Monday, January 27, 2014

BEAD EMBROIDERY MOTIFS BY GENEVIEVE CRABE

Hi Everyone!
I am so proud and honored each time an author and bead artist uses my Nicole's BeadBacking "NBB" in their books.  This is no exception with Genevieve Crabe's How to make 100 Bead Embroidery Motifs. Each page shows a different style on how to use NBB and how to apply beads to make wonderful motifs. I was quite impressed with the layout of this book. The photography is excellent as are instructions for each motif. Genevieve shows how shapes and designs can be beaded to create lovely bead art. Add these ideas to your beading projects to create larger pieces, the ideas are endless.
 I really like that making motifs can be used for jewelry, to sew on clothing, or used for home decor. Sew several of the beaded motifs together to make cell phone holders, or purses. 
This is a wonderful book filled with ideas that will spark your creativity.
 How to Make 100
Bead Embroidery Motifs
By
Genevieve Crabe
ISBN 978-1-58923-779-7
Creative Publishing International





 
Nicole/Beadwright 
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

MAKING CHEESE

Hi Everyone!

Today, while I am trying to stay off my feet, I decided to make some cheese. It is so much fun and easy to do. This is like Ricotta or Farmer's cheese. Depending on how dry you make it. 
I got my ingredients from a gift that came in a kit. The cheese is sooooooo good!!!!! I made two batches. One seasoned with my Italian herbs for manicotti and one plain so I can eat it with fruit or honey or put on toast. 
Here is how,

In a large pot put 8 cups of milk. I use 2% so I get a less creamy cheese.
 Turn the temp to a low medium
 In a 1/2 cup of water add 1tsp of Citric Acid. Stir to dissolve and set aside
 Set cheese cloth in a colander in a clean sink.
 Allow the milk to get to 185 degrees F
 Once it reaches temp pour in the acid water. Stir gently and watch the curds appear.
 It is like magik. Allow to cook about 1 minute.
 With an open slotted spoon transfer the curds from the pot to the cheese cloth. 
Add 1/2 tsp of cheese salt.
 Whhheeellllaaaa you have cheese.
 This batch I added the Italian seasonings, garlic, and red pepper.
It looks like a bowl of popcorn but I a sure you it it cheese.

Nicole/Beadwright 
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY FIRST ABSTRACT PAINTING

Hi Everyone!
I am posting early. 
OK so don't laugh..... this is my first abstract painting. As I mentioned before I am spending the next year on at least getting good at abstract art. I knew it would be difficult, especially for me, but wow it is even more difficult than I imagined. I got some good tips from my friend Lynn Lindley  and after playing with paint on my Nicole's BeadBacking I tried on a small canvas. This is what I came up with. Be kind in your comments this is my first one. LOL  Sooo different from painting still life.

First abstract in acrylics on a 14x10" canvas

After last weeks PPF and my cement art. I received a special order on one. This has already been sent off to the buyer. This is a 12x12"

Here is a close up of the texture. 

A big thanks to Eva and Kristin for hosting Paint Party Friday. I encourage you to check out all the other wonderful artists who participate.
 






Nicole/Beadwright 
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

NICOLE'S BEADBACKING YEAHHHHH ALL COLORS ARE IN

Hi Everyone!
Thank you to all my loyal customers for being so patient with me getting colors back in for 
Nicole's BeadBacking. Wheeewww it has been a month.
Not to worry though
Midnight Black is back....yesssss along with Rich Brown, Hawk Wing and for a time Tropical Berry.
So with that there is 16 color of Nicole's BeadBacking to choose from. 
Snow White, Midnight Black, Dove Grey, Mocha Cream, Hawk Wing, Rich Brown, True Red, Orangey Orange, Corn Yellow, Leaf Green, Chartreuse Shine, Powder Blue, The Royal Blues, Majestic Purple, Pretty Pink and Tropical Berry. 
That is NOT all until Jan 31, 2014 12x9" sheets of NBB is on sale for just $1.95 each. You can get the colors you want from our Beadwright website. beadwright.com or nicolecamanella.com

How pretty are these???


 Remember there are many uses for NBB

Nicole/Beadwright 
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Monday, January 20, 2014

ACRYLIC PAINTING ON NICOLE'S BEADBACKING

Hi Everyone!

I have been receiving a lot of emails on how to paint on Nicole's BeadBacking "NBB" It is so easy and a very inexpensive way to have a painting surface on hand at all times.  You use NBB just as you would any canvas or painting surface. Prime it first. I find Gesso works the best. Remember that NBB is a dense fiber so you may need to use a little bit more Gesso and it will take a bit longer to dry. You are now ready to use your acrylic paints and mediums. If you use water with your acrylic paints use it with care. Even though you have primed NBB it is still a fabric.  
It is that easy.

