Jen Jen

Last month the worst thing that can happen to a parent happened to my friend Jackie.  Her 27 year old daughter died suddenly in her sleep.  My son is 27 years old and I can not even imagine what Jackie has gone through this last month since Jennifer, or Jen Jen as she was affectionately called, died.  I know her pain is greater than anything I could even possibly imagine.  A parent should never have to bury a child.

I wanted to provide comfort, but had no idea how, when I thought to do a memorial charm bracelet honoring Jen Jen's life and achievements.  This way Jackie can fondly remember her daughter and have a piece of Jen Jen with her at all times.  

I had absolutely no idea how I was going to accomplish this. So I thought about the things that Jen Jen did and took those thoughts to the nearest craft store to see what I could create.

I knew that Jen Jen loved silver, so I started with a silver chain bracelet and started adding charms and crystals along the way.

First I started with a toggle clasp.  The toggle end is an angel and the loop end has four hearts etched on it.

Jen Jen was very active in plays and chorus during high school.  She was also active in a local theater.  So this musical themed charm is a tribute to Jen Jen's musical and theatrical talents.

Jen Jen was a fire cracker baby, being born on the 4th of July.  These Swarovski crystal hearts are red in honor of Jen Jen's birthstone.  They are used to accent the other charms on this bracelet.

Jen Jen was an avid softball player and volunteer coach.  She loved the sport and to help others.

Here is Jen Jen's high school senior picture.  

This charm says it all......

J is for Jen Jen.

Jen Jen inspired others with her creativity, so this charm is a tribute to her inspiration.

After her passing, many, many people have related their own personal experiences and achievements due to Jen Jen's encouragement and dedication.  This bracelet can not truly reflect all of Jen Jen's great characteristics ~ I'd need a million charms ~ but I hope that it can provide some comfort to my friend and help her remember the good times with Jen Jen.

I normally sign all my blogs Happy Beading!  But this is not so happy beading :(

Betsy

Playing with Tilas

I must confess that when the new Tila beads finally arrived a few weeks ago, I stashed some aside for me to enjoy!  I really like the bronze TL457 and TL2006.  The contrast of the matte and shiny really intrigue me.  Tilas are new beads from Miyuki, they are 5mm x 5mm x 1.8mm and they have two parallel  holes.  These new unique features require more creativity from beaders when designing with them.

So I set to see what other Miyuki beads would work well with the Tilas.  I stuck with the 457 color and the 22L colors.

I wanted to make a simple bracelet out of the Tila beads, using the contrast between the finishes to create a pattern.  Weaving the Tilas together in this offset pattern, I needed some coordinating beads to fill in the ends left open.  I started with size 11/0 Delicas in the 22L color.  Four of the DB22L beads fits the space perfectly.  But I don't like now they come down on the right side....

Next I tried the 10TW457 beads.  And two of them fill the area, but I don't like the twisted appearance.

Next I tried the smallest Delicas DBS22L.  I like to color, but four beads don't quite fill the gap.

Next I tried the smallest of the square beads SBS457.  These 1.8mm beauties fit three in a row in the gap.  But again I don't like the way it comes down on the right.

So I finally went with the size 10/0 Delicas DBM22L.  It still pulls a bit, but I figure that it will work out best and now I need to decide on a pattern for the bracelet.....

I've chosen to weave the shinny beads through the matte ones in a zig zag pattern......

Here is a close up of the pattern.

I took quite a bit of time studying how I would clasp this bronze beauty.  I really like the color of the 22L Delicas and I really like the delicate nature of the size 15/0 beads, so I used DBS22L to add an extra row of beads to the end.  Then I ladder stitched the 15/0s.  I did a flat Peyote even count strip and zipped it together to create the toggle and attached it to the beads extending out in the ladder stitch.

Then I did a strip using 3 drop Peyote to create the loop end of the toggle.  Again I used the DBS22L beads to add this finishing touch.  

Here is the finished bracelet.  The bracelet is very slinky and moves so nicely.  I'm rather pleased with this piece and wear it often.  I can't wait to get back to playing with more Tilas and create something new....  Maybe I'll go with white this time.... or maybe the matte copper.... or maybe the matte green... it's a good thing there are only 30 colors ~ else I'd never decide on which one to use next!  LOL

Happy Beading!

Betsy

Christmas Tree Earrings in Swarovski Crystals

Christmas is just around the corner...... so new in the Red Panda Beads store, Holiday Swarovski Crystal Earring Kits.  This blog post will provide detailed instructions to make these cute earrings!  Aside from the components included in the kit, you will need the following pliers:

Flat Nose Pliers

Round Nose Pliers

Side Cutter Pliers

Here are the finished earrings.

Here are the components for one earring.

Step 1.  Place square crystal on the head pin.

Step 2.  Place the 10mm crystals on the headpin.

Step 3.  Place the 8mm crystals on the headpin.

Step 4.  Place the 6mm crystal on the headpin.

Step 5.  Place the 4mm bicone crystal on the headpin.

Step 6.  Use flat nose pliers to grip the top section of the headpin.

Step 7.  Use the flat nose pliers to bend the headpin to a 90 degree angle.

