than happy to accommodate customers with larger or smaller wrist and custom create a bracelet (or bracelets) in their chosen style (or styles) at no extra charge!!!!

So, I invite you to stop by my website “Bead Between The Lines” and have a look at the new “BeadWitching Bracelet Collection” and all of my other beadwork too. You just might find something that you like or something that will inspire you. And, please, take a moment to sign my guestbook

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

Bead Soup

One day Angelina was quietly playing in her bedroom. So, I decided to take advantage of the fact that she was entertaining herself and use this as an opportunity to sit down and do some beading. I went over to the table to pick up my latest project and the craft box that held the beads that I had been using; however, the craft box that held my beads was missing. I was positive that I had left the box on the dining room table. I check the kitchen, my bedroom, and the hallway, but it was not in any of those places. I could not understand how or where I had missed placed the bead box.

I walked towards Angie’s room and opened the door. But, before I could even ask her if she had seen my box of beads, she looked up at me with an angelic smile on her face and said, “Look Mother, I’m making soup!” I looked down into the bowl. To my utter horror she had taken and dumped my entire box filled with seed beads into the bowl and was stirring them with the spoon. The tiny beautiful transparent seed beads that had been so carefully sorted into their own respective color compartments were now being gleefully mixed together into bead soup!

I had to leave the room in order to get control of my emotions. When I had my emotions under control, I went back into Angelina’s bedroom. While I was gone, she abandoned the bead soup that she was making and was now sitting on her bed reading a book. I looked forlornly at the bowl that was holding the bead soup mixture. I realized that there was no way that I was ever going to get all those mixed up seed beads sorted. But, I could not bear the idea of throwing all those lovely little beads into the garbage either. I poured them from the bowl into a decorative glass jar. There they sat on top of my desk unused for a very long time.


On a sunny day when the sun was shining on the jar of beads making the multitude of colors sparkle like little jewels, I got the idea to use a portion of the beads to create a “Bead Soup Bracelet.” I poured some of the bead soup mixture into a dish. Then I beaded the ladder stitch foundation row using gold seed beads. (I also used gold seed beads for the side edges and top row of the bracelet.) I created the rest of the bracelet using the brick stitch beading technique. Instead of designing a pattern and using it to create my bracelet, I let the beads jump up onto my needle at random. I made a beaded bead ball on one edge of the bracelet and a beaded loop on the other edge of the bracelet for the closure.

The bracelet turned out very pretty and it reminds me of stained glass. One of the great things about this bracelet is that because it has such a variety of colors in it, I can wear it with any solid color shirt or dress. It really brightens up the outfit that I am wearing. It is one of my favorite bracelets. And, every time I wear it, I receive compliments from strangers. (There is a picture of this bracelet in my 2007 beadwork photo album on my picturetrails site).

So, in retrospect I now can give thanks to Angelina for making “bead soup”. Without her help I never would have been inspired to create this beautiful bracelet.

When you have the chance, stop by and visit my website, "Bead Between The Lines." You just might find something that you like, or something that will inspire you.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

Potawatomi Weave Bracelets

I have been currently working on bracelets using the Potawatomi bead weaving stitch. This bead weaving stitch was developed by the Potawatomi Nation. The Potawatomi Nation is well known for their beautiful woven basketry, quill embroidery, and of course beadwork.


The Potawatomi weave is a bead weaving stitch which is commonly used to make beaded friendship bracelets. The width of the bracelet depends on how many beads are woven together for each row. The rows are woven diagonally, not horizontally or vertically. I have made 3 bracelets using this technique.

The first bracelet is a “7 bead weave”. I used size 11/0 seed beads in the colors of silver and gold. This made a lovely tennis bracelet with a gold and silver diagonal pattern. This bracelet is a great accessory to wear for a formal or informal occasion.

The second bracelet was also made using a "7 bead weave." For this bracelet I used size 8/0 seed beads. These beads are larger than size 11/0 seed beads. Metallic hematite black and metallic teal colored beads created the diagonal pattern. Since this bracelet was made using larger beads, it is not as dainty as the first and would look great on either a woman or a man. (A picture of this bracelet is posted. Unfortunately my scanner does not do justice to the actual beauty of this bracelet.)

Unlike the previous 2 bracelets that used a "7 bead weave", the last bracelet was made using a "5 bead weave". I used only one color of size 11/0 seed beads and created a lovely monochromatic pink bracelet. I also added a scalloped edging to this bracelet that I did not add to the other two bracelets.

The Potawatomi weave is a real fun beading stitch. I really enjoyed making these bracelets. I also plan to make a necklace or two using this technique. If you are interested in learning more about the Potawatomi Nation check out this website;
http://potawatomi.aaanativearts.com/


When you have the chance, I invite you to visit my website, “Bead Between The Lines.”
You just might find something that you like or something that inspires you. And, please, take a moment to sign my guest book.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

Giving Angelina The "Very Pink Heart" Pendant

Well it took me longer than I thought to finish Angie’s ‘Very Pink Heart’ pendant. I didn’t realize when I chose the white beads, just how small the holes were. I had to really cull the beads and find ones with holes that were large enough to make more than one thread pass. But, I finally finished her necklace the day before her birthday.

