Snippets from a bead artist.

2.16.2012

Creating a Labyrinth

Those of you who follow my blog know that I have a hard time with the tutorial side of the beading world... creating them, I mean- it's definitely easy for me to buy them from others! But I have been trying hard lately to move myself in that direction, in order to share what I have learned through my beading play times.

While making the Sugar Plum Purse, I had a heck of a time coming up with a strap for it, and just couldn't settle for any of the straps I had seen or learned, so I started playing around with right angle weave. I wanted to match the rectangular focals, and so the chain needed some rectangular bits in it. It was pretty, but not too strong, so I went through and reinforced every single stitch, until it acted like a chain, folding on the 'links', rather than curving. After posting the purse on The Beadsmith page and here on my blog, I had a few requests to write up the chain as a tutorial.

Pretty as it was, I felt like it was too small of a project for a whole tutorial on its own, so I sat down to see what I could make with the chain that would be a bit more substantial, while still showing the original pattern. I thought that stacking the chains atop one another would look nice, but when I tried it, the symmetry made it look much too rigid for me, so sat and stared at it for an hour or so before wondering what would happen if I staggered the units. I really liked how that looked and decided to go with it. I wanted to show how versatile the pattern was, and so made three of them in different widths and colorways. (I HATE making more than one of anything, so that is one of the really hard parts for me as a designer; by the time I've made three I never want to look at it again. Earrings are worse. Unless they're embroidered.)

Sherwood is the photographer, not I, and so I was so proud to take the tutorial photos on my own and get the whole thing done by myself. HUGE feeling of accomplishment, even though wild dromedaries could not drag out of me just how many photos it took of each step to get a clear one that I was happy with (around 12). I knew I wouldn't get any that I was happy with of the finished work, so Sherwood did take those shots, and he did his usual outstanding work.


If you would like to make one of these Labyrinths, you can find my tutorial for sale here.

I've also been wanting to put a new page on my website, featuring the work that others have done with my tutorials. It's delicious to see what colors others choose, and how style can change a design. There are a few wonderful beaders out there that have taken a tutorial and changed the design around to come out with a whole new project, and I really treasure those, it makes me so happy to have given them a starting point from which they were able to leap off on their own. So if you've made on of my projects, I would love it if you would email me with a clear, crisp photo of your piece, the title if you've given it one, and your full name. If you'd like to include a link to your own shop, or your blog, feel free to drop that in too and I will include it if I have room. My email is nedale67@gmail.com.

Last but not least, I am trying to figure out which tutorial to write up next and would welcome any comments on the photos below; which one would you like to see as a tutorial?? Once I get the votes in and choose the one to do, I'll draw a name from the votes for that project, and then I'll send that person a free tutorial once it's done. :) In descending order, they are: Gypsy bead embroidered earrings, Climbing Rose, and Triple Twist.




46 comments:

  1. Nancy, all three are beautiful!
    I would especially love a tutorial for the "Climbimg Rose", and wouldn't mind a tutorial also for the "triple twist"...
    Hope you will have tutorials for both...
    Beautiful work!!!
    Orly

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  2. Nancy I love All of your items. If you were to make a tutorial though I would LOVE one for the "Triple Twist" as it is just absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

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  3. I vote for the Triple Twist, Nancy!

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  4. Oh. That is NOT fair. Choose ONE? Only one? I love the climbing rose but I know I'd wear the triple twist. And the earrings are so gorgeous but these days, mostly, the wigs cover earrings...so, triple twist it is!

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  5. Choosing one of these is hard but that triple twist has had me from the first time I saw it. I know that tutorial are hard for you to make but that is just because you want us all to succeed so you always put so much into them. I am truly grateful for your talent and teachings. <3

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  6. Wow, it's definitely looking like Triple Twist is a winner, lol!!!

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  7. That's so funny. Myfirst though is Triple Twist as well. I reaaly like how stunning that necklace is.

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    1. No, you are, Jin! Thanks so much for keeping track of my blog, and your support, and your friendship... and just everything. You're a love.

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  9. no doubt about it, gypsy earrings for me!

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  10. All of them are lovely but I would love to have the tutorial for the "Triple Twist"!!!

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  11. I'm no help, I'd like to see tutorials for all three! So can I pick the order I'd like to see them released instead? That would be: Climbing Roses, Triple Twist and then Gypsy. :)

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  12. They're all wonderful. First choice is Triple Twist, then Climbing Roses.

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  13. They are all stunning. And while I love Climbing Roses it looks like some of the mats might be hard to come by in my neck of the woods so I am gonna have to vote for the Triple Twist.

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  14. I know it's too late to say "Triple Twist Please" I'm off to buy the Labarynth Tut for now!...Love those earring too Nancy!

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  15. All are beautiful, but I would particularly love to have a tutorial for the Triple Twist, just my style
    Jo in Brisbane

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  16. Nancy, you did a wonderful job on the photos. I would have to choose the Gypsy earrings as my favorite, the design is just exquisite.

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  17. They're all lovely but the one that especially jumps out for me is the Gipsy Earrings

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  18. For me it's triple twist. I love everyone of your pieces, it's so nice you share your knowledge.

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    1. Thank you so much, Judy, that's so kind of you!

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  19. Your Gypsy Bead Earrings speak to me. I love to be able to sport a pair of those. Do the earrings please........

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  20. Nancy, I am so impressed and so jealous! I have been thinking recently it is time for me to share too, but here you are doing it brilliantly. Mud. You have set the bar REALLY high. You took your beautiful idea and developed it so perfectly. ((slumps off back to real job, but turns back briefly to say...)) Congratulations! Fantastic.

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  21. Nonsense, Marsha! Everyone would LOVE to see you share, I know I would!!!! You have a customer right here waiting for you, I promise - I would just love to make a version of one of your gorgeous pieces!!! Thank you so much for being so kind.

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  22. I've only just caught up with this wonderful post. I LOVE "Labyrinth"; it's such a supple fabric and almost seems to be a different weave depending on the colors and finishes used. I always love that you've shared your design process as well as the finished product. As for a new tutorial - "Climbing Rose"!!

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  23. Labrynth is gorgeous! My pick of the tutorials would be those gorgeous earrings... I just can't go past earrings...but I'd be happy to make any of your pieces!

    Karyn

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  24. I don't know why I'm just now seeing this post Nancy, but I would love, love, love a tute on the triple twist!!!! Spiraling techniques always call my name, and I adore this necklace.

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  25. I love the Gypsy bead earrings. Would love a tutorial.
    regards
    Nina

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  26. Son todos maravillosos, no tienes tutor gratis?

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