Thread: What are you working on? September 2009

I've been poking around all morning waiting for this thread to start- guess I should just kick it off myself ;)

I wanted to share this AMAZING bead embroidery book with you all:

I've been 'doodling' with beads on a piece of microsuede and having a ball! It has excellent information. Starts with materials, then tools, stitches, designs, projects and inspiration. Fantastic color photos. I think my favorite part of the book is that it's written by two different artists and they each give their preferences for materials and methods so you get more than one way to do something.

The artists make earrings, collars, brooches and cuffs but it'd be easy to take the directions for the earrings and just make a bunch of them to attach to a belt or bra... I'm hoping my bead doodles will become the center medallion for my 'green monster' bra :D

I'm planning on finishing my pearl costume, as I just started working on it again.

I also bought an old project that needs some TLC so I can bling it up.

And I am going to be making lots of jewelry to help pay for my Puerto Rico trip!

Originally Posted by RioDancerCO

I've been poking around all morning waiting for this thread to start- guess I should just kick it off myself ;)

I wanted to share this AMAZING bead embroidery book with you all:

I've been 'doodling' with beads on a piece of microsuede and having a ball! It has excellent information. Starts with materials, then tools, stitches, designs, projects and inspiration. Fantastic color photos. I think my favorite part of the book is that it's written by two different artists and they each give their preferences for materials and methods so you get more than one way to do something.

The artists make earrings, collars, brooches and cuffs but it'd be easy to take the directions for the earrings and just make a bunch of them to attach to a belt or bra... I'm hoping my bead doodles will become the center medallion for my 'green monster' bra :D

Wooohooo! Me need this book! ..g.:

I'm putting the finishing touch on my friend Lubna's silver bedlah, and also finishing 3 sets of straight skirt, gauntlets and headband, all in turquoise.

This is for a trio I'm going to do with 2 of my dearest friends, we'll be wearing those sets with silver bedlahs. Pics are to come...

Qamar

Here's the August thread, in case you want to catch up on the pretties that were posted in the past few days: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...st-2009-a.html

And links to all of the Working On threads: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...g-threads.html

i want to finish my leopard that i started before I left for berlin. still not sure of what to do about adding fringe but my hopes are to get it done for a hafla on the 19th.

just finishing up a couple more monkeys - orders to take to LV next week!!!!!

just finished a split circle skirt... exciting uh? :)

I'm hoping to get back into the sewing swing of things around the end of September. Work is just too crazy these days, can barely make time to practice.

I'm making a doublet for my best friends husband, bloomers for my friend, fixing her skirt, fixing my skirt, making a head dress out of an amazing necklace I just bought, attempting to make some cowry shell hair falls, figure out how to wear my new fake hair, remaking a bra I just bought because it is too small, making a turkish vest, and drafting up the pattern for a ghawazee coat.

You could say I got a little behind on sewing projects not being able to sew all summer! :D

Rachel

Originally Posted by bdaddiction

Hey, pass me some of that popcorn! ..l;,

My co-workers gave me two passes to a bead and craft show in a few weeks. They asked me if I have an interest in beads, they honestly have not clue...

thousands of beads, sounds fun!

Originally Posted by bintbeled

Hey, pass me some of that popcorn! ..l;,

sure I have some soda too!

I was working on an Egyptian style lycra costume early this summer, but that was put abruptly on hold when I remembered I needed to do a ton of sewing for Pennsic. Going to pull that box out and start that again this weekend. Also, I warped up a loom last weekend for a piece of tablet weaving (for Pennsic garb for next year, lol).

Originally Posted by ozma

My co-workers gave me two passes to a bead and craft show in a few weeks. They asked me if I have an interest in beads, they honestly have not clue...

I hate those places, I get distracted by the rainbow sparkle and can't remember what it is I actually NEED, so I buy something that appeals to me on the spot, only to get it home and realize that it is unsuitable for anything I'm currently working on.

Fabric stores can be the same way for me.

Here are the first results of my 'bead doodles' based on the "Art of Bead Embroidery" book that I recommended to all of you. It's addictive, be careful! I think it will become the center medallion on my 'green monster' costume. I'm also thinking that as much as I love the copper button at the center of the green glass pendant, I may swap it out for a rhinestone encrusted one that I have because this costume just demands that level of bling ;)
(remember this fabric?)
I am now sketching out bead plans for the sort of fern-like cut outs planned for the trumpet skirt. There are several skinny straps involved in this costume and I'm playing with the idea of doing the beading on my Indian seed bead loom and then mounting the beads to fabric wrapped grosgrain ribbon. The beads will take me quite a lot of time so I can decide later :)

Gorgeous! I agree that a big fat jewel would be better.

