“Jamilla” a Jean Campbell Design from her book “Creating Glamorous Jewelry”

Jamilla

These earrings are freaking fabulous. (although my ear wires need a bit of help). I initially tried to go with the color palette that is used in the book.”Creating Glamorous Jewelry”  I got as close as I could using my usual sources.

Jamilla, take one

I think I did okay, although I had some pretty obvious problems.  In the book her matte olive size 11 seed beads have a bronzish look to them so the metallic yellow beads don’t have as much contrast. Mine were very much green and on top that, the ones that came were the wrong size.

They look the same to me

As you can see in my third photo. My size 11 and my size 15 seed beads look like they are the same size. Actually, to me they look like exactly the same bead. I’m not sure if I was inadvertently sent the wrong beads, or if different brands run differently. At any rate, I had to figure something out.

This particular bead pattern calls for two simplicity beads. Jean points out that the simplicity shape bead has been discontinued. I actually panicked a bit when I read this as I have several patterns that I want to make that call for this bead. So, when I placed my order I got the two that the pattern called for and then I got them in two other colors as well.

Once I decided that I didn’t love the colors I was trying to use with the pink beads, I pulled out my stash of beads and started looking at other options.

Jamilla, my purple version

After a few tries I finally settled on the green and purple color palette and I love them.  I’m actually going to redo them. I know I can do a better job on the ear wires and it looks like I can probably tighten things up a bit. I have to say though that as complicated as these look to make, they really aren’t.

Another winner from Jean Campbell’s book

“Ann” Designed by Jean Campbell, from “Creating Glamorous Jewelry”

"Ann" a Jean Campbell design

I finished “Ann”. I decided to shorten the strap that I had already made so that it used exactly the same number of 2mm swaroski rounds that the pattern called for.  That freed up enough beads to finish the second side. I decided that I’d make it exactly as it was intended to be made. I even used the tail threads to sew on the dress clasp.  The straps were fairly simple to make, so I figured if I need to adjust it I can just make new ones. I’m delighted to say though that it fits.

Beaded crystal flower, a Jean Campbell Design

I couldn’t find another beading dome that was exactly the same as the one I initially used.  In my first attempt  I used a beading dome that had holes in the exact same configuration as the one used in the pattern in the book. This one was quite a bit different so I had to alter how I stitched on the first round of swarovski briolettes so that they were evenly spaced. I felt that the beads were anchored a bit more securely with this dome. (the beads at the cardinal points were secured using two holes instead of one.

All in all I’m really pleased with how this bead pattern came together. The straps stitch together fairly quickly and the flower is a snap to make.  It’s a lovely piece. I can’t wait to buy a new top so that I have something to wear it with.

I’m really glad that I bought this book. It feels nice to have a spectacular necklace I can wear, that didn’t take me 60 hours to make. “Waves of Pearls”, I’m looking at you. :p

The Button Tree ornament has returned…

I’m sure at least one person has come to this site in search of the button tree ornament that was tagged on Pinterest, only to find it missing. I took it (along with several other posts) down for a very specific reason.
Someone suggested to me that I had to be very careful about how I do my posts. A critique is fine, but showing every step is apparently frowned upon. In a haste, I went through and and removed quite a few of my posts without reading them. My intent was to later go back and make sure they were acceptable.
At any rate, I re-read the post and it’s my ornament. Martha Stewart does quite a few variations but I don’t think a tree is included in them. SO if you were looking for it and couldn’t find it, my apologies. It’s back up now though, and can be found here.
It’s time to start thinking about the holidays and what I’ll be making this year. I’m considering beaded cross ornaments. I haven’t looked online for patterns but I have some ideas floating around in my head as to how to construct some of my own.
I’ve got a vintage Santa and Mrs. Claus kit that I bought on ebay. It’s super old and Im not convinced I can follow the pattern but I’m hoping to have that up. I’m also toying with the idea of beaded, crochet snowflakes. If there is something specific that you’d like to see please let me know. I’m pretty sure we’re going to have to update the size of our tree this year to support all of the ornaments!

