Blue Rondelle Zigzig Collar

Back in 2012 I made samples of a netted zigzag collar design from Maria Rypan. It had rondelles along the edge and within the zigzag.

I also made myself a purple version to wear to a gala presentation for the Creativ Festival Designer Challenge. I used rondelles along the edge but replaced the rondelles within the zigzag with 3mm fire polished crystals.

In 2013 Maria was preparing to have the design published in Beadwork Magazine Aug/Sep 2013. I did a test run of the instructions as they would appear in the magazine. I worked with beads that I had on hand and that I would like to wear once the piece was finished.  After a few repeats I wa able to ensure that the instructions were fine. I put the sample aside until the article was published. 

Once I had the magazine in hand I did a few more repeats of the design before figuring out that I was not going to have enough rondelles for the length I wanted to make. So it got put aside yet again. I was able to get more rondelle but did not finish the necklace right away.

My summer vacation challenge to finish up some of my UFOs and the upcoming Blue Fantasy Blog Hop that I am participating in got me thinking that I should finish it.

Come back again on Saturday September 6 to see the Blue Fantasy Blog Hop Reveal.

Happy Beading!

Turquoise Drops Netted Collar

Here is another project that got buried on my beading table.

It started back in Febuary with some lovely turquoise beads that I purchased during a destash event host by Lisa Lodge on Facebook.

I wanted to make a netted collar with the drops along the bottom. I played with the colour of the seed bead, the accent crystals and the placement of the drops.

Size 8 seed beads with 3mm fire polished crystals and no picots

Same beads as above with the addition of a picot between the drops

Size 11 seed beads with 3mm fire polished crystals and picots

Comparison image

In the end I decided to use the size 8 gunmetal seed beads, 4 mm heliotrope Swarovski crystals and the turquoise drops. I did not have enough of the aqua fire polished crystals that I have used in the samples and I did not want to purchase anything else for this project.

I got the necklace started but once again it got put aside as I worked on other projects and challenges.

This only took an afternoon to finish. I used bead tips and silver tone findings to finish the piece.

Close up of necklace

Overall image

On to other unfinished projects.

Happy Beading!

Gemstone and Metal Blog Hop Reveal

It is finally here! Reveal day for the Gemstone and Metal Blog Hop.

Back in the spring I signed up for another of Lisa Lodge's challenging blog hops. This one combined gemstone and metal beads. I got a kit that include jasper beads, in various sizes and shapes, and silver tone beads and findings. 

Everything in the kit

Silver-tone beads and findings

Jasper beads

Early in June I posted about using beadweaving for one of the projects. Here is the completed necklace.

Netted Jasper Collar

I used some beautiful green seed beads that worked with the green in the jasper. I also used some silver seed beads for mesh point (they don't show in the photo). The basic technique for this netted collar are from Maria Rypan's Netting Primer.

Another view

Later in June I posted about another technique I was trying for this challenge.  Here is the completed bracelet.

Floral Jasper Charm Bracelet

Using my One-Step Looper I created all the dangles for the Floral Jasper Charm bracelet.

Continuing with my One-Step Looper I created some more dangles to hang on the chandelier earring findings. I have made them into pendants  by attaching them to the bails.

Floral Jasper Pendants

Of course I also made a simple bracelet by stringing an assortment of the beads on beading wire and using the pretty floral toggle.

Jasper Bracelet

Once again I loved doing this challenge that Lisa created for us.

Take some time to check out the other work by my fellow beaders.

Our hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A GratefulArtist 
Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Marybeth Rich, A Few Words from within the Pines

Karen Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot 
Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Katrina Taylor, I Wanna Go Out

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall 
Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog 
Margaret Pelech, Big Margaret 
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation 
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design 
Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs 
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations  
Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes 
Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings 
Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware (May be delayed a few days)
Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life 
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design 
Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD 
Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry 
Cassi Renee Paslick, Beads: Rolling Downhill 
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons 
Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things (May be delayed a few days)
Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs 
Judy Campbell, Macmillanmarie Jewellery Design 
Nan Smith, Handmade Jewelry Nanmade 
Marde Lowe, FanciMarDesigns 
Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board 

Leithleach Alainn Seodra, Alainn Jewelry 

Lisa E. Prewitt Knappenberger, LiRaysa Designs
 Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Happy Beading! 

Gemstone and Metal Blog Hop Sneak Peek #1

I am signed up to participate in another of Lisa Lodge's challenges. This one combines gemstones with metal. I received a kit with various shaped beads of jasper and silver tone metal beads and findings.

My whole kit from Lisa

Silver toned beads and findings

Jasper beads - rounds, faceted flat squares and rectangles

I wanted to combine the metal flower beads with the faceted squares. Normally with gemstones I tend to do more basic stringing designs. But I decided to use the very first bead weaving technique I learn, netting. Use the basics of netting from Maria Rypan's Netting Primer I have started a collar.

Finding just the right colour for the netting was a challenge as I tried to use what was in my stash. Here is a quick picture of the beads and one end finished with an extender chain.

In progress

Come back on July 19 to see the finished design and other pieces created with the kit.

Happy Beading!

