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Newest Bead Embroidery Cuff

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A little note from the Raven......
My newest completion is a Bead Embroidery Cuff which I have name, " Oak Creek ".  Memories
of Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona fit this cuff perfectly. The Turquoise.....the Silver. 
The Ladies of the Evening Bead Group just critiqued and here are the sample photo's before I do the
main photographs.  As I explained to Genny Smith - each 15 bead is sewn individually.  " Glutton for
punishment ". 


Don't you just love the paper towel backround...... :)

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.  I have another one laid out in a different color way to be started after I complete the Battle piece.

Battle of the Beadsmith 2015 - Partners and Battle Groups are complete

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The Battle Groups have been assigned and our Round One Battle participants have been selected.
I'm in Battle Group C - ( Such Talent )
One week from tomorrow many of you will abandon all familial responsibilities in your personal quest for beading greatness. This will be a difficult journey as hungry children, piles of dirty laundry, and new episodes of Game Of Thrones will threaten to keep you from the beady glory that is rightfully yours..............stay strong.
For Beads and Country !!
Battle On ...
Steven


BOTB15 Round 1

Group A
1-Eniko fabian-Austria vs Betty Cox-USA
2-Milla Hope-Canada vs Noel Wyres-Australia
3-Melissa Ingram-Australia vs Ewa Machnik-France
4-Grazyna Walczak-Ireland vs Natalia Luzik-Russia
5-Miriam Shimon-Israel vs Monika Kasparova-Czech republic
6-Marcella Cataldo-Italy vs Maria Vulkova-Russia
7-  Cortney Phillips-USA vs Larisa Sumer-Ukraine
8-Elly Budding-Netherlands vs Laura Giusti-Italy
9-Esther Wijma-Netherlands vs Catriona Starpins-Australia
10-Elena Orlowska- (the Polish one) vs -Elena Nenilina-Ukraine
11-Roxana Bacila-Romania vs Kim Jansen-Netherlands
12-Aldona Pintea-Romania vs Federica Strafa-Italy
13-Andrea Zelenak-Romania vs Veronica Jonnsson-Sweden
14-Irina Kashirina-Russia vs Monica Vinci-Italy
15-Zulfija Salimzjanova-Russia vs Stefania Iucci-Italy
16-Emese Hake-Slovakia vs Yuni Canosa-Cuba
17-Tanya Ivanova-Spain vs Anna Kurtova-Russia
18-Fiby Kreutzer-Switzerland vs Tiina Lija-Sweden
19-Elena Deryabkina-Ukraine vs Sarah Louise Gordon-South Africa
20-Jenny Argyle-UK vs Kristina Kristianssson-Sweden
21-Catherine Chinoy-UK vs Nadine Zanner-Germany
22-Lynn Davy-UK vs Becky Griffith-USA
23-Olga Mulyarova-UK vs Elena Pashkova-Mexico
24-Karen Beck-USA vs Alina Emandi-Romania
25-Teressa Dyer-USA vs Svetlana Dubinsky-Israel
26-Anna Hobgood-USA vs Beth Dewey-USA
27-Kathy Benson-USA vs Eva Dobos-Hungary
28-Patty Sledge-USA vs Christine Boyer Maj-USA
29-Lillian Todaro-USA vs Alena Heinrichova-Czech Republic
30-Jean Upton-USA vs Yana Cvetkova-Bulgaria
31-Swetlana Fuchs-Germany vs Jennifer Shibona-USA
32-Marit Vogel-Hungary vs Jody Young-USA
Group B
1-Ruth Davies- Autralia vs Lucia de Luca-Italy
2-Anna Fjellborg-Belgium vs Alla Ambar-Israel
3-Vaneska Joias-Costa Rica vs Alexandra Lysenkova-KYRGYSZSTAN
4-Nella Kabelova-Czech Republic vs Svetlana Hackl- Austria
5-Heidi Peltomaa-Finland vs Lakota Taylor-France
6-Natalie von Oldenburg-Germany vs Ewelina Kuzawińska-Tymosiak-Poland
7-Erika Bita-Simon-Hungary vs Patrick Duggan-Australia
8-Bobe Ikotics-Hungary vs Ringaile Radojevic-Czech Republic
9-Erzsebet Kis Jakab-Hungary vs Monique de Boer-Netherlands
10-Nunzia Ciavorella-Italy vs Pauline Peskoff-Canada
11-Maria Curridori-Italy vs Madlen  Zhorzholiani-Georgia
12-Simona Rotaris-Italy vs Regina Okrain-Israel
13-Dovilė Vasiliauskaitė-GataBella-Lithuania vs Cira Troilo-Italy
14-Janine Van Dijk-Netherlands vs Graziella Malara-Italy
15-Laura Nicolaescu-Romania vs  Joanne Zammit-Malta
16-Lidia Olaru-Romania vs Tatyana Fedorikhina-USA
17-Alena Kalinina-Russia vs AnnaPia Gårdmo Jidler-Sweden
18-Tatyana Skryabinskaya-Russia vs Olga Haserodt-Germany
