Bloody Mary!

I was introduced to a Bloody Mary on a plane journey on the way to Las Vegas with friends who described it as the best drink to have for breakfast! :-) I wasn’t convinced, as I really don't like tomato juice… but I took one sip and I was hooked!!! My first a.m. drink… and now every time I fly it’s the drink I ask for! :-)

The richness of the reds used in my new cuff reminded me of that drink and a great time in Las Vegas! :-)

Bloody Mary – Red Leather Cuff

I will be teaching this cuff at the workshop tomorrow… so excited!!! and will be making kits for this as soon as my order of Swarovski crystals and pearls arrives… so stay tuned!:-)

Happy beading!!! :-)

Leather Cuff Making Frenzy! Part 1

Yesterday I mentioned that I’ve been on one of my mad-shut-myself-in-my-room-for-over-a-week-beading-frenzy…. and I made 9 leather cuffs… well here are the first 3:

Forget Me Not - Turquoise Leather Cuff

 

Sugar and Spice - Caramel Leather Cuff

 
Red Flowers on Red Leather - Cuff

All 3 were created around Golem Design Studio’s gorgeous handmade stoneware, on leather covered cuffs… I have 6 more cuffs to post… but after spending the day taking photos and working on them… I am calling it a night!!! :-)

You’ll just have to come back in a few days to see the next lot! :-)

Happy beading!

Retro Drop Necklace

Here is the last of the Retro series… I say last but I mean last for now, as I absolutely love this colour combination and an sure I will make some more pieces… but these are the last I made up to now :-)

This necklace, or rather the pendant I used to make this necklace, was actually the inspiration for all of the Retro pieces. I bought some gorgeous pendants and beads from Golem Design Studio, which I fell in love with and this is the first piece I made using one of their ceramics.

Retro Drop - Necklace

I also made this cuff as part of the series, but ended up giving it to my mum… my parents are visiting from London and she really liked the Retro Flower – Cuff but unfortunately for her (and fortunately for me) the cuff sold the day after she saw it, so I gave her this one instead… I think she like it, she was wearing it today at lunch :-)

In case you missed the previous posts of the Retro pieces, here are the links:
Retro Flowers
Retro Chic

As I said, I really like the colour combination, so I’m sure I’ll be making some more eventually, especially as I just received some more pendants from Golem Design Studio! :-) Check them out, they do really beautiful stoneware beads and I can promise you the quality is superb!!!

and just a reminder, today is the last day for voting at the BAO September Challenge, so visit the post and leave a comment saying which piece is your favourite and enter your chance to win a fabulous prize!!!

Retro Flowers

It’s been a strange day today… I spent most of the day feeling incredibly lethargic and spent most of the day sleeping… something I rarely do… I usually have the opposite problem and I average about 4 hours of sleep per night… I guess today was my catch-up day! :-) so I woke up in the late afternoon feeling extremely rested and energized and managed to work on two more pieces from my “Retro” Collection… and here they are:

Retro Flower – Necklace

and

Retro Flower – Cuff

If you missed my earlier pieces from the “Retro” Collection you can find them here, and as I’m feeling completely awake now… I think I may work on the last two pieces…. hopefully I will post them in the next couple of days… in the meantime…. let me know what you think! :-)

Happy beading everyone!!! :-)

Retro Chic – New Collection!

It all started with me buying some new beads from 2 new artists (new to me) who make up the team of Golem Design Studio. I became aware of these artist through their FaceBook page and I “had” to go and check out their website! and I “had” to buy some pieces to try out! :-)

So I received my package from them and it contained some gorgeous black and cream (ivory) and red ceramic beads and a black and ivory pear-shaped ceramic pendant… so I took all my cram, black and red beads and started beading! :-)

The beads are gorgeous, rustic yet modern, retro and chic so I wanted to create a piece that reflected those qualities and this is what I came up with:

Retro Chic – Necklace

and

Retro Chic – Cuff

These were my first 2 pieces and as you can see they don’t use any of the beads… funny that, how I got so inspired by some beads, yet I didn’t use them… I did use the black and ivory pendant for a necklace, but you’ll have to wait till next time to see it… I still have to work on the photos and it’s time for bed now! :-)

Wishing everyone a great week ahead!!! :-)

1001 Nights – EBWC Challenge

The March theme for the EtsyBeadWeavers’ Challenge is Fairy Tales. My entry for this challenge was inspired by a favourite childhood book of collections of fairy tales titled 1001 Nights – also known as Arabian Nights. This book captivated me with its beautiful and exotic stories of faraway lands and its gorgeous illustrations of bejewelled princesses and treasures. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Aladdin, Sinbad the Sailor where some of the stories in this book. This beautiful sparkly necklace was inspired by both those stories and those beautiful illustrations and was created with loads and loads of gorgeous Swarovski crystals and Czech firepolished multicuts glass beads.

