Pepita handmade: challenge

Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts

January 10, 2015

A Time To Stitch 6 - Reveal

It's time for the reveal of the 6th beadweaving challenge A Time to Stitch, hosted by Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller. I love their challenges and I always learn a lot!!
This time we had to use a graphed chart, Word chart or Picture chart using peyote, square, RAW or brich stitches.

While searching for interesting patterns I've found this one by Lariata on Etsy:

A two drop even count poyote - it looked just right for my project!!! The colors I've chosen are a little different than the ones on the pattern, but I've followed the chart exactly. Oh, I've needed to undo several rows more than once ... and I've found out it's rather addictive!!! Here it is (a little shorter than in the original pattern, but it's enough long for my wrist):

Do you see a fish in there??
And I still need to find a perfect closure ... any ideas??

Lesson one: In Slovenia the size measuring is in milimetres and it differs from brand to brand. I've used 2,2 mm Miyuki Rocailles from two different manufacturers (it's difficult to get all that colors from one only) and I've found they are not exactly the same size - the reult is a slightly wonky bracelet.

Lesson two: Miyuki Rocailles by Rayher are not so even ...

I didn't have enough, had to do more. So I've found this free pattern online - a three count peyote:

This one also needs a closure ...

My sister asked me if I could make her something to cover a stain on her T-shirt and the Desert Rose tutorial by Eridhan Creations, Therese and Christine used on the badge for this challenge just spoke to me, so I purchased it.
It took me much more time to make that I thought it would, I've broken 4 needles making it and I've finished it just yesterday evening before going to bed. Well, more exactly almost finished - there's the last row I need to do ... I've used all Miyuki Rocailles, because had no Delicas of the right size and color in my stash.

Lesson three: No matter how I try to, I can not find the perfect match for the 11/o, 15/o, 8/o beads in mm sizes ... The online converters differs one from another and I can only guess which one is the most accurate. However, there are only 1.5 mm, 2.2 mm, 2.6 mm and 4.0 mm beads available in our shops ... so there is only one possible conversion, even if it's not the right one ...

Well, thank you ladies for this interesting challenge and can't wait the next one :-)

Let's now see what the other participants have made - here's the list:

1-Therese Frank (Host)

2-Christine Altmiller (Host)

6-Wendy

8-Lola

9-Paula

10-Karin G.

11-Becky Pancake

12-Ana Cravidao

13-Alenka

14-Debbie (Kepi)

15-Nelly May

16-LiliKrist

17-Sally Russick

18-Maryanne

19-Kim

20-Amy

Be(ad) happy!!!

Alenka

October 27, 2013

Octoberfest 2013 Celebration of Autumn - Reveal and Blog Hop

Today Rita of Toltec Jewels is hosting the Second Annual October fest:A Home & Hearth Blog Hop Celebrating Autumn's Splendor with Beads, Jewelry, Home Decor, Food, Friends & Family!

As you have probably noticed already, autumn colors are absolutely my favorites - I love all the different shades from yellow to orange and red!!! And how could I let go a challenge that celebrates these colors??!! No way!!! :-D

I love the color of the leaves in autumn and I love the khaki fruit (persimmon) - it's one of my absolutely favorite food. I love the warm autumn temperatures, a little less the shortening of the days ...

The first idea for my Octoberfest necklace was a big leaf pendant. I had no idea about the whole piece, I just knew I want to create a polymer clay leaf. I was playing a little bit with the clay, but my hands almost immediately had a pretty clear idea what they wanted to do, so I've let them do ...

I usually like simple designs, so I was thinking about a simple beaded rope and I've taken out my seed beads, and put some different sequences on a beading wire to chose the one I like most. However, in my immagination the leaf had to be alive, on a tree playing in the wind, with some little branches around ... so I've used many more copper seed beads to build a net of branches.

And this is the whole picture:

I know you don't see the clasp ... it has to be added and then I'l show you the whole piece. I'm currently visiting my relatives and I've forgotten it home :-$

I've played a little with some different backgrounds to show you how the colors of the pendant change ...

The leaf pendant on dark wood ...

... on the green grass ..

