Mini Tux by Amy Loh-Kupser

Here is an adorable little peyote or brick stitch pattern designed by Amy Loh-Kupser and found on Bead Patterns.com.  You can dowload the pattern for free there but here is a picture of what it looks like.  I take no credit for this design.  I just think it is absolutely adorable.  To download the pattern click here. 
Here is the picture of the pattern. 

You could extend this out and make it into a bracelet or bookmark or anything. 


Happy Beading!

My first experience with Bead Crochet

So on Sunday I posted instructions on how to Bead Crochet and said that on Monday I would be taking a class on this.  Well things went great, at first, when we were working with pony beads and yarn.  And the beads were arranged in color coordination.  So I did that practice model twice, felt very comfortable with it and decided to move on to a harder combination.  I moved up to size 6 seed beads, thread, and a size 1 needle. Oh boy, was I in for a challenge.  Now I didn't start this endeavor until I got home so there was no instructor or anyone else around to help me.  This is what I got after about 3-4 rows:

As you can see, if you know anything about bead crochet, it is not what it is supposed to be.  It looks more like a bead toggle.  So I am going to have to take it all out down to the first 6 and start over.  If the beads were in any type of color coordination it would be much easier, but since they are not, I am having much difficulty.  These are the beads I am working with:

As you can see there really is no way of putting them in a color scheme.  So I guess I will just keep at it. As they say, practice makes perfect.  

I would love to hear any of your comments or suggestions on this.  Maybe things to try?

Anyway if you like to bead crochet here are some books from Amazon you may like: http://www.bead-patterns.com/amazon_books.php#Bead-Crochet


Happy Beading!

Fun Peyote Patterns

Here are a few fun peyote patterns gathered together by Shala Kerrigan of Bella Online, The Voice of Women.  She has put together a few pieces that can be used for either bookmarks or bracelets.  Hope you enjoy.

Fun Peyote Patterns

I hope enjoy these patterns as much as I enjoyed graphing them!
I don't currently have a complete alphabet in the style I used for the leet and geek patterns, but intend to make one up to share with you soon.
They can be used as bracelets or bookmarks, if you are going to use them for bracelets I suggest you start beading from the middle, the graphs are marked every ten beads so the middle will be easy to find, that way you can shorten it if necessary or lengthen it symmetrically.
Click the images for the patterns, they will open in a seperate window and are oriented vertically for easy printing.

And here's a blank graph you can right click and save to design your own. I've love to see what you come up with!

Happy Beading!

Bead Crochet lessons

Bead crochet is something amazing and looks fantastic.  And the great thing is you don't have to know how to crochet in order to learn how to do this.  I am actually going to take a class on this on Monday on how to do this but found these animated lessons online today and thought I would share them with those of you who are interested in learning this art.  I am going to share the link to the lessons page as there are too many links on the page to all the lessons.  But I will give you an picture of what bead crochet looks like. 

To learn how to do this go to this website:  http://beadcrochet.com/lessons/lessonindex.htm.  Here you will find lessons for right handed and left handed individuals.  Also they are set out in different speeds, they slow the lessons down for you. 

Happy Beading!

Love Shadow Bead design graph

Beaded Patterns.com has a collection of free bead graph patterns that you can download and print.  However they are all copyrighted and I can not bring them to you here.  So I thought I would link you to their site and the free patterns.  The one for this month is the Love Shadow Bead design graph which looks like this: 

This is not the only free pattern they have.  They have a lot more so don't think you are stuck with only this one. They have zodiac symbols, celtic knots, holiday themed graphs, and much more.  Go check them out.  Click here to get to their site. 

Happy Beading!

Raspberry Ribble bracelet

I found this adorable bracelet that Sally Adamson had created and I wanted to share it with you all.  If you have pieces you have made please let me know so I can post them to the blog. Just send them to Nevermorebeads@gmail.com and tell me a little bit about yourself and your piece. 

Raspberry Ripple

The creator of this piece says: I made this bracelet as I simply like the colour of the glass seed beads. I wanted to use the beads as the main material for the bracelet rather than use them as a connection or surround for larger beads. I used fire line to weave the beads together and 3mm faceted glass beads in the centre for connection. I just need to find the dress to match!
Visit Raspberry Ripple on Beadage.net to learn more about the artist and see their other pieces!

Here is more about Sally Adamson:

I have been making jewelery for 6 months after taking some classes in Singapore. I have mainly created pieces so far using wire however I am finding that I prefer to bead.

Other Pieces by this Artist

Gemstones and their meanings

Gemstones have been used for many different things depending on their traits and what origin they come from.  Even in making seed bead jewelry we like to mix things up and add gemstones.  I have found this list of compiled Gemstones and their meanings and am going to share them with you so you can always know what it is you are using and the meanings they have.

