DebWAZ wrote

on Oct 31, 2009 4:35 PM

I posted a question asking the name of the stitch and Cat answered me back with blinding speed!

It took all of maybe 2 hours - *if* I'd been able to sit down and do nothing but stitch! Warning - do not look at the clasp ends - I couldn't figure out how to end the strand, so I just did the same thing we do with Kumihimo. I should have used cones instead of the small bead caps. Oh well, I've learned something!

The photo is posted here:

http://doxiedinos.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-actually-made-something-with-seed.html

Be gentle with your criticism, okay? <grin>

Deb

Zerenity by Inca wrote

on Oct 31, 2009 6:02 PM

 Looks great =)

Cat_P wrote

on Oct 31, 2009 6:30 PM

 I like it Deb!

I think the the bead caps look fine too!

SCB1 wrote

on Oct 31, 2009 8:29 PM

Deb,  I like it. You did well especially for a first time beader. Your tension looks good and that is the main problem most beginners have. Keep up the good work and show us what else you come up with.

Watch out now Deb you may get bite by the seed bead bug. It could be fatal to stringers. Often after being bite they don't go back to stringing.  Ask me how I know.

LitaC2 wrote

on Nov 1, 2009 9:12 AM

Deb -

It's so easy to get bitten by the seed bead bug - particularly with spirals.  They don't take long to make, and the results are so pleasing.  You may want to check out this book -

Seed Bead Stitching: Creative Variations on Traditional Techniques

It's the best book I've seen for learning different stitches.  The magazines are great, but they use drawings to illustrate most stitches, which lack depth and color differential.  The author of this book illustrates each step of each stitch with photos - bright beads and dark thread.  The results can be quite ugly, from an aesthetics perspective, but it makes it very easy to learn.

Lita

DebWAZ wrote

on Nov 1, 2009 2:25 PM

Lita and everyone,

Oh yeah - I've gotten bitten by the spiral bug, BIG TIME! I've had some top drilled pearls that haven't been selling. Walked past them again this morning and thought, "Hmmm - I wonder if...." So my next spiral project will be pearls. (I had one I was doing with 6/0's in red and green for Christmas and ran out of green beads - so that one's on hold.)

Now that I've figured out how to get the pictures transferred to the computer, you might get tired of seeing photos. <grin>

Deb

Gyspy Mary wrote

on Nov 1, 2009 4:32 PM

 I love this book. I  got it when Interweave had their sale. I have only made a couple of the bracelets. (They sold quickly)

Thanks, Lita, I need to revisit that book

I love teaching the spiral rope. However, I was clueless to all the possibilities!

Thanks, everyone for sharing.

MelindaB@14 wrote

on Nov 1, 2009 7:50 PM

Deb ~ I love the Black & Orange Spiral, its perfect for Halloween.  Thank you for sharing

Cat_P wrote

on Nov 1, 2009 7:56 PM

Deb :

Now that I've figured out how to get the pictures transferred to the computer, you might get tired of seeing photos. <grin>

 NO we won't! We love seeing pictures and since this is the first time I've seen something you created it's wonderful! Keep posting more :)

Mikki335 wrote

on Nov 1, 2009 11:06 PM

 Good job, Deb.

 I'm using this spiral to try to convert stringers to bead weavers.....it's working too!

Kokopelli wrote

on Nov 2, 2009 6:36 AM

Deb, I can't see anything wrong in the spiral and I have to say that you should do more with seed beads. You seem to be talented! So show us more pics, pleeeeeaaaaaase!

And I can only agree with Mary and Lita and recommend this book! The stitches and variations are great.

CathiK wrote

on Nov 2, 2009 11:55 AM

Kokopelli Design:

And I can only agree with Mary and Lita and recommend this book! The stitches and variations are great.

Beth Stone's second book, More Seed Bead Stitching, is available NOW for pre-order on Amazon.com!  I can't wait to get it.

 Cathi

DebWAZ wrote

on Nov 2, 2009 12:09 PM

Thank you all for your comments and compliments. It's interesting to hear about my tension being good - I was told the same thing years ago when I learned how to knit and crochet. It's especially heartening, when my original Halloween plan was to do a pair of beaded jack o'lantern earrings. It used double needles and no matter what size beads I used, I could NOT get the tension right. I gave up when the first one looked like "Jack O'Lantern" meets Mr. Mixmaster! <LOL>

Mikki,

Spiral rope is a WICKED way to tempt stringers to the "dark side"! [aka weaving] <LOL> I took the pearls home last night and never got a chance to touch them - had to do the bookwork for the store sales taxes. But, I could hear them calling me. <sigh> Maybe I can play with the spiral tomorrow night - after I've gotten all the paperwork done. Dang priorities!

We had Beth Stone's Seed Bead Stitching in the store a couple of years ago, because it seemed as if all the classes in the local RV parks were using it. It is another WICKED temptation - I know many non-weavers who have succumbed to the wicked ways of weaving because of it! [Memo to self - see if we can get that one again and look for the other one recommended here. ]

Dagi,

It wasn't the spiral I was worried about, it was the ends. After weaving the threads on the ends and making huge knots, I glued the knots with Hypo Cement, Then, I used a wire loop as we do with our kumihimo and smushed the bead cap onto the glue/beads/knot/wire. It still doesn't sit straight, but I'm not taking it apart.

I'm thinking of doing a 5 minute class to teach the spiral and then doing a "variations on the spiral" contest and let everyone turn their imaginations loose! We just finished a "What I Did on My Summer Vacation" contest and I've posted the results on the AZ Bead Depot blog, including photos of the winners.

I taught Jill, who teaches Phillipine weave here in the store and now SHE'S hooked! I just might have to start that Beady Ford Clinic for the hopelessly bead-addicted after all! With, of course, a special wing for spiral addicts!

Deb

LYILHA wrote

on Nov 2, 2009 2:35 PM

Deb...let me first say...awesome spiral!  I love spiral and I haven't done it in years...so many people on here are inspiring me to do so much...wish I could get my hands into all the stuff I wanna do after looking around here.  lol.

Deb :

I just might have to start that Beady Ford Clinic for the hopelessly bead-addicted after all! With, of course, a special wing for spiral addicts!

Now THAT is funny!!!  Hahaha...I would be in the IBU - Intensive Bead Unit.  LOL!

JSmaz wrote

on Nov 3, 2009 7:54 AM

Are we allowed to bring our beads with us to this clinic?  If so, I'm there!

Nice job for your first spiral Deb!  Can't wait to see what you do with those pearls...