1001 Nights – Necklace

Please visit the EBW blog between the 9th and 15th March and vote for your favourite piece!!! http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

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Also, for those who follow me through their e-mail subscription, please note that this will be the last mailing sent out. If you wish to continue following me you can do so by following me on one of these platforms:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TrizDesigns
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/TrizDesigns
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trizdesigns/

and of course by joining my Followers list on my blog (mid-right hand column) and/or subscribing to the post (bottom right hand column). I apologise for any inconvenience – happy beading everyone!!! :-)

Cuffs, cuffs and More Cuffs!!!

Ok… so I really love making these leather cuffs!!!! and I just can’t seem to stop! :-) but why should I? I absolutely love them!

Once again, I hid from the world and beaded up a storm!!!

I made 4 cuffs, 2 necklaces (including the next entry for the EBW March challenge) and a pair of earrings!!!! 2 of the cuffs and 1 necklace using my first reasonably-turned out fused glass cabochons (see previous post)

I’m still working on most of the photos… but here are the first 2 cuffs:

Coral Lagoon – Cuff

Brown and Turquoise Cuff

I absolutely LOVE both of them… and am actually thinking whether or not I should keep the brown one for myself! :-) I’ve got too much jewellery already!!! (if that is even possible) :-)

As soon as I get a chance I’ll start posting the rest of the pieces… but for today…. I’m afraid the day has already gone, and in another half hour I have to go pick up my little monkey from school…. so till the next time… happy beading! :-)

Miriam's Jewel - Choker

This is going to be a really quick post, as I'm struggling to concentrate on anything at all.... I've been sick with the flu for the last few days, and today, although my cough has gone and my nose has stopped running, my head is absolutely exploding!!!!!

As the sun finally came out, I thought I would take the opportunity to photograph my latest (and probably favourite) piece... I absolutely LOVE this piece, am so happy with how it came out!!!!!

Miriam's Jewel - Choker

 

For more information on materials, techniques and to see more pictures, please visit my shop or click on this link.

Ok.... going to back to bed now, before I pass out!!! :-)

Blazing Flowers Earrings

I've been meaning to make these earrings to match the Blazing Flower Necklace since the necklace was finished.... but you know how it is.... there is always something else to do and so I just never got around to doing it... until, the other day I was asked to do so... and here they are! ;-)

Blazing Flowers Earrings

Blazing Flowers Necklace

 

This necklace came in 2nd place in the EtsyBeadWeavers April's Fire and Flowers Challenge :-)

And again a reminder.... EtsyBeadWeavers' November's Challenge is taking place right now!!! go and vote for your favourite piece!!!! :-) http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

ok 6.37 am, got to go and wake up my son and nurse this horrible headache I've had since yesterday.... I think I have a bit of a head cold! ;-p

and why is it he wakes up at 5 am on Saturdays but during the week I've got to wake him up????  one of those mysteries of life I suppose, but I will get my revenge when he becomes a teenager and wants to sleep in on the weekend... I'll make sure I make a huge amount of noise after he's been partying all night!!! :-D

It's a colourful world!!!! - Treasury

I was in a very colourful mood last night!!! Maybe due to the joy I felt at finally being able to drink and eat after 25 hours without!!!! Another Yom Kippur over!!! :-) The fasting wasn't so bad, but the no drinking... now that's my killer!!!! I drink a LOT of water daily and 25 hours without is what I dread each year!!! :-) but I have survived and to mark this event, here is my treasury for the weekend!!! wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!!!

