tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11017555582556598902024-03-13T21:45:52.575-04:00Sweet Freedom DesignsSweet Freedom Designs makes handmade beaded jewelry, beadweaving designs, fused glass creations, cold connections, chainmaille, and wire-wrapped designs. This blog will detail available designs, tips, and other events in the owner's life.Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.comBlogger690125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-79167660822245960152020-06-11T13:24:00.002-04:002020-06-11T13:24:55.903-04:00A new beadweaving tutorial: Paisley Flower PowerI published a new beadweaving tutorial almost 3 months ago, right after going into self-isolation due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. I guess all my faculties went on mental vacation, because I didn't post about it here or on Pinterest, so I am trying to rectify that now!<br />
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This is a fun tutorial, with lots of variations. It can be used to make necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and a fun ring you can fidget with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dG_lh139ybE/XuJmeFkvp5I/AAAAAAAAJcs/hvaHe8TOC_8Ge7g913cOgQIMIQBrxUXUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/paisley%2Bflower%2Bpower%2Bcover%2Bcollage800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="676" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dG_lh139ybE/XuJmeFkvp5I/AAAAAAAAJcs/hvaHe8TOC_8Ge7g913cOgQIMIQBrxUXUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/paisley%2Bflower%2Bpower%2Bcover%2Bcollage800.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paisley Flower Power: A beadweaving tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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As shown in the above photo, the bracelets have 2 different variations: either all flowers, or flowers separated by DiamonDuo/GemDuo segments. Likewise, the necklace can have flowers just at the front, or all the way around. And of course the earrings can be varied in a number of way: length, embellishment, adding dangles, etc. You can also use one of the Paisley Duo/Zoliduo flowers as a button-type clasp. Lots of possibilities!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-joyKBzu5qq4/XuJnmsqlC9I/AAAAAAAAJc4/GBSeNMJsh88tC3OHjGa8tH6QgnmrW-5kgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/purple-green%2BversionA%2B%2Bwrist%2Bclasp%2Bsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-joyKBzu5qq4/XuJnmsqlC9I/AAAAAAAAJc4/GBSeNMJsh88tC3OHjGa8tH6QgnmrW-5kgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/purple-green%2BversionA%2B%2Bwrist%2Bclasp%2Bsm.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paisley Flower Power Bracelet with Flower Button Clasp, by Sweet Freedom Designs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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It's a 23-page full-color tutorial with 6 different colorways outlined at the end. As always, it is available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/791313017/jewelry-tutorial-with-gemduos-and?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">here, in my Etsy Shop</a>.<br />
<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-62817553115396929932019-07-13T14:23:00.003-04:002019-07-13T14:23:57.845-04:00Solving Problems: Clasp EditionLast week, a customer in the bead shop wanted to attach a slider/tube clasp to a bracelet she had just finished stitching. We both love these slider clasps because they have such a low profile: you see more stitching; less clasp!<br />
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Her bracelet was perfectly designed for a 3-hole clasp, with three "peaks" on the end:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Petersburg bracelet </td></tr>
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But when I placed a 3-hole slider next to the bracelet's end, the clasp clearly wasn't wide enough:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40LVeCugii0/XSoXYaVuczI/AAAAAAAAJaA/FpPmwlVOS38s8rE9_uw1nrPeLCN_0UEFwCLcBGAs/s1600/mdt%2Bbracelet%2Bnext%2Bto%2Bactual%2B3%2Bhole%2Bslider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1200" height="183" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40LVeCugii0/XSoXYaVuczI/AAAAAAAAJaA/FpPmwlVOS38s8rE9_uw1nrPeLCN_0UEFwCLcBGAs/s320/mdt%2Bbracelet%2Bnext%2Bto%2Bactual%2B3%2Bhole%2Bslider.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracelet next to 3-hole slider clasp</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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A 5-hole slider was the perfect size, but the 2 extra holes just wouldn't do. Unsightly, just sitting there, empty:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQiU3mD3vEc/XSoYRAgJeFI/AAAAAAAAJaM/75JOA7G2-JQh9SuBesq8IwyuNKWXMhJSACLcBGAs/s1600/mdt%2Bbracelet%2B5-hole%2Bslider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="1200" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQiU3mD3vEc/XSoYRAgJeFI/AAAAAAAAJaM/75JOA7G2-JQh9SuBesq8IwyuNKWXMhJSACLcBGAs/s320/mdt%2Bbracelet%2B5-hole%2Bslider.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracelet next to 5-hole slider clasp</td></tr>
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I'd always wondered what would happen if I tried to remove some of the rings on these sliders, and here was the perfect opportunity to find out.<br />
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Using my chainnose pliers, I grasped the extra loops (individually) as close to their soldered connection to the tube as possible, and gently twisted each loop back and forth until it snapped off. Then I filed each connection point as close to the tube as possible to remove the leftover loop and solder:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-G8RDvPnZA/XSocR5I93WI/AAAAAAAAJaY/NEWbyJma31QRoYZTdLgdZxC2lsqisVn7QCLcBGAs/s1600/5%2Bhole%2Bto%2B3%2Bhole%2Bslider%2Bwith%2Btext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1000" height="269" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-G8RDvPnZA/XSocR5I93WI/AAAAAAAAJaY/NEWbyJma31QRoYZTdLgdZxC2lsqisVn7QCLcBGAs/s320/5%2Bhole%2Bto%2B3%2Bhole%2Bslider%2Bwith%2Btext.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5-hole clasp after removing 2 loops on each half and filing smooth</td></tr>
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Look! Pretty close to a perfect match:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3DjYVjbSqI/XSodikK_DLI/AAAAAAAAJak/ufpw_tzdeXsC0nOxOTBeBorVQiXtxyPhwCLcBGAs/s1600/mdt%2Bbracelet%2B3%2Bhole%2Bslider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1200" height="192" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3DjYVjbSqI/XSodikK_DLI/AAAAAAAAJak/ufpw_tzdeXsC0nOxOTBeBorVQiXtxyPhwCLcBGAs/s320/mdt%2Bbracelet%2B3%2Bhole%2Bslider.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 3 remaining holes line up almost perfectly with the peaks on the end of the bracelet</td></tr>
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And here's the finished product:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OzPqEz6J2Pg/XSoegnQbIMI/AAAAAAAAJaw/3oOm3cHFSRQToniDpNRlfUVkTHgUEoshwCLcBGAs/s1600/mdt%2Bbracelet%2Bwith%2Bslider%2Battached%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1200" height="171" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OzPqEz6J2Pg/XSoegnQbIMI/AAAAAAAAJaw/3oOm3cHFSRQToniDpNRlfUVkTHgUEoshwCLcBGAs/s320/mdt%2Bbracelet%2Bwith%2Bslider%2Battached%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Nice, right?<br />
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Other than <a href="http://sweetfreedom-designs.blogspot.com/2012/08/mini-bsbp-reveal.html" target="_blank">that time I used Perfect Pearls to turn a silver clasp purple</a> (and similar patinations with Liver of Sulfur, etc.), I have never altered clasps. If I couldn't find a clasp I liked, I just stitched one from seed beads! But this successful experiment has emboldened me a bit!<br />
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Have you ever altered findings to make them suit your needs?Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-90419385822611468712019-02-27T14:35:00.000-05:002019-02-27T14:35:02.323-05:00Building Bridges: A New Beadweaving TutorialThis bracelet tutorial uses Rizos, DiamonDuos (or GemDuos), Arcos Par Pucas, and 15/0s. The pattern is designed for more experienced beaders, and is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/672486882/arcos-par-puca-beadweaving-pattern" target="_blank">available in my Etsy Shop</a>. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhDlHct1gnw/XHbkxULokkI/AAAAAAAAJY4/TDGVMw4XO4kPo91XLQ6I48kOLtmRR4ktACLcBGAs/s1600/building%2Bbridges%2Bcover%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="805" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhDlHct1gnw/XHbkxULokkI/AAAAAAAAJY4/TDGVMw4XO4kPo91XLQ6I48kOLtmRR4ktACLcBGAs/s320/building%2Bbridges%2Bcover%2Bcollage.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building Bridges, a beadweaving tutorial <span class="ILfuVd">©Sweet Freedom Designs</span></td></tr>
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It is a wide, flexible bracelet, and the 11-page step-by-step tutorial includes instructions for substituting 3mm Firepolish beads for the Rizos. Four colorways are also shown.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKg_yvBewxs/XHble4eYGwI/AAAAAAAAJZI/_-Mguv41lEo1p0s0yNNC1Krjt-2CqaufwCEwYBhgL/s1600/pink-purple%2Bbridges%2Bfolded%2B1500%2Betsy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKg_yvBewxs/XHble4eYGwI/AAAAAAAAJZI/_-Mguv41lEo1p0s0yNNC1Krjt-2CqaufwCEwYBhgL/s320/pink-purple%2Bbridges%2Bfolded%2B1500%2Betsy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building Bridges, a beadweaving tutorial <span class="ILfuVd">©Sweet Freedom Designs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 colorways for Building Bridges, a beadweaving tutorial <span class="ILfuVd">©Sweet Freedom Designs</span></td></tr>
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<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-46223750649277819932018-12-22T11:28:00.001-05:002018-12-22T11:28:42.546-05:00New Beadweaving Tutorial: Deco Love<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-APl1TdR1bb4/XB5Z33LNS_I/AAAAAAAAJXs/if9-CTcOUUoHLBMdFIHGdmDpcPCBJqkiQCLcBGAs/s1600/brac-earring%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-APl1TdR1bb4/XB5Z33LNS_I/AAAAAAAAJXs/if9-CTcOUUoHLBMdFIHGdmDpcPCBJqkiQCLcBGAs/s320/brac-earring%2Bcollage.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/654671854/honeycomb-and-arcos-par-puca-crescent?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">Deco Love, a beadweaving tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs</a></td></tr>
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This pattern started out to be an earring tutorial - I saw a gorgeous bird's-eye view picture of the tower of the Chrysler building, with its luscious Art Deco curves and lines, and was inspired to play with my new Arcos Par Puca 3-hole crescent beads and see if I could recreate those curves and lines!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUJpEk0dWiY/XB5c2AA3MuI/AAAAAAAAJX4/YMfg61s4wyIzNJ3Zn7UbsknQHrROYsbQgCLcBGAs/s1600/chrysler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUJpEk0dWiY/XB5c2AA3MuI/AAAAAAAAJX4/YMfg61s4wyIzNJ3Zn7UbsknQHrROYsbQgCLcBGAs/s400/chrysler.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://ny.curbed.com/maps/new-york-art-deco-architecture-map" target="_blank">Chrysler Building, NYC - a stunning example of Art Deco architecture</a></td></tr>
