Betty's Beaderie

10/26/2014

This sits over the ear and is just whimsical and fun. I made a set for my daughter-in-law's nieces. One wanted pink and the other wanted black. I think they turned out rather nicely! My granddaughter was kind enough to model the black set for me.

10/23/2014

These are a series of four seashell pendants that I created as a result of learning how to solder and to set a stone in a bezel. I also created the chain myself. All of my items are for sale.

10/22/2014

I started a new pendant today in my metalsmithing class. It is a dogwood flower sawn from sheet copper. I will add a bezel set dichroic cabochon to the center and will probably use a chain maille type chain for the necklace. This is gonna be pretty!

10/20/2014

This absolutely gorgeous gown could have been made even more spectacular with just a few discreet pieces of jewelry. Even her hair was just "not done". It bothers me that actresses feel that it is "normal" to be completely without jewelry at big name events. See what I mean... https://www.yahoo.com/movies/lily-collins-is-a-vision-on-the-red-carpet-at-the-rome-100437881347.html

Lily Collins is lovely in lavender on the red carpet of the Rome Film Festival.

10/20/2014

Starting to settle down and begin working on more ornaments for the Holiday Bazaar. This past week flew by so quickly it seemed it was over before it started! I finished one beaded ornament and have a new one started. I'm thinking about adding sets of beaded/wire snowflakes, too. They're pretty and work up quickly. Any suggestions for crafty, inexpensive gifty type ideas are most welcome!!

10/12/2014

What do you get when you mix a McDonald's Monopoly game piece and a couple of women just chatting over breakfast? NEW FRIENDS! I had a game piece that I knew I wouldn't use and so I looked around to see if anyone was there who might use it. I spotted Suzanne & Nita and asked if they wanted the piece. One thing led to another and now I'm a member of the Richardson Senior Center (Texas), I found a vibrant group of people with whom to exercise AND I was accepted into their Christmas Craft Bazaar as a vendor! Thanks McDonald's!!

10/12/2014

I have been accepted as a vendor for the Richardson, TX Senior Center's annual craft bazaar happening on Friday & Saturday, November 7 & 8. Doors open at 9:00 til 5:00. Come by and see me and my beadwork. I'll have some chain maille jewelry for sale too, lots of Christmas stuff - ornaments, etc. It is my first show in about 10 years. I'm pretty excited!

03/07/2014

I have made my first metalsmithed cuff! What do you think? This technique is called Fold Forming. I folded and textured a 22 gauge copper sheet and then soldered it to a 20 gauge brass base cut down to size. I've got a second on started!

02/10/2014

For the past several weeks I've been working on setting up an email campaign designed to help me find more students for my classes at Michaels. With the help of my "Jewelry Junkies" buddies, I think I've got a pretty good system at least started. First and foremost, I have made a commitment to be in the store during specific scheduled hours each week. I've also set up a drawing to happen each month where I'll give away one of my class samples. Each month will be something different. My first drawing will be on Bead Night, February 28. This is the sample for my Intro to Wire Crochet Class. It has been completely hand fabricated by me, with the exception of the toggle clasp. All that's needed to win this gorgeous necklace is to provide me with your name and email address so that I can send you monthly updates about my classes. What do you think? Wanna play?

02/01/2014

Still thinking about the Shreveport classes. I've come up with a few ideas. If I do wire wrapping, I would like to use articles previously published in the Wire Artist Jeweller Magazine. These are available for $4 each. I'll be reviewing them to see which ones I think might work best. If I teach chainmaille, I would like to again, split it into 3 classes: beginning, intermediate and advanced. If we revisit some of my earlier classes, I could use my own tutorials. If not, I'll request that each student either provide their own copy of the tutorial, or purchase the entire kit. I'll post some ideas for classes in the next day or so. I'm getting excited about getting back to Shreveport in April! Stay tuned for developing news... :)

01/29/2014

Ok guys, I have seriously been thinking about a way to be able to come to Shreveport in both April and September. In order for me to do this, I would have to teach at least two or maybe even 3 classes. I need suggestions. I was thinking on the lines of a beginner, intermediate and then advanced class. Because I want to be known as an ethical teacher, I will humbly request that everyone own or purchase the patterns. I work for Michaels in Garland, TX and I am accountable for my actions to both my employer and myself. I will post some ideas in the next few days or so that I think might be good for the skill levels. To me, it is not fair to lump beginning students who have never held a pair of pliers with advanced students. I would appreciate thoughts about this.

01/14/2014

I mentioned sometime ago that I was fascinated by chain maille jewelery. Here are a few pieces that I've created. I've tried to pick a favorite, but it always ends up being the one I've most recently finished. I still have more pictures to take of my newest pieces - Rondo ala Byzantine Necklace and Bracelet, and Lancelot Bracelet. Enjoy the eye candy!

12/04/2013

I've been adding some photos of some pieces I've made. I haven't gotten to the chain maille pieces yet but will soon.

12/04/2013

Some are old, some are new. Some are just for fun and are simple. Others are more complex and very time consuming. I'll bet you can tell which is which!

12/04/2013

This is one of my favorite necklaces. 16 gauge hammered copper, each link fashioned by hand.

11/16/2013

This week has been a sort of catch up week. I've made a few new pieces of chainmaille. I'll be taking pictures and posting them shortly. I've learned the basic Barrel Weave and cleaned up and polished some of my older pieces, too. All in all, it has been a very good week!