Red Panda Beads August Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes ends August 31st 2012

Summer is vacation season.  For many beaders, the perfect vacation includes some beading.  This month's sweepstakes prize is a Beading Travel Kit.  Chocked full of items to make traveling with your beads easier.  Check them out.

The BeadSmith mini blue travel kit is perfect to hold just enough findings for your beading on the go.

You will be sure to have enough beading needles with this handy 6-pack.

I can't survive without my bead mats - the texture of the mats frequently means seed beads land hole side up - easing the beading process.  This kit includes one of these gems.

No Beading Travel Kit would be complete without the bead mat fits perfectly in the Bead Mat tray - making it possible to even bead while traveling down the road as a passenger.  For me time flies and the time in the car is productive.  (it's best to have some else as the navigator - once you start beading, you'll block everything else out)

The sticky bead mat keeps your beads and findings secure.

With the Bead Tube Tower, you can take a good assortment of beads and anything else you can fit into tubes.  When not in use it folds easily into the plastic carry case.  When open, it is very easy to see your beads and components for more efficient beading.

And last, but not least, a 50 count pack of 3" bead tubes to start get your bead stash ready for it's new home in the Bead Tube Tower.

And the winner is.....

Oksana Tucker!

Congrats Oksana!

Coming soon... the September Sweepstakes.....

Happy Beading!

Betsy

Czech Superduo Beads

One of the newest and hottest beads to hit the market are Superduo beads.  These are Czech beads made with two holes, similar to Czech Twin beads.  One of the nicest features of the Superduo beads is they are made of pressed glass, so each bead is more uniform in shape and size.  These two hole beads work well with Miyuki's two hole Tila beads.  Deborah Roberti, of the www.aroundthebeadingtable.com website has been designing like crazy to keep up with these new beads.  Unlike some bead patterns, Deb's are very easy to follow and her illustrations along the way ensure that you'll have a beautiful piece every time!

Now available on the Red Panda Beads website, a free Tila Flower Bands Preview downloadable PDF pattern wiht your Superduo beads purchase.

Deb's patterns are like beaded templates.  You mix and match colors to create your own unique look with her patterns.  With so many colors available in the Superduos, Miyuki Tilas and Rocailles, the options are virtually limitless!

This southwest themed version starts with TL-2315 Burnt Sienna Tila Beads.  The Superduo beads have the capri finish, one side of the beads have a bronze coating.  The Superduo beads are VSD-1301CA (Ivory Capri) and VSD-6313CA (Green Turquoise Capri).  The bronze 11RR457 nicely matches the bronze coating on the Superduo beads.

This Indian corn themed version starts with TL-2311 Dandelion Tila Beads.  The VSD-6313P Superduos are Green Turquoise Picasso beads and the VSD-1361SLP are Cornelian Sliperit beads. The Sliperit finish has a pink tint and the Miyuki 11RR4209 Duracoat Rocaille beads compliment it nicely.

This bright version starts with TL-406FR Opaque Rainbow Matte Orange Tila beads.  The VSD-6302AB Superduo add a splash of Blue Turquoise.  The VSD-CVT Superduo beads add a streak of sparkle down the middle of each of the flowers. Miyuki 11RR4207 Duracoat Rocaille beads add depth to the orange of the Tila beads.

This Christmas themed version starts with TL-304 Garnet Gold Luster Tila beads.  VSD-24K Superduo beads are plated with 24K gold.  The VSD-5341P Green Picasso beads add a jade like hue and the Miyuki 11RR191 24K Gold Plated Rocaille beads really make this bracelet sparkle.

The options are only limited by your imagination!  You can make a fun, playful version, or an elegant version, or one to simply match an outfit.  If you need some assistance picking the perfect colors, do not hesitate to contact me!  That's what I'm here for!

Don't forget to check out Deb's website, www.aroundthebeadingtable.com often for new patterns.

Happy Beading!

Betsy

  

Czech Superduo Beads

One of the newest and hottest beads to hit the market are Superduo beads.  These are Czech beads made with two holes, similar to the Czech Twin Beads.  One of the nicest features of the Superduo beads is they are made of pressed glass, so each bead is more uniform in shape and size.  These two hole beads work well with Miyuki's two hole Tila beads.  Deborah Roberti, of the www.aroundthebeadingtable.com website has been designing like crazy to keep up with all these new beads.

Now available on the Red Panda Beads website, a free Tila Flower Bands Preview downloadable PDF pattern with your Superduo beads purchase.

This pattern, like all of Deb's patterns, is very versatile.  This design can be used with either Twin or Superduo beads.  You can also make an elegant, casual, stunning or even playful bracelet with this pattern.  Simply choose the beads to create your design.  Several design options are listed below.

This version uses opaque black Tila beads (TL-401) paired with opaque green picasso (VSD-5341P-100) and 24 karat gold plated (VSD-24K-100) Superduo beads.  The Miyuki 11/0 seed beads are also 24 karat light gold plated (11RR193).  This version has an oriental feel and the green picasso beads remind me of jade. 

This version pairs matte cream Tila beads (TL-2021) with matte copper (VSD-MC-100) and matte rosegold (VSD-MRG-100) Superduo beads.  The seed beads are Miyuki 11/0 24 karat gold plated (11RR191).  

This version uses opaque luster antique rose Tila beads (TL-599) paired with green turquoise silperit Superduo beads (VSD-6313SLP-100).  The seed beads are Miyuki's duracoat galvanized hot pink beads (11RR4210), designed specifically to not wear, tarnish or fade.  The sliperit finish on the beads give one edge of the Superduos a slight hint of color.

This last design pairs matte oyster Tila beads (TL-3173) with jet vitrail (VSD-JVT-100) and cornelian sliperit (VSD-1361SLP-100) Superduo beads.  The seed beads are Miyuki 11/0 opaque black (11RR401).  As with the antique rose design, you can see the edges of vitrail and sliperit on these Superduo beads.

The color combinations are countless!  There are 65 Superduo colors (more on the way) to choose from.  There are 61 Tila colors and there will soon be 30+ new colors available with the Miyuki Fall release, including gold plated Tilas.  And lastly, there are over 180 Miyuki 11/0 colors available on the Red Panda Beads website.  So with all these color combinations you are sure to make the perfect bracelet for every occasion!

As always, if you need help or a color suggestion, please do not hesitate to ask - that's what I'm here for!

Don't forget to check out Deb's website, www.aroundthebeadingtable.com for more patterns!  :)

Happy Beading!

Betsy