A Grape for Caramel!

I am not usually a big purple fan, but I have to admit I bought a purple t-shirt, AND a new sweater to go with this version of my Caramel's Claws necklace.  Caramel herself is turning quite silvery gray in honor of the cold weather, and although she prefers nuts over fruit, I think she would like this one too!

Kits for this colorway will be listed Saturday, November 25th in the Haute Ice Beadwork Etsy Shop at 9am, as usual.  The kits are $40 each, and there are 15 different beads in sizes 15/0 to 6/0, plus the focal bead, findings and stringing material.  The tutorial is purchased separately.  If you already own the tutorial for the Caramel's Acorn Earrings, then just purchase instructions for the Bezel and Yoke at this link.  If you need both the Necklace and Acorn instructions, purchase both tutorials at this link.  And if you already own both tutorials, you are on my "VERY NICE" list!

Each buyer will be able to choose their own focal.  I chose one of what I thought were the "worst" focals of the bunch for my sample, saving the best for you!  But despite the few pits, I think it's still lovely.

The oval focal beads range in color and markings quite a bit.  Some are lighter, some darker, some have more pattern and some almost none.  Some are more cool indigo, some warmer violet, and some have a bronzy glow or veining. The stone is Crazy Lace Agate, dyed to this yummy grape.  Photos of the available focals follow, and if you convo me with your choice on Etsy, I can make you a custom listing.  But move fast, as I never know how quickly they will sell, and once a stone is gone, it's gone.   They have two sides, and I have shown you the one I liked best, but either could be used.  Focal I has two beautiful sides and I have shown you both!

FOCAL A is SOLD!

Focal C is SOLD OUT.

FOCAL C is SOLD!

FOCAL D is SOLD!

FOCAL E is SOLD!

FOCAL F is SOLD!

FOCAL G is SOLD!

Focal H is SOLD OUT.

FOCAL I is SOLD!

FOCAL J is SOLD!

FOCAL K is SOLD!

FOCAL L is SOLD!

FOCAL M is SOLD!

FOCAL N is SOLD!

FOCAL P is SOLD!

Focal Q is SOLD OUT. 

FOCAL R is SOLD!

In this season of THANKFULNESS, I an so thankful to be able to do this Tutorial and Kit thing!

THANK YOU ALL, so much.  I am so pleased to be able to share my designs with you.

Caramel's Acorns

Way back in January I was introduced to Czech 14mm Melon beads when they arrived in my TOHO Challenge kit.  I used them to make a few acorns, and have finally gotten around to re-working and writing a pattern for them.  Because, Autumn!

I have named them for my little squirrel friend Caramel.  Every morning and evening she arrives in my beading window, begging nuts.  I asked my hubby (The Best Man Ever) to make me a little rack, so I could show her the acorns I have been making.  Those ears seem to call out for decoration, don't you think?  She makes a sweet model and works for peanuts!

I love how the Patina and Pomegranate Melons are translucent, a lovely thing for an earring!  The others are all opaque metallic finishes.

My ten page tutorial shows you how to make the acorns as earrings, and also provides a metal free finish for those who want to attach them as components to other beadweaving.  I also have kits available in the five colors listed above.

The acorn is worked in peyote and square stitch, suitable for Intermediate beaders.  They are fast and fun to make.  Here's how the acorns look finished with wrapped loops.

And here is how the acorns look, finished with fireline.  This particular colorway was a one of many tests that did not make it to kitting.

I have been playing with the acorn as a component for use in necklaces this week.  I am very pleased with the proportions.  They seem to work well with many different commonly used jewels and cabochons.

Here is the Pomegranate acorn, added to one of my Pineapple Blossom bezels, based on a Swarovski Pear Fancy Stone.

And here was a quick effort with several kinds of chain from my stash.  I thought it make a good finial, and felt I could have added more acorns to the chain as well.  This particular chain was a little busy though, so I kept it cleaner.  The rope is almost 36" long and needed no clasp.

I have been playing with using crescent beads in bezels to create a sort of prong setting effect, and am pretty pleased with this one.  I am thinking about writing it up as a tutorial, but it may have to wait for a while.  The stone is a common size of Red Creek Jasper, so again, I am pleased with the size of the acorn and proportional relationship to the cabochon and bezel.  I think this acorn component has lots of possible applications!

I even tried a little Bead Embroidery, but in limited time, I don't really think I did it justice.  But I do think that the acorn component can work with BE.  I liked how the acorns were attached to the little oak leaf bunch I found in the park, and tried to emulate the organic aspect and the dual grouping.

You can find my tutorial HERE in my Etsy shop and the kits for all ten different beads needed to make two acorns, plus earring findings HERE.  I have included thread in my kits as well, as is must match the Melon bead.  Caramel wants me to be sure to tell you that the 14mm Melon beads have been discontinued by the Czech manufacturer.  They are still available in many retail bead shops, but be warned, when they are gone, these acorns will be no more.

Caramel is always in favor of hoarding.

Pineapple Blossom gets Married!

I began this necklace, using my Pineapple Blossom tutorial, as a demonstration piece for the TOHO booth at the Bead & Button show, but it proved to be a less than terrific demo piece.  The silver-lined crystal beads can be challenging to see without a darker mat and great light, and I wanted onlookers to be able to see what I was doing.

The results are gorgeous though, and I think this would be a great wedding necklace!

I had a hard time shooting this piece, and here is an image on black, that helps show detail.

Several people had asked if I will kit this, and I don't think so.  But I am happy to tell you, it can be made with my tutorial, and I will provide the beads list below!

My pattern is calibrated for a leather backing on the jewel, and that process is included in the tutorial, as well a in a video here on my blog.

Make some bride happy!

Or you can buy that piece in my Etsy shop here.