19-Sidina Irina Viktorovna-Russia vs Grazyna Anton-Poland
20-Ana María Pozo Reyes-Spain vs Anna Perelman-USA
21-Oksana Khmelenko-Ukraine vs Nadezda Vinogradova-Russia
22-Marina Korobka-Ukraine vs Margareta Gustavsson-Sweden
23-Katie Dean-UK vs Daria Martsinkovskaya-Russia
24-Tracey Gwilliams-UK vs Ana Zaporojan-Romania
25-Catherine Homer-UK vs Nausikaa Dahllöf-Sweden
26-Sharon Edelman USA vs Jeanne Evans-USA
27-Raven Pena-USA vs Tatiyana Kobets-Ukraine
28-Angela Plager-USA vs Dee Elgie-UK
29-Hannah Rosner-USA vs Misan Tejre- Sweden
30-Elizabeth Ann Scarborough-USA vs Guadalupe GONZALEZ ROMERO-Spain 
31-Leanne Gray- New Zealand vs Joanna Młodkowska-Brach-Poland
32-Chantal Stadler-Switzerland vs Katrin Podra-Estonia
GROUP C
1-MaryanneVillalba-Australia vs  JosaneDemuylder-Belgium
2-AlbenaPetkova-Bulgaria vs AndrasCsilla-Romania
3-Jacquiechampion-Canada vs Eva Chrastkova Mišurcová-Czech Republic
4--ClaraLai- Hong Kong vs Joanne Browne- Australia
5-AnnieHatvani-Hungary vs MariaconcettaGaetani-Italy
6-AnettPulai Morvai- Hungary vs JaniceCuozzo-USA
7-Katalin Appadoo-Ireland vs SadrineDuermael-France
8-Lia Kurz-Israel vs Kassie Shaw-USA
9-Isabella lam-Israel vs  GuiseppeBuraschi-Italy
10-SerenaDi Mercione-Italy vs Edgar Lopez Disenos-Dominican Republic
11-JelenaSaveljeva-Italy vs MariaNyberg-Sweden
12- Linda Pratt-USAvs Loli Garcia Tirado-Spain
13-RasaVilcinskaite-Lithuania vs Mirela Mohjazi-Romania
14-EllenRoelofs-Netherlands vs EditPeng-Hungary
15-NicoleVelthius-Netherlands vs RoseangelaManca-Italy
16-AronaHaryo-Romania vs AleksandraMultan-Poland
17-DeliaSoare-Romania vs Mel Wiegard- Australia
18-olesyaBryutova-Russia vs Sabrina Milardi-Italy
19-KseniaKrutikova-Russia vs TatiyanaLabutina-Russia
20-ElenaKonstantinova-Russia vs AlexandraVolkova-Kazakhstan
21-Zuzana Hake-Slovakia vs SvetlanaIvanova-Russia
22-Anna Lindell-Sweden vs AnnRecotta-USA
23-Fia Vindh-sweden vs NeeltjeMeerman-Netherlands
24-Natalija Bekic-Switzerland vs MarshaWiest Hines-USA
25-Elena Holovchenko-Ukraine vs MargonVandongen-Singapore
26-Iryna Shamray-Ukraine vs NadyaGerber-Germany
27-Agnieszka Buczkowska-UK vs OlgaShumilova-Russia
28-MarilynNorman-UK vs VickyRoberts-UK
29-Rebeccawilliams-UK vs Catherine King-USA
30-BarbaraConrad-USA vs Jenniferairs-UK
31-LynnHedgecock-USA vs Carin Riese-Sweden
32-Pauline Kuzemchik-USA vs ThereseMagnani-USA
GROUP D
1 MilenaStoilova-Canada vs Regina Krawets-Australia
2 Zuzana Hampelova Valesova-Czech Republic vs Rita Vellemens-Belgium
3-Kris EmptingObenland-Germany vs Blanca Medina- Peru
4-Elena Markovski-Germany vs NevaBrown-Australia
5-Eva CsizmadiaLajosne-Hungary vs MegThompson-Australia
6-Gaburine KelemenBeata-Hungary vs AsetTsoloeva-Bulgaria
7-Zsuzsanna Lazar (Kali Gopika) Hungary vs Coral Egeleund-USA
8-Ann Braginsky-Israel vs Barbara Steger-France
9-AnnalisaEsposito-Italy vs  Carmen Smith-USA
10-DaniellaPresutti-Italy vs WendyHatton-Australia
11-Arianna Raffa-Italy vs  Nikki Messal-USA
12-JolandaViolante-Italy vs TizianaMessina-Italy
13-NataljaMeksriuniene-Lithuania vs Erikasandor-Slovakia
14-Bonita Hendriks-Netherlands vs IleniaRuzza-Italy
15-Cora Sparidaans-Netherlands vs AgnieszkaRodo-Poland
16-DanielaFlorouiu-Romania vs Lucie Luuthien-Czech Republic
17-AndraMarasteanu-Romania vs AnastasiyaIvantsova (Kylakova)-Russia
18-CameliaOszlansky-Romania vs Ioana CsikiSava-Romania
19-AnastasiaKilmanova-Russia vs MihaelaOproiu-Romania
20-Anna Kurzina-Russia vs GalinaNedelcheva-Spain
21-Albinalapina-Russia vs Tina Odembo Hobbs-USA
22-CharinaQvarfordt-Sweden vs -SharayahSheldon-USA
23-Sheryl Stephens USA vs Allamaslennikova-Russia
24-IrinaSlobodyanik-Ukraine vs Jamiereynolds-USA
25-Dianne Dizzy DICraknell-UK vs IleanaMunteanu-USA
26-Nicole Stanley-UK vs  Patricia Parker-USA
27-Dee WingroveSmith-UK vs ApollinariyaKoprivnik-Slovenia
28-Shirley Mcmanus-USA vs ChristinaNeit-USA
29-Tammy Norton-USA vs Iha VahlbergOrre-Sweden
30-Mickey parker-USA vs Diana Yum Bucher-USA
31-Lynn parpard-USA vsTatyana Mykhalchenko-Ukraine
32-Naan Pocen-USA vs Iryna Shlapakova-USA

