Heading to Arizona for the winter

It's sleeting here in New Hampshire and there are little balls of ice all over the deck.  Good thing I found these at the Dollar store yesterday.  If I'm forced to put on socks with my flip-flops, they should make me happy.  I think these will work in an emergency.

The trailer is getting packed, I'm taking a workshop Saturday at the Kearsarge Indian Museum, then pack the car and hit the open road on Sunday..... if all goes as planned.

My kids are waiting for a huge snow storm on Sunday as just about every trip I start out for Arizona in the first big snow storm.

.....back to packing beads and contemplating wearing socks!

Working Hands - Hopefully

It takes crocheting a lot of samples to come up with workable rope patterns.  I have some wonderful bead faeries who do a lot of it, but when it comes down to the wire, I need to see myself that what I have on paper actually works with the beads. 

The agony of inflamed and swollen joints the last 5 months has meant that I haven't been able to pick up a hook.  I had some bead crochet patterns, but then I'd see that maybe a change of one or two beads would make the design work better.  It's hard to deal with the time factor that bead faeries need when I could do it in 15 min. or less.

Finally, after misdiagnosis, no diagnosis, Doctor head scratching, more tests and more than one specialists referral ... they are pretty sure that I have a severe case of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Why me, at my age, all of a sudden?  Who knows . . . There are so many people out there who have this, live with it and manage it.  I can do no less.  Give me time to get this all sorted out and I hope to be back to beading.

The specialist has me on a modified, low-dose Chemo regime.  It'll take a while to kick in -- about 10 weeks all told.   If it works and the side effects don't drive me batty, then this bout of nasty arthritis should be pushed into remission. Thin hair and a weekly bout of nausea is a small price to pay to have my hands back again and to be able to walk more than a hundred feet.

I won't dwell on it, nor bore you with any of the details of what's working and not working.  However everyone that's asked for future patterns, books, workshops and string-alongs needs to know why I've been so very quiet and non-productive.  Getting old just isn't for wimps, is it?  When I feel I can, the first thing I'll do will be a new string-along.

African Stripes Countdown

There are only 5 spots left in the African Stripes String-Along. If you were thinking about joining in, now is the time to do it.  If all the slots are filled I'd start the project a bit earlier than July 1st.  Meanwhile, the early registrants  are considering what colors they want to use, buying beads, or sorting through their stashes for good colors to use.  I did two swatch bracelets to see just how my light and dark colors are going to work in the Mud Cloth Necklace. If you join in, this is the first pattern you'll get so that you can get your feet wet before we start in on the first 50" necklace.

Come join us for some bead crochet fun

String-Along Registration & Information here.....

African Stripes - Registration

African Stripes String~Along 

Open Registration

We will be making a pair of 50" bead crocheted necklaces that will be designed to wear together. Participants will get a pattern section (or two) each week to string and crochet.  At this point I don't have any idea what the final pieces are going to look like as I'll be designing them as I go along.



My colors or colors you choose, come join us for a fun journey.  It's sort of like the old serialized magazine stories - you don't know what's next...


Africa - mud cloth and Zulu love letters - are the inspiration for this pattern set.  The cost of the entire string-along is $34.00 through PayPal. Limited to 40 participants.

SOLD  OUT 

You should be comfortable with the slip-stitch bead crochet technique. You will be working with 8/0 beads,  pattern graphs, stringing tables and adding each section to the last one. A FaceBook Group has been set up to share progress, colors, inspiration, and photos. It works like an extended workshop with lots of help, discussion and a few giggles thrown in.

More information

HERE.....

African Stripes String-Along

African Stripes String-Along Flyer

African Stripes will begin July 1st.  What will your first necklace color combination be?

Eight years ago I did a Tribal Stripes necklace when I was exploring patterns that run parallel to a bead crochet rope.  I've wanted to do a more in depth exploration of that theme for some time. I also wanted to give it a more contemporary look but still maintain an ethnic African feel.

 African String-Along Information

 This String-Along will be two 50" seamless necklaces, each done in 5 to six sections over an 8 to 10 week time frame.  The String-Along participants will receive one (or even two) sections a week via email.  All will be asked to join a Facebook Group and share their inspirations, colors, and rope progress as well as comment, share and join in the Group progress.

That said, there really isn't any pressure to keep up or even finish the project.  It's your work and your decision on how you approach it.

The first necklace will be a mud cloth design in only two colors.  The second will be multicolored, drawn from African beadwork.

If you are a member of Pinterest, you can see some inspirational ideas on two boards.  Mine is here....  and another is here...
Otherwise, a Google search of images will give you something to work with.