The expression on her face was priceless when she unwrapped her necklace. Her eyes widen, her mouth opened forming a big “oh”. Then she carefully pulled her necklace out of the box and held it up. A beautiful smile emerged across her face. She began to jump up and down as he handed me her ‘Very Pink Heart’ pendant and cried, “On, on, please.”

I put the pendant on her and she ran to the mirror in her bedroom. She must have stood there for at least 5 minutes preening and admiring herself wearing her necklace. As she stood in front of the mirror I bent down and told her, “Mother made this heart for you so that you would always know just how very much I love you.” Then I gave her a big hug and we went back into the living room to open the rest of her presents.

The next day Angelina insisted on wearing her 'Very Pink Heart' pendant to school. It was reported to me by her teacher that both friends and faculty all day long were telling Angie how much they liked her necklace and how pretty she looked wearing it. The principal of the school came into Angelina’s classroom for a visit. She noticed Angie’s necklace. Her teacher explained to the principal that the necklace was made by Angie’s mommy and it was given to Angie for her birthday.

The principal said to Angie, “Your look very pretty wearing your birthday necklace. But, maybe you should take it off and give it to your teacher for safe keeping until the end of the day. We wouldn’t want you to break it or lose it.”

Angelina looked at her as she laid her hand on the beaded heart and said, “No, this is Mothers love.” The principal and teacher both smiled at her. There was no more mention of Angelina taking of her necklace. So, I believe, Angelina does understand what I was trying to convey to her when I gave her the 'Very Pink Heart' pendant.

If you get the chance, visit my website, "Bead Between The Lines." You just might find something that you like or something that will inspire you.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

Angelina's Very "Pink" Heart

On March 20th my daughter, Angelina, will be 10 yrs. old. Hard to believe how fast the time has flown. She is such a terrific kid. Last year, for her 9th birthday, I made her a little daisy flower bracelet. She loved it and still wears it a lot. So this year, for the big number 10 I wanted to make her something really special, something that would show her just how much I love her.

Angelina loves pink. To say that it is her favorite color would be an understatement. The “Barbie” doll has nothing on this girl when it comes to the color pink. So I went to my beads stash and pick out the most outrageously pinky pink beads I have. Now I just needed to figure out what I was going to make her.

So I went to my computer, opened up my beadesigner program and inspiration hit. I decided to make her a heart shaped pendant necklace. I chose my graph, and colors, pink and white, and then created the heart design that would, when beaded, become the pendant.

I am not quite finished with her necklace but am confident it will be done by her birthday. The necklace is coming along nicely. It is turning out even better than I had imagined it to be. If luck is with me I will be able to finish it today. If not, then I will have it done no later than tomorrow. I will post a picture of the pendant when it is finished.

My sweet little Angie has autism. And even though she does very well in school and is verbal, I am not always sure how much of life she comprehends. My hope is that when she opens her “very pink heart pendant”, she will understand just how much I love her and how very proud of her I am.


If you get the chance, stop by my website, "Bead Between The Lines". You just might find something there that you like or something that inspires you.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

Free Beading Programs

When I started to get the hang of the different bead weaving stitches, I decided that I wanted to try to design and create my own patterns instead of beading and re-creating someone else’s designs. I went to some sites that offered free graph paper for the different bead weaving stitches. I printed up the graph paper, purchased a set of colored pencils and began filling in the little squares with my own design ideas.

This method of designing works, but is rather time consuming. If I made a mistake or simply didn’t like my color choice, I would end up starting the design over. For some reason colored pencil marks do not erase easily or cleanly. I knew that there had to be a more efficient way of graphing my own bead weaving stitch designs.

So with this in mind, I took my search once again to the internet. I typed ‘free bead pattern software’ into the ‘google’ search engine. Since I was still fairly new to beading and designing bead weaving stitch graph patterns, I wasn’t, as yet, ready to pay for any expensive bead pattern design software. I found 3 free programs. Easy Bead Patterns,
Beader.org and Beadesigner.

Easy Bead Pattern is a free program. The particulars regarding the program can be obtained at this website;
http://www.easybeadpattern.com
A copy of the program can be downloaded from the site as well.

At Beader.org bead patterns can be designed directly from the website. The pattern designer is not downloadable to a personal computer. However, patterns that are created are printable, but as far as I know, not savable to a personal computer. The website is:
http://www.beader.org

Beadesigner is a program created by Leah Kramer. Leah offers this program free from her website is;
http://www.leahkramer.com
And, this is the program that I downloaded and still use to design graph patterns for bead weaving stitches. With Beadesigner I can design graph patterns for loom/square, peyote, 2 drop peyote, brick, and commanche bead weaving stitches. I can also choose to design with the traditional square graph spaces or choose circular graph spaces. After I choose my graph, I use the color palette to select the color that I want to use in my design. I can even create custom colors. When I am finished with my pattern, I save it as a ‘bitmap’ image and then close the program. I reopen the saved “image” using ‘Paint.’ Then, from ‘Paint’, I can print up my pattern. (I have also used this program to create and print cross stitch patterns for my daughter, Charlotte.)

