In the Bead Zone

Paper crafts have pretty much consumed my crafting life over the past 8 months or so. Lots of scrapbooks, cards and photo albums have been created and updated. I haven't had a lot of time to tackle all the bead projects I have planned, or work with all the fantastic beads I've scored over the past year or so. I made the time this weekend to get into The Bead Zone.

I forgot how focused and driven I get when I do beadwork till I start doing it again, then I can't seem to stop. I call it The Bead Zone. Since Saturday, I have made 10 necklaces, fixed and/or restrung 6 necklaces, put new hooks on 3 pairs of earrings, made 2 bracelets and a watchband. Boxes and beads stacked on my craft table, I will start working in the morning, taking a really quick lunch break and working into the evening. I can't stop thinking about new designs/projects and I can't wait till morning so that I can delve back in. The TV is on, just a din in the background.....poor Brian is saying stuff and I'm like, "mmmhmm" although I really do try to look up and pay attention.

I am a jewelry addict. I love jewelry. Always have. The sparkly and more colourful, the better. Being able to make my own jewelry has worked out really, really well.....although I seem to spend more money on jewelry supplies and beads than I would if I were buying one necklace in a department store. What can I say, it's an expensive but fun habit.

If you click on the pictures, they will get bigger so that you can see the detail.

I tried to take pictures outside but the sun just wasn't hitting the front of the house very well. This necklace is made with beautiful lavender/rose coloured beads, with garnet & pearls.

Found these fun beads up in Poulsbo.
I used dark amethyst beads (real amethyst, not glass) with lavender & clear swarovski crystal. The pendant is a really pretty shade of purple crystals.

This one came out way too washed out, which is too bad because the large beads are pale yellow and very light purple/pink, so I added yellow and pink swarovski crystals along with delica seed beads, and multicolour crystal bead caps.

Here's a pair of earrings. The large beads are black, blue and white swirly waves which I accented with pearls and Montana blue swarovski crystals.

This one's got a lot of fun texture as the red beads have raised white "dot" flowers. I added dark red and pale sapphire swarovski crystals along with silver beadcaps.

Michael's Crafts has a great selection of beads now, and that's where these aqua & copper beads were bought.

Assortment of lampwork beads paired with cobalt & sapphire swarovski crystals.

Lampwork beads by Austin Hamilton of British Columbia.