Frany's Beadwork

I have another French bead artist to share with everyone today! Her name is Frany and she works primarily with free-form peyote. She has created a number of free-form pieces from bracelets to necklaces, all of which can be found on her website (click on the title above!).


One of her most distinct pieces uses Dichroic Delicas! Frany's recent work "Corail Louise Hill" uses these beads (they will be available soon through Louise Hill). Frany has taken an upclose photo so we can see how these beads dance with color. Isn't this piece lovely?! She mixed branched coral with clear drops against a background of golds, blues, lavenders and pinks which reminds me of the glistening ocean. I especially like the branching free form around the neck - it's a very feminine effect (sometimes difficult to achieve with free-form). This piece would be perfect to wear on a summer's eve for a romantic walk along the shore.


I'm including Frany in my "Beaders Blogs" so you can keep an eye on her work in progress. Thank you so much Frany for sharing your wonderful beadwork with us!!!

bead, beaded, peyote, French, beadwork, beadweaver

Random Beadwork....

Okay, not so random! I thought I'd share a few pieces of beadwork that I've been working on.

I've written a review of Marie le Sueur's book (soon to be posted) and in order to substantiate my claims (that it is very good) I challenged myself with following one of her more difficult patterns. I don't read French but I am fairly comfortable with figuring out diagrams. The design reminds me of a lacy fleur de lis...



I also played around with an improvised version of Marie le Sueur's Maya motif. I didn't plan this one at all, it just had a mind of its own. Reminds me of the Caribbean.





I've also been working on Melanie's project.....the Spirited Iris pattern (my name for this project). I love Melanie's cabs. They're absolutely enchanting (don't you agree?!)




And for dessert.......I wove a few of Marie Geraud's Bahia earrings. They're so beautiful - very Marie Antoinette! I added a small crystal drop to the bottom (they're beautiful both with and without the drop). Imagine these paired with a tissue linen ruffled high collar blouse and a drapey long velvet skirt...

That's all for now!


bead, beaded, pattern, French, beadwork, embroidery, beadweaver

International Bead & Beadwork Conference

Valerie Hector is planning the International Bead and Beadwork Conference to be held in 2007 in Istanbul, Turkey. The theme is The Global Perspective of Beads and Beadwork: History, Manufacture, Trade, and Adornment. There are a number of well-known speakers lined up for this conference and there is a call for papers and workshops. To learn more about this event, please click on the title above!

beads, beading, conference, workshop, classes, beadwork, beadweaver

Beadwork's Beaded Bags

Interweave Press is hosting a new competition called "Beaded Bags". The entries may be posted starting August 1st and the entry deadline is January 12, 2007. It looks like a great invitation to show off your beadwork! If any of you have a bead embroidered or bead woven bag, you can enter it online by clicking on the title above and following the instructions. It sounds like a great competition (I have a fondness for bags, in case anyone noticed). Have fun and Good Luck!

beads, beading, contest, purse, beadwork, beadweaver

Australian Beader Magazine

I've been in contact with Australian Beader Magazine and Issue #4 is due out next week. One of the projects, "Fantasia", features a sparkling crystal drop necklace made with Beadalon and clasped with a beaded flower - so delicate and so pretty! If you're interested in this new beading magazine, click on the title above to go to the magazine's website. They accept credit cards (only) for overseas subscribers. For future reference, I've listed the magazine under "Bead Magazines" so you can check out their latest editions. Enjoy!

magazine, jewelry, beads, beading, projects, beadweaver

Pantone's Fall 2006 Fashion Trends

Pantone's Fall 2006 Fashion Trends is now online - available in a pdf format. Click on the title above to access their color and style report. You'll need to download the pdf but rather than provide a direct link, I thought I'd take you to the site - just in case you want to explore. You can also join the site for free, which gives you access to their color articles. Have fun!

Sophie Daniel

I love French beadwork and Sophie Daniel's work is both beautiful and unique. Take a look at her beadwork by clicking on the title above. It's very unusual, combining a variety of textures and textiles (including beads); I'm sure you will enjoy seeing it!

Australian Beader

I was over at the Beadfeed blog (thebeadfeed.blogs.com) and I saw a post about a new Australian bead magazine. It looks like fun. There are a few images and a brief description of content on the magazine cover. The magazine is relatively new and is released quarterly. If anyone subscribes or has seen the magazine, please leave a comment, we'd all like to hear what it's like! To see a glimpse of issue #4, click on the title above. Enjoy!

7/11 update: Sorry about the beadfeed link, I've corrected it!

Thought for a Sunday

I just returned from a cool weekend at the coast where I discovered a lovely poster - a charcoal of whales - posted at the entrance to Greenwood Beach. The theme of the poster was the fragility of the ocean's ecosystem. Underneath the image was written a small quote ascribed to Chief Seattle of the Suquamish. It struck a certain note with me as a weaver, so I scribbled it down to share:

"Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."

For more information on about the Ocean Conservancy's efforts, click here and be sure to check out Mark Powell's blog: Blogfish. There's also a wonderful free Sea Turtle Coloring Book for kids too!

Louise Hill Designs

I just discovered Louis Hill's website and WOW, she has some beautiful pieces! I first saw Louise's beadwork published in Bead and Button magazine. Her Strawberry Dress design, a finalist in the 2003 Bead Dreams competition, was so unusual for a purse, especially with its strand of pearls. The purse has recently been featured in Stampington's magazine "Haute Handbags". Louise was also a finalist in this year's 2006 competition with her "Vitrail Serenade", a beautiful blend of colors and shapes reflected in the centerpiece - a Swarovski Vitrail cabochon. Her newest designs are made with Aiko seed beads and her latest - "Blue Sky as Ocean Blue" - is a wonderful showcase for these beads. Click on the title above to go to her website and follow the link to her portfolio. I've also included a permanent link to her gallery under the "Eye Candy" column. Enjoy!