This afternoon, Pam and Leslie took my Freeform Stringing class. What great beginnings both gals have for their necklaces! Pictured directly below are two photos of Pam's project and two photos of Leslie's project. I think you'll agree that the color choices are stunning. Well done, ladies!

This afternoon I taught the "Lovely Lentil" class. Picture below is Pam's beautiful lentil bracelet. Pam's bracelet features a large agate stone bead and lentil beads of Czech glass. Click on the photo to see greater detail. Great job, Pam!

I made this bracelet incorporating Spiny Herringbone Stitch Spacers. This Herringbone stitch features 15/0 & 11/0 Miyuki seed beads. Each variation creates its own spacer between the faceted, oval, Czech glass beads.

Today I taught two classes. The morning class was: Even Count Peyote class. I didn't have my camera at that time so I am sorry that I didn't get any pictures of Dell and Laurie's bracelets. Trust me-their bracelets were beautiful! The bracelets were made with multi-color, size 8/0 Delicas. This mother-daughter team is a riot to be around. It was Laurie's first time stitching with beading needle & beading thread and she did a beautiful job! Laurie is the proud mother of three and Dell is her mom and proud grandma! (Also, Dell is a fantastic cook, I must add, as I devoured several ginger snap cookies during class!)
My afternoon class was the Sidewinder bracelet. Stephanie finished her Sidewinder bracelet in class and her stunning Austrian crystal bracelet is pictured below. This photo really does not do her bracelet justice...sometimes I think the crystals just go crazy with sparkle when they are photographed! It's beautiful...great job, Stephanie!! (I was experimenting with some Czech firepolish glass and two different colors of 15/0 Miyukis-that's the Sidewinder on the right.

Finally finished...

Here's my "Ring Around Your Wrist" bracelet sample, to be offered exclusively at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in August. Of course the beaded closure is optional, but I think it's kind of a cute addition...and functional.

Today at Bead Haven, the store had the pleasure of having Sheree taking three...count 'em... three classes in a row! Sheree started with a PMC (Precious Metal Clay) lentil class with Cris, then a beadweaving class with me (Twist 'n Shout bracelet, pictured below) and then back for another class with Cris in PMC toggles. Sheree knows how to spend her afternoon off from work, doesn't she?
This first picture below features the beginning of Sheree's "Twist 'n Shout" bracelet with 3mm Czech Firepolish beads and size 15/0 Miyuki seed beads. Beautiful combinations! The second photo is Sheree's finished embroidered cuff from a previous class that she took from me. What interesting and fun detailing...great job!

Bottle Cap 6-Pack Class!

My, oh my, we had fun this afternoon and early evening pounding away, dooming, and designing our "Bottle Cap 6-Pack" bracelets! We really did make some noise, didn't we? And, we didn't even have the beverages inside! I was really proud of what everyone created-what a nice job! Drum roll please...here, pictured in no particular order, are the wonderful bracelets! Each bracelet has two views-the whole bracelet and a close up.

Here is Mary's bracelet... Don't you love the Sioux City root beer cap?

Pictured below is Sara's...Don't you just love the colors?

Here is Pam's bracelet...Isn't the Goose Island cap precious!

Below is Karen's bracelet...Aren't the vintage soda pop caps a riot?

And here is Nancy's bracelet...Isn't it so much fun?

What a wonderful afternoon bracelet class today! Below you see vintage and antique buttons incorporated with beads . Starting from the right are: Pam's, Mary's, and my sample. What a nice time we had creating with these miniature pieces of art and history. Pam and Mary were so skillfully creative with their creations. Have fun wearing your bracelets ladies---and be ready for much deserved compliments! (Thank you Cindi, for taking the photos.)

Meet Pete...a seven-week old Jack Russell. He makes me smile.

Just so sweet...loving little Lizzie.

Bracelet beginnings. This is what I'm working on this morning. Any of you recognize the centers? Oh...I bet you do.

I have been working this afternoon and evening on a class for August...you know, the usual thing: testing different beads, shapes, different bead counts, what's the best thread & needle? what's the best size bead? bead finish? how can I make the class success oriented?
Below are size 15/0 and 11/0 seed beads. My eyes usually do not bother me, but tonight they are tired from working with these little guys...

Two Class Saturday

This Saturday we had twice the fun at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I taught two classes of two very different techniques. The first class was a new bracelet design that I call "Twist "N Shout". I think all were pleased as to how easy this technique was! Here are the five work-in-progress bracelets. (The bottom one is my finished Twist 'N Shout sample.) Look at the beautiful combinations that the gals came up with!! Starting from the top are projects belonging to: Alice, Linda, Mary, Becky, Kathy, and mine. It was such a pleasure sharing the time with this creative group of ladies!

My next class was the embroidered "Indented Cuff" class. The ladies were so creatively focused and did a beautiful job. Here are, starting at the left and going clockwise: Pauline's, Sheree's and Alison's embroidered beginnings!

The next photo is a finished cuff made by Wendy from a previous class. (I can't wait to see Saturday's cuffs finished-I know they will be outstanding!) The photo after that is my embroidered cuff with a matching organza storage bag.

I taught a beginning square stitch class this morning. Pictured below are Michelle and Audrey's square stitch bracelets in progress... Aren't they beautiful? This was the first class for both in beadweaving and I think they did a fantastic job. They learned how to condition & manage their beading thread; the square stitch itself; how to end & start thread; and how to add their closures. Great job, ladies!

Fibula Pins...

We had a great time in class last night making Fibula Pins. The four pins in the upper left cornor are completed and the others are in progress! Staring in the upper left cornor are: Nancy's (purple/grey), Alice's (brown), Sheree's (lime), Rajean's (copper face/blue iris), Nancy's (turquoise), and Pauline's (olive Swarovski crystal/brown). The two sterling silver wire fibula pins belong to Sheree (green/pink)and Pauline (topaz crystal/brown stone). These are stunning combinations...great job ladies! See greater detail if you click on the photo. (I apologize for not posting these last night after class.)

Pictured below is a new class for August - fun & fast to make. Are we back in the 70's? ...old tune, new lyrics..

Sterling Silver Swirl Earring Class Tonight! Pictured below are beautiful Swirl Earrings made by Pauline and Sheree. This is a unique technique in that a single piece of Sterling Silver passes through the ear and swirls around the central beads. Pauline featured a fire opal crystal in her design, and Sheree featured what I believe is Czech glass. Wonderful work, gals!