My Own Design

Here is a new design that I came up with this week.

Bead Magazine - Out Now!

This is my third pattern in Bead magazine. I have a few ideas buzzing around in my head for more designs, but need to get them on to paper. That is a bit of a problem at the moment, a my life seems to be too busy for beading :(

Well, I say that, but I have been making a few cards and am currently sewing a cross-stitch pattern. I think that I might be all beaded out! I am able to make small and quick things, but more involved pieces are too time-consuming.

Tea-Light Holder

I saw a tea-light holder in The Beader's Bible, by Dorothy Wood. I liked the look of it, but the instructions seemed a little difficult at first glance (mainly because of the way they were set out). I thought that it wouldn't be too difficult to try one for myself, and that at least it would be my own design that way. I got started, initially with a herringbone stitch pattern, but then discovered that I couldn't work out a way to make a flat bottom in it.

Next, I came up with this design (above), using tubular peyote which transforms into herringbone to form the ruffle on the top. I was fairly pleased with it, but realised that I had a split where I had started a new thread. I wasn't as happy with the colour mix as I could have been, so I cut it up to re-use the beads for something else.

I decided that peyote was the way to go for the body of the piece as it was easier to work a bottom from that stitch. I thought that a softer ruffle might be nicer, so I incorporated ogalala lace stitch into the top. I haven't worked the bottom in yet but you can see the general idea from this picture.

Peyote Discs Continued...

This is what I have done with the discs so far. I am making a choker and a pair of earrings and intend on being able to wear them to my course tomorrow, so they are going to double up as my TTNP on Crafter...oo tonight too! I think this is probably the most work-intensive piece I have ever made but I am proud that it is my own creation (apart from the actual pattern for the disc). I will NOT be making another one though as I think I could easily make these discs in my sleep now!

Another Square Stitch Motif

Again, my own design. I am really pleased with it and intend to make it into a card.