red beads and a gold star

July 3, 2009 | Category: mixed bag | Leave a Comment

When I originally got my copy of Carol Cypher’s book Mastering Beadwork, I was intrigued by the bead crochet rope project in the book that used a bead soup mix and a larger gauge thread/yarn as its base. I’ve done some beaded crochet in the past, but it had been a while.

So, before I embarked on this project, I decided I should refresh my bead crochet skills with some really big beads and bulky worsted weight yarn. Not only is it big and bright, it also glows in the dark. I think it might be a good fan pull someday.

Once I was reasonably sure I could still do beaded crochet, I strung up two tubes of a 6/0 bead mix on a tape yarn and set off. This is the finished piece. I might even wear it tomorrow with a tee and pair of jeans. I figure that might make the perfect red, white & blue ensemble.

Click images to see larger versions

All in all, I like the look, but the yarn I used (Lion Brand Trellis) was a royal pain. If I try another one, I’ll look for a different yarn. Hmmm… I wonder how sock yarn would work…

now, I can share

May 13, 2009 | Category: is it polymer or polymerde?, off the top of my head | 1 Comment

A few weeks ago, I posted a teaser photo of some etched pieces I’d made, but couldn’t share the whole thing, because it was for a swap.

I think most of the 2009 Mask Swappers have gotten their packages by now, so I’m going ahead & posting the full images.

Here’s a Zentangle-inspired doodle I used to make a tearaway transfer etching:

And the etched & highlighted clay piece.

Click images to see larger versions

These were a lot of fun to do.

There were also pieces done with translucent clay and purple oil paint, but the etch wasn’t as deep, so they’re hard to see. Lesson learned - Staples Copy Center copiers aren’t the best for tearaway etching.

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Happy Spring!

May 2, 2009 | Category: woolgathering | 1 Comment

Sheesh - it’s been a month?

Not much going on ’round these parts, except a bit of knitting.

Inspired by Kay, I knit up a few new washcloths.
spring-y ballbands

And then tried my hand at the Lizard Ridge pattern with the leftovers.
spring Lizard Ridge

They’re happy spring colors, and it’s a happy spring day. Glad the weather forecast was wrong - I wasn’t looking forward to a completely rainy weekend.

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April Fools!

April 1, 2009 | Category: is it polymer or polymerde?, mixed bag | 1 Comment

or not. =)

I can’t quite believe it’s been so long since I last posted. And I suppose the joke is really on me, but it’s been that kind of winter.

Anyhow, I finally sat down and tried using one of my own doodles as a transfer for tearaway etching. I think it worked out ok. But I learned something in the process - the toner used in the copiers at Staples doesn’t etch anywhere near as well as the toner from my own laser printer. At least it only cost me 60¢ to learn that lesson!

This is just a snippet of what I etched, as the pieces themselves are going to show up later in some other venue.

Black on white are original doodles, white on black are etches
click photo to see larger version, if you wish