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This tutorial is extremely versatile - you can make the earrings long or short, give them fringe or no fringe, add dangles or no dangles, and put crystals in middle of the pairs of crescents or leave that space open. You can use Swarovski crystals or firepolish beads, or even metal bicones - tons of options!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GUgmjW8vmg/XB5fN8LGT7I/AAAAAAAAJYE/DyjbD_4exsknZSUl9Pjzh6MTERO4KUxrACLcBGAs/s1600/earring%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1300" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GUgmjW8vmg/XB5fN8LGT7I/AAAAAAAAJYE/DyjbD_4exsknZSUl9Pjzh6MTERO4KUxrACLcBGAs/s320/earring%2Bcollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few of the different earrings in this tutorial.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pair on the left have crystals inside the crescent pair, while the pair on the right do not.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The final pair of earrings I made were a super-long pair with black Honeycomb beads, black Arcos Par Pucas, and crystal AB Swarovskis, and they are absolutely stunning (though impossible to photograph well.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iHspkD_VMU8/XB5kO4ACtoI/AAAAAAAAJYY/JC7lsXNO374d_zfo4Tv9n6hwDhFU1hjXgCLcBGAs/s1600/black%2Bdeco%2Bearrings%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1557" height="197" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iHspkD_VMU8/XB5kO4ACtoI/AAAAAAAAJYY/JC7lsXNO374d_zfo4Tv9n6hwDhFU1hjXgCLcBGAs/s320/black%2Bdeco%2Bearrings%2Bcollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horrible pics, but trust me; these are beautiful!</td></tr>
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I draped one of the long black earrings on the back of my hand, admiring it, and thought: Wow, this would make a great bracelet!<br />
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So there you have it: Deco Love. In addition to the Arcos Par Pucas, it calls for Honeycombs, 3 and 4 mm crystal bicones or firepolish (in the bracelet, I actually substituted True2 mm firepolish, to make it extra dainty), 15/0s, 11/0s, and optional dangles for the earrings.<br />
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It's available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/654671854/honeycomb-and-arcos-par-puca-crescent?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">here, in my Etsy store!</a><br />
<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-78927936803357200092018-09-14T15:08:00.003-04:002018-12-22T11:30:26.445-05:00Two new tutorials! (It's about time, right?)This brand new beadweaving tutorial, "Lucy in the Sky," features DiamonDuos/GemDuos and 8mm 2-hole Candy Cabochons, plus assorted seed beads and other embellishing beads. Five different colorways are shown, and in one of them I used a mixture of DiamonDuos and GemDuos. While these diamond-shaped beads are from different manufacturers, they are completely interchangeable!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7U21Q2_uRs/W5v8_rLNTTI/AAAAAAAAJWg/XtoEqyfNZ8wQBCzL9xRVYmjLBvbJZhbxQCLcBGAs/s1600/5%2Blucys%2Bdraped%2Btest2%2B500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="500" height="161" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7U21Q2_uRs/W5v8_rLNTTI/AAAAAAAAJWg/XtoEqyfNZ8wQBCzL9xRVYmjLBvbJZhbxQCLcBGAs/s320/5%2Blucys%2Bdraped%2Btest2%2B500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/629865730/step-by-step-pattern-for-diamonduos?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">Lucy in the Sky: 5 different colorways</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCNlRoIMQ3o/W5v_FFPoQEI/AAAAAAAAJWs/3lHeRmGEhOYDoSfksOpvIWlF90v-FllhQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF1756.%2BsquareJPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1100" height="319" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCNlRoIMQ3o/W5v_FFPoQEI/AAAAAAAAJWs/3lHeRmGEhOYDoSfksOpvIWlF90v-FllhQCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF1756.%2BsquareJPG.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/629865730/step-by-step-pattern-for-diamonduos?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">Lucy in the Sky: there's a wide version and a narrow version!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The step-by-step instructions include both the wide and the narrow versions, and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/629865730/step-by-step-pattern-for-diamonduos?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">is available in my Etsy shop</a>.<br />
<br />
My second "new" tutorial is "Peanutty" -- it's not so much new as it's "I forgot to blog about this" - oops!<br />
<br />
Peanutty is a double spiral tutorial for peanut beads, and you will never find more clearly written step-by-step instructions for creating a double spiral (you can easily substitute seed beads for the peanuts, so if you have been struggling to figure out the double spiral, this is the pattern for you!.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h9tEN7u9QB8/W5wDmIvLyNI/AAAAAAAAJW4/LA_RJdPy3Us0vLYUPjMXZtpHlkC8pmvigCLcBGAs/s1600/peanut%2Bearring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="570" height="215" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h9tEN7u9QB8/W5wDmIvLyNI/AAAAAAAAJW4/LA_RJdPy3Us0vLYUPjMXZtpHlkC8pmvigCLcBGAs/s320/peanut%2Bearring.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/523216834/peanut-bead-tutorial-for-bracelet-and?ref=shop_home_active_3" target="_blank">Peanutty: A Double Spiral Tutorial for Peanuts</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3 different colorways are shown, and there is also an earring pattern. Detailed instructions are included for securely attaching the endings as shown in the pics.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SzB9uVYFiLo/W5wGyBhcnTI/AAAAAAAAJXE/kV72Inpj-YYFP7ManCAY9M6FKVncCkJ1gCLcBGAs/s1600/peanutty%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SzB9uVYFiLo/W5wGyBhcnTI/AAAAAAAAJXE/kV72Inpj-YYFP7ManCAY9M6FKVncCkJ1gCLcBGAs/s400/peanutty%2Bcollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanutty colorways.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can find Peanutty <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/523216834/peanut-bead-tutorial-for-bracelet-and?ref=shop_home_active_5" target="_blank">here, in my Etsy shop</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-10260269967112770752017-05-05T16:19:00.001-04:002017-05-05T16:19:49.348-04:00New Tutorial: It Takes Two (Different Types of Triangle Beads) to Tango<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/528233993/tango-tutorial-2-hole-beads-bracelet-2" target="_blank">My newest tutorial is now available on Etsy</a>:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pjIv7m4UVQ/WQzYsBmho5I/AAAAAAAAJVU/rFDywrUVMa0PYiQ5pE3iGMHmtDFksjJGwCLcB/s1600/tango%2Bcover%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pjIv7m4UVQ/WQzYsBmho5I/AAAAAAAAJVU/rFDywrUVMa0PYiQ5pE3iGMHmtDFksjJGwCLcB/s320/tango%2Bcover%2Bcollage.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It Takes Two (Different Types of Triangle Beads) to Tango, a beadweaving tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This pattern calls for several different 2-hole beads: 6mm 2-hole triangles, Tangos, 6mm pyramid studs, and SuperDuos, plus 3mm Firepolish, and various seed bead sizes.<br />
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The 21-page tutorial is loaded with pictures and easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and diagrams.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBqPns3vH3A/WQzb4OiGe2I/AAAAAAAAJVg/1CXnAGqcvKgDH9E0PGbk2--qK44177iSgCLcB/s1600/3%2Bembellished%2Bbracelets%2Bwrist%2B-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBqPns3vH3A/WQzb4OiGe2I/AAAAAAAAJVg/1CXnAGqcvKgDH9E0PGbk2--qK44177iSgCLcB/s320/3%2Bembellished%2Bbracelets%2Bwrist%2B-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It Takes Two to Tango, by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Instructions are given for 3 different variations of the bracelet:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4HJnM3sa2c/WQzcNKIrU4I/AAAAAAAAJVk/8LNizrz7THcOIVCmRzDsvdG-uNg6zclCQCLcB/s1600/3%2Btango%2Bversions-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4HJnM3sa2c/WQzcNKIrU4I/AAAAAAAAJVk/8LNizrz7THcOIVCmRzDsvdG-uNg6zclCQCLcB/s320/3%2Btango%2Bversions-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 different bracelet variations: It Takes Two to Tango, by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and several earring variations:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HdMyNm-tUKY/WQzchJCm6bI/AAAAAAAAJVo/zg1slmaUTcUr9AMUJYpATdxAkoyCQEjQACLcB/s1600/earring%2Bgroup%2Bcover%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HdMyNm-tUKY/WQzchJCm6bI/AAAAAAAAJVo/zg1slmaUTcUr9AMUJYpATdxAkoyCQEjQACLcB/s400/earring%2Bgroup%2Bcover%2Blogo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the many earring variations possible with It Takes Two to Tango, by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Five different colorways are also shown.<br />
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I consider this an intermediate to advance tutorial, but if you have experience reading beadweaving patterns, you will be able to create these designs.<br />
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I hope you enjoy it!Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-73627788475105508962016-09-26T19:37:00.000-04:002016-09-26T19:37:42.871-04:00Curvaceous Crescents - A DiamonDuo and 2-hole Crescent Beadweaving TutorialI have just published my latest DiamonDuo tutorial: Curvaceous Crescents. In addition to DiamonDuos and 2-hole Crescent Beads, it also uses Pellet Beads, 2mm FirePolish, 11/0s, and 15/0s.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8EP1yw9sf20/V-mtYeW4CFI/AAAAAAAAJUM/kunArra85wwH6PZIgpY7rq-lNsxG0mGjwCLcB/s1600/Curvaceous%2Bcover%2Bfor%2Betsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8EP1yw9sf20/V-mtYeW4CFI/AAAAAAAAJUM/kunArra85wwH6PZIgpY7rq-lNsxG0mGjwCLcB/s320/Curvaceous%2Bcover%2Bfor%2Betsy.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curvaceous Crescents, a beadweaving tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I consider this to be an advanced tutorial, although any beginner who's comfortable reading patterns will be able to pick up this tutorial and create the bracelet - the tutorial has explicit step-by-step instructions as well as easy to follow diagrams.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjPsJdmyCp4/V-mut_b2GHI/AAAAAAAAJUY/e_Gc_DdV5ogaLPSoCNuQ7TP8cuqRrzq9QCLcB/s1600/curvaceous%2Bbeige-blue%2Blong%2B1000%2Betsy%2Brot%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjPsJdmyCp4/V-mut_b2GHI/AAAAAAAAJUY/e_Gc_DdV5ogaLPSoCNuQ7TP8cuqRrzq9QCLcB/s320/curvaceous%2Bbeige-blue%2Blong%2B1000%2Betsy%2Brot%2Blogo.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curvaceous Crescents, by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TeuL_glsF6E/V-mu_9SPUXI/AAAAAAAAJUc/187JzA89SAIuaUsTeySu9vneKcvIsW2vACLcB/s1600/DD%2Bbutton%2Bon%2Bbracelet1%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TeuL_glsF6E/V-mu_9SPUXI/AAAAAAAAJUc/187JzA89SAIuaUsTeySu9vneKcvIsW2vACLcB/s320/DD%2Bbutton%2Bon%2Bbracelet1%2Blogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curvaceous Crescents, by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This pattern also includes a bonus tutorial with step-by-step instructions and diagrams for making DiamonDuo buttons/beaded beads/components. This will allow you to create matching clasps, earrings, etc. for your DiamonDuo creations -- I used this pattern to create the button for the bracelet in the pic above.<br />
