Optical illusions

Following on from my 'op art' bracelet, I used the left over beads to make this necklace. It creates and optical illusion as you move the piece around. From one side all the cool colours are visible and from the other the warm colours. This necklace was only in my shop for a few days before being sold so I am going to try some more in these colours.

Two new bracelets added to my shop. I have tried to create an optical illusion with these where the spiral of the pattern goes on way and the black and white beads go the opposite way.It does take a lot of concentration and they did take quite a long time to make!

I seem to be using the words 'optical illusion' rather often but I love playing with the colours to create 3-D effects and interesting textures. The concept of the stark contrast of black and white with a hint of another colour also appeals to me.

cellini bracelet

My latest bead creation was a custom order with this psychedelic pic as the inspiration for the colours. I loved doing it because it's not a combination I would normaly do and it took quite a while to get used to, but I must say once I did,I absolutely loved it!

The beauty of it is that from one side all the warm colours are visible and from the other, all the cool colours, creating a lovely rainbow effect.

Necklaces for a wedding. Unfortunately I didn't take a pic of the necklaces, only the packaging!

Won't make that mistake again! They were rather beautiful in crystal, white and silver beads with a hint of grey.

The cards were attached with white thread and matching beads. I was very happy with the outcome and hope the bride was too!

This is a "Cellini Spiral "and uses over 3000 beads. The pics don't really do it justice, this "bead photography" is completely different to photographing fabric. I took some close ups but they were all out of focus so I need a bit more practise. My digital printing is now a thing of the past and I intend to restock my shop with beaded products. I need to build up a bit of a range and then hopefully start selling again. I do really enjoy the beading but it is extremely time consuming. I love the textures you can create by changing the size or type of bead, the colour combinations and different designs. It really is a learning curve for me but I am loving every moment !

More Beads

I have been busy beading (in between a number of family happenings, some not so good!)and have found the process really therapeutic. All of these necklaces are made from two very simple patterns, the colours creating the different effects. I have moved on to a bit more complicated designs and would you believe, more time consuming processes! I will post those soon.

This one I made for a friend and found the very simple envelope/box on the internet. Unfortunately I can't remember exactly where at the moment. You can use coloured paper or decorate the box to match the gift. I tried all sorts of complicated patterns and eventually settled on this one. It 's simply a matter of cutting a square and folding it. The staple is not really necessary and the trick is getting the right paper (too thick won't fold and too thin tears). The colours havn't come out so well and are much brighter and more shiny in real life. I will have to try and improve my photos!

Addicted to Beading!

A new pattern, which unfortunately you can't see too well in the pic, made up of a combo of matt and shiny red beads. I will try and get a better photo when I have completed the necklace.

The completed slate grey and aqua.I have hundreds of colour combos going around in my head but I want to learn a few different techniques first before I get to carried away with the colours! It's really fun and I have to say ADDICTIVE !

Beading

My latest venture! A friend of mine invited me to come to a beading class with her and this is my first attempt. It's very time consuming, but the repetition is so therapeutic and I LOVE doing it!

The trick is the tension - if it's too tight the necklace won't bend around your neck, if it's too loose the cotton thread becomes visible. As you can see I started off very loosely and ended off a bit tight. The good thing is you can undo it from where you started, once you get the tension right. Also, the beginning is at the back of your neck so it's not to serious if it's a bit wobbly.