Fission

I was offered a cool opportunity to bead with some beads that are new to the market. Naturally, I jumped at the chance! They are 6MM coin beads with 2 holes. It is kind of funny because the 2-hole bead has been around for some time. It seems that they were becoming obsolete a few years before they hit the market again and with a vengeance. I recall being intrigued with them and had bought some on ‘clearance’ because they were being discontinued. In our quests to make unusual and unique work and ‘get away from the norm’, they have done a come back..and how! Personally, I am thrilled because it offers me new challenges, new patterns and designs as well as all the other beaders out there.

The following is the design I came up with…so far. Right in the middle of a month long, taking me forever piece, I came up with this one. When the beads arrived, my mind starting swimming with possibilities. This is just one and I have others on the to-do list, but have to finish this ‘taking forever’ piece first.

There is only one set of the 6MM coin beads available right now. More colors of these are coming, next up bronze.  Bead Stalkers has the only set available at the moment. We have more of the Crystal AB (Shown) coming as well. You can get the tutorial for this on my website HERE.

Other matters: Rocky Mountain Bead Show is this weekend! Sherry and I are going this afternoon. Debating on the camera to lug around, but I think I will take it.  Going to charge battery! Bead show pics are a good thing! 

The monster piece I am working on is different than anything I have done. It has morphed into this dark and mysterious piece. I was going to name it ‘Caviar’, but have decided ‘The Collector’ works with it much better. April was a crazy month and my Sister visited for a week, as you know. I have never had so many beading interruptions in my life and it feels like they are not dissipating either. My phone rings off the wall, my dogs need to go out or come in within minutes, cleaning the house, running errands, visiting with friends or family, working on Bead Stalkers…etc etc. I think I will take my phone off the hook for a few days this coming week LOL

Last week I met up with Claudia and Elena from Mirrix Looms. They were in town for a few days working with Craftsy doing a video. They took us out to dinner and we had so much fun! They are such wonderful Ladies! Down to earth and cheerful and of course, inspirational. Their auras ooze inspiration  Oh and did I say, they put me on their website as an Official Mirrix Loom teacher! Now how exciting is that?!

Next blog post..Bead show photos ..yipppeee!

Custom Order

I just finished, yesterday, my custom order! YAY! Glad to have that all done, the little black cloud is gone LOL The requests are from a previous customer and she had bought a book and just didn’t have time to do the pieces. So she sent me the book and supplies and I did the beading Here are the finished pieces from this book:

It was a lot of fun to stitch these pieces. I made a few subtle changes. On the first piece, I attached the dangle in the center of each motif to the center of the bottom. The dangles are so light weight, I could only visualize them going off in weird directions when wearing, so they are secured to the bottom with a ladder stitch, simple and didn’t change the end result at all. The bottom piece, I added a bead to both sides when I attached the motifs and the crystal flower dangles. Again, it called for a ladder stitch, but I didn’t want all that thread showing, so by adding a bead on each side, I think that avoided that nicely. Those are the only alterations I made, according to the book. The pendant on the top piece was a customer request.  Love them, hope she does too ( I do know she loves the first one, waiting about #2).

Mirrix Loom–I am officially all done my contract with Mirrix. This will not stop me from working on my loom or posting on the Inside Mirrix blog or adding things to my ‘Fun With Mirrix‘ pages. I still have a brow band to finish for my daughter’s horse and I am warping the loom with the heddles/shedder tonight (on video) for Dave’s belt he designed. The belt buckle is even on its way and he bought the beads this past weekend. I do have a lot of other work to do that has been beckoning to me. I am trying to make enough work to have a table for the month of December. I have all my work currently in Galleries, so I need all new stock! That is a tall order, but definitely willing to try!

Don’t forget, I am having my Christmas in July Sale. 50% OFF all jewelry!

I am also going to get to work soon on some new designs and patterns! I am way way behind on that! So stay tuned! Have a terrific day! I am off to work, I have a lot to do!!

Mirrix Loom Bracelets Completed

Finally, I have finished ALL 7 bracelets! Summer has been interfering like crazy! Probably a good thing it is so short here in Maine LOL  The following pic is of all 7 bracelets done and on leather with snap closures. I am hoping to get the individual bracelets posted for sale on my website tomorrow, for certain the following day (not sure if I am going to be home tomorrow). In any case, here they are, hope you like them!

