Tribal Cat Bracelet

World Autism Awareness Day

Today, April 2, 2013 is World Autism Awareness Day.  I wanted to share a pattern for a free form awareness badge, done in brick stitch.

Autism Awareness is important to me, because my eldest daughter is on the spectrum.  I hope for more people to be aware of the signs and symptoms, to help with early diagnosis.  An early diagnosis allows for early intervention, and early intervention is the number one thing that can help with function.

Thor's Hammer Bracelet

Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor is featured on this bracelet.  

I love Chickens

Part of being out in the country side, is the fun of keeping chickens.  I live on a farm, so we don't have to worry about city restrictions on how many or whether or not I have any Roo's.  We have 26 chickens right now - a mix of both hens and roos - who give us lots of eggs and lots of laughs.  Even if I never got anything from these "working pets," I would still enjoy them for their entertainment value.

Busy Bee Bracelet

I'm hoping this year our four bee hives will winter through better than last year.  Last year we lost all four hives and had to start over.  It was pretty disappointing.   But in the mean time, while we wait for temps to average over 50, here's a busy bee working away to make your wrist look gorgeous.

Bead Quilt 2012-2013

These rose patterns are from the first set of patterns I ever designed for the Bead Quilt three or four years ago.  The theme that year was "roses."  Since this year's theme is "flowers," I thought I would go ahead and post these here as well.  They were originally posted on Jeanette Shanigan's Yahoo group Beady Shanigans.

 As I mentioned, These were some of the very first I did for the Bead It Forward project.  I have to confess to having made some mistakes.  This first pattern accidentally is missing it's first row of colors.  I recommend just repeating the colors from the row below it.

2012-2013 Bead-It-Forward bead-quilt project

This yearthe  Bead It Forward Bead Quilt is being organized by Bead and Button.  In the past, Jeanette Shanigan has organized the Bead Quilt project, but she has passed the torch to Bead and Button staff to oversee the project.  Every year the Bead Quilt helps raise awareness and money for breast cancer research.

This project is one that is near and dear to my heart, and I have taken it as a reason to get back to bead blogging.  Over the past year-and-a-half I have pretty much allowed myself to be too busy to "get around to it."  So rather than spend energy feeling guilty, I'm going to present some patterns for this years Bead Quilt.

The theme is "Flowers: Stitching to find a bloomin' cure."  In addition to the new patterns I designed today, I also have a gallery of rose quilt square patterns that could be used as well.  

 I encourage folks to use these patterns as a starting point.  Please change colors, or the design, to reflect your work and ideas.

Late Easter Bunnies Bracelet

I had planned on having these sugary sweet marshmallowy treats ready for Easter publication, but sometimes I just procrastinate.  A lot!

I figured better late than never, so I hope you enjoy this bracelet.  (The small bunnies worked in free form,  would make cute earrings!)

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend, no matter what you celebrate!

Leafy Pendant

This free form leafy pendant would look lovely suspended from a length of delicate chain.  I would either attach a jump ring to a couple of beads on each end (Make sure you reinforce those beads big time with Fireline!)  or perhaps start a delicate beaded strand from each side.

I think this piece has a bit of a nouveau feel to it, and would compliment a revealing neckline!

I'm Baaack!

Spring is back and so am I!

I know it's been a long hiatus, but some times real life just takes over.  I now have a Mac version of Beadtool and have started back to designing patterns.

I also have some other pieces I have made during my downtime.  I plan on photographing them in the next few days and sharing.

skull card holder worked up by Candys

photo by Candys

Here's a card holder by Candys. The pics show both the front and back view.  This pattern is from a skull bracelet I designed a bit ago.  I really like the way Candys adapted this as a card holder.

Even though it was meant to be a bracelet, it definitely works well folded in half, and would make a cool amulet as well.

Photo by Candys

four part and nine part hand patterns for bead quilt

Since getting a hand to show up in any sort of detail within the confines of 1.5 inches is pretty hard, I thought I would experiment with designing squares that would go together like a puzzle.

Here is the first attempt.  I think it turned out pretty good.

This one is in nine parts, and shows a baby hand grasping a thumb.

There's just something about a tiny baby's hand holding onto you that is special and sweet and heart touching.  I know I am sentimental, but it would have to be a hard heart indeed that wasn't touched by a baby's hand. 

Christmas Cherub

Another angel to add to your tree - this sweet faced cherub is very Victorian.

Bold Black and Red Bracelet

A quick and quirky bracelet that isn't shy!

Here is something bold and abstract to wear through the winter holidays.  This piece would work with just a plain closure, but would really pop with something bold and shiny.  This could be the project you have been looking for, to use with that special button.

As promised

Here is a sweet angel pattern to work up for Christmas.  I am going to try and post a couple more angels for Christmas this year. 

With a bit of thought, she could be turned into a free form ornament.  The only hard part would be to attach the flame.  Perhaps a flame coloured crystal, attached with a piece of wire? She would definitely be beautiful worked in translucent beads - especially if her gown was worked in a brilliant jewel tone. 

Candys card keeper

Candys is definitely keeping me hopping, as she just pointed out in an email!

 photo by Candys

I got some pics, just a few minutes ago from Candys of a card keeper, created from the raven bracelet pattern.  I like the way the holder has the points along the upper edge.

photo by Candys

Brightly Coloured Angel

Here's a brightly coloured angel that would make a nice light catcher in the window.  

This time of year it gets so dark, and every bit of light is precious.  Having a pretty light catcher in the window helps make every drop of suns hine count!

Two pins by Candys

Candys has been busy the last few weeks and worked up two pins from my patterns.  She has been patiently waiting for me to post these - she sent them to me last week!  I have to confess that I have times when I don't where my days go.  I go, go go, and still haven't caught up!  I'm pretty sure we all have times like that.

photo by Candys

This lovely fox pin is from this post.  I especially like the way Candys edged this piece in the brown and bronze-ish beads. So pretty!  It gives a nice dimension to the piece and defines the edges nicely.

She also combined the two patterns to make one piece.  This is the sort of thing I like to see people do.  When  you take a pattern and make changes to it, you make it more personal and participate in all the wonderful variations of art.

photo by Candys

This piece is from one of last years breast cancer awareness patterns I posted.  Again, I really like the edging. It gives the piece a nice finished touch.

Anytime, anyone makes up one of my patterns please contact me and share!  I would love to post your work here.  Beady hugs to everyone! - Ginger

An Angel for Lucy

One of the followers here, Lucy, mentioned how much she loves angels.  Check out her blog - it has gorgeous eye candy!

My Mother-in-law also loves angels - especially on the Christmas tree!  So I have made up some more Angel patterns for both Lucy, and my Mother-in-law.

This angel pattern was based on a free clip art.  It's a bit large (slightly over 4 or 5 inches.) but would look lovely with the lights shining behind it.

Bead Tool

I realized it has been a while since I have mentioned the bead pattern editing software I use.

I definitely want to get the word out there to people about Christopher's Bead Tool.  It has to be my favorite pattern designing software. (And I have tried others!)

Bead Tool was designed with beaders in mind, not computer programmers.  It's very intuitive and easy to use.  I especially like that I can over lay the transparent bead graph over one of my pictures, and "trace" over the images.

For more about this technique, check out my posts!
colouring book technique, post 1
colouring book technique, post 2

I also can't just have a text only post, especially since I just got my new dish today! (Whoo-hoo! - a day late, but worth the wait! Mega bytes here we come!)

I hope you enjoy this blue geometric floral design.  It would make a great winter bracelet design, with it's icy white and chilly blue colour scheme.