A Time to Stitch #4

This round of bead weaving hosted by Christine and Therese has us using patterns with a choice of chenille, netting, spiral ropes or chevron stitch.  I decided to try all of them because, well I'm just enjoying learning new bead weaving techniques. And these two ladies are wonderful encouragement for my repertoire!

Ok, let's start with netting. I pulled out an older bracelet I'd done a while back (in a brown/ tan color) that I had trouble with the closure. I ripped it out and added a slide which I like so much better. Then I made a second bracelet (in blue) with a vertical netting. It beads up much more tightly as a pattern for some reason, but has a nice feel once on the wrist.

I still wasn't quite done with netting, and decided to try a necklace. I had this really cool multi-piece fish bead I bought from Firefly Design Studio that I love. And I thought it would be such a great design to do a 'fisherman' design, or 'fisherwoman' as the case may be! I decided to gift this piece to Christine's oldest daughter who is quite the fisherwoman catching more than 100+ fish last summer! As you can see, the design really seems to suit her (just look at that beautiful smile), and I'm so please that she likes it.

Next up I decided on spiral rope. I made two versions of a bracelet. The first is a true, simple spiral, but the second is a bit of a twist - literally! I used the silver zig zag chain (I featured in my zig-zag tutorial) and added hematite rounds between the chain. For some reason the difference in the size of the hematite made the pattern twist in a way that resembles a spiral. Huh? who knew that would happen? And a complete bonus discovering a lazy way to bead a spiral rope - ha!

On to chenille. I believe this may be my new favorite rope; I'm completely in love with the rhythm of stitching this. I started with a bracelet. I used a variance in size to create a 'bead-bar' focal. It is actually a 'double pattern' as I stitched up over the first round to fill in with more beads. Kinda love this one and may end up in my stash of bracelets that I actually wear. Next I wanted to make a necklace and matched it with a beautiful jasper drop stone. I love the cut and shape of this stone, and look how wonderful it is in its simplicity with just a beaded bail to finish it. Small tip on this piece. I simply glued the ends of the spiral into the copper caps with E-6000. Easy peasy and holds perfectly!

Ok .... are you all still with me? Just one more stitch: chevron. For this last piece I did a bracelet and made two matching bands that I stitched into a braid of reclaimed sari silk. I added a leather button which really brings this one to life for me. Christine gifted me this button last Fall and I was waiting for just the right project to use it. I think I found it here. 

Now to see what all the hoppers, and our hosts created: 
Therese Frank (host), Christine Altmiller (host), and all the hoppers: Amy Severino, Janet Bocciardi, Cynthia Machata (you are here), Alicia Marinache, Paula Kramer, Kim Hora, Dee Alcalde, Dagi (Kokopelli), Maryanne Gross, LizE, Sally Russick, Becky Pancake, Jasvanti Patel, Karin Slaton, Alenka, Sarah Sequins, Tanya Goodwin, Debbie Rasmussen, Shirley Moore, Crystie Willard, Nelly May, Ana Cravidao