Bounties of Beads Boutique August Swap

Wow... We had a really awesome swap for August. Oh yea, for most that don't know. I'm the leader of an awesome bead group, that can be found in Ebay. Our group name is Bounties of Beads Boutique. While most of our swap creations are known before hand. In August we chose to have a mystery swap. Only partners knew about their creations and for all other swappers eyes once creations were recieved. It was up to each partner what they would like. Both my partner and I wanted something that best represented our work.

For the August swap, I was paired up with another great beader. She can be found using her name... cornerstoregoddess. She makes the most awesome charm bracelets.

Don't you just love this charm bracelet... Me too :-)


And earrings...


Knowing my partner loves my clay work and knowing she likes Halloween. Here is what I chose to make my partner, along with some extra BOOtiful beads.

Crystal Dragonfly Tutorial

Supplies:
36" fishing line (no larger than .011 dia)
23 4mm clear crystals
1 4mm pink crystal
2 4mm black crystals
1 4mm red crystal
1 6mm crystal roundell
1 clear or pink seed bead
4 6mm tear drops (or possibly 8mm)


1. String seed bead to center of line.


2. Bring both lines together and string 1 pink, 7 clear, roundell.


3. Separte lines, string 1 clear and criss cross line, so line goes in both sides and comes out both sides. Pull so crystal nestles evenly into roundell.



4. Separate line and string 1 clear to each side.


5. Repeat step 3


Picture of steps 3, 4, and 5 completed.


6. Repeat step 4,3


7. Repeat step 4 using black crystals.


8. Repeat step 3 using red crystal.


9. Repeat 4,3 clear crystals


10. Repeat 4,3 using clear crystals


11. Repeat 4, 3 using clear crystals
12. Repeat step 4, using clear crystals.
13. Separate lines and feed through each side of crystal closest to roundell. (This will pull body together against tail)


14. Separate lines and string 2 teardrops to each side.


15. Separate lines and string through each side of red crystal. (This will pull wings in and nestle into gaps on side of body)


16. String line through other crystals on body to tighten then tie off.

Wallllaaaa...You have yourself a Dragonfly.

Incase pictures are hard to look at, due to string shadows. I also made up an illustrated version.

Daughter's 21st Birthday

Well... I finally finished my daughter's journal. She got a sneak peak a few days ago, since it was her birthday then. I wanted to add some of her pictures before she could take it. She really liked it. Oh yea, my niece LOVED her journal.

Here's a few pictures of my daughter's journal. She really likes monkeys and I got these really awesome polyclay monkeys in a swap. I've used an arrary of papers, from sketch paper, double sided cardstock, printer paper, patterned. I also folded them both ways, depending on the page it was on.






Here are the videos where I learned how to stitch these awesome journals. And to whom I feel I owe credit too. Very easy to follow and friendly too.

Step 1 video
Step 2 video