Tips and Tricks Tuesday

For my tips and tricks I want to go back to some basics....
Thread & Needles.
There are a lot of threads out there for beadweaving and everyone has their favorites...me? I'm a Fireline gal and here are some of the reasons.

Drape
When I work up flatwork designs....peyote pattern cuffs...I want the quality of the Delicas to really show so I choose a 4lb Fireline.  Strong but not stiff it brings your beads together to make a fabric with a beautiful drape that just feels incredibly rich to wear.  Don't lose that drape by using too heavy a thread!

Everyday Strength
For work that has crystals involved or needs a tight tension I choose 6lb Fireline which gives me that extra strength against those sharp little blingy things and the confidence to pull tight when I need to.  When working with beads a bit larger/heavier than seed beads this is definitely the thread I trust.

Body & Toughness
Sometimes you need to use a thread that gives your work a bit more body and that is one of the fabulous things about Fireline, it comes in LOTS of weights.
You may have to stop by your local fishing store (or WallieWorld) to get the heavier weights but I would definitely advise it when working with netting. Netting is just lovely but having large holes means it's easier to get caught on things so I tend to go with a heavier thread when working in this stitch.
A heavier weight thread will also add body/stiffness to the piece you're working on, so if you need it to stand on it's own try 8, 10 or even a 20lb thread.

Needles
At last we have a needle that doesn't go Uri Geller when you've worked a couple of pieces. The new Tulip needles definitely stand up against even the most bend inducing designs. Yes, the finish does chip so you'll have to decide what is most important to you but for me I like to have them for the tricky jobs so that I don't have to change my needle fifteen times a project.  I still keep my trusty Pony needles by my side in three different sizes.
Why different sizes?  For those times when I need to go through a bead just one more time annd my needle won't quite make it....I dig out a finer needle and presto I didn't break the bead!  Nothing worse than breaking a bead within a design...that's when you'll hear a lot of beaders scream :)
And while I think about it....different lengths. You will always find a short needle on my bead board because while I like working with a long, 2+", needle when you get to the end of your thread you use a lot up weaving in with a long needle. So I change it out for a short 1 1/4" needle which makes weaving in short ends so much easier! 

Maven News

Changes, changes....as you may notice one of our Mavens has fled the nest, Good Quill Hunting has retired from the group to pursue all the new and exciting things that have happened to her since her move to Colorado. We all wish her every success, which we know will come her way, with her fabulous beadwork. We are sad to see her go but we totally understand the 'not enough hours in the day, too many directions' dilemma.

Love you, GQH, <<group hug>>

So...then there were six....and what have the six been up to?

Watermelon Monimia

Mikki....is pattern writing like crazy and gave up teaching her weekly beading class to concentrate on designing. She has a flatwork design for Perlen Posie in the works and is also working on finishing up all her 'volume' tutorials which are the things she originally planned for a book and they will be released this month. She also finally found time to enter the Etsy Beadweaver's Challenge for August, the theme ~ "Summer Juicy Fruit" with a Watermelon bracelet.

Nancy.... actually has a lot in the works, but most of them can't be revealed yet. At the moment, she's finishing a necklace, editing the Maven website and working on getting a few more tutorials going for her shop.

Cindy's Caribbean Sea

Cindy....is thrilled to have her Caribbean Sea bracelet (re-named Filigree Fling) published in Creative Beading Volume 6. It's a beautiful book, with lots and lots of fun patterns in it. She has just finished up a wonderful meld, which was quite a lot of fun to do, and is already thinking about melding again. She has, regrettably, been very slow lately about writing new tutorials. She hopes to do better in the coming weeks, and get more projects out of her mind and into your hands!

Heather....What on earth have I been up to? I have just finished writing my Guinevere Necklace pattern, to compliment the G. Cuff that I listed earlier this month. It takes me what seems for ever to get my patterns finalized before I push that "list" button. That final commitment to sell a pattern can be somewhat daunting - you are exposing your self to the big wide world and when things are received positively, I know why I am doing this.... I love my "Job"!!!!!!
I now need to work on my growing list of new designs including a cuff for Perlen Poesie......got to come up with something that will be easy to write as well as interesting to make and I would like to do a Meld as well.....Meld you ask? Well, stick around as we are all busy with something special and creative for you all to get your teeth into......we will keep you posted.

Callie's "Georgia" Necklace

Callie.....is equally thrilled that her "Floral Inspirations" bracelet is also included in Creative Beading Volume 6! She's also working on two new tutorials (one of which, the "Georgia" necklace, will also be offered as a kit) and finishing up a couple of necklaces, as well, in addition to a Meld of her own!

Linda is pining for time to get back to some serious beadwork and has planned some embroidery projects. Meanwhile, she's working on her painted, beaded lace earrings and is about to list some whoppers and new styles on Artfire. Supplies are in the works - Painted lace pieces you can bead or incorporate in your own work. She's finishing up an order for The Moorings Gallery for their August Jewelry show & thrilled to be working towards a craft show in December, "Have Yourself a Gothic Little Christmas."

Something we're all working is....well, I can't tell you yet :)

But I can tell you it's something you will be able to do and there will be prizes! We're all busy working on our own examples and I can tell you...it's lots of fun!! Keep watching this space :)

And I know everyone is pleased to know that we will be continuing the free tutorials....so check every other Friday for those.

And we hope everyone is having a great summer!!