Hexagon Bracelet and Earrings in Neon Red

So I haven't been working on much jewelry, but I wanted something to match an rather bright outfit that I was wearing last night, so I threw together this bracelet and earrings.  

Hexagon Bracelet: $75.00

I have actually seen a lot of this neon red-orange color coming out for the summer styles so I guess I was probably drawn to wearing the skirt that I have of this color.  Plus with all the snow melting it seems like spring is coming this way and I'm always up for bright colors for spring.

Hexagon Earrings $45.00

I made a similar set in blue/grey/black back in November that can be seen HERE.  On this set, I left it a little more open in some of the areas between bugle beads to give it more of an airy look.

St. Petersburg Chain Bracelet Workshop at Interlochen

I finally sent out updated St. Petersburg Chain images to Interlochen for the upcoming workshop!  I'd like to put it out there that this class is an amazing deal.  I usually charge $25 for the first hour and $10 for every hour thereafter per person.  So for a 6 hour class you'd normally pay $75.  This class at Interlochen offers breaks, but if you're like me, you might work right through them.  Which would put you at an 8 hour day with me and beads. These classes at Interlochen are 9am-5pm.

My first class is on the St. Petersburg Chain Stitch which I have not only used in my jewelry but also as edging for my wall hangings like In Progress and She Can't See the Forest Through the Trees.  It is also used in the middle panel to She Can't See the Forest Through the Trees.  So there's lots we can talk about using this stitch for!

The class is on Saturday May 31, 2014 at Interlochen Center for the Arts.

You can sign up on their website HERE.

Pattern Play Bangle 2: Gold and White

The original Pattern Play Bangle that I created has been visiting Tennessee for a sculpture exhibit that I entered it in to and I missed wearing it.  So I started in on another one while it's been gone.  I have been really struck by all the gold coming back into fashion.  I personally love wearing gold so on my last bead order I purchased the dark gold tiny seed beads that I've been using by the quarter kilo (rather than the 35 gram package) and I've been using them in everything.

This bangle is 4 beads larger around than my regular size (which the blue and green pattern play bangle is the "regular" size) because I wanted to be able to make it a bit longer.  I had to stop adding layers on to the first one because it wouldn't have fit further up my arm without having to wear it over my wrist on to my hand.

I also did not draft any of the patterns for this bangle.  The original has a few drafted patterns to make sure certain shapes would fit, and spirals are difficult to plan ahead for in general.  This second one I stuck to variations of stripes.  I was concerned a little that it may not be as interesting, however I think it turned out really well.  I'm already planning the next one in my head.

I just finally took these photos this morning and I thought I would hate the white background against the white on this piece.  I'm finding I really love the ethereal quality to the photos.  I think it still needs a black or grey background to show the detailing of the whole bangle, but why not have some fun with the images?  I think that Lynne Bruning also might be to blame, the photos she posts on her Facebook and website usually have a brilliant white background with all of her wonderful circuits an bobbins. Sometimes I can be visually brain-washed.  :)

Interlochen Beadweaving Classes Summer 2014

As I work on my many projects and proposals these next few months, I am also prepping to teach workshops.  The first offerings are at Interlochen's Adult Arts Programs.  They put up a lovely write-up about me here: http://college.interlochen.org/person/jenny-schu

The first of the classes offered is Saturday, May 31, 2014.  I'll be teaching St. Petersburg Chain stitch.  We will be making bracelets, but this is also the stitch that I use for my lariat necklaces and have started layering into some of my larger bangle bracelets for a different texture.  It's a $65.00 class, and you can register online here: http://college.interlochen.org/program/jewelry-bead-weaving-st-petersburg-stitch
(I'm still not happy with this image that I took for this class, I'll get a better one soon hopefully.)

The second class of the summer offerings is my Beginning Peyote Stitch bracelet on Monday, June 30, 2014.  This is a great way to start peyote stitching.  We work 2 beads at a time (instead of one bead at a time which is how I bead for the most part) which allows us to make a wide bangle in a shorter amount of time.  I also teach how to add a button/bead and loop closure which can be used in many jewelry making techniques.  It's a $65.00 class, and you can register online here: http://college.interlochen.org/program/jewelry-bead-weaving-beginning-peyote-stitch

It's not on Interlochen's Calender yet but we have a temporary date to teach the beaded leaf, which is up on my calender on www.jennyschu.com (which I just noticed the calender is having some issues that I'll need to fix!)  Keep checking back for more dates as they come up too.

I'm excited to be teaching a private class this week.  Beginner beaders are always fun, and I do enjoy smaller, by-the-hour classes.  We'll be doing the two drop peyote bracelets, it's perfect if you're just starting to learn to bead.

More on Weaving Yardage: Video

Not only did I get to do a ton of beading this morning, but I also got back to weaving on my yardage.  I decided to do a a video because the only video I have of myself weaving is doing double weave pick-up, which make weaving look really tedious.