 Battle Group D is brutal with talent. Yep!  I'm ready.  Just a " beady" lamb to the slaughter but oh!  How much fun this will be.

Pine Ridge Treasures " Nugget and Pearl Challenge "

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On Saturday our lovely Hostess - Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures - held her " Nugget and Pearl Challenge".  Not a complete blog hop as we are used too but we were able to blog and post photos on the Facebook page for everyone to enjoy.  When I received my kit mind you - I am not a proficient stringer as my sister is.  So I mulled - mulled some more -mulled -  then bit the darn bullet and did a " Common now !" and started.

Photographs of the participant pieces are at this link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.1575101222731352&type=1

I used all items from the kit with the exception of the Red Stone nuggets which exasperated me to no end and the clasp.  I just could not find a proper setting for them so they have been set aside for a future endeavor.



I have one item I wish to change but otherwise I am pleased with the results and I just love those earrings with the dangling leaves. 


Being a tad bit quiet here lately.....

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Do not think that I have dropped off the face of the earth......NOPE!  Just beading away.  In 10 days we have the Bead Peeps reveal and my Battle Piece is almost half done ( yes - bead embroidery ) .

I was so thrilled to see that my Bead Peeps piece will also serve as a submission to the College of Atlantia in June.  I can't say more or I'll give away my reveal.   Opps!  Closet SCA member here and new to the Kingdom of Atlantia.  I've spent the better of a month just catching up during my spare time learning about this new Kingdom.  Seahorses - well Seahorses with a unicorn spire is there branding.  It is also a very active Kingdom and I will be attending the Barony of Hawkwood Birthday in mid-May.  I was happy that I had not donated all of my garb to a friend that was in need but I have been able to start working on a new
garb and making new items for it.  This shall be fun. 

I was depressed that I had not met any new people here and missed my lovely beading friends in Port St. Lucie, FL  - and then by chance came across a post for the local SCA.  And like I said - they are very active to include jousting.   I will be teaching Beadweaving at the College of Atlantia in Lynchburg, VA in June.  Course 1 ( Guord - Peyote ) with kits.  I have missed teaching as well. 

I know this is off-topic of my normal posts but I am extremely thrilled to be a part of this Barony and I am looking forward to meeting new people here. 

See you during the Bead Peeps reveal.
Adaira inghean Makyswell also known as Catherine

Bead Peep Swap N Hop Reveal

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Today is the day.......our reveal for the 2015 Bead Peep Swap N Hop.  My lovely partner " Krafty Max " and I have been very busy so we can now take a breath!  First I want to thank Linda Anderson for putting this lovely Swap N Hop together.  You can visit Linda at:

http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com      Do drop in and enjoy her blog.  Her sense of humor is wonderful.

A big thank you Linda and all of her assistants for managing this event.  Talk about some talent?  You will see a lot of this today as you start visiting each page. 

  #BeadPeepsSwap


Catherine
King      
Krafty
Max



Now let me tell you about Krafty Max.  She is such a gem and I have enjoyed following her and her many avenues of beading.  When I first visited the Krafty Max site I was like - WOW!  How does she keep track of all of those sites - ArtFire....Linkedin....Pinterest.... just all of the social media sites I haven't even had a chance to look into.  She inspired me.  In the process this lady also just launched a new website.  Talent I tell you!  Please take time to visit and peruse her site and take special notice of her award winning designs.  You will so enjoy looking at all of her new treasures. 

I originally selected the following after we dialoged via email asking what either one of us would like:  

RED!  

The center cabochon I cabbed myself from Indian Paintstone and all of the red just seemed to fall in place. 

