Tuesday 31 December 2013

Bead embroidery


Happy New Year's Eve everyone, or, depending when you're reading this, Happy New Year.  I have such high hopes for 2014, first off that everyone stops calling it "Two Thousand and Fourteen", I mean, we didn't call 1914 "One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fourteen", did we?  Well, the French did, but that's different.  Secondly, I hope 2014 does not turn out to be the horrendous, disastrous, soul-destroying year that 2013 did.  Fingers crossed.

I considered doing a look back at the year, but it was so crap that I don't want to, I'm so glad it's nearly over.  Instead, my long overdue post about the Bead Embroidery class I took at The Bead Shop Nottingham.  I was planning a post about the fantabulous crafty presents I got from my bloggy friends this year, but I have yet to take photos and the weather outside is dull and cloudy and raining.  Blurgh.

So, bead embroidery.  Wow, loved it!



We made brooches using Swarovski navettes which are sewn on to Bead Foundation with ordinary sewing thread.  I outlined the navettes with size 11 red beads, including a picot edging.  I then bordered it with size 15 hematite beads (which I always call Hermaphrodite much to my mum's horror).  The centre is a Swarovski bi-cone crystal with a ring of the size 11s.


We were given a small square of Ultrasuede to finish off the backs at home.  I cut mine roughly to shape, then started sewing it on to the back with the size 15s as decoration.  I was cutting it to shape as I went.  After a petal I found a nicer, neater way of sewing on the 15s so undid it all to start again.  Well I couldn't!  See the black shape above?  How on earth did that ever fit on the back of the flower???  I'm waiting patiently for my order of Ultrasuede to turn up so I can finish it!

I hope you all have a wonderful 2014 and I look forward to catching up with you all in the New Year.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow and wow again! What a lovely flower. It looks so professional - very impressive.

I hope your 2014 is a good one Wendy, full of good things and good times.

ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

Elli said...

Grazie per gli auguri :-)
Auguro anche a te un anno nuovo piena di felicità.
Bye, bye Elli

Anna said...

May 2014 shine like your flower !
Hug
Anna

Sandra :) said...

Heehee hermaphrodite is a much better name than hematite - I bet the rest of the class was roaring with laughter - I would have been, LOL! Gorgeous brooch -- it would seem that you're a natural at the art of bead embroidery! Can you use something else to back it, instead of waiting for ultrasuede - maybe wool felt?

Kerryp77 said...

Hi wendy, that is gorgeous. Happy new year and hope 2014 is a good one for you

Alison said...

Love the brooch!

Happy New Year when it comes, here's to 2014 being less crappy than 2013!

Alison
x

JoJo said...

That's beautiful! I love bead embroidery and want to do more of it. I, too, hope 2014 is better than 2013.

CeLynn said...

Oh my,Love your beautiful beaded brooch! Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year Wendy :)

Melody said...

Happy New Year. I'm looking forward to another year of seeing all your wonderful sewing and creative pursuits. Hugs

Jane said...

Amazing

margaret said...

sorry to read that you had such a bad 2013, hear is wishing you a much better 2014. Your beadwork is very nice,

Celtic Thistle said...

Beautiful brooch Wendy, another new talent to add to your long list!

Hope 2014 turns out to be a great year for you.

Anonymous said...

and a happy new year to you ^^ hope 2014 is full of crafting fun

Star speckles said...

Cute brooch! Hope 2014 brings you everything you wish for

x

Jillayne said...

Yup I hear you - not my favourite year either! I hope 2014 is much kinder to you, and at least, not as crappy. I also hope your suede gets there soon - your pin is wonderful!

pennydog said...

Oh I may have a commission for you!!! I'm thinking a couple of small ones of those in faux pearls in champagne (and the odd bright colour maybe) with a couple of diamante chains for a headband for my wedding- are you up for it? Love that.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Your brooch is stunning! I hope you have a happy, healthy and peaceful 2014!

Carrie P. said...

WOW! that is gorgeous.

Pookledo said...

I've been meaning to go to a class at the bead shop in Nottingham for a while now. Are they fun?