You can use a brush or sponge to apply Gesso to NBB

 This is a 9x5" sheet of NBB 10 minute art practice
 This is a 12x9" sheet  of NBB 10 minute art practice
 This is a 9x6" sheet of NBB 10 minute art practice
 This is a 9x6" sheet of NBB 10 minute art practice
These quick 10 minute practices are great for the brain and allows you to make decision almost automatically. Give this a try and actually set a timer. Having NBB to do the practices saves you on using up your canvas for those gallery painting. Prime several pieces at a time for when you just want to paint. Have fun!

Nicole's BeadBacking on sale at Beadwright.com or Beadwright.etsy.com



Nicole/Beadwright 
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY NEW ART

I put the wrong link please go here for new art for PPF
PPF Jan. 24

Hi Everyone!
Posting early for PPF
If you read my new years post it stated that this year I am throwing myself into abstract art. Painting is my main focus, however I have always been a "texure artits", sssoooooo,  when I started playing with cement, paint and texture..... Ohhhkayyy you know, I am hooked. The ideas are endless and I have a lot of them. 
This process takes about a week so be prepared for the long haul. 
It is a simple process of laying down the cement on a primed piece of wood and start making designs. Allow this to dry for 24 to 48 hours. Varnish and allow to dry. Using two or three colors of the same shades of paint coat the entire piece. Wipe excess and allow to dry. Apply another coat of varnish and allow to dry. Repeat this process with different colors of paint after each varnish dry.

I am showing this, my first piece on Paint Party Friday. Thanks to Eva and Kristin we have a place to show our art. This is not a forum for advertising your e-stores this is simply to share your art. There are people from all over the world who participate so stop by and take a look at who is showing at Paint Party Friday "PPF".

Hope you enjoy this piece
"Cosmos"





Nicole/Beadwright 
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

I'M HAVING AN AUCTION FOR DELICAS

I am keeping this at the top so please scroll down for newer posts

Hi Everyone!

I am having an auction! Yes an auction for over 3 pounds over 205 packs or tubes of Delica seed beads. This is my own supply. Some packs are open some never have been. There are some expensive colors and some that are not being made any longer. This is a supberb selection of Delica seed beads. If you desing with Delicas, create patterns with Delica's or just need a great selection of Delicas then place your bid NOW.
THE RULES
This is for the US only.    
Email me with your bid or bids. I will keep all participants informed of bids via email.
The auction ends Jan. 18, 2014 at 12 noon Pacific Time.
The winning payment must be RECIVED  no later than Jan. 24, 2014 in the form of a US postal money order or a personal check. If payment is not recieved by the above date the prize will go to the next highest bid. Personl check will be held to clear bank.
Shipping is free to the winner.
If you have any questions please email me. 
The opening bid was $350.00 one bid in at $400.00











Nicole/Beadwright 
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY JAN 9

Hi Everyone!

I can't believe this week has gone by so quickly. While most of you are in the Polar Freeze, we finally got some winter weather here as well. Rain and wind for Florence, OR. I am OK with it since we have had so much sunshine this year. Soooo, on with Paint Party Friday. This is a weekly event put on by Eva and Kristin. Big thanks to both of them. There are so many wonderful artists that participate and I urge you to click on the link to see who is creating art world wide. 
You won't be disappointed.

I have several pieces in the works all commisions. But I did have time to play too. 
Here is the finished piece of "Torsion" I have two people in a bidding war over this piece. I can't get into that so April is handling the sale. LOL Nice feeling though. 
The pods in her head have seeds in them and have a beautiful sound when the piece moves. 
AAAhhh yeah "rocks in her head" LOL
 I have been playing with abstract painting. (My forcus for this year) I like it sooooo much. Very freeing. This is a background that I am happy with. I will have the entire painting done this weekend.
So be sure to stop by Paint Party Friday to see all of the artists that participate.


Nicole/Beadwright 
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY NEW YEAR

Hi Everyone!
I hope all of you have a wonderful New Years Eve. It was quite here, just the way I like it.
This is the first Paint Party Friday of the year. I wish I had something new to show your but so far this year I have been busy busy busy and I have company right now.
So I am showing a piece I did in 1996. The face is molded then covered in two types of leather and sewn in a traditional stitch. The pipes I made in early 2000. Made with Cedar pipe stems. The top pipe is made with deer antler and deer hide. The bottom is carved from soap stone and covered in deer hide. They both smoke.
Be sure to stop by PPF to see the other fantastic artists who have joined in.



Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

BEADWRIGHT IS NOW OPEN SALE GOING ON

Hi Everyone!
 
Happy New Year!!!
To start it off right Beadwright is now open. Our Beadwright website and our Beadwright Etsy store both have a huge sale on NBB. 12x9 inch sheets are only $1.95 any color. This sale will continue to Jan. 15, 2014. The prices are already reduced so you don't have to mess with coupons.

Nicole's BeadBacking NBB
 
More good news. When we find a deal we always pass it on to you. Our 12x9" NBB was regularly $2.75 each.... AFTER the sale our regular price will be $2.50. Yeahhh a reduction of 25. cents each sheet any color.
 
Best wishes to all of you. 2014 has to be a better year.
 
 
 

Nicole/Beadwright
Honor and integrity in art, in life.