Step 8.  Use side cutters to trim the excess headpin.

Here is how the trimmed head pin should look.

Step 9.  Use round nose pliers to begin a loop.

Step 10.  Before closing the loop, insert the ear wire.

 Step 11.  Close the loop to secure the ear wire.

Here is the completed earring.  Now just repeat all the steps for the 2nd earring and you'll have a complete set of Christmas Tree earrings in no time!

So you can see these cute earrings are really easy to assemble.  Look for these and other Holiday Earring Kits in the Red Panda Store in the coming days.  Here is the link for  the Christmas Tree Earrings Kit:

http://www.redpandabeads.com/servlet/the-7107/Swarovski-Crystal-Emerald-Christmas/Detail

Happy Beading!

Betsy

Bead Fest in Valley Forge

Bead Fest in Valley Forge each year is the largest bead show on the east coast.  We left Thursday the 19th and arrived early in the evening.  Kirsten, one of Red Panda's customers wanted to meet me, so we met at California Pizza Kitchen and had a nice dinner and an even nicer visit.

She surprised me with this cute snowflake ornament.  She used Swarovski crystals to create this glittery treat!  Thanks Kirsten!  How can Bead Fest not be great when it starts out this nicely?

Their sign in the parking lot is low key ~ a banner affixed to the side of an empty semi trailer.

Once inside you see that they still have room in some of the  classes.  I did not take any this time, perhaps next time.

The sights were stunning!  There were 250 vendors!  I was able to make some very good contacts and in the weeks ahead, I'll be adding new products to my inventory.  As I add each one, I'll post a new blog detailing the items.  Stay tuned........

The weekend was not all beads, we went horse back riding. This is a beautiful horse that was there.  It was very pleasant weather and we really enjoyed the ride.

Since I've been full time Red Panda, I've been walking four miles a day.  I wear only Brooks shoes and have quite worn out my shoes in these four months.  I had no luck finding any locally.  Our hotel was right across from the largest mall on the east coast and believe it or not, I went 300+ miles to buy a new pair of walking shoes.  These were as exciting as the beads!

 Whenever we travel and leave Chewie behind, we always come home bringing him a new toy.  He is one very spoiled poodle!  LOL

You can see he loves his new toy!

Bead Fest was not only fun, but also a refreshing break and great inspiration for new things to come for Red Panda!

Happy Beading!

Betsy

Jessi

One of the newest Red Panda Beads customers is Jessi from Hong Kong.  

She does beautiful bead and needle work.  Below is a small purse that she made.

Look closely and you can see she added size 10/0 Delica Beads....

She used a pattern found in the Japanese book ISBN: 978-4-579-11292-0


Here is another view of the front of the purse

The beads added to the design really add texture

Here is a side view of the purse as it is opened

And finally the interior shot of the bag.  Look at the precise work that went into creating this cute bag!


Thanks Jessi for sharing.  I look forward to seeing the other things you make with all the beads you ordered.  Your business is appreciated!

Happy Beading!

Betsy

Unintended Consequences

Who knew that there'd be unintended consequences when I started my online bead business?  I guess there is the potential for unintended consequences in everything you do.  However, most times, these have a negative connotation.  I'm happy to report the exact opposite this time.  I've made many new friends all over the country and internationally.  One new friend, Ellie seems more like a long time friend than a new one.  She has been very supportive of my new endeavors and is always available for my emails.  She is also a very talented artist in many mediums. 

Here you see where she stitched together leather hide and incorporated a photograph to make a wedding gift for a very neat young couple.  She used a copy of a photo taken at the Pendleton Round-up in 2007 by Hubbell copied on to canvas photo paper.  The pillow is leather and all hand laced, no machine sewing at all!  If you look closely you can see that beads were added as an embellishment along the seams.... 

Here is the finished pillow.

Here is how it looks on the back side.  I'm sure this will remain a treasured gift for years to come....

Ellie is also an accomplished bead artist.  She made this bracelet. She used the Flaming Cuff pattern out of Bead & Button magazine for this one.

Below is some of her loom work in progress.  She used a pattern that I created using my Bead Creator software.  I just did this as an example of what the program could do and she loved the pattern.

And here is the finished bead work.  

She is leaning towards another pillow for the final resting place of this wonderful piece.  I especially like the shadow under the horse.

She also does wonderful off-loom work as well.  This Kokopelli amulet bag was made using a pattern by Theresa Flores Geary in her "Native American Beadwork" book.  It  features twisted fringe along the bottom.  Very nice!  

Here is an adorable Ladybug Amulet Bag!  She got the pattern from Dawn Dalto / Blue Bear Beads on the internet.  She made a change on the strap putting the ladybugs on every other diamond instead of a single red bead in the center of each diamond as shown in the original pattern.  This was a gift for her granddaughter who loves Lady Bugs.  I'm sure she loves the bag as well!

One of her upcoming projects is a beaded piece using this photo to create a pattern of this lovely rose.  She intends to apply this to a black leather purse.  I can't wait to see how it turns out!


Thanks so much Ellie for not only sharing, but also for being my friend!

Happy Beading!

Betsy