Just be aware that I have only a vague idea of what the finished pieces will look like.  This is called a String-Along as I'll be designing a section, stringing it and crocheting  it.  We'll all find out together how the necklaces look as the weeks go along.  It's a string-along as you'll be stringing your sections right along with me.  There could well be an oops or two, but I'll try to see that they aren't big ones.

Urban Stripes - Crocheted Rope

I have this triplet of 42" crocheted ropes that I wear together all the time. I have another set in black & white. I was thinking that I needed another set in different colors and did some research around the word Urban.


OK, so I'm going at this backwards.... I picked a name I liked and then started thinking about beads and patterns. Happens sometimes.




Cities, big cities make me think of cement, streets, sidewalks and buildings. My daughter lives on the 53 floor of one of these "Corncob" towers in Chicago. They actually remind me of crocheted ropes.







Then you add in all of the bright, neon primary colors that seem to contrast so well with all that gray concrete.
.
.
.
.
.

That gave me my base bead color. They are a Miyuki 8/0 seed bead #2002 (like a DB307). Then I'm thinking matte black as sort of outline colors, coupled with shades of orange, turquoise, dark red and maybe a touch of chrome yellow. This will be an 8/0 rope in 6-around.






While I was doing some Internet searches of city images I was reminded that graffiti can be an unlimited source of color inspiration.











I've had several people tell me that they would like to make themselves a set of necklaces like mine. Seeing as I pretty much design-as-I-go when I make these, it's hard to turn them into a set of instructions or a pattern. So here is your chance to make one necklace with me and then swap around the colors and make one or two more.

String-Along ~ Urban Stripes

I'll break the 42" necklace into 7 sections of about 6" of finished rope (36" of strung beads) and design a section, or two a week. I'll put the patterns up as PDF's on my web site, and email you to let you know that you can download that week's pattern(s). They will all remain up for the duration of this string-along. After that time, they will be removed and I'll consolidate them into a pattern set that I'll sell.

Want To Join In?
If you have an interest, you have a week to join the fun and pick out your bead colors. You can use the same colors as I am or pick out ones that say Urban Stripes to you. Look at the graffiti inspired palletes. Email me (click for email) to sign up. I'll send you a PDF of my color inspirations, materials needed and anything else that may be important for success.

In return, I ask that you Blog or post to FaceBook about what you're doing and send me a link so we can all share in on how it's going.

See the tag "string-along" under this post? you can click on that to get a list of blog posts that only have to do with this project.

Bead Society of San Diego

I have an opportunity to return to San Diego on March 19th & 20th. I was in San Diego last year for a photography workshop. However, I didn't get a chance to explore as it was just a month after coming down with a nasty case of the shingles. Sure didn't want to go and look at things as it was all I could do to extract something useful out of the workshop itself.

So, here's what I'll be doing........

Presentation:A Short History of Bead-Crochet, and the work of Judith Bertoglio-Giffin

The fashioning of beaded articles today is not a fad but a continuation of the process of bead artistry begun long ago. Judith will present slides and talk about the historical context of bead crochet ropes. She will then delve into her personal journey of learning, publishing and teaching the time honored woman’s craft of bead crocheted ropes. The presentation will be heavily illustrated with photo examples of the technique.

.

Books, DVD and a limited number of kits will be available for sale　

.

Workshop: Textural Elements for Bead-Crochet Ropes

.

.

An intermediate workshop that shows you how to add texture, shape and style to bead crocheted ropes. You will be presented with at least 4 texture patterns and learn how to add in thread. You will string and crochet a sampler that may then be used as a key ring, bracelet or one end of a lariat. Kits will be available at the workshop.

Some Things Growing

Some weeks it seems like nothing gets done. However, when I was doing a bit of cleaning on my beading table, I realized that I had a lot of things that were growing and getting closer to being done. I get impatient and can see what the end product looks like. In my mind, that is enough for it to be done, finished, completed, fini.....
.
.

I just strung the last piece of my NanC Meinhardt bead-crochet necklace. All of the other parts are done. Now I just need travel time to do the crocheting. This is a necklace that grew out of the Workshop I took and really isn't at the top of any list. That makes it a car project, to be crocheted when the Interstate gets boring.

eBook.....

I'm at the half way mark on this eBook. I had three ideas in mind for the next eBook and had been scatter-shooting (is that a real term?) at pulling things together. A couple of weeks ago I stepped back and evaluated what I had. Triangular Ropes had more than enough material to make an eBook. It could be done in a relatively short time and I didn't need to keep worrying about getting samples done of ideas that were not yet completely formulated. What an Aha moment..... So, this too is slowly growing.
.
.

My collection of stuff....

....that never seems to stop getting larger. I was out 'n about and found these great dyed bone disks at an Antique store. No idea what they are supposed to be or used for, but they had such a charm that they are now hanging on my bulletin board. They could be part of a piece of jewelery someday, but for the moment I'm enjoying looking at them hanging there.