Go check out these great colourful items I found! This treasury ends Sunday 12th October:
 http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=28573

I love the amazing diversity of products that you can find on Etsy!!! It was just about a year ago I heard of Etsy, and I have to say I'm so glad, I met so many lovely, talented, generous people on it, whose lives would probably not have ever crossed paths with mine if it wasn't for Etsy, as well as being able to expand the exposure of my work to the world and not being confined to my little country! :-)  I only found out about blogs when I started chatting to other EBW members - It's been  a really positive experience all around and one that I hope continues! :-)

Please don't forget, voting for the Animal Instinct Challenge is taking place at the EBW's Blog - Please go visit and vote for your favourite!!! :-) http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

Front Page!!!! thank you Smadar's Treasure

Yeahhhh!!!! One of my bangles made it to the front page yesterday!!!!    My Royal Flash Bangle!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much Smadar's Treasure for not only creating this gorgeous treasury... but also for getting me to the Front Page!!!!! Yeah!!!!! :-)

 

 

 

If you are not familiar with Smadar's gorgeous beadwork, you should go check it out!!! here is an example of her wonderful jewellery:

Unique Crystals and Bugles Colorful Bracelet

Flaming Wall Flower

 

 

 

Finally managed to finish the bracelet I started a few days ago using those gorgeous large Delica beads.... and for some reason I seem to be stuck on making those brick-stitched flowers I've been making lately... but it works so well with this bracelet that I couldn't help myself!!! :-)

 

 

 

 

 

I'm quite happy with how the actual bracelet turned out!!! and it looks so much nicer, more vibrant and luscious in real life... but what I'm really unhappy with is my photography!!! yuck... and these are  the best of over 150 shots I took....  I just found it really hard to photograph the red and purple!!!  If anyone out there knows what I'm doing wrong or has any advice for photographing these 2 colours then please, please, leave me a comment with your suggestions, because I'm at my wits ends... and it's not the first time I had problems with these colours... I tried taking the photo in the flat, outside, in the shade, in more shade... although I must say the darker the shade the better it looked... but am still not very happy with the results... at least the bracelet turned out pretty nice!!! :-)

So unless someone can suggest how I can improve on photographing these 2 colours, I may have to stop beading using this combination, and I have to say, that would be a tragedy as it is one of my favourite colour combinations!!!!

For more information on Flaming Wall Flower Bracelet please visit  my Etsy shop, thank you! :-)

 

Seeing Red!

I bought these gorgeous red large Delica beads a few months ago from Bogal Ltd., and I really love the colour, so I figured I would just start using them and see where it takes me... this is my effort so far :-)

 

 

 

Obviously red is on my mind, and it was about time that I created a treasury, so I did! :-)  This treasury features some of my new Bead Art Originals team members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=20484 (expires Sunday 3rd August) Go and check out these pieces and visit the artists shops.  Search for BAO team and see all of the amazing talent that makes up this wonderful new team!

Bead Art Originals is a newly formed Etsy street team, comprising of both artists that bead and artists that create beads.

Above is only a small taster of this new team and of what is to come!  Please go and visit Bead Art Originals: web site  and blog and meet the artists!

Congratulations Wolf!!!

The winner of the EtsyBeadweavers Fire and Flowers Challenge is Wolf of DantesSpirit.

Beautiful piece!!! I cannot even imagine the hours that must have gone into it!!!

and a HUGE thank you to all of you who voted for my piece Blazing Flowers

It came in 2nd!!!!! yeah :-) THANK YOU!!!

To see see the rest of the result please visit http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

Wall Flowers

Last post for today... Here are 2 pieces inspired by my entry (Blazing Flowers) for the EtsyBeadweavers' April challenge Fire And Flowers. Voting started a few hours ago... Go check out the wonderful entries and VOTE for your favourite :-) http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

In the meantime here are my Wall Flowers, made over the week-end on my bed :-) for more details on them please go and check out my shop http://www.triz.etsy.com/

Wall Flower Choker

Wall Flower Bracelet

RED CHALLENGE - RESULTS!!!

Well.... results are finally out.... I did relatively well and therefore thank all of you who voted for me... and to all who didn't yet.... well... too late now!!! :-) but there is always the next one! :-)

2 out of 3 of my pieces made it into the top 10:

4th place - Magic Red Carpet (Below Left)
6th place - Beating Heart Necklace (Below Right)

not bad out of 42! :-) I'm pleased!!! :-)

if you want to see the results go to http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

Again, thank you all :-)

EBW RED Challenge

Look at this fabulous collection of beadwork!!!!!