And here are some earrings I made with the same tutorial:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Myeit4bKNrs/V-mvzQ4GX-I/AAAAAAAAJUg/OK7WdZbgfoot2mTP5TUFPYAhySKbMLhWACLcB/s1600/DD%2Bearrings%2Bgreen%2Bflat%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Myeit4bKNrs/V-mvzQ4GX-I/AAAAAAAAJUg/OK7WdZbgfoot2mTP5TUFPYAhySKbMLhWACLcB/s320/DD%2Bearrings%2Bgreen%2Bflat%2Blogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DiamonDuo Earrings, from tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_Mf4CUecm8/V-mwQ757EFI/AAAAAAAAJUk/p1Ontj9Qt7UO_uKFnn6C3Vb45ife4nYqwCLcB/s1600/curvaceous%2BCOVER%2Bpurple-blue%2Bwrist1%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_Mf4CUecm8/V-mwQ757EFI/AAAAAAAAJUk/p1Ontj9Qt7UO_uKFnn6C3Vb45ife4nYqwCLcB/s320/curvaceous%2BCOVER%2Bpurple-blue%2Bwrist1%2Blogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curvaceous Crescents, by Sweet Freedom Designs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The bracelet tutorial, with bonus DiamonDuo button tutorial, is available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/467944694/diamonduo-tutorial-crescent-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">here, in my Etsy shop</a>. I hope you enjoy it!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLO0uhJKkLw/V-mwoGIizVI/AAAAAAAAJUo/mZHJ1CMukk0PrIdeMGI5UeME6OiKMWorQCLcB/s1600/dd%2Bgrp%2Btest%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLO0uhJKkLw/V-mwoGIizVI/AAAAAAAAJUo/mZHJ1CMukk0PrIdeMGI5UeME6OiKMWorQCLcB/s320/dd%2Bgrp%2Btest%2Blogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DiamonDuo buttons by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-32067594628300992022016-08-14T11:39:00.000-04:002016-08-14T11:39:01.985-04:00DiamonDuo Herringbone TutorialThis is the 3rd of 4 DiamonDuo Beadweaving tutorials I've been working on: DiamonDuo Herringbone.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7m-7AGieIfo/V7CObJUzoxI/AAAAAAAAJTc/kZJf-gwFkp8AWY9guWZqHxg5LEhRFRyvQCLcB/s1600/DD%2Bherringbone%2Bcover%2Bcollage%2B500A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7m-7AGieIfo/V7CObJUzoxI/AAAAAAAAJTc/kZJf-gwFkp8AWY9guWZqHxg5LEhRFRyvQCLcB/s320/DD%2Bherringbone%2Bcover%2Bcollage%2B500A.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DiamonDuo Herringbone, a beadweaving tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MvfTUcsJJY4/V7CPFstC0MI/AAAAAAAAJTg/5od9WI3x9hs6aJbl8zKeAAlZ0k7xij7VQCLcB/s1600/DD%2Bgreen%2Bherringbone%2Bwrist%2B1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MvfTUcsJJY4/V7CPFstC0MI/AAAAAAAAJTg/5od9WI3x9hs6aJbl8zKeAAlZ0k7xij7VQCLcB/s320/DD%2Bgreen%2Bherringbone%2Bwrist%2B1200.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DiamonDuo Herringbone bracelet; design and stitching by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SYA2IFK3A44/V7CPTShErXI/AAAAAAAAJTk/ANoxuF86pb0e5m2KT5HyHIraTFqzZkLOACLcB/s1600/DD%2Bpattern%2Bherringbone%2Bwrist%2B1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SYA2IFK3A44/V7CPTShErXI/AAAAAAAAJTk/ANoxuF86pb0e5m2KT5HyHIraTFqzZkLOACLcB/s320/DD%2Bpattern%2Bherringbone%2Bwrist%2B1200.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DiamonDuo Herringbone bracelet; design and stitching by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tutorial is available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/458687120/diamonduo-tutorial-herringbone-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">here, in my Etsy shop</a>!<br />
<br />
Look for the next DiamonDuo tutorial later this week!<br />
<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-1813793342923160412016-08-04T21:32:00.001-04:002016-08-04T21:32:53.481-04:00New Beadweaving Tutorial: Diamond ButterfliesThis is the second of 4 DiamonDuo tutorials I've been working on.<br />
<br />
In addition to DiamonDuos, "Diamond Butterflies" uses 2-hole Crescent beads, O-beads, and various seed beads and crystals.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exFNr7WIzGc/V6Pq5F5dq2I/AAAAAAAAJS8/dlcaapTqADUZn_iTP78WK1SQZv83XhfxwCLcB/s1600/Diamond%2BButterflies%2Bcover%2Bcollage%2BEtsy1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exFNr7WIzGc/V6Pq5F5dq2I/AAAAAAAAJS8/dlcaapTqADUZn_iTP78WK1SQZv83XhfxwCLcB/s320/Diamond%2BButterflies%2Bcover%2Bcollage%2BEtsy1a.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Butterflies, a beadweaving tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o49Sg164c_U/V6Prip9UJjI/AAAAAAAAJTE/F7DA3GkOeV4NE5NBAwNLTw0Wk1Sl-JGjQCLcB/s1600/blue%2Bdiamond%2Bbutterflies%2Bwrist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o49Sg164c_U/V6Prip9UJjI/AAAAAAAAJTE/F7DA3GkOeV4NE5NBAwNLTw0Wk1Sl-JGjQCLcB/s320/blue%2Bdiamond%2Bbutterflies%2Bwrist.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Butterflies, Tutorial and Stitching by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjSLyHNY4Pg/V6PsEPRjlRI/AAAAAAAAJTI/goWKenmOY1AkQ5PD73y3aK8bWGVoG7DjgCLcB/s1600/rust%2Bdiamond%2Bbutterflies%2Bwrist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjSLyHNY4Pg/V6PsEPRjlRI/AAAAAAAAJTI/goWKenmOY1AkQ5PD73y3aK8bWGVoG7DjgCLcB/s320/rust%2Bdiamond%2Bbutterflies%2Bwrist.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Butterflies, Tutorial and Stitching by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The pattern is available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/470386407/beadweaving-tutorial-bracelet-diamonduo?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">here, in my Etsy shop</a>!<br />
<br />
Look for another DiamonDuo tutorial in a week or so!<br />
<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-79557529846588929622016-07-22T13:56:00.000-04:002016-08-04T21:22:31.259-04:00New Beadweaving Tutorial Featuring DiamonDuos, MiniDuos, and 12mm Pyramid StudsDo you find all the new bead shapes overwhelming?<br />
<br />
The shapes themselves don't overwhelm me, but the pace with which they are flooding the market does! Seems like every week or so I'm hearing about another bead shape, and wondering how I can get my hands on some!<br />
<br />
Last week I got my hands on some DiamonDuos, 12mm Pyramid Studs, Honeycombs, and Crescents, and thought I would lose my mind - where to start?!<br />
<br />
Within several hours of experimenting with the DiamonDuos, I had come up with 4 different designs, so I started stitching and writing, and this represents my first tutorial from those efforts: Art Deco Diamonds & Pyramids.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7zJBRQhGd0/V5Ivvv6JX5I/AAAAAAAAJSY/LcOBjh9xFHE_m6jbG9n2lzzHmESIqRL8gCLcB/s1600/tut1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7zJBRQhGd0/V5Ivvv6JX5I/AAAAAAAAJSY/LcOBjh9xFHE_m6jbG9n2lzzHmESIqRL8gCLcB/s320/tut1.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Deco Diamonds & Pyramids, a tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In addition to the DiamonDuos, this pattern uses 12mm Pyramid Studs, Miniduos, 3mm Swarovski bicones, and 15/0s. I really love the texture that the DiamonDuos and Pyramid Studs add to designs!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIKXimAF-WY/V5JdOM4oV0I/AAAAAAAAJSo/TJOuSs7eqiE4YzyWWDDWtfUOmeG8xALFwCLcB/s1600/ad1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIKXimAF-WY/V5JdOM4oV0I/AAAAAAAAJSo/TJOuSs7eqiE4YzyWWDDWtfUOmeG8xALFwCLcB/s320/ad1.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turquoise and Beige Picasso version of Art Deco Diamonds & Pyramids, stitched by Sweet Freedom Designs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4W4mKkOeUE/V5JdZqvS2RI/AAAAAAAAJSs/Q5DFP6B__JE84Ct58fgE0X06SWI-pz9sQCLcB/s1600/ad2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4W4mKkOeUE/V5JdZqvS2RI/AAAAAAAAJSs/Q5DFP6B__JE84Ct58fgE0X06SWI-pz9sQCLcB/s320/ad2.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple and Gold version of Art Deco Diamonds & Pyramids, stitched by Sweet Freedom Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In the purple version, I substituted 3mm FirePolish for the 3mm Swarovski bicones, and the result is a gentle ruffle along the outer edges. Substituting a 2mm FirePolish for the 3mm bicones gives a nice flat edge.<br />
<br />
The tutorial is available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/467539479/beadweaving-tutorial-pattern-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">here, in my Etsy shop.</a><br />
<br />
Watch for a few new tutorials to be published in the next week or so!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-79429604093360861022016-03-08T20:05:00.000-05:002016-03-08T20:09:34.827-05:00Tangy Ranch Chicken - Quick and Easy, in the Crock Pot!I recently purchased my first crock pot<b>*</b>, and after trying a few recipes I found on Pinterest, I took matters into my own hand yesterday and came up with this delicious tangy ranch chicken recipe.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gWGEC6F5UIc/Vt93tgj_xVI/AAAAAAAAJR8/pKXf3jNz5mk/s1600/IMG_1531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gWGEC6F5UIc/Vt93tgj_xVI/AAAAAAAAJR8/pKXf3jNz5mk/s320/IMG_1531.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tangy Ranch Crock Pot Chicken à la Sweet Freedom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The prep is quick and easy! 20 minutes or so in the morning, and 6-8 hours later you'll have a dinner your family will love!<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<ul>
<li>2 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts</li>
<li>2-3 cups russets potatoes (approx. 3 medium potatoes)</li>
<li>2 cups baby carrots</li>
<li>1 can whole kernel corn</li>
<li>2 packets (2-oz each) Hidden Valley Dry Ranch Dressing mix</li>
<li>8 slices bacon </li>
<li>3/4 cup water </li>
<li>1/4 cup Ranch Dressing (prepared)</li>
<li>1/8 cup mayonnaise or sour cream</li>
<li>1//8 cup olive oil</li>
<li>1 tsp parsley flakes </li>
<li>1/4 tsp black pepper</li>
</ul>
Directions:<br />
<ol>
<li>Scrub the russet potatoes, then chop them into 2-inch chunks. No need to peel them! Place them in the crock pot.</li>
<li>Add 1/2 cup water. </li>
<li>Place chicken breasts on top of potatoes in pot. Optional: I pound my chicken breasts with a meat tenderizer first; I've made this recipe with and without tenderizing first, and I just prefer mine after tenderizing. But your chicken will be plenty tender without the pounding, should you choose to skip it! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vmKgaGJshG0/Vt9zVk3W6ZI/AAAAAAAAJRM/PUJtMK1sajE/s1600/meat%2Btenderizer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vmKgaGJshG0/Vt9zVk3W6ZI/AAAAAAAAJRM/PUJtMK1sajE/s320/meat%2Btenderizer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my trusty meat tenderizer hammer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li>Cover the chicken breasts with 8 strips of just barely cooked bacon. Note: I use Hormel Microwave bacon, and cook 2 packets (the packets each contain 4 strips) <b>separately</b>, for 1 minute and 50 seconds each, while I'm prepping the potatoes. Couldn't be quicker or easier, and there is absolutely no clean-up!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JrQo7fSxnm8/Vt9zhE0x7YI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/uUafau9UdUs/s1600/microwave%2Bbacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JrQo7fSxnm8/Vt9zhE0x7YI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/uUafau9UdUs/s320/microwave%2Bbacon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hormel Microwave Bacon - so easy and delicious, and no clean-up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li>In a small bowl, combine the following: both packets of Ranch Dressing Mix, the prepared Ranch Dressing, the mayo or sour cream, the olive oil, the pepper, and 1/4 cup water. Stir until well mixed. Add a little more water if necessary to dissolve the Ranch Dressing Mix. Layer this mixture evenly over the chicken and bacon. Cover with parsley flakes.</li>
<li>Wash the carrots and place in crock pot.</li>
<li>Add the whole kernel corn on top last.<br />Add the remaining 1/2 cup water around the bottom of the crock pot.</li>
<li>Cook on high for 6 hours or on medium for 8-9 hours.</li>
</ol>
Enjoy!!<br />
<br />
Let me know if you try the recipe, and what you think!<br />
<br />
<b>*</b>My first crock pot for COOKING - of course, I have 4 crock pots at work: 2 for liver of sulfur (one for silver only, one for copper), one for pickle, 1 for vermiculite (for annealing enameled head pins):<br />
<br />
