EBW April 2011 Challenge...Spring Around the Corner

It is finally here! The big day for me...my first entry is actually posted on the Etsy Beadweavers Blog for VOTING tomorrow April 9 thru April 15th > Will I win...not a possibility...but I am IN IT!!!!

http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/2011/04/voting-for-april-challenge-spring.html

To share the same space with such AMAZING Bead Artists is my DREAM!! The competition is OUTSTANDING!!

Please be sure to cast your vote for one of these STUNNING pieces but be sure to look at the offerings of ALL of the ARTISTS on their Etsy pages...you will not regret it!!!

Thanks so much

EBW Team April 2011 Challenge ENTRY

Here is the Before, During and After photos of my Very FIRST entry in an Etsy Beadweavers Team Challenge. The theme for this April 2011 Challenge is "Spring Around the Corner".This is my attempt at designing a one of a kind Bead Crochet Rope masterpiece in homage of SPRING...a season I never fully appreciated until I lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina for four years.

While I perform every technique and manner of beadweaving....for the past seven years I have specialized in bead crochet ropes as an Instructor and Artist This is a very exacting & time consuming pusuit which was right up my alley.

The first step was designing the pattern on bead crochet graphs (I use Judith Bertoglio-Giffin's version)using 19 different colored pencils. It is much like creating a counted cross stitch chart, but with many more limitations. Step two is putting the graph on a magnetic board & using magnetic strips to hold my place as I string the EXACT pattern one tiny seed bead at a time onto the heavy duty polyester thread...my pattern area was 18 inches before repeat so there was no margin for errors in stringing...which I made several times and had to start over and over to perfection. I used size 8/0, 10/0 and 11/0 Japanese and Czech glass seed beads as well as Czech pressed glass mini drops in the construction of the main body of the 40 inch long lariat. The fringe contains an additional 10 colors of pressed glass Czech beads. The 40 inches of seven beads around necessitated approximately 280 inches of strung pattern. After all these beads are strung precisely as designed, the crocheting with the tiny 1.25 steel crochet hook begins. In the case of this particular piece it took three plus weeks from start to finish...i am not real good about tracking my time as for me it is a labor of LOVE not Business.

I am SOOOO enthusiastic about being permitted to participate in this challenge with the Best Beadweaver Artists on Etsy....Please CAST YOUR VOTE for your favorite design in the Etsy Beadweavers Team Challenge of April 2011 at:

http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com

ANYONE can vote...the entries are awe-inspiring. That is how I was drawn into the Team...maybe YOU will be too.

Proof Positive...Just a Few of My New Items on ETSY!

I'M REALLY WIRED!!!!

Im Really Wired!!!

Curated By: beadacious122...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

My Latest Collection with my Newest Listing

Gifts for the Qua...

Curated By: beadacious122...

ArtFire.com

Craft Supplies

This is a spectacular selection of really QUALITY BEADWORK!!

SORRY IT HAS BEEN SO LONG......

I have been TRYING to GROW MY NETWORK and has it ever...but the greatest news was that my hard work on photographing my creations paid off and I was FINALLY accepted by the 1000 MARKETS site. My avatar is above. It is another shop that I plan to include my daughter's artistry in stringing beads on eventually...when she gets organized.. The new website address for this shop is: http://beadacious1221aces520.1000markets.com

I also finally completed one of my notable original designs that I have a difficult time generating for some unknown reason...this being my bead crochet bangle of Sleeping Beauty Turquoise A grade rounded chunks and firepolish crystals.
I will eventually have these listed on all of my retail sites and should they be the success I hope they will, I will offer them in choices of a variety of firepolish colors to accent the genuine turquoise.

I am ready to roll now on some innovative designs and creations for the upcoming Season of Cheer and Celebration!

Aquatic Leaf Lampwork Glass

http://derondadesigns.etsy.com
http://derondadesigns.artfire.com

http://derondadesigns.com

These are all the places to find stupendous lampwork beads like the ones in my latest necklace that will be posted to my etsy shop and our artfire studio within the next few days. Not only is her lampwork outstanding, it is affordable....two combinations I find irresistable!

This self-taught glass artist certainly deserves accolades for her artistic accomplishments as these photos surely prove.

Deronda O'Neill is one of My Favorite Glass Artists, she lives in beautiful North Dakota.

I have been so busy trying to upload my new work now to TWO locations. I finally got bold enough to be a verified member on ARTFIRE...the Tucson operation.

These three photos are some of the items listed on artfire:
http://www.beadacious1221aces520.artfire.com/
which is to be a cooperative venture with my daughter, April who is clear across the country in NC...wow, I am getting brazen with this internet thing, huh?

Artfire is supposed to provide a shopping cart on my blog here too...when I figure that one out, you will be the FIRST to know...after me, that is...LOL. Please take a look at OUR new studio on Artfire.
Thanks

This is a Titanium enhanced DRUZY.
It has 2 white freshwater pearls wirewrapped expertly into a brilliant pendant that I have placed onto one of my crocheted ropes.

These are the sterling silver findings I knew I must use showcase such a fine piece of art.
My rope is composed of silver lined 11/0 seed beads from Czech.

This photo shows the splendor of the sterling silver wirewrapping done by Gay Nace whose website is:
http://www.designsbygay.etsy.com/

The sterling silver findings, clasp and end cones are of a leafy theme and beautifully constructed.
You can see more detail in the photos that follow.

I met this gal at the Pima County Fair while I was demonstrating beadwork....when I discovered she was on Etsy with me I was so thrilled. I knew I HAD to have some of her pendants for my pieces. This is the first of many.

Come and see my listing for this and many other wonderful items at my Etsy Shop:

http://www.beadacious1221.etsy.com/