What would YOU like to see in "Scarlett's Style"?

I have been having the greatest time designing the projects to feature in Beadwork's new Department "Scarlett's Style".  We work months in advance, so the next several projects have already been submitted, but I wanted to post an open thread to find out what the reader's would like to see on the pages of "Scarlett's Style" in the future.

While my theme is "Fashion-Fresh Bead Designs", that's not all that I like to consider when I create a project.  It's really important to me that we are publishing projects that beaders actually want to make themselves!  I want readers to be able to explore their favorite stitches while learning methods for embellishment or dimensional beadwork that they may not have seen before.  I am also trying to create projects that are challenging... but not daunting.  

I would love to hear your comments on what would be exciting for you to see in "Scarlett's Style".  I'm interested to know technique-wise (bead embroidery? any certain stitches?), color-wise (your favorite palettes), material-wise (more crystals please! naturally inspired themes...), and form-wise (necklaces, bracelets, another awesome and unique accessory!), and any other suggestion you might have.    

I have received a lot of really nice comments and positive feedback on my website about the Department, so I just wanted to say thanks to everybody for being so supportive!

I also have an ongoing open blog post about this on my website here, if you would like to post a comment there that would be appreciated as well!

I'm really enjoying your projects Scarlett - not that I have had time to bead any of them yet, but they look fantastic and make great reading!

Technique-wise, I love projects that combine two or more different stitches, and I'm trying to get to grips with thinking about beadweaving in three dimensions rather than two, so sculptural pieces always interest me, as do pieces made from separate components (my comfort zone is definitely the all-in-one piece and I am very bad at planning the engineering of a component-based one!). I am a glutton for colour and wouldn't rule out any of them - even yellow, which I find hard to partner up with other colours - but my absolute favourite is anything with lime green and other 'acid' colours.

Sorry, that wasn't much help really, was it... but keep up the good work, I'm looking forward to your new projects!

Lynn,

Thanks for your nice comments about my projects.  

The good news is everything that's coming around the pike in "Scarlett's Style" so far does feature working and transitioning between MULTIPLE STITCHES!  Honestly there are very few projects where I don't incorporate a mix of stitches.  You can just convey so much more when you switch it up.  I'm hoping that I am creating things that are exciting and challenging for people and that the amount of stitches used doesn't scare them off.  Once you get the hang of any stitch it's like your fingers learn it and it isn't so tasking on the brain to weave something with it.

It's funny that you mentioned lime green because I have been playing with that color palette of lime green with turquoise and maybe a purple.  The trick for me is to keep it looking stylish.  I have created a few things where I think I can express that color without making it look too jarring.  In Margie Deeb's book The Beader's Guide to Color, she talks about the different feelings that are evoked from each color.  I thought the most interesting one was what she said about yellowish green.  She said something to the effect that it is the most controversial color because it evokes such a contradiction of memories and responses.  Some people see sickness, illness, bile, some people see fresh springing life!  If you get a chance to read it, it's really thought-provoking.  I really like to think about what sort of feeling a color palette expresses.  I've always thought that turquoise with lime green shows vibrance, summertime, and spunky attitudes! 

Look forward to more component based projects like "The Alchemist" in the coming "Scarlett Style" sections.  The one I just submitted has got all sorts of separate things going on, so you can assemble the whole project, or just stitch your favorite part and use it in your own designs.

Thanks again for your response... keep 'em coming people!

That all sounds great, Scarlett - and I love the idea of your latest project with separate parts that you can use for different things. The colour info was really interesting too, I'll have to go and do some reading up. Sounds as though lime green is the perfect colour for me!

So far I've enjoyed everything I've seen from you, Scarlett.  I haven't had a chance to make any of them yet either, but I always like to read the articles at least.  I like the idea of combining techniques as well.  It's always interesting to see how many different ways you can push the envelope. 

I like all different colors, but I'm a huge fan of pinks, purples & blues.  Oh, and more crystals, please!  You can never have too many.

 Maybe something for weave shy beaders?

I'm sooooo intimidated by all those little beads....but I love your projects...especially the Nautical Star.

Oh man, and how about "The Alchemist"?  How awesome is that??

I just got the newest Beadwork, it has the Alchemist. I look at it and sigh....seed beads are scary!

No, seed beads are wonderful!

 I think you're both right....seed beads are both scarey AND wonderful....AND addictive.  I love the range of colors so much that it's difficult to chose which to make into what.  Right now (well, not right this minute) I'm making the Tangy Credit Card Case in the Mastering Beadwork book by Carol Huber Cypher, starts on page 79.  I have seed beads I bought back in 1990 to 1994 when I was using them for beaded cross-stitch and Christmas card ornaments.  They're made by Glick and they're unfortunately not great quality so I'm having to cull quite a bit (the quality isn't up to snuff enough to use in making jewelry which will be worn and seen, touched and fondled by adoring fans...HA!).  But, I figured that even with the unevenness of them, this would be a great project to put them into use (and get rid of them so that I could justify buying more....lol).  Not to mention that I need a portable little case for my cards when I just don't feel like carrying my purse with me.  I'll post pictures when I'm done.

 Oh my gosh, I love the Alchemist!  I've been playing around with learning different stitches and such and just learned how to do the spiral rope....then I got my issue and saw what I could do with the spiral in making something like the Alchemist.  With the major exception that I'm not as talented as Scarlett, but, I'm trying and I'm learning.

 Scarlett, you're AWESOME!!

Sure you're that talented-you just haven't learned all the things she has yet.  Just 'cause you don't know how doesn't mean you can't...

 i really like all the projects that u do....i have tried out almost all the ones u have printed in the magazine....i just got the new beadwork magazine and i cant wait to do ur project!!! keep up the good work i cant wait for the next one to come out

Thank you so much!  I am so excited about the newest project "Pacific Discoveries" with me new weave "Vertigo Stitch".  I've already gotten such an overwhelmingly positive response for kits for this project - I think it is going to be a great hit!  Thanks to everybody who reads the magazine and supports my designs!  You're awesome!  I am still totally open to suggestions for "Scarlett's Style" if there is anything specific that you would like to see.  I've enjoyed implementing all the ideas I've gotten from you already - this is such a great community we have here!

I love the detail oriented patterns in your column.  I'm working on the Alchemist now and confused on the fringe (Pattern 5 section).  Please let me know how to get clarification on the project.

I'm always looking for things with crystals and seed beads; most especially jewelry with beaded beads and amulet bags with embellishments/fringe.  Maybe a wedding necklace?

I like spirals and RAW because of the diverse look you can create just by changing the bead size, shape or color.  As much as I want to dabble into some jump-ring necklaces, I like that your designs are "needle required." 

I don't know how readers would feel about maybe seeing a mini Crazy Quilt that is embellished with bugels, beads, buttons and pins.  (FEEDBACK ANYONE?) 

This is why.  I want to make a Crazy Quilt in a framable size.  It would not necessarily be quilted (with batting), but it may need to be stitched onto canvas to support the use of a variety of embellishments, including the broaches I inherited from my mother's jewelry box.  This way I can honor the memory of my mom in a way that encompasses my love of beading...in a crazy world...with some beauty she left behind!

Keep up the good work!  You have great style!

I like the idea of a crazy quilt made out of beads.  You might consider using Aida cloth (for cross stitch) as backing since it's in a grid pattern and easy to stitch through.  You could always add some pellon to the back of it if you need it to be more stiff than it already is.  Just a thought.

For clarification on the Alchemist pattern, you might want to email Scarlett directly by clicking on her name above her avatar, or going to The Beader's Muse website.  Scarlett is awesome, and she'll be happy to help you!