Here's my enameling set-up, with my pickle pot on the left, and the vermiculite pot at lower right:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NovTwpLfz4/Vt91aem7h3I/AAAAAAAAJRg/AFu5OK95FD0/s1600/TFE%2Bset%2Bup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NovTwpLfz4/Vt91aem7h3I/AAAAAAAAJRg/AFu5OK95FD0/s320/TFE%2Bset%2Bup2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just can't enamel without a few crock pots!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A close-up of my freshly-enameled headpins, annealing in warm vermiculite in a crock pot:<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WUkAfqxtNt8/Vt92JpR9rnI/AAAAAAAAJRs/0bNl71Wv4-o/s1600/hp%2Bvermiculite%2B3-16-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WUkAfqxtNt8/Vt92JpR9rnI/AAAAAAAAJRs/0bNl71Wv4-o/s320/hp%2Bvermiculite%2B3-16-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vermiculite in a hot crock pot is perfect for annealing enameled headpins!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-42480335590942191492016-01-01T20:46:00.000-05:002016-01-01T20:46:28.900-05:00New Tutorial for the New Year: Stepping StonesMy newest tutorial was just published on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/262290588/beadweaving-tutorial-bracelet-pattern" target="_blank">Etsy: Stepping Stones</a>!<br />
<br />
This tutorial was built around the new Czech Pellet beads, and features
instructions, pics, and diagrams for 5 different bracelets, using netting and RAW (right angle weave): <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bap8SJLkvss/Vocn2kAoK_I/AAAAAAAAJQs/qnD31q0RsBg/s1600/stepping%2Bstones%2Bcollage%2B1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bap8SJLkvss/Vocn2kAoK_I/AAAAAAAAJQs/qnD31q0RsBg/s320/stepping%2Bstones%2Bcollage%2B1000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/262290588/beadweaving-tutorial-bracelet-pattern" target="_blank">Stepping Stones Tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In addition to Pellets, 15/0s, 11/0s, and 8/0s, some of the variations also call for 3mm FirePolish beads, 3mm Swarovski bicones, Superduos, and drop beads.<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-47717932629501798822015-12-31T17:40:00.004-05:002016-01-01T14:15:55.037-05:00Happy New Year!I am SO close to releasing a new beadweaving tutorial - it just needs to be proofread. That was on my list for today, but I, well ..... just didn't feel like it. It was one of those rainy, take-a-nap kind of days!<br />
<br />
So I will get it taken care of tomorrow, and publish my first tutorial of 2016 sometime tomorrow evening. I'll post here and on Facebook to let everyone know, but here is a sneak peak of ONE of the FIVE bracelets included in the tutorial:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zmlwz8fcZKA/VoWsH8TlqlI/AAAAAAAAJQg/yuMxZ7ytUxM/s1600/modular%2Bstepping%2Bstones%2Bborder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zmlwz8fcZKA/VoWsH8TlqlI/AAAAAAAAJQg/yuMxZ7ytUxM/s320/modular%2Bstepping%2Bstones%2Bborder.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<br />
More details tomorrow!<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, as I was sitting around doing not much today, reading random forum threads on Etsy, I saw some folks talking about their views from Pinterest (y'all know I have <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/sweetfreedompin/" target="_blank">a bit of a Pinterest addiction</a>.....), and one poster commented that she'd had only a handful of views from Pinterest for the whole year, and didn't know if Pinterest was worthwhile. I got curious, because Pinterest is always my #2 source of views, after views from Etsy itself. <br />
<br />
Of course, I post on Pinterest because of my little addiction, but...so far in 2015, I have had 4802 views from Pinterest! I wish I had more information ... like a way to know how many of those converted to sales, but I don't.<br />
<br />
Anyway - have a fantastic and safe New Year's Eve, and best wishes for 2016! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3lS5kknO4Q/VoWp5PffrsI/AAAAAAAAJQU/OS2btqATxEM/s1600/Happy-New-Year-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3lS5kknO4Q/VoWp5PffrsI/AAAAAAAAJQU/OS2btqATxEM/s320/Happy-New-Year-2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-67688280763435463972015-11-10T14:22:00.001-05:002015-11-10T14:22:31.008-05:00Spiky Chevrons, Stripes, ZigZags, and Diamonds - a new tutorialI've just published my latest beadweaving tutorial, "Spiky Chevrons, Stripes, ZigZags, and Diamonds." It is 25 pages of full color photos, diagrams, graphs, and step-by-step instructions for 16 bracelet variations using 6mm Czechmates<span class="st">™ triangles</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v9UHHQhf-ec/VkJDJiLu6DI/AAAAAAAAJQA/bbBl8H_HHis/s1600/triangle%2BBW%2Bbracelets%2Bgroup%2B-%2Bbetter%2Bsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v9UHHQhf-ec/VkJDJiLu6DI/AAAAAAAAJQA/bbBl8H_HHis/s320/triangle%2BBW%2Bbracelets%2Bgroup%2B-%2Bbetter%2Bsm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/255547993/beadweaving-tutorial-bracelet-pattern-2" target="_blank">Just a few of the bracelets included in my newest tutorial, "Spiky Chevrons, Stripes, ZigZags, and Diamonds"</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
I love the textural element the triangle beads give to the designs!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This versatile pattern is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/255547993/beadweaving-tutorial-bracelet-pattern-2" target="_blank">available in my Etsy shop</a>!</div>
</div>
Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-51771144824329624582015-09-26T18:57:00.001-04:002015-09-26T18:57:52.791-04:00Wire-Decorated Pumpkins for FallA couple of pumpkins I've decorated with craft wire for autumn:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_XLI_AZ5G04/VgcRr74XV7I/AAAAAAAAJPA/s_MHZ2x43AU/s1600/spiral%2Bwire%2Bpumpkin%2B3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_XLI_AZ5G04/VgcRr74XV7I/AAAAAAAAJPA/s_MHZ2x43AU/s320/spiral%2Bwire%2Bpumpkin%2B3c.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pumpkin decorated with spirals made from 18g copper, silver, and gold craft wire, by Sweet Freedom Designs</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95fJtK8MDyI/VgcT9Rzs51I/AAAAAAAAJPM/pOcLtkEys7w/s1600/wire%2Bpumpkin%2B-%2Bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95fJtK8MDyI/VgcT9Rzs51I/AAAAAAAAJPM/pOcLtkEys7w/s320/wire%2Bpumpkin%2B-%2Bc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Small decorative pumpkin wrapped with 18g orange, chartreuse, and dark green Artistic Wire, by Sweet Freedom Designs</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Before I go any further, these are NOT my ideas - I bought the book where I found these ideas at least 7 years before I discovered beading. I saw it in a bookstore, bought it, and put it on my craft bookshelf at home, and never touched it again. (Sound familiar?) Then, 2 days ago, I still was looking for book I have been trying to find for about 3 weeks, and decided I might as well look on the craft shelf, and though I didn't find what I was looking for, I <b>did</b> discover this black book with "Halloween" written on the spine in white in a really cool font. I pulled out the book, and the spiral-decorated pumpkin was on the cover, and I knew I wanted to make it! If you like Halloween crafts, you might want to check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=halloween+101+frightfully+fun+ideas" target="_blank"><i>halloween, 101 frightfully fun ideas</i></a>. The book has a wide spectrum of Halloween crafts inside!<br />
<br />
So, back to my wire-embellished pumpkins.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sJvp05XdgI0/Vgcaj9YqYxI/AAAAAAAAJPs/4b-PUwtk1sI/s1600/spiral%2Bwire%2Bpumpkin%2B1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sJvp05XdgI0/Vgcaj9YqYxI/AAAAAAAAJPs/4b-PUwtk1sI/s320/spiral%2Bwire%2Bpumpkin%2B1c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Another view of pie pumpkin covered in craft wire spirals, by Sweet Freedom Designs</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This started as a pie pumpkin, about 10 inches high and 10 inches in diameter. The book recommends using silver solder to create the spirals, but that's crazy talk! I don't know where they get their silver solder, but around here, it's expensive!<br />
<br />
I decided 18g craft wire was a better idea, and even better? I could combine gold, silver, and copper to decorate my pumpkin! Y'all know how <a href="http://sweetfreedom-designs.blogspot.com/search?q=mixed+metals" target="_blank">I love to mix metals</a>.....<br />
<br />
I started out small, and precise, and was hammering my spirals as I created them. And then my OCD and perfectionism kicked in - I got all worried about where the different spirals would go, and fussy about what colors were next to each other (I didn't want a whole cluster of silver, or copper, etc., sitting there - I wanted the colors arranged so there was never a spot with 2 of the same color next to each other! Yeah ..... that didn't happen. LOL.) And I wanted the spirals evenly spaced, and all sorts of other pickiness kicked in. So while I should have probably completed this one in an hour or so, it took me over 8 hours. Yeah, that's right: Eight Hours.<br />
<br />
I was going to wrap some green artistic wire around the stem, and create some wire leaves, but after the 8+ hour of creating spirals, I. Was. Done.<br />
<br />
Time for the other pumpkin!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95fJtK8MDyI/VgcT9Rzs51I/AAAAAAAAJPQ/U9RfF8Mlbvs/s1600/wire%2Bpumpkin%2B-%2Bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95fJtK8MDyI/VgcT9Rzs51I/AAAAAAAAJPQ/U9RfF8Mlbvs/s320/wire%2Bpumpkin%2B-%2Bc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Small decorative pumpkin wrapped with 18g Artistic Wire, by Sweet Freedom Designs</b></td></tr>
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This cute little decorative pumpkin won my heart at the grocery store: its shape is perfect, and I loved it's freckled complexion! It's about 4 inches tall (not counting the stem) and about 6 inches in diameter.<br />
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The book called for "plastic coated wire" - I didn't have any of that, but I had 18g Artistic wire in bright orange, chartreuse, and dark green. The little pumpkin had an even number of grooves going around it, so I decided to alternate the orange and chartreuse wires for the wrapping on the sides. Then I added the dark green to the other 2 for the stem, twisting all 3 colors together and coiling them around the stem, then turning the ends into coiling tendrils.<br />
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The plastic-coated wire in the book shows up a lot better (could be because it is bright pink!), but it is also much thicker than my 18 gauge wire. If I were doing this one over again, I would probably bundle 3 pieces of each color together to wrap in each groove around the sides of the pumpkin. (Full disclosure: in person, the wires on the sides of the little pumpkin show up very well; they just don't look like much in the pics!) I also want my tendrils to be longer, so I will probably go back and wrap in a few more tendrils when I get back to work next week. I may even make a few wire leaves ... who knows?!<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Happy Fall, y'all!</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WyA2tyHLOqE/VgcXgC6z_2I/AAAAAAAAJPg/GieRJFqYF50/s1600/pumpkin%2Bcollage%2Blg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WyA2tyHLOqE/VgcXgC6z_2I/AAAAAAAAJPg/GieRJFqYF50/s400/pumpkin%2Bcollage%2Blg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>3 views of the pie pumpkin covered with craft wire spirals, by Sweet Freedom Designs</b></td></tr>
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Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-48144281684158707772015-08-09T13:55:00.000-04:002015-08-10T10:16:03.029-04:00Pushing Yourself CreativelyI think most beadweavers start out the same way; you like jewelry, you like beads, and you see pretty woven jewelry somewhere, and you want to make some. You may go to your local bead shop and take a class, or you may tackle a pattern in a magazine or online, or you may check out YouTube videos - but most start by following patterns; some pattern, somewhere.<br />