Little Netted Snowflake

Yesterday in the latest issue of the Rypan Designs newsletter I offered free access to my snowflake pattern for a limited time. Here is a chance for my followers and readers to have the same access. Access to the pattern will be ending on Tuesday December 10 @ 9:00 pm EST.

Here is picture of the six pack of snowflakes that I gave to Maria last Christmas.

Enjoy the pattern. If you have any problems please let me know - jlwoolverton@yahoo.ca.


Happy Beading!

"Rita" Rondelle Zigzag Necklace

Teal "Rita" Rondelle Zigzag

I was finally able to finish the full length teal version of the necklace.  To add the closure to the teal necklace I went to Maria's so we were able to ensure that it was the perfect length for her to wear. The finishing touch is the addition of a beautiful Italian silver clasp.

Heart closure detail

I also did a sample length in a beautiful silver lined raspberry.

Silver lined raspberry version

Here is the black version that I stitched back in summer during one of beading dinners in High Park.

Classic black version

Maria Rypan is teaching this project on Friday morning at the Creativ Festival. We will also have a limited number of the kits available at the booth (717).

All three colour variation

Having been in the zigzag groove, I started my own version of the design using 3mm fire polished instead of the mini rondelles. I was able to get this finished as well. I will wear this to the Awards Gala on the Saturday night.

Iris Zigzag

Side Project

As I was working on the complete teal "Rita" zigzagged rondelles that Maria had requested I ran out of the small rondelles. I will get more from her on Tuesday, so I have time to work on a side project for myself.

Having spend time working on the complete teal piece, I was in the zone with the pattern, so I decided that I would make my own colour variation. I had some great large rondelles from Silver Dawn Jewels, but no co-ordinating smaller ones. Searching thru my fire-polished drawer I found some 3mm clear crystals. I added silver and purple seed beads to round out the needed supplies.

Supplies laid out 

Once I got going I love the way it looks. The silver and purple are a great reference back to my pieces that I made for the Designer Style Challenge. This will be a great necklace to wear to the Gala on the Saturday on Creativ Festival.

Iris Zigzag in progress

“Rita” Zigzagged Rondelles

Creativ Festival is only 3 weeks away. It is the 25th anniversary fall show. To honor the celebration Maria of Rypan Designs has designed a beautiful necklace named for the founder Rita Gramsch. The design is based on her basic netted zigzag design.

When Maria started working on the anniversary design, I suggested working in Rita's favorite colour, teal. Starting with the zigzag pattern, Maria swapped out some seed beads for tiny rondelles. With teal as the ground colour and silver as the accent the addition of larger rondelles on every third picot made this the necklace a stunning design.

I have made a display sample in black and silver. But Maria has now requested a complete necklace in the teal. So here is my working piles of beads.

This is a beautiful design that is best as a collar length necklace. Maria is teaching this project at Creativ Festival. I hope to have time to make one for myself soon.

Spring Creativ Festival

Here are some sample of that I made earlier this year for Rypan Designs. All of these beautiful designs are going to be available as kits at the Spring Creativ Festival. Rypan Designs is booth #372. Stop by to see these and other great designs, oh and say hello!

Wisteria

Textured Net with Icy Blue

Textured Net in Tangerine and Blue

Textured Net in Beautiful Lilac

Textured Net in Royal Blue

all images and designs are ©Rypan Designs

Flashback Friday - Netted Cuff

Here is another treasure found at the bottom of my finished project drawer. This is a basic netted cuff made back when I was prefecting my technique.
It uses just seed beads. Now I would likely want to add some surface embellishments. But I like the simple basic look of this cuff. I used two simple toggles to ensure that it would lay flat when worn.

Flashback Friday - Netted Kilim

Here is a piece from about 7 years ago. This netted necklace is based on the design of a kilim rug. Featured in the June 2003 issue of Bead & Button, it is by Maria Rypan of Rypan Designs. It has the look for a loomwork piece but is done using netting and connected by long bugles and seed beads.

I used a two shades of blue, a silver-lined crystal and a gold plated beads. This was the project were I learn about the lack of durablity, at the time, of plated or coated beads. The plated beads along the neck edge of the piece are now just clear beads.

This is a fun project to play with different colour combinations. Maria's originial uses navy iris and gold. She  has also taken the technique and used beads from a TBS bag of beads challenge to create her Sedona Kilim.

Flashback Friday - Lariat

This week's flashback is the vesatile Retro Lariat from Rypan Designs. With no closure the lariat is a long band of beadweaving. You can make it as long as you want. It can be worn is so many different ways, including as belt (if long enough).

Retro Lariat

This is a simple netted design, colour placement creates the zippered look. The lampwork beads add interesting breaks in the basic beadweaving.

Fringe Detail

 Here is the coordinating bracelet and earrings.

Indo bracelet and earrings

Have a great weekend.

Flashback Friday - Bugles and Drops bracelet

I am not even sure how long ago I made this. When I look at it now I can see many things that I would not do now.

First I used black thread that is very visible.

The different shades of blue don't quite work.

The box clasp is good design-wise but not great for functionality. I use toggles for bracelets now.

Maybe I need to do a revist to this design and see what I would do now.

Happy Beading & have a great weekend!