New Woven Bracelet

This is a beautiful new bead-woven bracelet, available in my Etsy shop ( http://sweetfreedom.etsy.com/ ). I enjoy tackling new patterns and stitches, and this one proved to be a bit of a challenge!

After stringing a row of core beads on SoftTouch, the beadweaving began. The base is multiple rows of size 11 seed beads, for which I chose seafoam green, one of my favorite colors. It took a couple of days to get all these rows laid down, what with having to deal with all the knots (I hate having to restart thread in a project, so I tend to use a really, really long thread!)

Once the base is finished, a sort of modified brick stitch is used to create a fringe (seen in metallic pink on this bracelet). This was where things got complicated. The opposing peaks of the fringe had to face opposite directions so that when the Swarovski crystals were sewn in, they would meet correctly. Not fun! Not only that, but the fringe had to be reinforced - meaning I had to go through all the 11s twice, so that they would stay on top of the seafoam green beads, rather than dropping below the thread bridges.

Now it was time to add the crystal embellishment. I had chosen beautiful sapphire satin Swarovski bicones, and I think the color combination is gorgeous. Each bicone was attached to the opposing fringe tips by going through these 11s for a third time - getting tight in there!

After embellishing, the bracelet was crimped, and a sterling silver toggle closure was added. The bracelet is surprisingly supple, for as many beads and stitches as it contains. And it surely sparkles!

I would be happy to re-create this bracelet in other color combinations, and to any length desired - just contact me through my Etsy shop.

Let's Meet Bailey

Bailey is my 8 year old golden retriever, and my (almost) silent partner. He gets quite vocal if there are squirrels in view, dogs barking on TV, or people walking by on the street outside the front door. He also issues throaty growls when he wants to go outside. Not in a mean way - in an "I have needs, too, way." Otherwise, he is a perfect gentleman, and the best dog in the whole world.


Sometimes he just cracks me up. Last week, he plucked this almost-empty popcorn bag out of the trashcan when I wasn't watching, and proceeded to get it stuck on his head. I couldn't grab the camera fast enough to capture that moment, but 30 seconds later he jumped on the bed with the bag, and went to town!

He is incredibly sweet and smart, and now has his own blog: http://bailey-the-goldenretriever.blogspot.com/ so pay him a visit over there, where he promises to be a better blogger than I am!

Here's What's New

Happy New Year!

I decided to try a new beadweaving stitch called netting. I had never even heard of this stitch until the Etsy BeadWeavers November monthly challenge featured this stitch - I joined the group too late to hop on board that month, so I began my own personal netting challenge the week before Christmas. I found a couple of tutorials that were of limited use - it was like they assumed prior knowledge of the stitch in order to understand their instructions! So instead, I just followed the complex diagrams in the pattern, and 2 weeks (and over 120 hours of beading) later, this was the result:

This gorgeous cuff bracelet is 2.25 inches wide, and fits up to a 7.75 inch wrist. It's available in my Etsy shop right now. I probably will never do this stitch again, so this is a true one-of-a-kind for me! This just took waaaay to much time!

Here are pics of the Christmas commission I mentioned last time:

I think they're fabulous!

The colorblock herringbone bracelet I posted last time sold within 48 hours of being listed on Etsy! Very exciting! I am designing some new patterns now, and will be making some more herringbone bracelets soon.

Check out my websites - lots of great stuff! And I am always happy to take custom orders, too.

What's New

OK. Clearly I am not going to be one of those prolific bloggers. I can live with that.

I have been busy beading - I had a big holiday commission from a local woman, and I wish I could post the pictures, but since it is still pre-Christmas, I would hate for someone to chance upon the pictures of her Christmas presents here, before she gets a chance to see them and be surprised. I'm sure she'll love them, though.
I also have finished a gorgeous herringbone bracelet - this was a new stitch and pattern for me, and I love the way it turned out:

I'm so tickled with my abililty to pick up a new stitch, that I have started an even more ambitious one, and will post it here when I finish it.

Sales are picking up on my Etsy site, http://sweetfreedom.etsy.com/ , so that is very exciting. Take a look - there are lots of pretty things there!

I also have a part time job now - in a bead shop! Talk about letting the fox guard the hen house! What fun!

I have been featured in another blog, so take a look, and thanks, Robin Lynne!:

Here Goes!

Thought I'd give blogging a whirl, as my jewelry designs have been mentioned in several blogs in the past few weeks. I have been designing jewelry for a year now, and love it.

SweetFreedomDesigns.com has been up for almost 3 months now, and while getting the site up and running was a huge chore, it is going well. And my Etsy store opened 10 days ago, and couldn't be easier or more fun to operate! And those Etsians are so friendly!

Of course, the worst part of internet sales, for me anyway, is the photos. Takes so much time - time I'd rather spend doing almost anything. Clearly, not housework, however.

Bead-weaving continues to be my passion - I find it to be so relaxing. I watch TV or put a DVD in, set up my over-the-lap bed tray, and bead away. Just finished the entire Star Trek: TNG series. Oh - and quite a few necklaces and bracelets!

I'm also teaching bead-weaving classes at several local bead stores, and scheduled to start teaching beginning glass-fusing (my other passion ) early next year.

I have lots of beautiful designs in my shops, including holiday items. Take a look; you may find the perfect gift!