... and on my hand. Well, I have to warn you, my hands are quite big so the dimensions are not the standard ones ;-)

If you have some time or if you'd like to see how the autumn inspires other artists, you're more than welcome to take a virtual trip and hop to the following blogs:

Toltec Jewels (Rita, our hostess) www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Caroline http:// Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Andrea Glick-Zenith   http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Dolores Raml   http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/
Karla Morgan   http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Susie Harris   http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/
Susan http://libellulajewelry.com
Mischelle http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Billi   http://billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson   http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/
Jean Yates http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Kelly Hosford Patterson   http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer   http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Liz E http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com
Jasvanti Patel http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Christie Murrow   www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Jodie Marshall   http://marshalljodie.blogspot.com/
Andrea Trank http://heavenlanecreations.com/
Dini Bruinsma http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
Elsie Deliz Fonseca   http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Pepita   www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com   <--You are HERE!
Karla Morgan http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathleen   http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/
Vera Lynn   http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/
Rana Wilson   http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Catherine King   http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com/
Lily Vincent   http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Janice Hidey (Janimar)   http://drawingthelinesomewhere.com/
Cory Tompkins   http://TealwaterDesigns.blogspot.com
Candida Castleberry www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Cynthia Kent Machata http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache   http://www.allprettythings.ca
Linda Anderson http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Leah Curtis   http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Reno (JenRen) http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/
Robin Reed   http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartanti www.tjewellicious.blogspot.com
Lisa Lodge http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/
Ingrid A. http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/
Judy Turner www.silver-rains.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett   http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Nelly May www.smellynelly.blogspot.com
Tanya McGuire   http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/
Ahowin http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Sonya Stille   http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Pam http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Carol D. http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Asri Wahyuningsih http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/
Ginger Bishop   http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Janine   http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Shaiha Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Be happy,

Alenka

May 19, 2013

A Time to Stitch 3 - Update 1 (After Reveal)

If you are looking for the reveal of the Bead Soup Blog Party, please go here!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The reveal for this challenge organized by Christine Altmiller and Therese Frank was a few days ago, but at that time I've had two still unfinished pieces, the Cellini spiral and the Russian spiral - as you can see here.

Today I have finally finished the necklace with the Cellini spiral:

The flower and the clasp are made from polymer clay - with a technique I've learned from the tutorial Cosmic Ceramic by Iris Mishly and Hila Bushari.

The bead caps (for both ends of the Cellini spiral) and brown oval beads are also made from polymer clay.

I'm quite proud of my first Cellini and these are the colors I wear very often, so I'll keep it for me :-D However, I'll be more than happy to read your comments!

If you want to see the finished Russian spiral necklace, come back in a few days as I'm waiting for the seed beads to arrive...

Be happy,

Alenka

May 15, 2013

A Time to Stitch 3 - Reveal!

If you are looking for the reveal of the Bead Soup Blog Party, please go here!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, it's finally time for the reveal of this bead-weaving challenge organized by Christine Altmiller and Therese Frank. It's my second time participating in their challenge and it is always so fun.

This time we had to pick one flat stitch between Square stitch and Brick stitch, and one spiral stitch - choosing between Cellini spiral, Russian spiral and African Helix. I have to say I've never tried ANY of these stitches before, so it was my very first time for all of them.

~~~

I've decided to start with the Square stitch as I've just brought home some cube beads. As for the pattern I've drawn some waves in two colors. After 15-20 rows I was a little disappointed as the cube beads were not the same size and not perfect and I was not sure if continue or not. Well, this last week I've started to kind a like the way they look and I've finally finished it. And I've noticed that the waves actually form the letter N.

~~~

My first pick for spiral stitch was Cellini. I started to follow the tutorial word by word, moment by moment, but met some problems and had to undo the first rows three to four times. It was just a mess!!! Then I've said to myself: "Ok, let's use the logic!" When I've started to look at the logic of the pattern while stitching and not just following the instructions ... eureka! That was it! From the fourth-fifth row on it was just as meditating, I've found it very easy to continue without instructions.

This is the work in progress - I still need to make some polymer clay parts/components to finish it .. and that means you'll have to come back next week to see the finished piece.

~~~

The next try for me was African Helix. The main problem with this stitch for me is the tension of the thread. Even if the tension is right the beads tend to slide from their optimal position, just as the bead holes were too large ...
I've made a very simple bracelet this time, just following the instructions of the tutorial.

~~~

And then finally the Russian spiral. I've used a knitting needle for the support and at the beginning I had to keep the thread tight with my left hand, but I've enjoyed very much stitching. You stitch 4 beads at a time (1 4-mm and 3 seed beads) so it proceeds very quickly. When I was starting to imagine in my mind the final necklace design, I've run out of these seed beads. The ones I have in my stash are just slightly darker - and I didn't notice that before. So I can show you now just another work in progress that will be finished next week, when I receive the right beads.

~~~

I didn't have time for the brick stitch, but I will certainly try it after I finish these pieces.

That's it for me, but now you should visit the blogs of the other participants - I can't wait to see what have they made (well, they are much more proficient than me)!!!