And I received from Max ......
So!  Let me tell you about my treasures.  I'll begin with the delightful treasures and then move to
the very detailed item that serves " two-fold".

The Lovely Cat's Eyes in Brown and Vintage Wood Beads.  I fell in love with the Cat's Eye beads and started a lovely stringing project.  Then as I began to fancy a side set of larger beads I added the vintage wood beads and interspersed some lovely amber Crystals and Silver Beads that were included in the package.  I used a lovely clasp that Max had sent as the clasp for this piece.  I also did ( 2 ) two sets of earrings to go with this piece.  One a simple straight set and the other a loop with SS Ear-wires. 



There was a wonderful Silver Bar piece included in the Silver bag that was set with two fun faux stones.  Looked at it and said " Cat!  that would look great in Chainmaille.........so Wallah!  Two rows of Byzantine co-joined for the clasp.  A lovely little stainless heart.  How delightful is that?


Then the big project - Max included a lovely strand of Turritella Agate in a unusual shape. " Be still my beating heart! " It was what I had been looking for.  We had a competition in the Society of Creative Anachronism ( SCA ) coming in October that covered the years of the Tudor Dynasty.  I had drafted a lovely rendition of the " Chain of Office " that was worn by Royalty and was  prevalent in the Tudor Dynasty era.  Here are two examples.




My artists mind saw the Turritella Agate as "The Kings Jewels - Chain of Office".  It was perfect.  The round Grain Stone strand also fit into this piece as well.  I am included a " Sneak Peek " of the " Kings Jewels - Chain of Office " as the complete piece will reveal at the SCA Crown Tournament in October and then of course I will post again as this is being reviewed.

Here is the sneak peek:




I would love to hear you thoughts on this.  In conclusion - I would like to thank Max for being a delightful partner.  Max,  I hope I did your stash justice.

So, pull up a chair - grab yourself a lovely cup of Hot Chocolate and start visiting this wonderful Blog Hop.....................  I know I will be doing the same.

Click on this link which will take you to our wonderful Hostess and you can Hop with the rest of us.

http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/search/label/Swap%20N%20Hop


After that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The Battle of the Beadsmiths - WhooHoo!

The Art of Awareness Blog Hop is scheduled for next Saturday.....

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Keep your eye's peeled.  I have a feeling this will be a great Blog Hop.

Today is the day - The Art of Awareness Blog Hop

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Today is the day for the Lori Anderson and Heather Millican Art of Awareness Blog Hop. 
When Lori posted her idea for this Blog Hop I was intrigued and spent a few moments visiting
Heather Millicans ETSY site. 

Lori posted:
" Recently I bought a set of word beans from Heather to make myself an awareness bracelet. (Yes, they're called beans... bead beans. Cute!) In my career, I've made a lot of awareness jewelry and always worked hard to make them unique and unlike things you often see in department stores. Lying in bed one night, I thought, "I wonder if Heather would be interested in a blog hop?". "
I would like to take a moment and thank Lori Anderson for her continued ability to develop some of the greatest Blog Hops over the past years and her tireless efforts as she battles her own Awareness.  Please visit Lori's blog at:  http://prettythingsblog.com  and read her story.

I was hooked on these little bean treasures and purchased a perfect bean that means a lot in my life.
Breast Cancer Awareness - so therefore PINK was purchased.  As many who have followed my blog are aware - I have had three of the dearest people in my life pass from this dreaded disease and just this past month my cousin in Oregon has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and has just completed her surgery.  Our hopes and prayers are for a full recovery.  Stephanie is known as " Wild Woman Creations " and I can envision her defeating this disease by her unique wildness.

My creation is in honor of - Leah Schad - Maria Osonski and my wonderful Mother - Ellen Brown Smith, my three muses- my three angels.  I am blessed to have friends where our friendships lasted over thirty years and how can one not recognize how important our mothers are?

Many know that I am a Bead Embroider so I am out of my comfort zone when I string and work with chain.....but I believe these little beans were the perfect setting and I was happy with the results.   






I hope you enjoy them as much as I did making them.

Thank you Lori and Heather for coming up with a lovely way to create adornment that follows our causes. 
Now get comfortable in your chair - grab a warm cup of coffee and visit the following ladies who have their own creations and stories to tell. 
Lori
Heather
Anderson
Millican

Candida
Castleberry
mischelle
andrade
Paige
Maxim
Laurie 
Vyselaar 
Marybeth
Rich
Alice
Peterson
Kim
Dworak
Audrey
Bélanger
Karen
mitchell
Joan
Williams
Jean
Wells
Ann
Schroeder
Gail
Accinelli
Tania
Spivey
Mallory 
Hoffman
Mary K
McGraw
Shai
Williams
Beth
Emery
Catie
Doman
Lorelei
Eurto
Lee
Koopman
Tammy
Adams
Katie
Nelson
Patty
Miller
Chris
Eisenberg
Cassi
Paslick
Charlee
Griffith
Kelli
Nelson
Catherine
King
Melissa
Trudinger
susan
Bowie
Jennifer
Justman
Cassi
Paslick
K
Hutchinson
Veralynne
Malone
Evie and Beth
McCord
Mihaela
Georgescu