I am leaning on a belt next instead of the votes for a guitar strap, but intend to do a guitar strap anyway, just not yet. My Son is supposed to pick me up a leather ‘blank’ and he is on vacation this week (he is manager of Daddy’s Junky Music, so he can get one for me cheap), but I have to be working on something, so belt next.  I also have to finish my Daughter’s Brow Band, she has been away to a 2 week summer camp and I need the actual piece to make the right fit, so hopefully I will get that real soon!  Have a terrific night everyone!

EDIT! I neglected to add–I am having a Christmas in July 50%  off all jewelry (except Manja [because it is in Germany being published]) in my shop!!

Bird In The Hand et al

Hi all my friends! I have indeed been very very busy and have proof for you! LOL I have had these ‘cabs’ for a little while now and I had one sitting on my table and it was driving me crazy, so I dropped everything to do it and finished it a few days ago. I was looking for pure whimsy, as the cab told me that is what it wanted and I was looking for unusual color combos. I do have to say, the pics aren’t as cute as the piece itself.  I named it ‘Bird In The Hand’.

and I know a bead fringe is weird on the bottom, it hangs straight like the others, I just set it down wrong and didn’t notice until after…of course LOL It looks like a kick stand haha

On the Mirrix front, I just today finished up the last of the ‘One-A-Day series..yay! I am going to be putting them on leather with a snap closure, the yucky part is is that I have to order the ‘tool’ to pound the snaps on….I already have the darn snaps LOL I will be ordering it tomorrow, so hopefully will have it by Monday and can take video of how I am finishing them.

I have a Poll I would like you to answer for me, if you would please.

Don’t forget, you can now find my work here:

and here:

Click on the images to fan them on Facebook!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

One-A-Day Mirrix Loom Bracelets

Wanted to keep you all up to date on the one a day bracelets I am making! Here are my pics in the entirety to now.

I have had plenty of  time to ponder my finishing techniques and will have that much more time when all 7 are done. I will post that part on video.

Don’t forget to enter ArtBeads Contest for a chance to win $100. gift card. Drawing July 22

Looming and Other Goodies

Hi everyone! I am still working on my brow band, although I did set aside because it is off loom work. Last night I went to the extreme and warped up 7 bracelets all at one. Thankful to have the 16″ Mirrix!!! LOL  Below is what I am up against

Yesterday I took my first ‘load’ of jewelry to Full Circle Gallery in Cornish! Dave is going to rebuild my jewelry cabinet this coming weekend. I will paint it eggshell inside, black currant outside and I am getting some rope trim at Home Depot and spraying it brushed metallic copper. It’s going to look sooo cool! Can’t wait to post a pic on here of the finished product!

I just finished up 2 quickie bracelets. My ‘Channeled Bracelet‘ pattern.

I just adore making these, so easy and fairly quick with great results every time!

Hey, want a FREEBIE?? I couldn’t help but throw up another one today.

Want the PDF? Click HERE If you make this, please email me a photo to christina@goodquillhunting.com, I will give you full credit and put it on my website!

This could be a pendant, 2 together sideways could make a bracelet. The pattern is in 15′s, but you could certainly switch the colors out to 11′s. There is an open area in the design, so you will have to be adept at peyote stitch, odd count.

I have scheduled to be at Biddeford Art Walk the end of this month. Since I will be putting much of my work into 2 Galleries, I am going to stop doing shows for a while. I have had a good run of 4 years doing that and it is time for a break for a little bit. If I get too much stock going, then I may pick it back up locally. Hiatus is in order for now though. My work can still be ordered online, or purchased at Full Circle Gallery in Cornish and Beggar’s Ride in Old Orchard Beach (she has not opened yet, but is scheduled to this month and I still have to meet up with her).

Have a lovely day everyone! and PS–go buy a Mirrix Loom! They rock! and almost forgot! I have added many many pages of loomed bracelet patterns to my website, check them out HERE

Sorry

Sorry I have not posted in a little while, I have tons to say, but just needed a break and didn’t feel like posting. I have been super super busy and things just keep on coming, which is a fantastic thing! My last photo for the brow band is showing it all done on the loom part. I have it on video when I cut it off the loom

I also have the cabochon near to complete for the center space. I am now working on getting it onto the backing, which will also be on video. The rest is easy, now to find the time. I will be working on this today. Prioritizing my days lately has been a bit difficult because EVERYTHING is a priority LOL

I also just finished my new cuff bracelet, which I love.

It is for sale HERE

I have been asked to have my things in 2 local Galleries and am very very excited about this! Full Circle Gallery in Cornish and Beggar’s Ride Gallery in Old Orchard Beach, both right here in Maine.   Super psyched! I will have my stuff available in Cornish, I think this Saturday. Working out details this weekend with Beggar’s Ride 

This also means, I can slow down or stop all shows for now. I am hoping I will have near everything between both of them (I hope). This is a blessing for Dave and his job, the poor car, hotel room costs, etc etc. I can just stay home and breath and bead LOL  (although I would kill for my own shop!)