Will be tough for anyone to pick their favourite....



My entries:

Beating Heart necklace # 7 in the list

Magic Red Carpet bracelet # 17 in the list

Royal Flash bangle # 24 in the list

Voting starts on the 7th January US time

Go vote for your favourite piece! http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

Treasury EBW Red Challenge

Woke up this morning and found my EBW Red Challenge Beating Heart necklace in one of the treasuries created by Totally Twisted on Etsy... which is very nice.... but look at how lovely all the red pieces look together these are only some of the pieces.... Tomorrow, 7th January, please go to the Etsy Beadweavers' Blog to see these and the other amazing entries and vote for your favourite....






and thank you Jean Hutter (Totally Twisted) for including me in your lovely list.... go and check her out.... amazing beadwork!!! http://www.totallytwisted.etsy.com/











and!!!!!!!!.... I almost forgot.... all this red challenge excitement! :-) but yesterday I found 2 of my pieces in 1 treasury created by myfairladyvt4, who also makes beautiful beadwork.... go and check her out! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5344180






Thank you Ann Burke for including my Pearl and Gunmetal Jellyfish and my Elizabethan Cuff in your treasury.... I feel very honoured!

Red.... amongst so much grey....

What a miserable day it turned out to be..... grey, rainy, cold, miserable.... thankfully it started off beautifully, with blue, clear, sunny skies, and was therefore able to take some decent shots of my 3rd and last piece for the Etsy Beadweavers Red Challenge (Go and vote! :-D)

I finished it late last night.... this challenge has really inspired me.... and although this bangle was inspired by a previous bangle I made ("Funky Lifesaver") it is quite different both in design and in execution, yet it is based on the same principle of tubular RAW (Right Angle Weave) and embellishment. They take a bit of concentrating, but I love making these bangles.... very meditative and therapeutical.... you constantly have to think of which way to turn, but at the same time it has its own momentum.... it's not my first stitch of choice when I make a piece, because I know I need to be 100 % mentally there... no distractions, no interruptions... but once I start a project, I get really into it and love doing it!!!...

and here it is:

Royal Flash Bangle

This tubular Right Angle Weave (RAW) bangle is warm, luxurious, rich, elegant and flash, it reminds me of the Queen’s jewels. Stitched using "antique-gold", garnet red and frosted red Czech seed beads, embellished with tiny pearl seed beads and purple, green and blue Swarovsky crystals. Looks amazing with a black evening dress and just as great with jeans.... Funky chic!

I don't think the picture does the actual bangle justice... it's so much more... hmmm... delicious, in real life.... much deeper colours, especially the reds.... but it's the best I could do.... but I am definitely improving! :-)

Photography by Patrizia Tager

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Don't forget, the voting starts soon!!! :-)

Please visit http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/ from the 7th January and view all the wonderful entries at the EBW’s blog and vote for your favourite piece from a selection of very talented bead weavers.

Magic Red Carpet - EBW Red Challenge

Photography by Patrizia Tager

I'm seeing red everywhere.... particularly around my nose.... I've got a stinking cold.... the sort that makes you dread every sneeze.... :-)

And speaking of red.... here is my 2nd entry for the Etsy Beadweavers Red Challenge.... love this herringbone-stitched bracelet!.... I love the texture and the deep red and purple together with the matte antique-gold.... it feels very rich and luxurious.... and..... I'm so pleased with the photos, which I took myself..... thank you Avia for letting me in on the ins and outs of jewelry photography.... not as good as Avia's, but seeing that I had to take them with my crappy digital camera, and I literally had 5 mins of batteries..... I'm very pleased with the overall result... yeah!!! :-)

Again, let me remind you that on the 7th January voting starts at the Etsy Beadweavers Blog. So please, please, please :-) go and vote!

Better get back to nursing my runny nose.... and back to my beading.... a few projects on the go.... soon to be revealed ;-)

Happy new year!

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Please visit http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/ from the 7th January and view all the wonderful entries at the EBW’s blog and vote for your favourite piece from a selection of very talented bead weavers.