Rebecca
Anderson 
 
Kim
Stevens
Susan
McClelland
Sally
Russick
Gina
Hockett
Mona
Arnott
Sandi
Volpe
Andrea
Glick
Janine
Lucas
Lori
Bowring Michaud
Christie
Murrow
B.R.
Kuhlman
Lupe
Meter
Lucy
Bejarano
Stephanie
Perry
Elisabeth
Auld
Carolyn
Lawson
Heather
Powers
Katie
Hacker
Kepi
Rasmussen
Gail 
Vanderster-Zwang
Elizabeth
Hodges

Well then....it's seems that blog scheduler wasn't working

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My apologies ladies - I was out of town yesterday and it seems that my scheduled blog did not post.  Please enjoy.

Awesome Giveaway -

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Monique of Half Baked Notion posted the greatest Giveaway that Pearl of the Beading Gem is offering:

For those of you that are continuously struggling for that perfect jewelry photograph then this is your chance........a Modahaus Photo Studio.  Make sure you take time and read the incredible photo tips that they have......they are using their I Phones for those clean crisp photographs.......I'll be reading it again tonight.

Visit :
 
Monique, your the best for this share.

Countdown....

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#Battle of the Beadsmith 2015
T minus 13 days and counting.......Bloody Fingers wrapped ? Check!

The Battle Piece.....

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The Battle Piece is done..... we are a photograph mode now and I'll be working on that tonight after work and tomorrow......  I cannot wait to email these photos and biography off. 

Whew!  As soon as the First Round is listed - I can post about how this piece came to be.

" THE MORRIGAN"......

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My Battle piece is complete for 2015 and this has been a learning experience.  I have learned to push myself to the limit by beading at 4:00 am going to work, then coming home and beading till my eyes would not stay open.  My fingers have been bleeding and I have learned how to Bead Embroiderer with Band-Aids on each finger.  I must say that at times - it was a " Love-Hate " process but when I finally set the last bead I posted on Facebook that I knew how Frodo Baggins felt as he tossed the One Ring of Power into Mount Doom in Mordor.  " It is done!" 

I must take a moment and tell you how this piece came about.  When you tell someone that it is, black on black, they look at you strange as though I created my own death-wish.  But!  She came about because of current events.  Strange as it seems, she designed herself.  While watching the National News there was a event that was so sad - so disheartening - so unsettling that I teared.  It was the be-heading of twenty two Christians by ISIS.  I had just completed a Historical track on the early Celt's and Viking's and remembered the  Goddess " The Morrigan " who was called upon by warring Celt's to lead them into victory and as she flew across the battlefield with her Raven's she brought fear to the enemy and faith that the Celt's would prevail in battle.  I was so disheartened that our leadership would allow this to occur without retribution.  We need this type of action during these times, we need the Morrigan.

As I never involve myself in political statements in a public venue - there was one determining factor that prevailed. The strength of women. The perentage of Goddesses in ancient history before Christianity were of the warrior class and I find that even to this day - women have a strength that men would never understand.

Battle Group C- Battle # 29 to start.

As I started the fitting of the paper pattern to the manikin - she adjusted herself - changed her design
and in the end I am pleased with the changes.  I cannot begin to tell you how many Bugle Beads, Swarovski black pearls both 4mm and 3mm - well - here is the entire product list:


Product  List:

Jet Cabachon’s in various sizes ( 40x30- 30x22 – 25x18- 38mm Round – 20mm round-10mm round )
Lampwork Feather’s by Madeline Bunyan – Devon, U.K.

Nicole’s Beadbacking by Nicole Campanella
Bone Carved Feathers – Black

11x5.5 Swarovski Faceted Teardrops
14mm Swarovski Jet Rivoli’s

3mm and 4mm Swarovski Bicones – Jet Xilion

3mm and 4mm Swarovski Pearls – Mystic Black
SS16 Swarovski Montees – Jet

Various – 6mm – 8mm -11mm-15mm Beads in Black and Hematite and Ceylon Light Grey

Size ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) Bugle Beads in Black – Hematite – Gunmetal

Miyuki Drops - Black

I cannot thank Madeline Bunyan - a fabulous Lampwork Artist in Devon, UK, enough.   I've become enchanted with her lampwork birds and the feathers set off the Jet Cabachon. 

So without further adieu,  the Morrigan.  I did my own photographs and the model is Donna Ferguson of Franklin, NC





You would need to see this piece up close to view the beadwork:




But if this has shown me anything - it has shown me that I need to spend time in Photography School and work in Photoshop Elements ( a lot ). 



Battle Group:  C – Battle #29

Medium:  Bead Embroidery

Stitches Used:  Back-stitch, Peyote ( Guord ) – Couching              

Name of Piece:   The Morrigan

Time to Complete:  2 Long Complete months. 