So that is the latest! I actually have a lot more finished pieces to show you, I have just been the ultimate procrastinator. I have a lot on my plate to do as well and many many new thoughts and inspirations of new pieces and some new supplies are on their way, which is ALWAYS inspirational LOL

Next Mirrix project is going to be multiple bracelets on the loom at the same time! yay! yippee!

Bianca’s Brow Band

I started Bianca’s Brow Band the other day. It doesn’t look like much right now, but it is going to be fabulous I think.  I drew the shape of the piece on 2 pieces of paper taped together and then she drew the design out with my help and picked out a pile and a half of colors. You will see all of this on the video when I post it, which will be all inclusive at the end of the piece.  Here are pics of what I have so far.

and here is half of the pattern I am using

There will be a large purple mountain jade cabochon in the middle with Swarovski crystals around the edge. I have yet to figure out how I am going to make this so it can come off. I have a few ideas, but shall see when I get there 

Next weekend, I will be set up with my canopy and wares at my neighbor’s, ‘Gift Horse Antiques’. Here is the newspaper ad that will run in The Shopping Guide and Smart Shoppers newspapers:

I wish I have added my website and a few other things on there, but I will for next time LOL Stupid hindsight LOL

I will NOT be at the Biddeford Art Walk this month. They are having a ‘Mellow May’ and have decided to have just the studios that pay to be there open for this Friday. Next month though, it is going to be awesome and outdoors in the park near the gazebo in Biddeford! That will be lots of fun!

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day and Dave and I did a lot of work around outside. He also worked on the car and flushed the radiator and all that fun stuff. Our yard is looking so nice, slow but sure. We had to go get a radiator cap, so swung into Home Depot and he saw a ‘Butterfly Bush called ‘Black Knight’ and had to have it.

Then I saw this online:

and we may have to get that one too LOL Planting is so much fun and so awesome after they have acclimated!! Wish I had a larger yard!!

Have a wonderful day and I shall post again real real soon!

2nd Mirrix Loom Piece Done

HI all! Just wanted to pop in and let you all know I finished my 2nd Mirrix piece yesterday.  At first I wasn’t sure if I wanted an edging or not, but it was screaming unfinished until I did one LOL I decided on my rope edging in 15′s which seemed to work, for me anyway  I will have to try to find someone to model this piece for me. Maybe one of these days my beautiful niece will grace me with a visit–she has the perfect neck and prettiness!

My next Mirrix project will be for my daughter, Bianca, for her horse’s bridal on his brow band. This piece of looming will be adhered to leather or fabric, not sure quite yet, so this will be a bit of a different project. I am going to be video taping the whole thing on one full video, as I will also be gifting that to Bianca as well. She is 10 and I think as she ages, she will enjoy that process a lot! This was the day she got ‘Street Fox Discovery’, it was her 10th birthday (March 23)

This Saturday, I will be in Augusta, ME at Beads on the Kennebec teaching.

Memorial weekend, I will be next door vending at my neighbors Antique Shop, GIFT HORSE. I will be set up for 3 days there from 8AM on. I have been working up the graphic for the newspaper ads that will go in next week. I will show you when I am done it.

Have a wonderful day!

of Late..

It’s Friday! YAY! Not sure why I am happy about it, it is really just another day and not like I work weird hours in a job I hate and most jobs you have to work weekends anyway LOL  But for those 9-5′ers..it IS Friday! Back to my YAY! I have had a crazy busy week. I have been working on my choker and posting patterns I have made on my website, mostly peyote cuffs and a slew of amulets, now to work on the brick stitch cuffs.

The choker is coming along terrifically! I am very pleased! I had to work out  a few details as I encountered them, but I prevailed…phhhheeeeewww

Not sure what my next Mirrix project will be, but my daughter wants to go through my beads this weekend and pick colors, so it may very well be the brow band for her horses bridal…finally LOL

Memorial Weekend I am going to have my display out for 3 days at my neighbors antique shop (in her yard), The Gift Horse. I am going to work on that graphic this weekend for the ad in the local paper. I also have a secret project I need to work on this coming weekend that I cannot reveal until September, and let me tell you, this is a hard secret to keep!

I have a class next weekend in Augusta at the Beads on the Kennebec and have 9 students already! So awesome!

So have a great and safe weekend everyone, I shall be back soon