BRAGGING RIGHTS

My friend, former student, and partner in crime at the Delray Affair, Nancy, from NE Designs and I took 2nd place in the jewelry division at the infamous Delray Affair this past weekend.  If you have ever been to this show, you know there are 80,000 jewelry vendors (ok a bit of a stretch), so we are extremely proud of this accomplishment.

What made this year more special are two things:  I really loved seeing Nancy in her element of the show.  She and her husband do several local shows.  She has really grown in her art and will be continuing the tradition of the Delray Affair without me next year.  I will be cheering her on from the bike trails of Bend, Oregon!!!  And that is the 2nd thing that made this year special, since it was my last time at the Delray Affair, it was so awesome to receive our THIRD 2nd place award at this event. We worked very hard in all areas to make this happen.  Nancy has put hours upon hours not only making jewelry, but perfecting the display.  If you have ever done these shows, you know, the display can be maddening.  

So, we feel we have some major bragging rights.  It truly is an honor to be selected for an award!

BUTTON, BUTTON, WHO HAS THE BUTTON

Who remembers playing in their Grandmother's or mother's button bin?  I remember my Grandmother's button Jar.  I used to dump them all out and match them, sort them, and put them into combinations.  I loved playing with the buttons.

I have had the privilege to work with some gals from Wild Side Furs. They upcycle old vintage fur coats into decorator items used for the home.  I get the buttons.  We have created a line of jewelry using just the buttons from the old coats.  You can see a large part of the collection at wildsidefurs.com.

Buttons make great components in jewelry.  

Two samples of the buttons from Vintage coats.

Recently friend gave me some buttons that were her Grandmother's.  I created this necklace using the shell pearl buttons from a coat.  I just HAD to give it to her!

The earrings are also from some of the buttons she gave me.  

This bracelet was created using Vintage Czech Glass buttons.  If you have not played with these gems, it's time to.  They are so beautiful and you will experience some of the art that was button making many years ago.

So, grab a cool, or not so cool even, button and see what you come up with.   

WHERE DOES INSPIRATION COME FROM

For me, many many times it is just the beads themselves.  The color, the finish, the combination of some beads together inspire me.  Other times it's just an idea in my head. My latest design, however, came from a popular show/book "Game of Thrones".  My daughter loves this show and the costumes are by far some of the most amazing pieces of art I have seen in costumes.  In fact, they have inspired me so much, that I have a few more pieces on the drawing table...can't wait to see how they turn out.

The piece below came from the pin on Khaleesi's cape...hence the name of the piece.  Even the colors...

Think about where you get your inspiration.  I know artists that walk around fabric and get color ideas.  Nature is a huge inspiration for many.  Sometimes its a focal piece, or just a very interesting component that gives you an idea.  

This piece was inspired by both the buttons...Czech vintage buttons are amazing to work with...and also the need to want to use the new 2-hole triangles.  They are so cute and the colors are wonderful.  

Post your inspiration ideas and inspire the rest of us!

Esther Beadwork now has kits for sale.

Go to: Square Market - Esther Beadwork

We have both beginner and intermediate kits available.  

There will be many more to come.

How many seed beads are in that tube?

I have a lot to say about seed beads as many of you know if you have asked me a question.  Where my struggle comes in is I think everyone that purchases seed beads knows certain information about them, so I have never written an in depth blog about seed beads. 

Where to start...through the next few weeks, I will touch on types, finishes, durability, shapes and coatings.  I have had to do some research to find facts about the above as well as my personal experience.  I wanted to jump right in and talk about duos, rizos and what not, but I think I will start with the basics.  I will start with the question that without fail, I get asked at EVERY show we do..."How many beads are in your tubes?"  Not how many grams, although seasoned beaders ask that, but how many beads.  My question is..."who in the world is actually counting them?"  

So, below is a rundown of what I have found in several searches (because I am NOT going to count them)...I would rather use them!

Beads are sold primarily two ways:
1.    Hanks - usually 12 loops approximately 12-14 inches per strand
2.    Tubes - varies by the size of the tube.   Esther Beadwork sells the seed          beads in 5.5" tubes (roughly 20-28 grams in each tube) and 2.5" for                delicas, 15/0's and shaped beads (roughly 9-12 grams - figure 10)

Round Seed Bead Quantity Size        Approx # Beads                  Approx. #                 Per 10 Grams                     per Inch 15/0                       2715                       23 11/0                       1050                       17 8/0                         347                         11 6/0                         150                         9 Cylinder Beads (Delica) – 5 Gram bags 1/0                         1900                       22 11/0                       1000                       20 10/0                       545                         15 8/0                         160                         9  Now, you can take the above information and calculate how many seed beads are in a tube no matter the size of the tube. A word of caution...beads weigh differently.  If you have a metal finish, they will weigh more than say an opaque bead.  Obviously, if you are buying metal beads, they weigh significantly more than the glass beads.  Ask your bead store employees if you are unsure.  The above chart is an approximate, but a very good one.  If in doubt, and the project is calling for an amount of beads that are close to what you think that tube holds, err on the side of more.  I cannot tell you how many times I have not purchased enough beads for a project and then cannot find that bead or have to wait to order it....grrrrr...but on another note, I have come up with some very creative endings to compensate for the fact that I did not have enough beads!!! Happy Beading, we will talk about bead finishes next blog.

Being Accountable

What does being accountable bring to mind for you?  Probably many things, and top on that list is probably diet and exercise.  Maybe breaking a bad habit or acting more adult-like around your children (you know exactly what that means), or a sponsorship of some type.  There are many ways in which we need to be accountable and others where it simply helps us in accomplishing goals.

I really enjoy this blog, but I find I let it slip all the time or I don't feel I have anything to write about. Well, I am asking you to hold me accountable to write on the blog a minimum of once a week.  Call me out on it.  Send me a post, email, text, bust me!

I am going to be blogging about types of beads and what exactly to do with them.  I have a customer who brought about this fabulous idea.  We sometimes think everyone knows what to do with stuff.  It's in the magazines after all, right?  Not so.  And this gal brought that to our attention.  

Now, you all need to post.  We were teaching a Kumihimo class this weekend at the Intergalactic Bead Show and a lady walked up to the table and had some wonderful information on a technique...and we were the ones teaching!  How cool is that.  I learn so much from students and customers, so PLEASE post, give your information, ideas, questions.  Tell your friends to check out the blog.  Make me accountable to writing and I am asking you to give me your two cents.  

Okay, check back soon for what to do with those beads.  If any of you want your photos posted of what you did with beads, send them on and I will be more than happy to give you air time!

Have a blessed week...was that not the most amazing sunrise and moon rise this weekend?

February Classes

Below are the classes scheduled so far for February.  More may be added, so keep checking back.  If you have a class that you would like to learn and it is not on the schedule, please contact me and we can make arrangements.  To book space or for further questions, post here or email kimleahy@estherbeadwork.com

Tuesday 2/5 10:30   Victorian Bracelet             Gemstone Bead Imports WPB
Wednesday 2/6 10:30 Tila Necklace                 Gemstone Bead Imports WPB
Monday 2/11 7:00 pm  Flowers                       Delray Beach
Tuesday 2/12 10:00  Russian Spiral                 Gemstone Bead Imports WPB
Wednesday 2/13 10:00 Peach Blossom             Gemstone Bead Imports WPB

Tuesday 2/19  Bumpy Peyote                          Gemstone Bead Imports WPB

Bumpy Peyote

Flowers