.

.

And these great French enameled numbers..... I couldn't resist seeing them as a part of a SteamPunk piece or center of a bead embroidered pendant. Who wouldn't want to announce that they are 39 forever?
.

When does one hit the wall with collecting things just because they might be used somewhere, some day?

.
Garden .....

Finally, something that grows all on it's own, that is if I remember to keep them watered in this hot dry spell.

My Limelight hydrangea is planted and settling in. I hope to live long enough to see it as tall as the older hydrangea trees I saw blooming all over yesterday. It should be 10' to 12' tall and about 8' around one of these days.

.

.

.
Seems funny to be growing Pobalano hot peppers here in NH when I can drive through Hatch NM and buy dried, ground ones on my travels. A local gardening friend gave us a couple of plants and I've already picked one ripe pepper. Haven't tasted it to see just how hot it might be. I do need to make Mexican Marmalade (hot pepper jelly) later this summer so these might work well there.

.

.

So, I guess when you step back and look at the forest rather than tangle with the individual trees, progress is happening. Just slower than I would like.

progress - Encrusting

Same piece, different attempts to photograph it.

This combination of beads seems to defy getting a good photo. Two different backgrounds, several different lighting setups, including overcast outside lighting, and neither really shows what the actual piece looks like. Anyway, I've gone as far as I want with this tail end piece from NanC's workshop. Now I need to rummage through all of my beads to find colors and finishes that will make a complimentary bead crochet rope.

Interesting terminology:
NanC talks about Embellishing, which encompasses what I've done to the edge of this piece.

Then she differentiates that from Encrusting, which I've done to the lower section of the spiral by adding elements to the surface.

Does that make sense to you?

NH Workshop Treat

Yesterday I took off into the wilds of NH to take a "Rapunzel" workshop with NanC Meinhardt. If you don't know her work, it's fantastic. Her Mask series was what first caught my interest years ago. I just plain like the way she thinks in beads.



"Let Me In", photo courtesy of
nancmeinhardt.com



Finding the Bead Bush Studio was an adventure in itself. Let's just leave it at the fact that I got lost and arrived 15 min late... never mind that I can get lost in my own back yard!


What a great bead space tucked into the tranquil woods of Deerfield NH.

You walk into an open, well lighted space filled with a great selection of beads and accouterments. The interests and personality of the owner, Judy Bush shows up throughout the shop in the particular choices of interesting beads from around the world.

One of the nice surprises was their Master Beading Program. With beading instructor Deb Fairchild, Judy "created their Master Beader Program. An innovative three-level certificate program designed to allow participants to enjoy the challenge and explore the fun of beading as they become proficient at the techniques they love."

Unfortunately my camera ran out of battery at this point so I don't have any photos of the classroom or NanC showing us what to do next.

If you are ever in the area, spending a couple of hours (or more) in the Bead Bush Studio is well worth your time.

"Rapunzel" is a great lariat piece that incorporates a different way to do flat peyote and add an integral increase to make it spiral. I rather liked the idea of making a "sample piece" rather than spending time just starting the long lariat. NanC emphasises the creative side of "what would happen if..." By doing a shorter sample I was able to let my hands and mind learn the thread paths while trying out variations on bead combinations. Now that I know what I'm doing I could chose beads and colorways and take the time to stitch up a long lariat if I choose. This is the sample that I finished in class.

.

However, I'm going my own way . . . I determined that the 2-bead start will tuck up inside a 6-around, 9/0 3-cut bead crochet rope. I can see one or more of these flexible, bead encrusted spirals on the end of a long bead crochet rope. Maybe a wired spiral closure on the other end - will have to wait and see.

.

NanC has drastically cut back on her teaching schedule, saying that she's in semi-retirement. I seldom take classes but, I'd take another from this teacher any time, anywhere. If you have the chance to take a workshop with her, don't hesitate one moment - just go for it. You won't be disappointed.

Heading East

It's time to pack up the beads and head East to New Hampshire for the Summer Season. Tombstone has had it's first 90 degree temp and my Son tells me things are blooming back East. The To-Do list is getting whittled down; some things crossed off and others tabled to this winter's project list.


I finally got the last workshop done and up on CraftEdu, "Exploring the Flat Caterpillar" Now maybe the people who have voiced an interest in my classes, but couldn't get to one can have the opportunity to attend virtually.

Whew, still a steep learning curve, but so far I'm quite pleased with the results. I had to laugh as I've been feeling like a real fool - talking to myself and the computer screen. My Companion made a paper plate face, labeled it "Student" and stuck it to the wall so I could feel like I was not talking to myself! I'm not sure that helped all that much as I want to giggle at the silly paper face.