Beadesigner is an older software application. It is at times a little glitchy. I do have to refresh my graphs, when designing every now and then. I also save my work often when designing a new pattern. It does not have any drawing tools for free style designing. I have been doing some limited free style pattern designing in using ‘PowerPoint’ but I would like to have all my designs located in one program. This is one of the reasons why I am looking to purchase a professional bead pattern design software program. The other reason is that a professional software program will give my designs a more sophisticated, polished, finished look to them.

I did actually purchase Bead Creator (a professional pattern design program), a while back ago but that is another post entirely.

Currently, I am researching professional pattern design software programs. But, I must say, that I have been very grateful for my free copy of ‘Beadesigner.’ I have created some truly lovely patterns with it. And, I have no plans of deleting the program once I choose which commercial program that I want to purchase. I am sure I will still have occasions to use ‘Beadesigner.'

If you get the chance, please stop by my website, "Bead Between The Lines." You just might find something there that you like or something that inspires you. And, please, take a moment to sign my guest book.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

Welcome Ladies

Welcome to my Beading Party!!!! My name is Brenda. I have 3 of my most favorite things just waiting for you on the side board. There are Margarita's ready for you to drink. There is a box of Chocolates with your name on them for you to eat. And there are Beads so that you can create a beautiful, fabulous bracelet and/or necklace to wear. So lets sit back relax and get to know one another.
Let the bead times roll!!!


http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

List Of Some Of My Favorite Bead-Related Websites.

If you are intested in learning how to bead or know how to bead and just need some inspiration, here is a list of some of my favorite beading-related websites.


1. About Beadwork: This is a great website. If is chock full of free tutorials, instructions and patterns. This was one of the principle websites I used, and still used, when I was teaching myself how to bead weave.
www.beadwork.about.com

2. About Beadwork Forum: Membership into this forum is open to anyone. The beaders who are members of this group are kind, positive, uplifting and always willing to help. It is also a great place to show off the beadwork that you have created and to be able to gain some valuable feedback.
www.beadwork.about.com/mpboards.htm

3. Ruby’s Beadwork: Ruby Fischer is an amazing and wonderful beader. On her website you will find many free tutorials that she has created and generously shares free of charge. She loves to hear from people who have created something using one of her tutorial. And if you have any problems creating one of her designs, she provides her email address so that you can email her for help. She is always pleasant and responds back very quickly. She also has a link to her picturetrail site where you can view her beautiful beaded eye candy.
www.rubysbeadwork.com

4. Alexis (beader from Germany): Alexis is another very talented beader. Her website offers a variety of free tutorials and instructions. If you have problems with creating one of her designs, just send her and e-mail and she will do what she can to help you.
www.alexis.ohost.de

5. Maria Oldring (beader from Russia): A very talented beader from Russia. Her website also offers free tutorials.
www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/beads/patterns_e.htm

6. Sova Enterprizes: This site is owned by Rita Sova and her husband. They sell a variety of bead patterns designed by various artists. They also have many free patterns available too.
www.bead-patterns.com

7. Shipwreck Beads: Their physical location is in Lacey, Washington…approximately 30 miles from my home town of Tacoma, Washington. The actual store is huge. It is literally a giant beading warehouse. Their website is pretty awesome too. The store and the website really have all of your beading needs. The website also has a gallery which features beadwork designed and created by various different beaders. I have a bracelet and a necklace in their gallery.
www.shipwreckbeads.com

8. Firemountain Gems: Another great website for purchasing all your beading and jewelry-related materials. They also have tutorials. And unlike many beadstores, you can get a free printed catalog of their merchandise sent to you through the postal mail. They update their catalog about twice a year and the updates are also sent to you free. They also offer tips and tutorials on their website.
www.firemountaingems.com

9. Aunt Molly's Bead Street: Owned by beader artist Mary Tafoya. This site has free patterns and links to her other websites and gallery of her beadwork.
www.home.flash.net/~mjtafoya/home.htm

10. Art Attacks and Strokes: Owned by Chadd Pitts. He sells his own handcrafted, beautiful blown glass work and beads.
www.artattacksandstrokes.com

11. Bead Between The lines: Owned by me, Brenda Federighi. I sell beautiful bead-woven jewelry that I have designed and created. I am currently busy designing and creating bracelets that will soon be ready and posted for sale. I also have pictures of some of the beadwork that I have made and kept over the years.
So stop by my website and have a look around. You just might find something that you like, or something that inspires you.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines