Thursday, January 31, 2013

HOT ROCKS

Hi Everyone!
 
I hope the title of my post peeked your interest. Hot Rocks could mean, rocks that are actually hot in temp, or the name of a cool rock band, or even conjure up images of smoldering rocks spewing from a volcano. Okay Okay so I can get a bit carried away. Hot Rocks is actually the name of a business owned by a very talented artists and my friend Susan Stevens. If you don't know who she is then please allow me to introduce to you, "Hot Rocks"


I was born in London, England,  where I spent the first eight years of my life, until moving to  Alberta, Canada, in 1967. As far back as I can remember, I have enjoyed using my hands to create art. My maternal grandmother, or Nana, as I called her, was a wonderful artist. Her landscape oil paintings were full of texture and vibrant colors.  My  Nana, was a very talented woman and taught me how to crochet, embroider, sew and knit at a very young age.  My first adventure into the world of beads, was at age seven,  when I collected pretty beads and interesting buttons, and traded them with my girlfriends at school. I first tried my hand at creating jewelry in 2007, after taking one bracelet designing class on a whim. Up until that time, I had spent many years giving old yard sale furniture, a  new look, by painting images on old chairs, tables and desks, with acrylic paint.

  I am still turning old bits and pieces into something new, however, now it's in the form of jewelry! My latest creations are these cuff bracelets that I have designed from vintage brass metal fishing lures. I was drawn to these lures by the fabulous patina that was created naturally from age and weather. I thoroughly clean them, then I hammer the lures and bend the metal into the shape of cuffs. The beautiful patina is protected with several coats of wax, and I then add feminine embellishments  such as vintage lace,  pearls, glass beads, crystals,  recycled sari silk and my own resin pendants and lockets. It's fun to take something old and worn out, and give that item a completely new life.


 

 
Take some time to visit Susan to see more of her beautiful creations.
Be sure to tell her Nicole sent you.
 
 
Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

NDEBELE OR AS WE CALL IT HERRINGBONE

Hi Everyone!
 
I have had this book for awhile now and thought it was about time to share my thoughts on it. 
 In 1990 when Virginia Blakelock published her book "Those Bad Bad Beads" she brought to the forefront beading techniques that were not yet popular in the US. Oh there WERE some of us old timers using Native American, African, and Mexican stitches but it wasn't until this book hit the market that allowed beading techniques to be used in a contemporary way for the masses. The one stitch that always intrigued so many was the African Ndebele stitch, or as we know it by Herringbone. Since those early days there have been many more books written on this subject. Designs that flip the imagination and allows creativity to flow from the mind to beading fingers. Which brings me to the book,
"I CAN Herringbone" I do like the (I CAN) books published by Lark Jewelry and Beading. This book is written by Melissa Grankowsky and is presented in a way that anyone can learn this stitch with confidence. I myself have been creating with Herringbone since the 1980's and never find it boring. The patterns in this book are not boring either. They are in fact exciting!!! From very simply to more advanced pieces I think you will be happy with the designs. If you haven't tried Herringbone then I this is the book for you. If you know the basics and want to improve on style and technique then I highly recommend this book.
As always with a Lark book the photographs are excellent, the graphs and directions in perfect sequence and the gallery will inspire you to create with Herringbone.
 
I CAN herringbone
By Melissa Grakowsky
Lark Jewelry and Beading
ISBN 978-1-4547-0362-4



Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

LOTS OF TESTING COMING UP EEEEKKK

Hi Everyone!
 
First thanks to all of you for the wonderful well wishes. I accept all of the positive energy and prayers.
 
So I saw my doc today. I really like him. First he is easy on the eyes, extremely "smart" about his patients, he is clear and precise and if you don't understand something he actually will take the time to explain it all. He is positive and I always leave his office feeling mentally better. So for the next few weeks I will be in medical testing mode. UUUhhhgggg. For some reason I looked up at him and asked if any of these test hurt?  Don't know why just had a feeling. He did tell me, "no". That is a relief.
Maybe when he gets what he needs from these tests I will have my brain and  hands back again. Yeahhhh that would mean beading and art.. Keeping my bent up painful fingers crossed. LOL Hey... I have to laugh about this. Crying just doesn't help and I get a big red nose and usually a head ach. Now that is not fun at all.
 
Yep this is my brain missing a part of the puzzle. LOL

 
 
Yes back in the MRI tube for me

 
Take care of your hands
 


Wishing everyone a happy evening
 
Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Monday, January 28, 2013

CLOSING FOR FEBRUARY

Hi Everyone!
 
If you are with my Beadwright NewsLetter then you know that I will be closed on both my Beadwright Etsy Store and my Beadwright website for the month of February. I will reopen on March 1st. Yesssss this is due to some health issues that have to be taken care of. I will still try to blog every day though. We will see how my brain allows me do that.
So you still have a few days if you need anything in my stores.
 
Remember I will reopen March 1



Happy Monday to you all.
 
Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Sunday, January 27, 2013

SUNDAY DOINGS AND JEWELRY

Hi Everyone!
 
Happy Sunday to all of you.  Well I have been changing shipping on all of the items I have in my Beadwright Etsy Store  EEEKKKSSSSS well over 400 items that all need to be changed. Ok ok so the patterns and tutorials have no shipping so that saved me some time. If you have an etsy or artfire or other e store how are you doing on the shipping changes?
Other than that it is a typical Sunday. The rain is vicious and the skies are 6 shades of grey. LOL
 
I thought I would share with you an older piece of jewelry I created about 5 or 6 years ago. I sold it the first time I wore it. I love it when people buy things right off my neck! :)





Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Saturday, January 26, 2013

GIVEAWAYS BEADS!!

Hi Everyone!
I have noticed a lot of giveaways this week but this one ends today so head over to Lorelei's for some great bead giveaways. She has all the details there.
Happy Saturday to you.


Honor and Integrity in Life in Art 
Nicole/Beadwright

Thursday, January 24, 2013

GRAFTING NICOLE'S BEADBACKING NBB

Hi Everyone!

I receive many emails from people asking the different things to do with Nicole's BeadBacking. (NBB) Well the uses are endless, however, today I want to answer the question; how do I graft different colors of NBB together? 
Beading projects, journal pages, greeting cards, even place matts, or any other craft that you need color specific areas, here is how you do it. Sooo easy.
Take the colors of NBB that you need and cut to size and shape or leave as is. I use Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue, only because it is fast and it dries completely clear. I have also used Beacon 527. 
E6000 is a bit too thick and messy.
Simply put a line of glue on one edge of NBB and set the pieces together. Allow to dry. If you are beading your stiches will give it extra strength. You can also take decorative embroidery stitches on the seams. Or place some Soutache cording on the seams. Again the idea are endless.



 
NBB matches up better if you cut the pieces together
 
 
 Use any kind of scissor to easily cut through NBB
 
 Match up the pieces and apply the glue
 
Once the glue is dry and set you have a strong piece of NBB
 
 This piece has a clear class cab to show you just how cool this technique is.
 
Hope you try it!
 

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Hi Everyone!
 
I was going to write about this yesterday but didn't. Today I am because I have had people asking me about it and even my mail lady said something to me. Most of us here in the US know that our postal rates will be going up, again, on Jan. 27. It is a significant rise in price especially for international shipping. All of the amenities are going up in price as well. Any type of confirmation, insurance, postal money orders and P.O. Boxes. So I have been doing my online shopping and getting things I really need and want before Jan 27.  If you have had you eye on anything in my Beadwright etsy store or my Beadwright website I urge you to get it now. Sadly I will be raising my shipping rates as well. So Sorry.
 
Letters (1oz.) — 1-cent increase to 46 cents
Letters additional ounces — unchanged at 20 cents
Letters to all international destinations (1oz.) — $1.10
Postcards — 1-cent increase to 33 cents
 Small box — $5.80
Medium box — $12.35
Large box — $16.85
Large APO/FPO box — $14.85
Regular envelope — $5.60
Legal envelope — $5.75
Padded envelope — $5.95
 
 
Domestic Flat rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

TWISTED TRAILS NW BEAUTIFUL

Hi Everyone!
 
Hope your week is going well. Ours is so far and hope it continues. My hands have settled down a bit but still typing with one hand. uuuhhhgggg.... Thank you all for writing to me with well wishes.
The real topic today is photography. Great shots are like great paintings. The eye of the artist must be sharp and keen. Knowing how to shoot a great photo is an art. My good friend Lori (Cook) Culligan has that keen eye. I have always enjoyed Lori's photography and now you can too.
Lori and her husband have opened a new etsy store, Twisted Trails NW. If you love beautiful photography to decorate your home then  you  need to stop by Twisted Trails NW. If you send out note cards and want the beauty of photography then you need to stop by Twisted Trails NW. Lori ships all her photos with the greatest of care in packaging that will not damage or bend the photos. Here are just a few of what Lori has in Twisted Tails NW and she is adding more all the time.
These photos, after framing make wonderful gifts and will brighten your home's décor
 
 
Still life
 
 Who doesn't love photos of old barns? Lori has several to choose from.
 
 The note cards come beautifully packaged
 
You can also contact Lori at these sites
 
 
Stop by and say hello to Lori and tell her Nicole sent you.


Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Monday, January 21, 2013

HANDS

Hi Everyone!
Today starts a new week. Anyway this is where I start my new weeks, on Mondays. Today I was looking for hands on the  web. My hands are giving me fits. They just don't want to work any more. It has been coming on for quite some time. lupus doesn't care what part of your body it effects. LOL So I have some photos of healthy strong hands today and then I came across a wonderfully cleaver artist.
Guido Daniele  Take care of your hands, pamper them, give them rest, keep them strong, and create beauty with them.

 


 Healthy
 
 Strong
 
Beautiful hands
 
 And then these are the perfect description of my hands
Not to worry I will get them back lupus hasn't beat me yet
 
Now for some fun hand art Guido Daniele
 




Honor and Integrity in Art in Life
Nicole/Beadwright

Friday, January 18, 2013

ART OF ANDRE MARTINS DE BARROS

Hi Everyone!
 
Yeah it is Friday. I love my weekends. I don't know why the weekend "feels" so differently to me but it does. I enjoy my Saturdays and Sundays, no stress or something. LOL Anyway today I want to share with you a French artist that is not only an exceptional painter but has the imagination that crosses boundaries. His name is Andre Martins De Barros

 
Andre's art will cause wonder in your soul.
 
To see more of his art and to read about who Andre is click her
You will not be disappointed
 






 Enjoy
 
 
Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Thursday, January 17, 2013

NEED THREADS CORDING?

Hi Everyone!
 
Just wanted to let all of you know that if you need Nymo threads, waxed linen cording, Soutache cording, leather thong, 550 Para cord, or beautiful cord knotted frog closures for your jewelry then head over to my Beadwright etsy store. We have it all and at great prices. But WAIT! Use this coupon code number and get an additional 20% off. Remember to apply the code at check out to get the discount.
BCJ13 


 
 



 
Wishing everyone a very nice day

 
Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

BEADS BEADS EVERYWHERE

Hi Everyone!
It is cold cold cold here. However, the sun is out and as you know that is fine by me. I have been busy listing all sorts of beads and beady goods in my Beadwright etsy store. Over 450 listing. Please stop by to see ALL the beads I have listed. 130 listings so far for beads and most of these are beads in sets. 81 listings of cabs and Swarovski Rivolis. Don't forget I also have Nymo thread in colors, John James beading needles, leather, Ultrasuede, Soutache Cording, beading looms, books, PDF patterns and tutorials, Nicole's BeadBacking and much much more.
Head over to my Beadwright etsy store.  use this coupon code at check out to receive a 20% discount on EVERYTHING  You can only get the discount by using this code.  bcj13
How cute is this bead?


 Soutache Cording

 Nicole's BeadBacking NBB

 Lots of seed beads sets

 Embellishment beads galore

 Nymo threads

 Patterns and tutorials
So much more over 450 separate listings. 20% off with this coupon code only  bcj13

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright