Post #7: UFO Report: Beadweaving Bracelets

     Cynthia Rutledge, one of my favorite beadweaving designers, sells wonderful kits to make many of her beautiful beadweaving designs. They are worth every penny simply for the concise, clear, well-illustrated directions that she provides, not to mention the quality and quantity of materials included as well. I purchased a few of these, way back in 2003, and began one of them, called Around About the Wrist, fairly soon after my return from the Beads on the Vine retreat I attended in wine country out in California. One of my quirks is that when I do complete something, many times I'll think I should make a 2nd one, only to then end up with just another UFO (That is, if I ever do finish the first one).
     Well, I did finish that first “Around About the Wrist” bracelet pretty quickly, which for me, is a rare occurrence. I discovered there were enough materials left over to make a second bracelet as long as I left off the spinning dangle, or I could purchase some more beads to make that part if I decided to, so I started on a bracelet that I could give as a gift. Needless to say, the second one is still unfinished. Almost done, but still unfinished. Does anyone else have this problem? I don't just end up with UFO's, I end up with many that are 90% or more complete. So close and yet so far!

     The bracelet on the right is the completed project. The green triangular-shaped dangle actually spins around freely on the center of the bracelet. When I started the second bracelet, I decided to reverse the base colors. I also did not pull out the directions again when I started on the fringe, (I am an experienced bead-weaver), and I ended up making it twice as thick as what was called for in the original instructions. I never did say I was good at following directions! When I got to the point where I was ready to start down the other side, I wasn't sure if I had enough beads to finish the fringe in the same way. So there you have it...another UFO. I can't decide whether to:
A) Remove the fringe from the one side, and then re-do the fringe per the instructions, which should leave enough beads to finish both sides, or
B) Take my chances and keep going in the same manner, hoping and praying I don't run out of beads, or
C) Come up with a slightly different fringe design for the remaining side that would possibly use up fewer beads, or

D) Simply leave it as is, so the bracelet has fringe on only one side, which I think actually looks nice if worn with the fringe facing down toward the wrist.

     Sometimes I can't make a decision, so I set the project aside for a while and move on to something else until the right time comes when I figure out what to do. Who knows when that right time will be? I surely don't. But I will, at some time I will. I just don't know when.

Peace in creativity,

Meryl

Post #3: Beads on the Vine and a new UFO: Beadweaving bracelets

Somewhere around 9 or 10 years ago I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a glorious time in San Luis Obispo, CA, which is in wine country. I was there to attend Beads on the Vine, which is a multi-day workshop held in a winery overlooking the beautiful scenery of the vineyards and rolling hills. Each of the three days featured a different instructor and a different beadweaving project. The three world-renowned teachers were NanC Meinhart, Carol Wilcox Wells, and Cynthia Rutledge. If you're not familiar with their work I highly recommend you search for them on the Internet. Their work is awe-inspiring.

In Cynthia's class I made a peyote stitch brooch of Delica beads adorned with semi-precious stones.

In NanC's class I made a right angle weave cuff bracelet with a frothy fringe.  

In Carol's class I made a bracelet of chevron chain with lots of sparkle added.
 

I am happy to report that I completed all three of these projects at the retreat. What an accomplishment! (Maybe that's because I don't drink wine)?

Now for the UFO part(s):
     The clasp on the bracelet I made in Carol's class broke at some point. This is such an easy fix, I have no idea why I have not done it yet! I love this bracelet and it fits me perfectly as long as it has a working clasp. That may be one of the things I hope will come of me writing this blog. Maybe it will motivate me to move on with some of the things I have been stalling on. Maybe not. We shall see....
     The cuff bracelet I made in NanC's class closes with three large snaps and fits around your wrist so that it doesn't spin around too loosely. After the retreat I lost quite a bit of weight and it was huge, too huge for me to wear without making some adjustments. This would involve removing the snaps, running some beading thread through where I want the bracelet to now end to secure the beads, cutting away the excess, re-securing the beads, and reattaching the snaps for the closure. It really would not be a big deal, maybe an hour or two if I take my time. Once again, why have I not done this? Do I sound like a crazy person? Sometimes I'm such a procrastinator. I can't be the only nut who keeps moving on to the next project. Am I?
     Fast forward to 2012, yes, this year! I pulled out another one of Cynthia Rutledge's kits that I had purchased long ago and started the project. It was going along quite nicely. Really it was. Here are pictures (at least, pictures of how far I've progressed, so far):

That was sometime back in the spring. I'll keep you posted if and when I get back to it.

Peace in creativity,

Meryl