Snippets from a bead artist.

11.26.2013

Components

So!  Day Three of Notbeading, and I've decided to cheer myself up by having a little giveaway.  I was fiddling around with an idea for the Art Charm Swap awhile ago, and decided to try to make little tiny charms with bead embroidery.  Then, after re-reading the rules carefully, I saw that the charms needed to be smaller, and also needed to be able to get wet a little - NO, bead embroidery wasn't going to work.  Back to the beading mat I went…  but I really liked the little component I ended up with, and thought it would look cool in a mixed media type bracelet or necklace, used as a bracelet 'blank' or maybe part of a pendant.

On the first one, I was trying out an experiment on attaching jump rings while doing the edging, and I really like how it came out, because I think it looks a little like a puzzle piece.  Diane Hyde has a lovely project in the Beading Across America book, and it includes using jump rings in her embroidered piece, and I was interested to see if edging along them would work.  I'm still playing with the idea- thank you for the inspiration and conversation, Diane!!  :)


I made another just because, and decided to try doing the edging differently, with two rows of brick stitch.  I think it looks a bit like a victorian pillow for a classy sitting room, and almost like it has a little fringe, even though it doesn't have actual fringe.  I used the new crystal Lilac Shadow color from Swarovski for the chaton and the bicone - but I think my pretty background ultra suede really overwhelms it a little, you can't see the colors of the crystal well, even though it's a pretty little thing.


I would still really love to see either of these used in a mixed media piece, but I don't personally have any sari silk, or waxed cord, or most of the things used in the mixed media pieces I admire so much.  So, if you have those types of supplies and enjoy mixed media, and think one of these is inspiring in some way, leave me a comment, and I will do a Doggy Draw to pick two winners, and these can fly off and live with you!  I would really like to see photos of what gets made with them, and share them with my FB friends and here on the blog; that's my only 'rule' for the give away.

I'll announce winners in a few days, and for those of you who haven't been part of a Doggy Draw before, it means that I write names on little scraps of paper and put them down on the floor; whichever piece sticks to either Teddy's or Nikki's nose first, is the winner.  ;)   Have a great day!

Nikki 

Teddy

43 comments:

  1. OMG, the doggie draw is so cute!!!

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  2. I would love to win either. I love mixed media work and need a creativity boost!!! <3

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  3. Art Charm Swap, do you have the link Nancy?
    I would love to join your giveaway. Those are so unique. I do beadweaving but never do embro =) I read that it is interesting to combine these two technique.

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    1. Thank you! I do have the link for the swaps - it's all done for this year, but Jennifer will have another next year, if you'd like to take part!! Enjoy!
      http://glassaddictions.com/2013-art-charm-swap-sign-ups/

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  4. gorgeous components! I'd love to have some.

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  5. Love your "pillows" and would really like to make something with them!
    Alenka

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  6. Nancy, I love this idea! I have a bunch of Christmas charms that were in the goodie bag I won from BEAD magazine...I wanted to use them, and I think this would be a different approach to using them. Jeanne Evans

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  7. Nancy, I've never been in a doggie draw before :D So yessss please put me on one of those papers please :P And the components are supercute, I love them!

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    1. Are you sure? I'm positive you entered for one of my giveaways before!!! lol! Entered!!

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  8. I would love to take part in the doggy draw please!

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  9. These 2 pieces are so cute! Please don't enter me into the drawing as I can't commit to using them any time soon.

    And I really love the dogs!! They are adorable!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Terri! :) I appreciate that you left me a comment regardless, and I hope you have a lovely evening. :)

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  10. I don't do mixed media, so I'm not entering, but those components are great! And I just love your little fur babies! :)

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  11. omg Nancy, doggy draw is awesome!!!! I love the components, they are beautiful!

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  12. Wonderful! Thanks for the opportunity!!

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  13. They're beautiful! I'd love to get my hands on them. Can you tape a doggie treat to my name?? Yes, I'm trying to bribe the "drawers"!!,

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    1. Thank you, Joy! I'm afraid they only get treats once they've picked one… ;)

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  14. Oh charms sound so interesting....I think I'm drawn to the wee canvass. And how funny that you use your poochie baby to do the drawing for you. So clever! And I do love the jump rings addition. Ordered a Rap & Tap so I too can make my own jump rings. Now I see the clever things you can do with them.

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    1. Ooo! Can't WAIT to see what you come up with!! :D

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  15. I love the idea of incorporating jump rings while edging. So many possibilities! I'd love to win one of your clever charms, and since I just finished cleaning my bead room, I can actually find my sari silk and waxed linen!

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    1. Oh I would love to see what you came up with, I'll cheer you on!! :)

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  16. Gorgeous. On the pink gold one I'd use small rose gold and gold links and do a very delicate chainmaille. Every few sectios add a matching seed bead I a round if I can find some.

    The blue I'd make blue wire hearts. Links in blues and golds to match and possibly make some tiny polymer heart dangle beads to accent. These are girgeous. I'd love to win. Thank you for the chance.

    Kimberly idalski kimisdesigns@yahoo.com
    Www.kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com

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    1. Your ideas sound fabulous, Kim! Thank you for entering!!

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  17. Yes, please! This sounds like a BLAST! And I absolutely love what you've made. :)

    ~Andrea
    zenithjade AT yahoo.com

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    1. Thank you, Andrea! Your name will be on the floor! (That doesn't sound right, does it?? lol)

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  18. Would love to use one of these in a piece Nancy and love the idea of the doggy draw!!!

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  19. I would worship, er revere any item made by Nancy Dale!

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  20. Oh, they are both so much fun! I would be thrilled to find my name at the tip of your puppy's nose, as my creativity could use a swift kick in the rear section these days. Once the last show of the season is over (this weekend!), I'm giving myself permission to play, experiment, and explore. What better way than with something from Nancy?!?

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  21. I read this post AGES ago, on my iPad, which is how I now read most blogs. But sadly, I can't comment from the iPad. I write and write, and the comment just disappears. :( Anyhow, I just wanted you to know, I am reading, and enjoying. I LOVE the Doggie Draw plan, and I like the use of the jumprings in the work as well. I have woven in a few myself, although not quite so cleverly as you have. I think I best go back a ways. because I cannot think why you are Not Beading! Hugs to you Nancy!

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Thanks so much for leaving me a comment, it means a lot to me! Please don't be upset if I don't have time to respond personally to each comment - but be sure that I read each and every one of them! :)