Overall Size:   Bead Embroidery Collar with matching earrings

I do dedicate this piece to Genny Smith, Deborah Apodaca, Susan Barrett, Beebe Goddard, Sarah Clark Bromley and of course Anne Hess.  They pushed me not to sit on the sidelines. 

I am a  Bead Embroiderer living in Whittier, North Carolina adjacent to the Cherokee Indian Reservation.  To see how this piece came into being , then please see my blog – http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com.  It is quite an observation on our current climate of events. Therefore, she is named “ The Morrigan”.   I do dedicate this piece to my Best Friends in Florida – Genny Smith, Deborah Apodaca, Susan Barrett, Bebee Goddard, Sarah Clark Bromley and of course the Anne Hess.  Thank you Anne!   The couching stitch was my friend.




   

Ahhh! Back to the fun stuff.......

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The Battle Groups are posting - thank you Steven Weiss - and the submissions are just glorious.  When you have 256 women ( and men ) that participate in a event such as this then there will be
 " GLORIOUS " beadwork - bead embroidery and bead weaving presented.  As Battle Group B and A are still to be listed it will be a few days before the Battle begins in earnest.

I have favorites to be sure and I am honored at the comments left on my submission by some of the leaders in our arena.  As a first time submitter I was not expecting such a positive response and lovely comments.  If I make it to Round 3 - I will be honored.
 
The Bead Embroidery process for The Morrigan

The use of Bugle beads was the time consuming part of this project.  As each bugle had a bead inserted to keep the bugles from cutting the thread it was a time consuming aspect to the feathers.  Additionally each bugle was " couched " with the couching stitch to keep them laying flat.  The Black on Black was the hardest part and required " mucho eye drops " to keep the piece in focus.  But all in all - I am pleased with her.  I will take a photograph of the original paper draft and how she modified herself from the paper pattern to the final pattern.
 
For me..... this is my " Game of Thrones" piece.  

What is left on the board...... four projects.  A knife sheath in Bead Embroidery for my SCA garb, a Bead Embroidery on Cotton Cording piece in Lavender - Purple and Greens and to finish perfecting my CRAW skills to finish my hand cabbed Azurite - Malachite piece....and finally - The Turtatella Agate to finish the " Chain of Office " submission for the SCA Crown.  I'm a glutton.    
 
*****************
 
The Bead Dream winners along with the Best of Show pieces have been posted and you can find them at :
 
Now that is some beadwork......
 
Now for a little closing humor:
 

Enjoy!



Round Two for Group C

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Yes..... I am in shock!  I really did not expect this.  Here is Group C and the winners which will move up to Round 2:

Round 1 Results

Congratulations to all the winners. 
Please send in an additional photo to be added to round 2's battle album as soon as possible beadsmithsteven@gmail.com
Group C
1-Maryanne Villalba-Australia (decided by the public vote)
2-Albena Petkova-Bulgaria 
3-Jacquie Champion-Canada 
4-Clara Lai- Hong Kong 
5-Mariaconcetta Gaetani-Italy
6-Janice Cuozzo-USA
7-Katalin Appadoo-Ireland 
8-Lia Kurz-Israel
9- Giuseppe Buraschi-Italy
10-Serena Di Mercione-Italy
11-Jelena Saveljeva-Italy 
12- Loli Garcia Tirado-Spain
13-Rasa Vilcinskaite-Lithuania
14 Edit Peng-Hungary
15- Rosangela Manca-Italy (decided by the public vote)
16-Aleksandra Multan-Poland
17- maria ivanova-Italy
18- Sabrina Milardi-Italy
19-Ksenia Krutikova-Russia 
20-Elena Konstantinova-Russia 
21-Svetlana Ivanova-Russia
22-Anna Lindell-Sweden 
23- Neeltje Meerman-Netherlands
24- Marsha Wiest Hines-USA
25-Elena Holovchenko-Ukraine 
26-Nadya Gerber-Germany
27-Agnieszka Buczkowska-UK (decided by the public vote)
28-Irina Kashirina-Russia
29- Catherine King-USA   ( Little ole me )
30-Barbara Conrad-USA
31- Carin Riese-Sweden
32-Pauline Kuzemchik-USA 

I was very surprised that Kassie Shaw was eliminated with " Cocquille ".  But with her new book coming out and a new pattern to develop I hope she is OK. 

Well - as long as they don't pair me with Marsha Wiest Hines....... Deep breathe and on to Round Two.

Battle of the Beadsmith - Group C - Round 2

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It's official - Round Two has been posted with a new request for a photograph.  I sent mine on Tuesday so all should be well.



Group C

 

1-Maryanne Villalba-Australia vs  Giuseppe Buraschi-Italy
2-Albena Petkova-Bulgaria vs Janice Cuozzo-USA
3-Katalin Appadoo-Ireland vs Sabrina Milardi-Italy
4-Serena Di Mercione-Italy vs Mariaconcetta Gaetani-Italy
5- Loli Garcia Tirado-Spain vs Jacquie Champion-Canada
6-Edit Peng-Hungary vs Svetlana Ivanova-Russia
7- Rosangela Manca-Italy vs Clara Lai- Hong Kong
8- Aleksandra Multan-Poland vs Rasa Vilcinskaite-Lithuania
9- maria ivanova-Italy vs  Carin Riese-Sweden
10-Elena Konstantinova-Russia vs Catherine King-USA       ( Me )
11-Anna Lindell-Sweden vs  Ksenia Krutikova-Russia
12-Neeltje Meerman-Netherlands vs Jelena Saveljeva-Italy
13-Marsha Wiest Hines-USA vs Irina Kashirina-Russia
14-Elena Holovchenko-Ukraine  vs Lia Kurz-Israel
15-Agnieszka Buczkowska-UK vs Pauline Kuzemchik-USA
16-Barbara Conrad-USA vs Nadya Gerber-Germany

Group D
 
1-Kris Empting Obenland-Germany vs Milena Stoilova-Canada
2- Neva Brown-Australia vs Annalisa Esposito-Italy
3-Zsuzsanna Lazar (Kali Gopika) -Hungary vs Wendy Hatton-Australia
4-Natalja Meksriuniene-Lithuania vs Gaburine Kelemen Beata-Hungary
5-Bonita Hendriks-Netherlands vs Arianna Raffa-Italy
6-Cora Sparidaans-Netherlands vs Meg Thompson-Australia
7- Anastasiya Ivantsova (Kylakova) -Russia vs Zuzana Hampelova Valesova-Czech Republic
8-Camelia Oszlanszky-Romania vs Charina Qvarfordt-Sweden
9-Mihaela Oproiu-Romania vs Swietlana Karimowa-Poland 
10-Galina Nedelcheva-Spain vs Tammy Norton-USA
11-Sheryl Stephens-USA vs Irina Slobodyanik-Ukraine
12- Dianne Dizzy Di Craknell-UK vs Jolanda Violante-Italy
13-Nicole Stanley-UK vs  Ann Braginsky-Israel
14-Apollinariya Koprivnik-Slovenia vs Naan Pocen-USA
15-Shirley McManus-USA vs Albina Lapina-Russia
16- Lynn Parpard-USA vs  Nikki Messal-USA
Tough Battle Groups now....................................  I did visit Elena Konstantinova's pictures from the Battle C photographs and she has a lovely piece entered.  Calming colors - beautifully done.
 
In the meantime I decided to do like everyone else and make a Jill Wiseman " Daydreamer Rope " and downloaded the free pattern from her website.
 
 
 
It is a wonderfully presented pattern and she just posted a U-Tube video to help you along.  I elected Purple's and gold ( which is out of my norm for sure ) and it is turning out lovely.  I'll finish it up this weekend and post photographs.  I needed a break from embroidery and this project did the trick.  Enjoy! 
 
 
 




Battle of the Beadsmith - Round 2 - Group C

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Ahhh!   The results are posted and I would say that Battle 10 and 11 were very close.  Alas, I am out but not really.  This has been the greatest experience I could ever have asked for. 



Group C
1 Giuseppe Buraschi-Italy
2-Janice Cuozzo-USA
3 Sabrina Milardi-Italy
4-Serena Di Mercione-Italy 
5- Loli Garcia Tirado-Spain 
6-Edit Peng-Hungary 
7- Clara Lai- Hong Kong
8- Aleksandra Multan-Poland 
9- Carin Riese-Sweden
10-Elena Konstantinova-Russia (Decided By Public vote)
11-Anna Lindell-Sweden (Decided By Public Vote)
12-Neeltje Meerman-Netherlands
13-Marsha Wiest Hines-USA 
14- Lia Kurz-Israel
15-Pauline Kuzemchik-USA
16- Nadya Gerber-Germany
 

        BOTB15  Group C Rnd 2 Battle #10  - Elena Konstantinova vs Catherine King


1 Photography is a key factor to a good design. 
2. I have not really marketed myself.  It is time to sit and determine where I wish to advertise myself in this industry. 
Additionally, I will ask a few individuals that I admire and ask for a critique and of course - I will share. 
All I know is that I am still a winner.  With all of the wonderful friends that entered the battle- I lasted one round longer and this was my first entry.  I am already ready for the next Battle. 

Phew!  I am looking forward to see who wins this Battle.  What an incredible group of entries.  This one will be hard pressed for the winner.

                            **********************************************

Now on to Jill Wiseman's Daydreamer Rope -

http://shop.jillwisemandesigns.com/free-instructions-daydreamer-rope/

It is a wonderfully presented pattern and she just posted a U-Tube video to help you along.  I elected Purple's and gold ( which is out of my norm for sure )


Lovely piece and I enjoyed the rhythmic stitching. 