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I find that the first step in getting creative with beadweaving is often just trying different colors from those shown in the pattern. For some folks, that's a huge step, as lots of people have trouble visualizing colors; for others, that's no big deal.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7FdxYuM-Y4/Vcd-35QLtFI/AAAAAAAAJNI/N_yr5Sp6kwE/s1600/blue-copper%2Blentil%2Bbrac%2Bflat3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7FdxYuM-Y4/Vcd-35QLtFI/AAAAAAAAJNI/N_yr5Sp6kwE/s320/blue-copper%2Blentil%2Bbrac%2Bflat3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>My take on "Quadrille", with lots of substituting and some pattern-tweaking</b></span></div>
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A bigger step is substituting beads. Lots of people just won't go there - the pattern calls for a certain bead? Many beaders see that as LAW, and won't deviate. <br />
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For me, substituting started out of desperation. I own a bead shop, for crying out loud, but no bead shop can have every dang bead, all the time! And I even had the correct bead, technically - I can't remember the specifics, but I think the pattern called for a 3mm Swarovski crystal, and I just did NOT have enough in a color that went with all the other beads in the materials list, so I finally decided: well, if a 3mm bicone will work, why can't a 3mm firepolish? Sure, the shape is a <i>little</i> different, but how bad could it screw up the pattern? The answer: not at all.<br />
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And I was off on a journey of substitution....never looking back.<br />
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At first, I stayed pretty close to the original bead: substituting 3mm firepolish with 3mm bicones, 4mm firepolish with 4mm bicones, etc. But then a pattern called for 8mm Swarovski pearls, and I didn't have any, so I went with some irregularly shaped 7 to 8mm freshwater pearls. And then I just went crazy - if the size I needed to substitute wasn't available, I supplemented by adding seed beads or other beads to either side to make up the difference, and sometimes I just went with a completely different shape: changing a round bead to a triangle, for example.<br />
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And that's when I decided to do something I NEVER thought I could do: design my <b>own</b> <b>pattern</b>. This again arose out of necessity, as I wanted to use SuperDuos to do something, but every pattern I found everywhere I looked was acting like this particular "thing" I wanted to do couldn't be done with the Duos (I am not going to go into the specifics here), but I was determined to show that it <b>could</b> be done.<br />
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I sat down with beads of all different shapes and sizes, and my SuperDuos, and started to play. I don't know any pattern designers personally, so I didn't have any mentors or guidance ... I just kept stitching little samplers, all day long; I kept getting closer to my goal, but kept getting thwarted. I'd set each failure aside, so I could remember not to repeat it! I wasn't taking notes ... just keeping my little samplers.<br />
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After many, many mis-stitches; and many, many hours, I hit upon the correct pattern, and <a href="http://sweetfreedom-designs.blogspot.com/2014/06/well-traveled-beadweaving-tutorial-for.html" target="_blank">my "Well-Traveled" design</a> was born. It wasn't a tutorial yet - I taught it several times, stitched it up countless times, and finally sat down to hammer out the written instructions with diagrams. All in all, it probably took 6 months from idea to publishing of the pattern.<br />
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And it was many months before I decided to see if I had any creativity left! But I did, and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetFreedom?section_id=15578206" target="_blank">I have published several tutorials since then</a>, and am actually working on 2 simultaneously right now.<br />
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This past week, I wanted to take a mental break from working on tutorials, and just do some good old fashioned stitching, for stitching's sake. Plus, I needed a few more samples to display in the shop. <br />
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I went through old beading magazines, and found 2 that interested me (and would use lots of different bead shapes I could then hopefully sell in the shop, based on the stitched up examples I wanted to make). I let a couple of my most frequent customers decide which I would tackle first, and (much to my chagrin), they chose the one that was going to require LOTS of substitutions, which I knew was going to mean lots of extra work and brainpower on my part...so not as much of a stitching vacation/mental break as I had hoped for! But that's OK ... beads are always fun!!<br />
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So I thought I'd walk you through the paths I took as I was making bead substitutions in this particular pattern.<br />
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The pattern they picked was from the April/May 2014 issue of <i>BeadWork</i>, and is called "Quadrille Bracelet" (by Sandie Bachand).<br />
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The day I received my copy of this issue, I marked this pattern to make up because it called for 2-hole lentils, and I had 2-hole lentils in the shop that I needed to sell! Making up samples always helps people visualize the project better than just seeing the pics in the magazine. You can see my little pink sticky flag at the top right of the pic. Unfortunately, the mag with its flagged patterns went on top of my To-do pile, and was soon buried by other projects ... you know how it goes .... and here it is, well over a year later, but I'm finally getting to it!<br />
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In addition to the 2-hole lentils, the pattern called for 6.5mm Rose Montees. <br />
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I do not carry Rose Montees. I do not have any Rose Montees. I do not <b>like</b> Rose Montees. And I had NO intention of purchasing Rose Montees for the shop just so I could make this one pattern, because I knew they would not be a popular seller. One of the 2 customers that picked this particular pattern for me to tackle first even told me she had some Rose Montees at home that she'd give me so I could make this bracelet, but ... did I mention? I don't like them! Too blingy and gimmicky (to me). Plus, if I made the bracelet with Rose Montees, my customers would then expect to be able to BUY rose montees in my shop, and, as I said....not going there! So, it's Substitution Time!<br />
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My thought was 6mm is close to 6.5mm, and the pattern shows multiple thread passes through the Montee, so I need a 6mm bead with a large enough hole for multiple thread passes, so probably not a pearl. I decided to go with a 6mm firepolish, but could just have easily chosen a 6mm gemstone, or 6mm round Swarovski, or probably even a 6mm Swarovski bicone.<br />
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My next stumbling block? The pattern called for 2mm glass pearls. I didn't have any. I had some 2mm gemstone rounds, but they didn't go with any of my 2-hole lentils, so I decided that a size 8/0 seed bead was close enough to 2mm, and I had a huge color selection in 8/0s, so yeah, I'm gonna use 8/0s.<br />
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Scanning the rest of the materials list, I had everything, so I set about to put together my colorway.<br />
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The bead on the material list that I had the fewest colors to choose from was the 2-hole lentil, so I decided to start there. This is where I start whenever I am choosing colorways, and harks back to a term from my chemistry days: Rate Limiting Step. Briefly, the rate limiting step in chemistry is the step which determines how fast a chemical reaction will occur, and is determined by the amount of reactants (or "ingredients") present in the reaction - the one you have the least of is the one that controls how fast things progress, because when you run out of that particular one, the reaction stops. Period. So my choice of 2-hole lentils would determine how many different colorways I could possibly put together.<br />
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The bead ("ingredient") I had the next fewest choices of was a 3x4mm rondelle, and when I compared my choice of lentils with my choice of rondelles, I really only had one choice to continue forward: the matte copper 2-hole lentil and a blue and copper rondelle. I chose the rest of my beads, and sat down to stitch.<br />
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And soon ran into my first substitution-induced stitching road block.<br />
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When it was time to add the rondelles, the 8/0s in the previous step had pushed the 2-hole lentils further apart than a 2mm pearl would have, and the 3x4 rondelle no longer fit well. <br />
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Solution? A 4x7 rondelle. Fortunately, I had one that went nicely with the rest of my chosen beads, or I would have had to start all over at the beginning, choosing a new colorway. Been there, done that ... but didn't have to do that this time!<br />
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And almost immediately, stitching road block number 2. I completed the first unit, and was getting ready to move onto the next one, but noticed that by using this larger rondelle, a tiny bit of thread showed on either side of each rondelle. How much is "a tiny bit"?<br />
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Well: 1) enough to drive me insane<br />
2) therefore, enough to need fixing<br />
3) enough to be covered by a 15/0.<br />
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So I took apart the unit, and restitched it with a 15/0 on either side of the rondelle. Perfect!!<br />
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Next, it was time for the step which called for the montee. As I said earlier, I had decided to use a 6mm firepolish instead, and stitched the unit exactly as called for in the pattern (except for substituting the firepolish for the montee). The pattern explained that the 15/0s on either side of the rose montee would roll to the back of the montee and not be seen, but mine stayed on either side of the firepolish, which didn't bother me at all.<br />
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Then it was time to stitch/add the second unit. <br />
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Keep in mind, by changing the rondelle from 3x4 to 4x7, I had significantly increased the length/width of each (by 3mm on each end, for a total of 6mm total increase per unit). As I looked at constructing the unit, this would really impact the number of units in the finished bracelet, so I made a creative decision to make each unit SHARE the end rondelle from the previous unit (whereas the pattern calls for each unit having 4 rondelles, and the end ones are connected to each other by other beads).<br />
