Saturday, July 13, 2013

Fish are Friends :: Blog Hop

Isn't that the best name for a hop? Bobbie of Beadsong Jewelry came up with that one. Although in my house fish is food! We eat a lot of fish, so this one made me giggle. 

Our host, Karen Williams of Skunk Hill Studio, has written a wonderful tutorial (you can find it on Etsy) to create these little Fancy Fish, as she calls them. I saw them over on her blog and commented on just how cute these little guys are, and next thing you know I’m on her design team! 

She sent just a couple of us the pattern to give it a try as ‘testers’ of her tutorial. She also sent a few of us a bead package in colors she wanted us to use with the fish. I made one in green and one in blue. And if you look closely at the blue fish you’ll see that I alternated between a sparkling blue and a matte blue. I really like the stripe effect on this guy. I used dark colors on the tips of the fins to accentuate them, and I think that it really brings out the pattern of the fins.

Overall, these two little guys beaded up quickly. I did each one in an afternoon start to finish. It took me a couple of tries to understand RAW (right angle weave) in a circle, but if you know this stitch the tutorial is very straight forward and easy to follow. Karen also offers lots of alternatives to the pattern, the number of fins, just how fancy you want to make them or even adding side fins. I kind of liked mine just like they are ... cute and playful. I’ve decided to send my fish off to two little girls who are just about to become big sisters. It is always nice to receive a big sister gift when a new arrival comes into the family. Just to remember how special each and every one of our children are to us. So these two fish are heading off to Singapore.

Ok, and now on to the design team with all the other beaders making Fancy Fish: 
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Location Adirondack Mountains

30 comments:

  1. LisaSJuly 13, 2013 at 1:42 AM

    Oh, these little guys are so cute! Sorry I missed this hop, it would be fun to participate ;)

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  2. NEDbeadsJuly 13, 2013 at 6:46 AM

    How wonderful!! Your stripes are gorgeous!! :)

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  3. Amy S.July 13, 2013 at 7:10 AM

    I also had a blast with these fish! Cute and playful is a perfect way to describe them. Your fish came out wonderful! I LOVE that lime green!

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  4. Patti VanderbloemenJuly 13, 2013 at 7:13 AM

    These little fish are just adorable! I love the eyes! You are so sweet to gift them to two very special little girls!

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  5. Sarah SequinsJuly 13, 2013 at 8:01 AM

    Aww! Absolutely adorable. You did such a wonderful job. <3

    Congrats on being part of the design team!

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  6. Karin SlatonJuly 13, 2013 at 8:18 AM

    Love your tropical water palette and the combination of transparent and opaque in these fun shapes. Those little girls are gonna love these treasures!

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  7. Karen WilliamsJuly 13, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    Fish tend to be food in my household, too. But the beaded variety definitely fall into the friends category!

    And your two fish friends are absolutely delightful! In your first photo it looks like they're sharing a fish kiss. They are both so bright and happy looking! I just know the two sisters are going to love them.

    Thanks Cynthia for joining in!

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  8. TanyaJuly 13, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    What great fish. I love the stripes on the blue one. They are subtle, but add such depth. If those girls are anything like my daughter, they are going to love the fish.

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  9. UnknownJuly 13, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    I like the shape of your fish without the fins. It shows off their cuteness! And what a precious gift for the 'big' sisters. I know they will be totally thrilled, that is so sweet of you.

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  10. UnknownJuly 13, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    Such great colors. I love them both. Your fish are so cute. It's hard to tell from the photo, but did you use a flower shaped spacer under the eyes instead of seed beads? If so, that's a great idea. It looks good.

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  11. NancyJuly 13, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    I love mixing matte with shinier beads. I see your bead shape was different from mine. It is cool to be able to make them all so different, and I am happy to have discovered your blog.

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  12. Monique (A Half-Baked Notion)July 13, 2013 at 1:56 PM

    These are so adorable, Cynthia... I love to admire the awesome skills you have put into Karen's wonderful design. It's a beautiful thing that these fishies will get to remain friends!

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  13. KJJuly 13, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    Your fish turned out well indeed. The girls you gift them too will be delighted.

    I really like the way they look without the fins.

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  14. Craftymoose CraftsJuly 13, 2013 at 7:00 PM

    Adorable fishies!

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  15. My Amazing DaysJuly 13, 2013 at 10:24 PM

    Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! These fishies are ADORABLE!!!!!! You are so clever!! Are they really heading to Singapore?? To TWO SISTERS?? With a NEW ARRIVAL??? Oh, lucky sisters who are going to be super excited and happy now :DDD

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  16. Caron MichelleJuly 14, 2013 at 4:48 AM

    How fabulous!

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  17. UnknownJuly 14, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Oh my! Lovely little fishes~

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  18. Christine AltmillerJuly 15, 2013 at 1:25 AM

    A-dorable! LOVE EM! especially the blue one. Oh, who I am I kidding...BOTH! When we get together, you need to show me increase/decrease if I haven't figured it out yet by then. Then I know I can finish my fish. But yours...Perfectly cute and fun! Great job, Cynthia!

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  19. AdditionsstyleJuly 15, 2013 at 2:21 PM

    I love your beaded fish, the colors are great and they both look like a lot of fun. What a great idea for a blog hop.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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  20. AdditionsstyleJuly 15, 2013 at 2:21 PM

    I love your beaded fish, the colors are great and they both look like a lot of fun. What a great idea for a blog hop.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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  21. Magic Love CrowJuly 15, 2013 at 3:05 PM

    These fish are too cute!! Love them!

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  22. Therese's TreasuresJuly 16, 2013 at 8:36 PM

    Hi Cynthia,
    I'm back from my Florida trip and just now getting to the blog hop.
    I love your two little fish they are so cute and I am sure that the two sisters are going to love them too.
    Therese

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  23. Memories for LifeJuly 17, 2013 at 6:37 AM

    What cuties! And great colors for them as well.
    How sweet of you to gift them to the soon-to-be big sisters :)

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  24. Miss Val's CreationsJuly 17, 2013 at 8:38 AM

    The fish are so cute! I could see them incorporated into whimsical jewelry pieces too. What a fun hop idea for summer!

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  25. AliciaJuly 21, 2013 at 7:50 PM

    Oh, my, Cynthia - absolutely gorgeous! Love your two new friends :)

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  26. CindyJuly 22, 2013 at 2:45 PM

    Cynthia, I am sooooo impressed! Your fish are adorable and I have so much respect for your beadwork talent. I hope the two fish make it to their new homes safely overseas! :-)

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  27. ~Lavender Dreamer~July 22, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    These are gorgeous! Wow! What beautiful colors and a fun style! Enjoy your summer!

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  28. Honey from the BeeJuly 24, 2013 at 12:57 PM

    So glad to have seen this post! I love these little guys. Fish often come up as something I'd like to use in my jewelry, but I've only made a necklace for myself once.

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  29. Splendid Little StarsJuly 26, 2013 at 10:18 AM

    These are so cute, Cynthia! How wonderful to give them as big sister gifts!

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  30. BIKBIK AND ROROJuly 29, 2013 at 1:25 AM

    Just beautiful -- those two lucky recipients are sure to be thrilled!

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