Sunday, January 31, 2010

Bead Journal Project - February


I finished the February Bead Journal Project piece, which I'm pretty happy with. I think it looks like detail from a belly dancer's costume. On this project, I'm working through a colour wheel, which means this month's colour is pink. I didn't really know what I would bead about, but I was inspired by parallel bugle beads arranged in a wave shape that I'd seen somewhere along the way in looking at other BJP member's blogs.

I'm also taking the opportunity to use up little bits of beads in my collection - ones that wouldn't be suitable for loomwork or peyote stitch, or that I don't have enough of to make a whole piece out of. The pink beads on the top are certainly some of those - I know that they were purchased when I worked at the bead store (which was ...well... close to 20 years ago). They're a little smaller than the size 10's usually available, and I only have a few colours. They were perfect for the pink on this piece though, and so joined some delicas, bugles and four pressed glass coins that I picked up in New York in the fall.

I learned a few things along the way this month. I wish I'd extended the beading just a bit further out, so you wouldn't see so much background fabric around the edges. I also wish I'd taken into account how much time seed stitch takes, especially when it's that close together. The top and bottom of this piece took quite a while to do, but I love the result.

18 comments:

Crazy Mama said...

i like the pinks and combination of stitches that you used. how big is your circle?

flyingbeader said...

Nice button. And those bugles look wonderful!!!!!
dot

Carol said...

Lovely design. And the pinks are perfect!

I'm curious about the size of the circle too, and also how you finished it so nicely (even my squares ane rectangles end up with wonky edges; I'd be terrified of circles!)...

Holly B said...

It's amazing how many colors are "pink". Very cheerful button.

Julie said...

You did a really nice job with the waves, very precise. I love the effect of different shapes and textures. Julie C

Marty S said...

Oh, very, very nice. It's a nice use of the bugle beads

Magpie Sue said...

It's a beautiful piece. I'd be pretty happy with it too!

Robin said...

This gives new meaning to the phrase "Pretty in Pink!" I call this arrangement of bugle beads "staggered"... It's really a lovely way to make a "wave" of color, isn't it?!

Robin A.

Robin said...

PS... I forgot to mention... I've had that happen where the fabric shows on my button... Two tips:

1. Before you close the button, fiddle with the fabric, placing the design right in the center of the form and stretch it over the top of the form tucking it into the teeth.

2. After snapping the form together, if fabric still shows, you can fill it in with seed, lazy or picot edge stitch.

Anonymous said...

Another lovely finish - I'm loving following your bead journal finishes :)

kaiteM said...

It's very feminine and lovely. I expect we'll all learn new things and how to do old things differently while on this BJP journey. K.

Sara said...

Very pretty, the colors are perfect and I really like the wave of bugle beads too.

Anonymous said...

Sos beautiful, and indeed pretty in pink!

Cyndi L said...

I've always loved the wave shape created by bugles and other beads. This is really really nicely done :-)

Karin said...

The circles are 1 1/2" in diameter. I wanted something so that I could finish in a month, so thought that was a good size to start wish. And the forms are self-finishing button forms - you press the back into the fabric, and it makes it neat and tidy!

robin michelle said...

I like the sense of motion in this. Also love the color - pink is my favorite color!

Barb said...

How pretty!! Love the choice of colors.

Kali said...

That's totally fab! It reminds me of Mirameko prints from the 70s -- I always loved those. :)