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From there, I proceeded to just follow my stitching pattern from unit one, and when it was time to add my 6mm firepolish to the center of the unit, I discovered stitching road block number 3: when I added the 6mm firepolish to the center of the first unit, the pattern had only said to center the "montee" between 2 particular lentils on each side of the unit, so I did ....not thinking ahead that because the montee is round, the placement in regards to the rondelles isn't important .... round is round! But the firepolish bead has 2 obvious ends, and the way I had placed it (even though that was the placement called for in the pattern) left the 2 ends pointing diagonally across the unit (I wish I had taken a photo - but instead of my firepolish spanning the unit from side-to-side, or end-to-end [as they do in my finished bracelet], it was in between those 2 positions, so it would never line up with the one I added in each subsequent unit). My symmetrical left brainedness would NOT allow this (and probably wouldn't have been happy if the firepolish beads had lain horizontally, either), so I had to rip apart my beadwork ONE. MORE. TIME. Oh, well.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMoJzX77iSA/VceNNqhqLsI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/fWQgyMzZHWI/s1600/brac%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMoJzX77iSA/VceNNqhqLsI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/fWQgyMzZHWI/s400/brac%2Bcollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span center="" style="font-size: x-small;" text-align:=""><b>Same bracelet, slightly different lighting. Also: note how my firepolish centers line up!</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aOZwYEXbrRk/VceOcfiWkII/AAAAAAAAJOc/t4qIaU1GE3o/s1600/blue-copper%2Blentil%2Bbrac%2Bflat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aOZwYEXbrRk/VceOcfiWkII/AAAAAAAAJOc/t4qIaU1GE3o/s320/blue-copper%2Blentil%2Bbrac%2Bflat1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">this pic shows details of the bracelet units</span></b></div>
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But from there, it was smooth sailing, and I really like the finished bracelet. Plus, the units just lent themselves to earrings, so I made a those, too.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8zAz43b-o0/VceOsjhCTlI/AAAAAAAAJOk/lK9bmeBvbYQ/s1600/blue-copper%2Blentil%2Bearrings%2Bflat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8zAz43b-o0/VceOsjhCTlI/AAAAAAAAJOk/lK9bmeBvbYQ/s320/blue-copper%2Blentil%2Bearrings%2Bflat.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">earrings</span></b></div>
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And my point when I started this post was ... don't be afraid to push yourself creatively when beading. If you really like a pattern, but don't have/can't find all the beads the pattern calls for, make a substitution. Or ask your local bead shop to help you with substitutions - if they are like me, they LOVE doing this! And just be aware of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect" target="_blank">the butterfly effect</a>: as happened to me, in this particular pattern, one seemingly innocuous substitution led to a cascade of unintended consequences, causing me to make another substitution, and some more minor changes to the design, but I ultimately ended up with a pretty bracelet, and you can, too!!<br />
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PS: Speaking of substitutions, SpellCheck would like me to know that "bicone" is not a word, and it strongly suggests "bacon" as a substitution. Which sounds pretty right about now.....Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-31590423412841379182015-07-16T14:47:00.002-04:002015-07-16T14:47:57.140-04:00New Earring DesignsIn between juggling other projects, I created 4 pairs of earrings over the last couple of weeks. These designs were developed to deal with an inventory problem: I had about 18 feet of gorgeous Vintaj Natural Brass chain whose links were too tiny for any matching jumprings I have or could make (without breaking down and ordering WIRE, which I didn't want to do, because then I would end up with a bunch of small gauge wire I didn't need!).<br />
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Adding fringe to the bottom of these earrings seemed like a perfect solution! And I have enough chain left over to make one more pair - just trying to decide which beads to use for the last pair!<br />
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All of these are available on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetFreedom">Etsy</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3caFHhXBGls/Vaf6tNh1q7I/AAAAAAAAJMU/vzQAENjZhjU/s1600/blue%2Bvintaj%2Bearrings%2Bflat4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3caFHhXBGls/Vaf6tNh1q7I/AAAAAAAAJMU/vzQAENjZhjU/s320/blue%2Bvintaj%2Bearrings%2Bflat4.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/240734862/blue-earrings-long-earrings-fringe" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Teal Blue Enameled Long Dangle Earrings with Vintaj Natural Brass Fringe</span></b></a> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pezx3oWpPcQ/Vaf7EtxkPEI/AAAAAAAAJMc/kLE97vOn6xs/s1600/shiny%2Braku%2Blampwork%2Bearrings%2Bflat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pezx3oWpPcQ/Vaf7EtxkPEI/AAAAAAAAJMc/kLE97vOn6xs/s320/shiny%2Braku%2Blampwork%2Bearrings%2Bflat1.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/240742230/raku-earrings-lampwork-earrings-green" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Raku-colored Lampwork Long Dangle Earrings with Vintaj Natural Brass Fringe </span></b></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSawkzoHuBQ/Vaf7foaA_rI/AAAAAAAAJMk/p2ZzbhDBWOY/s1600/orange%2Bvintaj%2Bearrings%2Bflat3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSawkzoHuBQ/Vaf7foaA_rI/AAAAAAAAJMk/p2ZzbhDBWOY/s320/orange%2Bvintaj%2Bearrings%2Bflat3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/240641441/bright-orange-earrings-long-earrings" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bright Flame Orange Enameled Long Dangle Earrings with Vintaj Natural Brass Fringe</span></b></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzCqYJW7Ky0/Vaf735ZavTI/AAAAAAAAJMw/UkvQfOqO-ZE/s1600/raku%2Blampwork%2Bvintaj%2Bearrings%2Bhang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzCqYJW7Ky0/Vaf735ZavTI/AAAAAAAAJMw/UkvQfOqO-ZE/s320/raku%2Blampwork%2Bvintaj%2Bearrings%2Bhang.jpg" width="216" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/240732046/lampwork-earrings-raku-earrings-purple" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Etched Raku-Colored Lampwork Long Dangle Earrings with Vintaj Natural Brass Fringe </span></b></a></div>
Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-70907124270894181352015-06-17T11:34:00.000-04:002015-06-17T11:34:12.800-04:00Please Pass the Peanuts!My latest Beadweaving tutorial is called "<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/236941032/beadweaving-tutorial-bracelet-pattern" target="_blank">Please Pass the Peanuts!</a>"<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oyjNDxKlH4c/VYGR4BwxkTI/AAAAAAAAJL8/YYzORMYP6Qs/s1600/all%2B5%2Bpass%2Bthe%2Bpeanuts%2B-%2Bdraped-border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oyjNDxKlH4c/VYGR4BwxkTI/AAAAAAAAJL8/YYzORMYP6Qs/s320/all%2B5%2Bpass%2Bthe%2Bpeanuts%2B-%2Bdraped-border.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Some of the bracelet variations taught in my "<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/236941032/beadweaving-tutorial-bracelet-pattern" target="_blank">Please Pass the Peanuts</a>" tutorial</b></span></div>
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This versatile pattern features either Superduos OR Czechmates 2-hole bricks, plus 15/0 seed beads, and Peanuts (of course!). There are options to add other embellishing beads (depending on whether you use Superduos or bricks) such as 3mm Swarovski bicones, 3mm Firepolish (or other 3mm beads), 1x2 crystal rondelles, 7/0 Matubos, and more. Both narrow and wide variations of both the Superduo and brick versions are shown, and there is also an option on the Superduo version to substitute 3x4mm drop beads for the peanuts.<br />
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Enjoy!Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-325347605347173532015-04-23T16:15:00.000-04:002015-11-10T14:15:42.994-05:00Peaks and Valleys - a New Beadweaving Tutorial by Sweet Freedom DesignsMy latest beadweaving tutorial contains step-by-step instructions for a wide bracelet, 2 skinny stacker-type bracelets (with options for several more variations), 2 very different necklaces, and 3 different earrings. Beads used include Superduos; Czechmates<span class="st">™ 2-hole tiles; O-beads; drop beads; and size 15/0, 8/0, and 11/0 seed beads. One of the necklaces has the option for using the new 6x5mm and 9x8mm Czech glass mushroom beads.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D-Wp2JD6Km0/VTlO2la0zCI/AAAAAAAAJKo/f3TdIeaY5kw/s1600/PV%2Bcover%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D-Wp2JD6Km0/VTlO2la0zCI/AAAAAAAAJKo/f3TdIeaY5kw/s1600/PV%2Bcover%2Bcollage.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/230523912/beadweaving-tutorial-bracelet-pattern" target="_blank"><span class="st"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>"Peaks and Valleys", a beadweaving tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs</b></span></span></a></div>
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<span class="st">"Peaks and Valleys" wide bracelet:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsZkYZn52mY/VTlPPWVksLI/AAAAAAAAJKw/dgpqb9l69pk/s1600/P-V%2Bbracelets%2Bwrist1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsZkYZn52mY/VTlPPWVksLI/AAAAAAAAJKw/dgpqb9l69pk/s1600/P-V%2Bbracelets%2Bwrist1.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="st">"Peaks and Valleys" bracelet; 3 colorways shown</span></span></b></div>
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<span class="st">"Peaks and Valleys" skinny bracelets:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dVLMoOOFGN4/VTlP7PPlSqI/AAAAAAAAJK8/p0cu7iW0Ixo/s1600/Peaks-Valleys%2B2%2Bstacker%2Bversions%2Bwrist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dVLMoOOFGN4/VTlP7PPlSqI/AAAAAAAAJK8/p0cu7iW0Ixo/s1600/Peaks-Valleys%2B2%2Bstacker%2Bversions%2Bwrist.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="st"></span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="st">"Peaks and Valleys" skinny bracelets</span></span></b></div>
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<span class="st">"Peaks and Valleys" necklace #1:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p878FmQoyX0/VTlQS9m3beI/AAAAAAAAJLE/_CnFhbLmH9w/s1600/Peaks%2BValleys%2Bnecklace%2BV1%2Bbust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p878FmQoyX0/VTlQS9m3beI/AAAAAAAAJLE/_CnFhbLmH9w/s1600/Peaks%2BValleys%2Bnecklace%2BV1%2Bbust.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="st"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>"Peaks and Valleys" Necklace #1</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="st"> "Peaks and Valleys" necklace #2:</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KjbTFGNtRQg/VTlQvrsXt3I/AAAAAAAAJLQ/GPfkk1HXzCk/s1600/Peaks%2BValleys%2B3%2Bstrand%2Bnecklaceb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KjbTFGNtRQg/VTlQvrsXt3I/AAAAAAAAJLQ/GPfkk1HXzCk/s1600/Peaks%2BValleys%2B3%2Bstrand%2Bnecklaceb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="st"> <b><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Peaks and Valleys" Necklace #2</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="st">There is a lot of opportunity for varying this second necklace - by changing the number of strands across the front and/or back, and by varying the choice of "accent" beads (I used Czech glass mushroom beads for the lower 2 strands, but Swarovski crystals, firepolish beads, and drop beads could easily be substituted.) </span><br />