Originally Posted by RioDancerCO

Neat! I have this book, it's a great one! I've seen this technique explained online as well, only in Russian.
Here, I found the link. You can try and translate it using babel fish or google translator, or just click on the thumbnails for larger images, some of them are pretty explanatory.

Originally Posted by RioDancerCO

what about a big teal or green or blue green jewel? that would sparkle but still bring out the surrounding colors.
if you wanted to stick with a copper theme, you may be able to find a copper or quartz jewel.

Originally Posted by shimmy21

I'm making a doublet for my best friends husband, bloomers for my friend, fixing her skirt, fixing my skirt, making a head dress out of an amazing necklace I just bought, attempting to make some cowry shell hair falls, figure out how to wear my new fake hair, remaking a bra I just bought because it is too small, making a turkish vest, and drafting up the pattern for a ghawazee coat.

Drafting up a pattern? Interested in how that goes!

Originally Posted by RioDancerCO

But I like/want the copper!!! lol I'm on a very serious copper kick, started by my first costume, which I'm wearing for the 2nd time on Saturday.

But today I have to take the skirt of my 25-yard skirt up in front. My booty takes up the length in back, and then wearing it with my hip belt pushes the front down and I keep stepping on it ... and worrying about stepping on it.

I had already taken it up 2 inches (just under the front waist), so I'm going take that stitching out and go for 3 (total). Not sure if I should go for 4 total.

If I have time, I want to make a vine wreath to go around my giant bun (that's hair not booty) to ... hopefully ... keep me from looking like a pinhead/ big body little head.

Originally Posted by nadyasidhe

But I like/want the copper!!! lol I'm on a very serious copper kick, started by my first costume, which I'm wearing for the 2nd time on Saturday.

Haha :) I have more copper beads and could work the copper into the costume. I don't think I will though because I'll have rhinestones and crystals to tie in and that calls for a change of center bead. When I've cut the threads on the copper button I'll play mix'n'match and swap out different options (and take pictures) to see what looks best.

I've been sketching out my proposed beading patterns for the fern leaves :D I'll need to go buy more beads at some point *sigh*. Maybe after my gig this weekend. Then I can use dance cash to fund my costuming addiction and not feel so guilty ;)

I took the skirt front up, and this time I attached it to the stretch/drawstring waistband by first pinning, then when I sewed it, I first stretched everything, then sewed, then released (how us old folks do it on our non-stretch-stitch machines) so that the thin fabric was anchored to the hefty waistband/drawstring, instead of to right UNDER the waistband/drawstring, like I did last time. That's how to damage the fabric, fer sure.

Hopefully this will end the worrying. I tried it on and it looks good. One more trial run to go!

I made both a bun wreath out of vine for dance and a head wreath of same for ren fests. Sometimes a girl needs a wreath, I guess. I got the bun wreath stuck in my hair and when I got it out eventually, I used floral tape on that part. *cringe*



Anyway, I have ribbon and maybe I should embellish it some for this weekend.

hm

Sophie, was that a necklace? Very nice, and yes, self-explanatory.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

I hate those places, I get distracted by the rainbow sparkle and can't remember what it is I actually NEED, so I buy something that appeals to me on the spot, only to get it home and realize that it is unsuitable for anything I'm currently working on.

Fabric stores can be the same way for me.

Me too me too! Too many choices... sometimes I buy too much, but not exactly what I should, and sometimes I am too overwhelmed to buy anything.

Originally Posted by nadyasidhe

Sophie, was that a necklace? Very nice, and yes, self-explanatory.

It was a bracelet, but you can of course use the technique for anything you'd like. It just gives you the idea of how to secure big gemstones.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

I'm planning on finishing my pearl costume, as I just started working on it again.

I have a pearl costume in the queue too :) Pearls will look great with your hair :D

Rio, your beading is amazing! I think I may need that book.

Nadyasidhe, are you adding copper to your wreath?

I made a funny skirt to match some of my bedlahs... seems like I'm very skirty this days... I have some more fabrics to make some more skirts ..l;,

I love it! The big red and purple flowers are very fun and look great!

Woo! I love it SabuaSabua!!! Do I see a Great Loop?

thank's girls! And yes, you see my well loved Great Loop.

the next skirt.... not finished, only wrapped arround





or should I make a summer dress?