Gemstones (A-Z) - Metaphysical Properties

	Adventurine (Aventurine) - A good luck stone, especially in financial matters. Stimulates creativity, intelligence and perception. A great healing stone, it gives a sense of mental and emotional well-being.
	Agate - general protection and healing, increases courage, self-confidence, and energy and promotes longevity. Also good for gardening.
	Alexandrite - renewal and regeneration, openness to higher self. Brings love, joy, and luck.
	Amazonite - helps clarify and improve thinking.
	Amber - healing, protection from negativity, attractiveness and energy.
	Amethyst - increases vivid dreams, relieves depression, promotes calm, serenity, and spirituality. Helps with addiction and stress.
	Ammolite
	Apatite - helps stuttering and hypertension. Rids one of guilt and grief.
	Aquamarine - improves sight, sharpens the mind, calms and clarifies emotions. More about Aquamarine
	Aragonite - grounding and centering, facing truth and reality.
	Azurite - increases psychic ability and aids in meditation. Relieves arthritis and joint pain.
	Bloodstone - healing, especially related to the blood. Increases courage and charitability.
	Carnelian - general healing stone. Restores the natural energy flows of your body.
	Chrysocolla - soothes nervous tension.
	Chrysoprase - soothes heartache and helps depression, promotes emotional balance, wisdom, and peace.
	Citrine - helps digestion and aids in mental and intellectual functions. Increases self-esteem and energy. Balances and dissipates negative energy.
	Coral - helps in childbirth and adoption. Wards off bad thoughts from others and promotes general well-being.
	Diamond - manifests abundance. Used in conjunction, it strengthens the properties of other stones.
	Emerald - a mind stone. Enhances memory, promotes clear and quick thinking, and right action stemming from right thought.
	Flourite (multicolor) - enhances spiritual energy work, focuses the will and balances the psyche.

	Garnet - balances your natural energy. A highly protective stone. Increases confidence and security.
	Goldstone - uplifting, reduces tension and stomach problems.
	Hematite - great stone for grounding. Calms and soothes, reducing stress and blood pressure.
	Howlite - Howlite - reduces stress and anxiety. Quietly soothes and calms to bring gentleness and patience.
	Jade - Jade - wisdom, mercy, humility, generosity, peace, and harmony. Protective and lucky when worn as jewelry. Place a bit under your pillow at night for restorative dreams.
	Jasper - calms a troubled mind. Helps with digestive problems and other ills.
	Red Jasper - helps with conflict and aggression. Promotes grace and perserverence. Leopard Skin Jasper - aids in finding and achieving life's goals. Picture Jasper - stabilizing, balancing stone. Aids in visualization and meditation.
	Labradorite - strengthens the will and inner strength and convictions. Aids in combatting addictions.
	Lapis Lazuli - emotional healing and stability. High intensity stone which cleanses the spirit to bring out inner truth and peace.

	Malachite - strong stone which helps release negative emotions and protect from psychic attack.
	Moonstone - helpful in psychic work. Opens the spirit to the feminine aspect. Draws love and helps in interpersonal relationships.
	Morganite - love, empathy, patience and compassion. Heals the emotional self.
	Onyx - good protective stone. Also releases old relationships and keeps away general negativity.
	Opal - Awakens and helps understanding of psychic intuition and mysticism. Encourages living authentically in feeling and action, with faithfullness and loyalty. Helpful for eyesight and during childbirth.
	Peridot - balances your emotional mind and calms emotional storms. Aids digestion and insomnia and increases psychic powers.
	Quartz - the greatest of all healing stones. Acts as an amplifier for psychic energy and aids meditation and visualization.
	Rose Quartz - great for attracting love. Promotes self-loving and heals emotional wounds as well as promoting peace, forgiveness, and nurturing. Smoky Quartz - a grounding stone which helps reduce depression and negative emotions.
	Rhodochrosite - love drawing stone. Helps release past psychological issues. Helps eyesight.
	Rhodonite - self-affirmation and self-love. Fosters ability to remain calm in arguments and resolve disagreements in a loving way.
	Ruby - stimulates nurturing emotions and economic stability. Excellent for shielding from psychic attacks and gathering and amplifying energy. Helpful for blood-related health issues, such as anemia, menstrual issues, and poor circulation.
	Sapphire - promotes light, pure emotions - purity of mind, serenity, joy, and peace. Opens the mind to beauty and love. Clears the mind of unwanted thoughts.
	Sardonyx - encourages self-control and courage in public speaking. Relieves anxiety and grief. Protection, luck, and peace.
	Snowflake Obsidian - protects against nightmares and emotional draining.
	Sodalite - purifies your aura and protects you from negative energy from people around you.

	Tanzanite - increases psychic abilities and enhances spiritual connectedness.
	Tiger's Eye - clear thinking, helps in manifesting will, courage, and confidence.
	Topaz - soothes physical pain, promotes peace and calms emotions, as well as promoting forgiveness. Promotes individuality, self-confidence, and creativity. Counteracts negative emotions.
	Tourmaline (multicolor) - calm, protection, focus, and balance. Promotes self-assurance and goodwill.
	Black - strong protection from negative energies. Reduces fears, obsessions, neurosis, and panic with a calm rootedness. Pink - promotes compassion, love and healing of emotional pain. Green - cleanses and detoxifies the spirit, brings prosperity. Blue - helpful with verbal, speech, and throat problems. Mental peace and patience. Watermelon - heals old emotional pains and brings emotional understanding.
	Turquoise - healing stone. Attracts friendships, luck, and happiness. Releases shame and guilt.
	Unakite - promotes balance and emotional stability. Transforms negative emotions into positive ones. A grounding stone.

Birthstone Chart

	Stone	Color
January	Garnet	Dark Red
February	Amethyst	Dark Purple
March	Bloodstone, Aquamarine	Light Blue
April	Diamond, Cubic Zirconia	Clear
May	Emerald	Deep Green
June	Alexandrite, Pearl, Moonstone	Light Purple
July	Ruby	Ruby Red
August	Sardonyx, Peridot	Light Green
September	Sapphire	Deep Blue/Violet
October	Tourmaline, Opal	Rose
November	Topaz, Citrine	Yellow/Amber
December	Turquoise, Blue Zircon	Light Blue

 Happy Beading!