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<span class="st"> "Peaks and Valleys" Earrings</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D76Y9ugfc-Q/VTlRdWbxWRI/AAAAAAAAJLY/JR-KMGC7MhU/s1600/PV%2Bearring%2Bgroup%2Bflat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D76Y9ugfc-Q/VTlRdWbxWRI/AAAAAAAAJLY/JR-KMGC7MhU/s1600/PV%2Bearring%2Bgroup%2Bflat.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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<span class="st"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>"Peaks and Valleys" - 3 different earrings</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="st">This versatile tutorial is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/230523912/beadweaving-tutorial-bracelet-pattern" target="_blank">available in my Etsy shop</a>, and I'm working on getting some kits put together in several colorways. </span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-8308340807436586472015-02-21T11:43:00.001-05:002015-02-21T11:44:17.951-05:00New Beadweaving Tutorial - A versatile design for bracelets and earringsLast night I published my latest beadweaving tutorial, "<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/223441988/beadweaving-tutorial-bracelet-and" target="_blank">Stackers, Wrappers, and Double/Triple Deckers</a>".<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRKLq1EunSg/VOizKT5GHrI/AAAAAAAAJJc/aGuhToh455U/s1600/stackers%2Bcollage%2Bsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRKLq1EunSg/VOizKT5GHrI/AAAAAAAAJJc/aGuhToh455U/s1600/stackers%2Bcollage%2Bsm.jpg" height="320" width="318" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stackers, Wrappers, and Double/Triple Deckers</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">a beadweaving tutorial by Sweet Freedom Designs</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/223441988/beadweaving-tutorial-bracelet-and" target="_blank">available on Etsy</a> </span></b></div>
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When I say this is a versatile pattern, I'm not kidding. It uses a 2-hole bead, which can be either a Superduo OR a Czechmates<span class="st">™ Brick OR a Czechmates</span><span class="st">™ lentil - all of which give it a different look. Plus, it calls for a 3mm bead, which can be an 8/0, an 11/0 triangle, a 3mm Swarovski crystal, etc. - really, so many different choices here.<br /><br />The tutorial gives step-by-step instructions for skinny stacking bracelets, a yummy wrap bracelet (I'm wearing the one at top right, above, right now!), a "Double Decker", and a "Triple Decker" (seen at top left, above). There are also instructions for making earrings.</span><br />
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<span class="st">I will be getting some kits put together soon!</span>Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-67941023182068412352015-01-21T13:16:00.000-05:002015-01-21T13:16:30.150-05:00My Version of "Egyptian Cuff"I finished my version of Shelley Nybakke's "Egyptian Cuff" yesterday - the <a href="http://img2.timg.co.il/communafiles/32555361.pdf" target="_blank">pattern is available online</a> from <i>Beadwork Magazine</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9dx8e110to/VL_m8kuXZqI/AAAAAAAAJJE/GlGXURt1vn4/s1600/egyptian%2Bcuff%2Bwrist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9dx8e110to/VL_m8kuXZqI/AAAAAAAAJJE/GlGXURt1vn4/s1600/egyptian%2Bcuff%2Bwrist.jpg" height="268" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Bracelet stitched by Sweet Freedom Designs (pattern by Shelley Nybakke)</b></span></div>
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The pattern calls for stitching the bracelet with 11/0 seed beads and approximately 140 3mm Swarovski bicone crystals.<br />
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While I have a huge selection of 11/0s, I have a dearth of 3mm bicones - and only 3 colors where I had at least 140 crystals to play with!<br />
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I was none too thrilled with those 3 colors, but paired them up with some 11/0s the best I could, and stitched up the first section of the bracelet, and just wasn't excited about any of the outcomes:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wAIczxbewwE/VL_jdGcrfaI/AAAAAAAAJI4/8aGiTF4aOZA/s1600/egyptian%2Bvariations1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wAIczxbewwE/VL_jdGcrfaI/AAAAAAAAJI4/8aGiTF4aOZA/s1600/egyptian%2Bvariations1.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Left</i>: a purple sample using 8/0 seed beads & 4mm bicones; </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Right</i>: galvanized silver 11/0s with turquoise AB 3mm bicones, crystal AB 11/0s with amethyst AB 3mm bicones, and gold-lined opal 11/0s with Caribbean Opal bicones.</b></span> </div>
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<br />
However, I have tons of 4mm crystals, so I decided to step up to 8/0
seed beads and 4mm bicones, and see how the pattern worked, and it
stitched up perfectly!<br />
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My favorite of these initial trials was the purple/purple combo on the far left - but it seems like everything I'm stitching lately is purple, and I wanted to get out of my "purple rut." It finally hit me that I could use 2 colors of bicones in the pattern, one for the RAW segments, and another for the connecting strands. Duh.<br />
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I stitched up a RAW sample with Gold-lined Opal 8/0s and Chili Pepper 4mm bicones, and loved it. I paired it with Indian Sapphire 4mm bicones, and I really liked the combo.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dSc_0GCNF0/VL_ngUwn2dI/AAAAAAAAJJM/adqxu-G0IA8/s1600/egyptian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dSc_0GCNF0/VL_ngUwn2dI/AAAAAAAAJJM/adqxu-G0IA8/s1600/egyptian.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">detail, Egyptian Cuff stitched by Sweet Freedom Designs (pattern by Shelley Nybakke) </span></b></div>
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While the pattern stitched up perfectly with my step up to 8/0s and 4mm bicones, it did cause each of the RAW sections to be almost 1.5 inches wide. I dropped down to using 11/0s for the connecting strands, in an attempt to decrease the size a bit, but it still turned out to be way too small with just 6 RAW segments, so I added a 7th RAW section, which makes the bracelet a little too large for an average wrist, even with the tube clasp I chose to use. Sizing wouldn't have been an issue at all if I had used the 11/0 seed beads and the 3mm crystals, as each of those RAW sections was only 3/4 inch wide!<br />
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The RAW technique used in this bracelet was, coincidentally, the <a href="http://sweetfreedom-designs.blogspot.com/2014/12/beaded-beads.html" target="_blank">same 3-D Right Angle Weave as that in the Amphora Beaded Bead by Marcia Decoster that I was stitching when last I blogged</a>!<br />
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<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-75815341152005562322014-12-30T14:06:00.000-05:002016-01-07T18:55:50.771-05:00Beaded BeadsConfession: I am addicted to this right angle weave (RAW) beaded bead. The pattern ("Amphora") is from "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marcia-DeCosters-Beaded-Opulence-Beadweaving/dp/1600592929" target="_blank">Beaded Opulence" by Marcia DeCoster</a>, and I have stitched it 3 times already, and have pulled beads to stitch it 2 more times!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GidaNBIp3m0/VJsMGHfCSDI/AAAAAAAAJII/nrqrf8zE_vY/s1600/purple%2Bamphora%2Bnecklace%2Bfull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GidaNBIp3m0/VJsMGHfCSDI/AAAAAAAAJII/nrqrf8zE_vY/s1600/purple%2Bamphora%2Bnecklace%2Bfull.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b></b></span><br />
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Amphora Beaded Bead on Tubular Herringbone Rope, stitched by Sweet Freedom Designs</b></span></center>
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For this particular colorway, I used 3 different colors of Swarovskis, including one of my favorites: Cyclamen Opal. I also used gold-fumed lilac seed beads. I stitched a tubular herringbone rope to support the bead.<br />
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I have played around with different bead choices (colors AND sizes) for this bead, and keep
telling myself I am going to make one without Swarovskis, for a more
casual look, but I just can't seem to keep that promise! The Swarovski
bicones make this bead so opulent! <br />
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Here's another colorway I've stitched (but still using the gold-fumed lilac Tohos - I love this seed bead color!):<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWDeFbJ_R8k/VJsOHgGA6BI/AAAAAAAAJIU/dlFmAufM1DE/s1600/MDT%2BAmphora1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWDeFbJ_R8k/VJsOHgGA6BI/AAAAAAAAJIU/dlFmAufM1DE/s1600/MDT%2BAmphora1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Amphora Beaded Bead, stitched by Sweet Freedom Designs</b></span></div>
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Thanks to Marcia for putting this collection of RAW patterns together - it's a fantastic book, full of inspiring ideas!Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-89676822113434586842014-12-27T17:40:00.000-05:002014-12-27T17:40:00.614-05:00Peacock PeyoteI stitched this 3-drop peacock feather peyote bracelet in July, 2013. I love peacocks!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tok56qY6Hr0/VJsCXbHdILI/AAAAAAAAJH4/cjv74HxG0e0/s1600/peyote%2Bpeacock2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tok56qY6Hr0/VJsCXbHdILI/AAAAAAAAJH4/cjv74HxG0e0/s1600/peyote%2Bpeacock2.jpg" height="320" width="149" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Peacock feather 3-drop peyote bracelet</b></span></div>
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The <a href="http://bnb.jewelrymakingmagazines.com/projects/free-projects/2013/10/animal-magnetism" target="_blank">pattern is from Bead and Button - it was an online extra, and the download included a zebra-striped bracelet</a>, too (which I also stitched). I chose flashy silver and blue vitrail 3mm firepolish beads for the picot edging, which couldn't have been more perfect!<br />
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I was almost finished, and actually stitching the button onto the bracelet, when a friend came to visit at the bead shop. She fell in love with the bracelet, and insisted on having it, and I couldn't refuse! She let me take a couple of quick pics before she wore it home. <br />
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If you share my peacock love, I have a (growing) <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/sweetfreedompin/pretty-as-a-peacock/" target="_blank">peacock-themed board on Pinterest</a> - take a look!<br />
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<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-80960567820793170292014-12-24T12:08:00.001-05:002014-12-24T12:12:33.436-05:00A Little Christmas Present for MyselfA couple of months ago, as part of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PatternsForTigger" target="_blank">Patterns for Tigger fundraiser on Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SandFibers" target="_blank">Carol Dean Sharpe</a> created a set of peyote pattern graphs from a picture I'd taken of Tigger. (Thanks again, CD!)<br />
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I loved the patterns, and all the colorways, so I set out to stitch them - since I couldn't pick a favorite, naturally, I stitched them all!<br />
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As I looked at them, I decided that rather than wear them as bracelets, I
wanted to display them, so I took them to a local framer. They frame
lots of needlepoint, but had never done beadwork, and once I told him
each was made from glass beads, he was a bit leery about mounting them
to the mat, so he sent me home with the matting. I tacked each one to
the mat, then took them back to the frame shop to complete the process: <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZPXr-93q9A/VJrtKZ07FGI/AAAAAAAAJG0/iCFloWOOF-Q/s1600/Tiggers%2Bframed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZPXr-93q9A/VJrtKZ07FGI/AAAAAAAAJG0/iCFloWOOF-Q/s1600/Tiggers%2Bframed.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Framed set of 4 peyote stitch Tiggers</b></span></div>
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And now they are hanging on the wall in my shop, and they are gorgeous!<br />