There are many other crafts being taught at CraftEdu, you might want to check it out. Visit and preview some classes and maybe take a free one or two. It's still building, only a week old, so more content is being added every day.

So, I'm packing the beads tomorrow and organizing for the trek across country. Monday the IBM Tech comes back for his third house call and will attempt to finally fix my main computer. It's his last chance to get it right before I pack it. Thank heavens for the laptop!

I'll be in New Hampshire by mid May and back blogging sometime in late May with a few photos and stories from the trip. This time it's to Las Cruces NM then an angle up to St. Louis, Illinois and across just under the Great Lakes.

CraftEdu is launched

Virtual workshops - what could be better than taking a class right from your computer? There is a great range of worldwide, well known, instructors in all aspects of crafting, including beadwork. I've already seen some that interest me. You might want to check out the offerings.

.

This is a beta launch with more to come as things get settled in. I've got a couple of workshops up with more planned once I get back to NH and have the time to work them up. It's a lot of work and I've had to twist my mind with new technology. I've spent hours talking to myself, or rather to my computer with a microphone. Seems weird to just be talking into thin air.

.

here's a link to CraftEdu

here's a link to My Gallery

.

.

If there are any workshops that you would like me to do in this format, please let me know and I'll most certainly consider them.

.

Sequin Shag

I love it when an idea comes out looking like what I saw in my mind. I've done just enough rows to be able to see the effect. It's going to be awesome with light, depth and movement. Now I can't wait to finish this elegant version and do an ethnic one with those African vinyl record sequins that I got at the Gem Show. Same idea but two completely opposite looking end products.

I'm expanding my horizons by teaching on-line workshops at CraftEdu. I think this Sequin Shag will be part of a series based on the 8/0 bracelet base. All this means is that I've had to purchase a microphone, learn how to use it as well as learning how to work in a totally new software program environment. Whew - guess it helps keep my mind young!

Happy Easter & new workshops

Happy Easter to those who celebrate it. I have only one decorative egg in the house, an ostrich egg ..... stopped at Rooster Cogburn's ostrich farm north of Tucson and couldn't resist having one of these extra large egg shells. I don't think I'll decorate it as it's interesting in it's natural state. They say one of these eggs is equal to 2 doz. chicken eggs - what an omelet!

This is a bracelet base workshop that I'm working on right now. My next step will be to add a sequin fringe to the entire top of it. I can see this hedge-hoggy sequin top and I hope it comes out remotely like what I see in my mind's eye. This will be just one of the classes I will have up on CraftEdu in the near future.

.

.

I've been asked to join the faculty at CraftEdu which will be presenting on-line workshops. So I've been quite busy learning a new platform, how to use a microphone and talking people through the steps of making different beadwork projects. Donna Kato has a great idea and I really like the platform and interface. Check out the CraftEdu blog and see the great group of teachers that she has pulled together. It's not live yet and all of us are scrambling to get up enough classes to make the launch worthwhile.

.

.

Teaching has always been one of my favorite things. I enjoy the interaction with students and being able to pass on things that I have learned. However, the travel has become wearisome. This is an opportunity to continue teaching, but from my studio desk. Check out the faculty and sign up to be be informed when it all goes live. There will be some great opportunities to learn a lot of different things from a bunch of really great people.

Photo Workshop - Results

If you ever get a chance to take a basic photo workshop with Kyle Cassidy, assisted by Kate McKinnon - grab the opportunity. The information was priceless, the creative energy was high and the setting in San Diego was beautiful. The only thing I would have liked was some sort of handout that summarized some of the more technical points. I was torn between writing things down and listening/absorbing information. Now I wish I had written more things down on paper.

I was working with my Nikon P5000 point-n-shoot camera. It has an optical view finder and you can add a macro lens to it. After learning how to use some of the manual features I don't think I need a macro lens for the work I want to do.

I also had this nifty new clamp-on monopod which does a lot better than a standard tripod. I can take photos straight down of samples without having the tripod legs in the way. It's made by Sharpics in San Diego.

45 years ago I used an old Argus camera and had to work with f-stops, aperture and light settings. Wonder where I lost that information over the years. This is a set of photos I took on the "M" (manual setting) on my camera in natural light. Just a few setting changes showed me the differences it made in my photos. I can see setting up to shoot samples, getting it just right and then doing all the photos the same.

Kate showed off an inexpensive soft box that could work when the sun wasn't out. However, diffused natural window light made these photos come out almost perfect without any help from Photoshop. The only difference in these two was holding up a white piece of paper to the left of the necklace to

bounce some light back and soften the shadows.

.

.

.

.

With what I learned, here are a couple of photos that I am quite happy with. I need to try a graduated gray background rather than the stark white one that I was using in the workshop.

What do you think? Are these photos good enough for a juried show or for publication?