Weaving off yardage is a little more relaxed.  Also, because I'll be cutting this fabric up, I'm not stressing out about perfect selvages.  I'm just enjoying the process.  There's a close-up image of the start of this weaving on my blog HERE.

Enjoy!

So Many Projects, claiming my time

On Wednesday night I was finishing up scanning final drafts and packaging up submissions to the Handweaver's Guild of America exhibits my iTunes on random shuffle and "Timelines" by Motion City Soundtrack came on.

"It's not a matter of time, it's just a matter of timing."

Rang heavy through my ears.  I've been trying to finish my Halloween costume to get it to a point where it can be photographed and submitted by the 26th. This song was a reminder that I do not have to finish this piece for this year, I can submit it in 2016.  I'm constantly issuing myself extreme deadlines and then feeling guilty abut not getting something in, or worse, not finishing it to the quality that I want it to be at.  I did wear this for Halloween, but it was missing all of the red and a lot of interior finishing.

 I also rarely think ahead on pieces that I may be able to submit to exhibitions. All I had in mind for this was it being my Halloween costume, it just kept getting larger and more involved. So when I decided to finish this piece for exhibit, I didn't realize is that the wearables require a 8 inch x 8 inch "touch panel" with the submission. (I will never forget this by the way). If this was a woven or dyed piece, I could make extra and finish it off, however, this 8 x 8 touch panel requires more cutting, sewing and beading.  Maybe about 10 more hours of work (I hope).

Plus we set up an office for me, resulting in this on my sewing table collecting piles which the desk once held:

And still more re-organizing where the desk was:

For me, certain things need to be in place in the space that I am working in so I can work with ease. Hence, not wanting to break away from other works to clean, for, more work...

I have a difficult time working on one project at a time straight through.  I am so sick of stitching red beads on to the piece that I was trying to finish for the 26th submission.  I decided that on the costume, all the red areas would be red seed beads.  It's coming along wonderfully.  However, I want to weave:

(and I need to dye more black for the weft on this guy).

Keep on top of my beaded sculpture parts:

(Isn't it nice that the desk has a beading project tray that you can slide in and out?!)

I have a wedding bracelet and hairpieces that I'm excited to get to:

I need to meet with a customer about a commission bangle which involves me creating such a bangle in a totally new way (focus on smaller beads):

Ooooo, and I started another Pattern Play Bangle because I am seriously missing the one that is out at an exhibit in Tennessee:

And there's always the issue of Danielle lounging around tempting me to have a nap time.  I didn't, but this is evil (I love naps).

Magnetic Pin Cushion Tool Upgrade

I have had the pleasure of doing a lot more sewing and continually becoming more comfortable with my sewing machine.  I feel like as I use something more, I want more accessories for a new technique or piece of equipment.  I restrain myself until I'm really using something a lot though.  For example, I still haven't learned a lot about my DSLR camera, thus I will not be purchasing any fancy lenses until I have a full-understanding of this tool, but I'm really attracted to macro lenses and something for further away. All in good time.

The magnetic pin caddy is something I've had my eye on, but it seemed silly to spend $17-$20 on one when my pin cushion works just fine.  I keep noticing that others have them at workshops and when I wander around JoAnn's they catch my eye, but I just didn't have a good excuse to get one.

Then, over the holidays my husband and I were doing a total overhaul of our master bedroom which results in many, many, many trips to the hardware store.  While wandering around Home Depot, I came across the pseudo-stocking-stuffers area and there was a set of 3 magnetic trays by Husky for $5.  I didn't even have to think about whether or not it was worth the $5, I just put them in the cart.

These trays are actually even better than the ones I kept eyeing at JoAnn's.  The magnet is exposed, on the back and is extremely strong.  I like this because you can hold it over your carpeting after a pin and needle spill, and it picks them up.  Also, I have been adding beading to a heavily stitched piece and have been moving it around the house on my ironing board.  These trays not only stay attached to the ironing board while I'm moving it, but they are also strong enough to hold the fabric on to the ironing board so it doesn't move around.  I came across this by accident, and it's amazing. I'm no longer awkwardly pinning my work to the ironing board.

The only downfall of this product that I can find is that the magnet might be too strong for some applications.  Most of my needles may now be magnetized, I wouldn't lay my credit cards near it, that sort of thing.  But I am glad I ran into these before getting all accessorized from the overpriced items in the sewing isle.

Now back to beading...although some things call for bead embroidery, this is a gentle reminder-to-self that I've got about 20+ more hours to go on the beading details of this piece.  I stitch down every single bead, and that's my own anal-retentive issue, but it's much much slower than my usual peyote stitching.  I'm also really tired of looking at red seed beads.  I'll be switching it up, hopefully, soon.  The back looks nice and neat at least.