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Here are the "bracelets" before I matted them: <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTvfGa4g8Zs/VJrtjjGzt8I/AAAAAAAAJG8/DADf12aiDxg/s1600/Tigger%2Bstitched%2Bgrouping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTvfGa4g8Zs/VJrtjjGzt8I/AAAAAAAAJG8/DADf12aiDxg/s1600/Tigger%2Bstitched%2Bgrouping.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">colorful bracelets stitched from CD's peyote graphs</span></b></div>
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This is the picture of Tigger that the pattern was created from:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2s1Kw9ky24/VJruNmVdVBI/AAAAAAAAJHI/X0XJcMarRZw/s1600/Tigger%2Bbreakfast%2Broom%2B8-17-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2s1Kw9ky24/VJruNmVdVBI/AAAAAAAAJHI/X0XJcMarRZw/s1600/Tigger%2Bbreakfast%2Broom%2B8-17-14.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tigger, 8/17/14</span></b></div>
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All 4 peyote graphs are available as in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/205983618/beadweaving-pattern-peyote-bracelet" target="_blank">a bundled tutorial in my Etsy shop</a>.<br />
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Thanks again to Carol Dean for her contribution to this, and for creating the Patterns for Tigger group on Facebook. Thanks to all who participated, Tigger is alive and thriving. He still has diarrhea and periodic abdominal pain and distress, and most likely will be diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. He's on a special diet, and is growing - he's a very active, happy 6 month old puppy, and just graduated from puppy obedience:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZTDyOJRYBM/VJrxJnM6tgI/AAAAAAAAJHg/9AEY2hvB6UU/s1600/tigger%2Bgrad1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZTDyOJRYBM/VJrxJnM6tgI/AAAAAAAAJHg/9AEY2hvB6UU/s1600/tigger%2Bgrad1.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Tigger's graduation portrait, 12/14/14</b></span></div>
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He starts an intermediate obedience class this Sunday. He loves his school!<br />
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Tigger and I send warm Holiday greetings to all our friends, and special thanks to the wonderful Patterns for Tigger group!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jw_LRIlQaYQ/VJrx7ogqRXI/AAAAAAAAJHo/SLhcy_lcR1s/s1600/Abstract%2BChristmas%2BTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jw_LRIlQaYQ/VJrx7ogqRXI/AAAAAAAAJHo/SLhcy_lcR1s/s1600/Abstract%2BChristmas%2BTree.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1101755558255659890.post-7556189234790266552014-11-10T13:11:00.001-05:002014-11-10T13:12:12.267-05:00My Hammer and I have been very, very busyI have not worked with metals for a long while; I have been blissfully wrapped up in seed beads, beadweaving away, when not <a href="http://sweetfreedom-designs.blogspot.com/2014/09/just-short-follow-up-to-yesterdays-post.html" target="_blank">tending to a sick puppy</a>.... but more about Tigger later...<br />
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I taught a cold connections workshop a couple of weeks ago, and made a few things while I was teaching:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxaHz37m5vA/VGDywsoqs3I/AAAAAAAAJE0/Bmskb-gAFxQ/s1600/huh6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxaHz37m5vA/VGDywsoqs3I/AAAAAAAAJE0/Bmskb-gAFxQ/s1600/huh6.jpg" height="320" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/209106539/kyanite-necklace-hammered-copper-and?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">Mixed Metals and Kyanite Necklace, available on Etsy</a></b></span></div>
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This contemporary, geometric necklace combines sterling silver and copper, my own enameled headpins, and a beautiful piece of kyanite - I love this necklace!<br />
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Also during that workshop I made a pair of long copper and sterling earrings, very similar to this pair:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Fx8o-1jzJo/VGD6e8stR1I/AAAAAAAAJGU/jPWDBPxmtYw/s1600/huh6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Fx8o-1jzJo/VGD6e8stR1I/AAAAAAAAJGU/jPWDBPxmtYw/s1600/huh6.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/209097678/hammered-copper-earrings-long-dangle?ref=shop_home_active_11" target="_blank">Long hammered copper earrings, wrapped with sterling silver; available on Etsy</a></span></b></div>
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The pair I made during the workshop sold in my B&M shop within 10 minutes of the time I listed them on Etsy, so I sat down last week and made another pair (seen above), plus some other stuff - I hadn't forgotten how much I loved working with metal, but it was hard to pull myself away from the siren call of the seed beads!<br />
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Here are some other creations from last week:<br />
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Three different chevron necklaces:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbJ_e9_gkAY/VGD17HemX9I/AAAAAAAAJFI/9o2uyZBpCDs/s1600/huh6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbJ_e9_gkAY/VGD17HemX9I/AAAAAAAAJFI/9o2uyZBpCDs/s1600/huh6.jpg" height="269" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/210387192/hammered-chevron-necklace-copper" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Copper, Aluminum, and Brass Chevron necklace, on Vintaj Natural Brass chain; available on Etsy</b></span></a></div>
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This one combines copper, aluminum, and brass chevrons, hanging from dark Vintaj Natural brass chain - I really love the contrast of all these metals combined!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTpEyMgpQ_w/VGD3VlDEzSI/AAAAAAAAJFc/xUOxPgqJwkc/s1600/huh6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTpEyMgpQ_w/VGD3VlDEzSI/AAAAAAAAJFc/xUOxPgqJwkc/s1600/huh6.jpg" height="320" width="281" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/210385314/hammered-copper-chevron-necklace-copper?ref=shop_home_active_8" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hammered copper double chevron necklace, available on Etsy</span></b></a></div>
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For this one, I simply stuck to copper, and I think the result is very nice!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7LWs-7sFO8s/VGD32RJn5-I/AAAAAAAAJFk/omwTowE3UT4/s1600/huh6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7LWs-7sFO8s/VGD32RJn5-I/AAAAAAAAJFk/omwTowE3UT4/s1600/huh6.jpg" height="268" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/210388852/hammered-chevron-necklace-copper-and" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hammered copper and brass chevron necklace, available on Etsy</span></b></a></div>
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This chevron necklace combines hammered copper with a thin brass chevron. I used Vintaj Natural brass jumprings to connect the two, and hung the chevrons from copper rolo chain.<br />
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Lastly, these hammered copper earrings, wrapped with artistic wire, available in 3 colors:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aiad-JEt3bI/VGD4cqeizdI/AAAAAAAAJFs/3-GEvRS9isY/s1600/huh6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aiad-JEt3bI/VGD4cqeizdI/AAAAAAAAJFs/3-GEvRS9isY/s1600/huh6.jpg" height="254" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/210378918/hammered-copper-earrings-boho-dangle" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hammered copper earrings with silver wire wrap</span></b></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PFz4fOjXMa8/VGD5X89TTII/AAAAAAAAJGI/SEdcSFE2Luo/s1600/hammered%2Bcopper%2Bearrings%2Bpeacock%2Bflat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PFz4fOjXMa8/VGD5X89TTII/AAAAAAAAJGI/SEdcSFE2Luo/s1600/hammered%2Bcopper%2Bearrings%2Bpeacock%2Bflat.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/210381668/hammered-copper-earrings-boho-dangle" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Hammered copper earrings with aqua wire wrap</span></b></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr364O0U_80/VGD4sYwE1fI/AAAAAAAAJF8/OgYJbex4D1E/s1600/hammered%2Bcopper%2Bblue%2Bearrings%2Bflat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr364O0U_80/VGD4sYwE1fI/AAAAAAAAJF8/OgYJbex4D1E/s1600/hammered%2Bcopper%2Bblue%2Bearrings%2Bflat.jpg" height="258" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hammered copper earrings with royal blue wire wrap</span></b></div>
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The last pair isn't on Etsy yet, because I forgot to take photos of them hanging - I'll get that done, probably tomorrow. <br />
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I noticed, while creating all these listings, that my camera has something foggy going on - I hope it is fingerprints or dog slobber on the lens; something I can fix, because I cannot afford to get this camera serviced AGAIN. It was MIA for over 3 months the last time I needed repairs! The flash has quit working on it, so I need to get it fixed, but there's no money!<br />
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Can someone with a critical eye take a look at a couple of these listings on Etsy, and let me know in the comments below whether you think I need to retake THESE pictures? I really don't want to, and the blurry spots in them really bug me, but I think the photos are clear enough for the product listings, but I'd love a second, and third, and 4th opinion!<br />
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I'm going back to the seed beads this week (I've missed them!), but I have an idea for a series of metalwork pieces, so I'll be starting with that soon - I'm still in the sketching phase right now. <br />
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So, back to Tigger. He is doing much better now. He's healed and recovered from his surgery, but his diarrhea never resolved, so he is now being evaluated for inflammatory bowel disease (little guy just never gets a break!). He is on an extremely restrictive diet (no treats!), and the diarrhea is much better, but still there. The intestinal gas is finally gone, and I can tell he feels better. He is SO active and energetic! He has started obedience classes, and is doing well, although he can be very stubborn and uncooperative (much like his mom). If he doesn't feel like coming when called, he is Just. Not. Gonna.<br />
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We see the doctor day after tomorrow, to see what the next step is after these 2 weeks of extreme dietary restriction. I'm hoping we can start to add back some dietary elements, trying to find which ones really upset his tummy and which ones are OK. School is very hard with no treats for reward! Plus, he is going nuts watching me eat Pepperidge Farm Goldfish, and not share with him - it bugs me, too! He's so cute!<br />
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There are still <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetFreedom?section_id=15578206&ref=shopsection_leftnav_8" target="_blank">tutorials and kits available in my Etsy shop</a>, where all proceeds go to help with Tigger's ever-mounting medical expenses. And, of course, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetFreedom" target="_blank">all jewelry purchases from my shop</a> also go to help with the bills! <br />
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Thanks for taking the time to read this long post, and have a great week! If you have a minute, leave me a comment, and tell me what you think about the blurry photos!<br />
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Thanks!<br />
<br />Sweet Freedomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174205709581795573noreply@blogger.com1