Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sneak-peak at a WIP


Hi everyone--just a quick note to say that I won't be posting for about the next 10 days or so due to travel--some work, some play--and the post-travel catchup I can already foresee.

Here's a kumi lariat I am working on right now. I'm doing this one on a foam disk, not the marudai, because although the marudai goes faster, it's not as portable, and I was able to carry this from room to room while watching TV, listening to the radio, etc. over the past week.

This is about 36 inches, made with size 8 seed beads and C-Lon cord, and I'm about ready to tie it off.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Going to Bead Fest Texas!



Hey gang, is anybody out there going to Bead Fest Texas next week?

I'm combining a business trip to California with a stop-off in Austin to see my lovely daughter for a couple of days, then a weekend in Arlington to attend Bead Fest.

I've never been to one of these shindigs before. There is one in Philly every year, which is much closer to where I live, but for the past several years I've had schedule conflicts. I'm determined to go to the big Kahuna (the Bead & Button Show ) in Milwaukee someday, but I think our summer vacation plans will interfere with this year's show, so that will stay on my bucket list for now.

In Texas, I'm scheduled to take an all-day workshop on metalworking with the fabulous Lexi Erickson. (Maybe I'll learn enough soldering skills to attempt that copper jewelry display I blogged about yesterday!)

I won't be blogging next week while I travel, but I promise to show off my stash when I return, plus my metalsmithy attempts.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Craft show display ideas for I Might Make That! Monday

Garden trellis--and perhaps a craft show jewelry display--from Reader's Digest

OK, smart reader that you are, you have deduced from the photo that I am not offering up jewelry tutes this week. I have craft shows on my mind, because I'll be doing one shortly before Thanksgiving. I spotted the above--a garden trellis--on Pinterest recently, and my first thought was that it would make an awesome jewelry display. Add a base, a few more horizontal bars...

Given that I have only about a month to prepare for the craft show, and I need to concentrate on making stuff, this is not going get done before mid-November. But for anyone interested, the instructions are here. They are not very detailed. It's really a supplies list and some tips, such as flattening and soldering the pipes together if you can't find four-way fittings, and mention of a glue that works on copper. But I'm filing it away for the future.

In the same vein is this display, which the pinner is using as a bathroom organizer but I think would make a great table display for jewelry.


Instructions are here (do you really need them?), and the tutorial shows some versions made with ceramic plates.

Oh Pinterest, you know I can't quit you.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Serving up leftovers for Need a Laugh Wednesday

It never fails that whatever I choose as my topic for Need a Laugh Wednesday, invariably I later find something brilliant on that theme I wish I had included. So I'm serving up leftovers today.

My very first Need a Laugh was devoted to Beading Humor, so here's another serving. (I think I saw this on Mortira's Inspirational Beading Facebook page last week).



That was followed by some grammar gibes. So here's another heap o' snark:

Source: mlkshk.com via Geneva on Pinterest



And here, let me freshen your coffee:


When I featured cat humor, I meant to include this video. At the time, our rascally kittens were really into unrolling the toilet paper roll every chance they got, and I was sure they would graduate to this trick. Luckily, they haven't yet!

Jennifer and Jim kept getting huge water bills. They knew the bills weren't representative of their actual usage, and no matter how they tried to conserve, the high bills continued. Although they could see nothing wrong, they had everything checked for leaks or problems; first the water meter, then outdoor pipes, indoor pipes, underground pipes, faucets, toilets, washer, ice maker, etc., all to no avail. One day Jim was sick and stayed home in bed trying to rest but kept hearing water running downstairs. He finally got up to investigate and stumbled onto the cause of his high water bills.
Source: youtube.com via Monica on Pinterest



And who among us has not mixed different leftovers together to create something new? Behold, a serving of combined grammar-cat humor!

Source: mlkshk.com via Geneva on Pinterest


Some seasonal Pinstrosity:

http://pinstrosity.blogspot.com/2012/10/happy-to-help-husband-hazards-halloween.html

And for dog lovers (all pet lovers, really), I'll share this link, which was whipping 'round the Web a month or so ago and is both funny and sweet: My Dog the Paradox.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Stretch cuff bracelet for I Might Make That! Monday

Stretch Cuff Bracelet from Pretty Quirky Pants

Today does not feel like Monday to me. I had to work on Saturday and got today--Columbus Day--off, so it feels like Sunday instead of the end of a three-day weekend.

Normally I write my posts on Sunday evening, but this installment is coming to you in real time!

I discovered this lovely stretch cuff bracelet on Pinterest. The designer is Pretty Quirky Pants, and if you click on the link, you'll see step-by-step photos and instructions.

I like stretch bracelets because I like a close fit (I spend too much of my time at a keyboard to have something jangling around on my wrist with every keystroke.) The multi-strands of this cuff would give this extra security, I think. Note that these are plain cubes, not two-hole Tilas. The squares provide a nice texture.

I will also provide a tip about stretch bracelets that I haven't tried myself yet but definitely will. I thought it was part of this pattern, but I must have seen it elsewhere in my Pinterest-surfing. Many people complain about the knots on stretch bracelets coming loose, even if you put a dot of glue on them. I have had this happen myself. Last year, I read about using crimp tubes to secure stretch bracelets--i.e., you treat the elastic just like it's beading wire. I did that last year for some bracelets I made for some holiday craft shows, and that seemed to work pretty well.

But that's not the tip I'm passing along. One ingenious artist--and I wish I could credit her--suggested that you knot and crimp. She strings a crimp bead on each strand end, ties a knot, then threads the knot ends that you would usually trim back into the crimps on either side, then crimps them (trimming the extraneous ends at that point). That sounds really secure to me!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

I don't give a font! for Need a Laugh Wednesday


Source: trfling.com via trfling on Pinterest


Every journalist I know who came of age when people actually read newspapers has a love affair with typography. So for my newshound friends, as well as my designerista friends, I present:







Source: shweiki.com via Geneva on Pinterest








Source: behance.net via Geneva on Pinterest



Source: google.de via Shannon on Pinterest

Monday, October 1, 2012

Etched metal focals for I Might Make That! Monday

Rings & Things' copper etchings
Whew boy. Real life has set in--work (including a few Saturday commitments), school demands, a few extraneous volunteer commitments, building inventory for a mid-November craft sale. I intend to keep blogging through it all, but expect a lot of short, quick posts like this one for the next few months.

Here's a great tute on metal etching from Rings & Things that I'd love to try. Lots of pics and lots of links for those who want to read more. Has anybody tried this? Share in the comments if you have.

(Yes, I know I've fallen behind in keeping my IMMT!M archives current. I'll catch up eventually.)