 
 

Cross Post - for the SCA page

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Just a quick catch up as the beading is still Non-Stop, the drawings and designs are still going and I am looking forward to posting a few " How to's "...... but in the meantime please take a moment and
visit Patrick Duggan's blog post on " How many beads for a Rivoli "?  The post is quite informative and does give great thought to the process.  I know out of the many times I have taught to bezel a Rivoli or a Cabachon there has always been the count factor depending on the medium used.  These actually turned out to be some of my best classes.  Why you say?  Because of the creativity of each artist on how they bezzeled a piece or completed a piece.  I'll have to gather up the photographs of each creative beauty after the class was done. 

Patricks Blog Site :   http://patrickduggandesigns.blogspot.com/

You can also read his " How it came together - on his Battle of the Beadsmith 2015.

Now on to a current completion.  I have always wanted a handmade Needle Book.  It must be an obsession of bead artists to collect an unknown count of beading needles - sewing needles - Beaded Art Doll needles - just every type of needle imaginable.  So I designed the following needle book using my persona in the SCA where I will be teaching Bead Embroidery in October.  I was actually quite happy with the book and I finally got to use the Singer that I just acquired. 



As most of my garb is Celtic " Scottish " in the Amber and green colors, I think it came out very well.  Finally got to use those pinking shears too!   I see visions of Beaded Garb in my future.

I have missed the " Blog Hop " competitions and I've just signed up for two new Blog Hops - Superstition and the Macabre Dance ".  Yes - it is that time of the year soon.  I'll post more as the particulars come to light. 

The Smell of Beading in the Air and a new Blog Hop

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Don't you just love it when you feel the " Beading Itch " after being withdrawn for a few weeks?  Yes!  I feel it returning.  I'm looking at colors - fabrics - beads - dimensions - just totally fabulous things. 

Colors:
Now - how lovely is this?  Summery - Clean - Warm..... just awesome.  I can envision a new project for next summer.

A new " Blog Hop " called Superstition......  Yes!  My type of Halloween Blog Hop. 
Tammy Adams of the Paisley Lizard has developed Polymer Focals ( 29 of us ) and they will be the center piece of our design.  We have a very nice line up of ladies.  The spooky thing is - " There were 29 Focals and 29 Sign ups.  How delightful.

http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
As we get closer I will post the blog list for you to visit.

And then of course - A very treasured picture.  The Central Florida Bead Society had their retreat this past weekend and Kinga Nichols was coming back to teach.  I could not go with everything going on in my life but I had good friends in attendance from our " Ladies of the Evening ".  I sent an email to Anne Hess and asked if she could get a picture of Kinga with her , Genny Smith and Susan Barrette and look what I received.

This is the greatest gift I could ever receive........ Thank you ladies.  From Left to Right :  Kinga Nichols ( Artist Extraordinaire ) - Anne Hess ( Another Artist Extraordinaire ) - Genny Smith ( the Chainmaille Goddess ) and Susan Barrett ( the lady that started it all ). 

I had a very eventful SCA Hawkwood event on Saturday so please stop on by to the SCA page in the next day and catch a look at some wonderful events.  Give me a day and it will be up for perusing.

Cross Post from the SCA page ...

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War of Wings X is over - sadly!  This was my first large event in this area and it was a perfect event for the SCA ( Society of Creative Anachronism ) I did te Bead Embroidery in a historical fashion.  I chose to teach historical bead embroidery on a pouch ( the one I selected could hold a cell phone ) as women in the 14th, 15th and 16th century did not carry handbags but love " Sweet Bags" and beautiful pouches.  If you have time to visit the SCA page - you'll see the , rest of the story. 


Each class member learned the perfect Bead Embroidery stitch before I let them begin on their pouch - but I am looking forward to seeing each pouch that posts from each class member.  Yes!  The pouch is closed.  I've developed a nice little process of beading on closed bags.  I have another wonderful belt pouch that I bead embroidered to develop the technique above - it is on my SCA pages for historical garbing.

I am currently finishing the design on the " Superstition Blog Hop" as our reveal is coming up on the 13th of November,  actually a very cute Halloween ( Samhain ) design. 

Working on new chainmailing projects and beading projects so I cannot wait to share.

Coronation Gift for her Majesty Adelhait Fuchs - October 10, 2015

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I haven't been quiet on the Bead Embroidery front so to speak.......  the local SCA has been keeping me very busy and I just completed my Coronation gift for the new Queen of Atlantia - Adelhait Fuchs ( Ash Terrell ).  My cohort in crime, Mary Novgrod was able to find out her gown colors and I sat and composed a beautiful bead embroidery necklace with matching earrings.  I was only able to take a few quick photographs and I requested a photo of her wearing it with the gown for my portfolio.  The research paper was very specific and included.

Here are the Coronation Photographs-



Here is the Bead Embroidery Tudor style necklace that I completed for Ash Terrell.

I was blessed!  It matched perfectly and as soon as I receive the photograph of Her Majesty wearing the piece - I'll post it. 
I'll add the research to Dropbox and add the link so you can see why this type of necklace was selected to present.

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