“Ann”, designed by Jean Campbell, from her book “Creating Glamorous Jewelry

"Ann" a work in progress, designed by Jean Campbell

So I’m working on Jean Campbell’s design “Ann” from her book “Creating Glamorous Jewelry with Swarovski Elements”
Please note that this is not the finished product, hence the “work in progress”

Beaded Swarovski flower from Jean Campbell's book "Creating Glamorous Jewelry"

I’ve got this horrible habit of beading way late in the evening after the kids have gone to bed. I thought I was doing well last night, but upon further inspection this morning I noticed that a  few of my bicone crystals from the center of the flower are poking up a bit more than the rest. Unfortunately this gives the flower a very unsymmetrical  look. 🙁 I thought long and hard about it this afternoon and I’ve decided to go for a “do over”. I don’t have another beading dome which means I have to order another one. There wasn’t a lot I wanted from the particular vendor that I used, so with shipping it makes for a spendy little component. However, it didn’t take me very long to put it together so doing it again won’t be the end of the world. Also, crystals don’t come cheap and if I’m going to finish this necklace I’d like it to look as nice as it can. Just so you know, this is another one of those “user error” things that comes with beading at 2am in a dimly lit room. (You’d think I’d have learned my lesson by now) It is in no way a flaw in the pattern

As for the pattern, the pattern calls for both crystal and smoke beading thread. Jean doesn’t specify which thread to use where, but common sense told me to use the smoke beading thread for the flower portion of the project and the crystal thread for the lighter colored straps. It probably doesn’t need saying but I’ve noticed that common sense doesn’t seem to be as common as it should be (and yes I’m including myself amongst the masses).

Beaded Herringbone strap

This is my first time doing the Herringbone stitch  in a project. I like it, I really like that it is strung together multiple beads at a time. Im not sure if that is how the herringbone stitch usually swings, but it definitely makes it stitch together quickly. (a definite thumbs up from me for that!).

The pattern calls for 176 air blue opal 2mm swarovski beads. I thought I was thinking ahead so I ordered 180. So far, I’m down one. After spending ten minutes crawling around on the floor looking for a light blue bead on a sea of blue carpeting I decided that I could live with the ten cent loss. Just in case you’re a klutz like me, you might want to order a couple of extra.  Also keep in mind that the design calls for making two 8 inch straps. You’ll pick up a bit more length with the flower, but you’ll lose some where the two straps overlap at the clasp.  Those 176 beads (88 on each side) will get you right up to 8 inches with no room for rollaway beads. After I added a small amount of length I ended up using 96 beads which means I need 16 extra beads (plus some for losing)

I’m really worried about  the length. I have a very small frame but I’m currently carrying some extra poundage. I’m in the process of losing the weight (slowly) but I still want to be able to wear the necklace when It’s all said and done.  The instructions say to use the tail thread to attach the clasp but I think I’m going to give the clasp it’s own thread. That way, if I need to move the clasp a smidge I’ll have some leeway without worrying about having to remake both of the straps.  Since I need to order a new beading dome anyway, I’m also going to order more of the 2mm blue beads so that I have enough beads to make it the longer length if I need to. In the mean time I’m going to finish the ends and get myself as far as I can on the second the strap with the beads that I have. I should be able to see how it is going to fit prior to actually attaching the flower to the front and center. I can always pull the extra beads off if I need to.

The only other thing that I’ve noticed so far with this pattern is that it calls for 10 grams of seed beads. I have several projects that call for the size 11 silver beads so I order two bags of seed beads from Fusion Beads. The bags are labeled as “approx 10 grams”. I ordered two bags and I’m so glad I did because one bag isn’t going to cut it.

So order extra seed beads, and extra crystals and an extra dome in case you’re a dork like me and you fluff it up at 2am.