Saturday, December 26, 2009

New Ideas, Giveaway, and Sale!

At the end of the year I like to try new and different beadweaving ideas. I think it's because I spend so much time on my own designs that I don't have enough time to try other projects, but since I'm usually on vacation around Christmastime, I like to use this time to take a vacation from my own beading ideas as well. Last year I made a beaded box from a project in Julia Pretl's book Little Bead Boxes, a significant departure for me since I don't work with delica beads very often. This year I received Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence for Christmas, and I'm having a great time perusing this book for projects I'd like to do this holiday.


What kinds of beading techniques would you like to try in the new year? Between now and the end of the year, I'm offering two opportunities to broaden your beading horizons:

First, all the beaded bead tutorials in my Etsy shop are 15% off through December 31. New to beaded beads? Perhaps you'd like to try the delicate Light Clusters:


Or maybe you'd like to try a more advanced design? Perhaps you'd like the Teardrop Bubbles:


And then there's alway my newest design, the Squared Circles:


I don't do sales very often, so this is a great opportunity to get a deal on a new design! The tutorials will reset to their normal prices at 11:59 PM PST on December 31, so don't delay!

Second, I'm giving away a $25 gift certificate towards all kinds of beading supplies and tools, sponsored by my good friends at Artbeads.com! To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on this blog by 11:59 PM PST on December 31, letting me know what kinds of beading techniques you'd like to try in the new year. Make sure to either leave your e-mail address in the comment, or make sure that that your Blogger profile includes your e-mail address. Alternatively, you can leave a link to your Etsy shop and I'll convo you to contact you. One winner will be randomly chosen and notified via e-mail on January 1, 2010. The gift certificate will be delivered via e-mail directly from Artbeads.



I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone wants to try in the new year! Good luck!

6 comments:

  1. OOOOoooooh, I'm the first!!! I want to try making bead lace based on knitted lace - the idea came to me this morning, and I've been busily working out the logistics in my head. You can convo me at:

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/jewelrytales

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for having a giveaway/contest. I don't want so much to try new techniques this coming year as much as I want to increase my knowledge of techniques I am not as experienced in doing. Specifically 3-dimensional beading with peyote stitch, right angle weave, and getting into more complicated beaded beads. Most of my beading has been pretty easy stuff so far. I want to get into much more detail.

    I also want to delve into Russian beading techniques a little more too.

    thebeadknitter@yahoo.com

    Btw, your blog is a huge inspiration to me.

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  3. I don't know if it's so much trying a new technique this year, it's more like taking what I already know and expanding upon it. You see, I've been beading for years and years...Peyote, netting, beaded beads, RAW, I can do all of it, but I'm not using them to their full potential. It's like a primer. Okay, I know how to do that, check it off the list and move on... My first exercise will be a free form peyote bracelet. The whole idea of free form peyote leaves me cold, and I don't know why! Once that barrier is removed, I think the rest of the expansion will follow pretty quickly.

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  4. I am looking to get into seed beading this year. My goal-driving word for the year is Growth and since I've had a drooling fascination with seedbeaders as well as seedbeads -I can't contain it any longer! :o) This is definitely one way to acheive Growth!

    I create with wire and metal and lately, I'm starting to feel a bit stale. It's been a burning thought in the back of my head to incoporate seed beads into my designs other than what I've done in the past- limited accents to other beads- I've decided I want to expand my range!

    I LOVE the beaded beads you showcase and I feel I'm ready to take my craft to another level. I'm also interested in using these same techniques to incoporaqte crystals in the same fashion...Hoboy- now that the cat is out of the bag, I guess my work is cut out for, don'cha think? LOL!

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/studiodtq

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'd love to learn how to make necklaces and bracelets in the New Year, I only know how to make earrings right now. Then, maybe something in the lines of steampunk style would be it :)
    Thanks for the great contest!

    origamibysisi@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I want to learn how to add a picot fringe to the bracelets I have been making. then, i'm looking forward to learning how to make some really pretty earrings from your tutorial!

    ReplyDelete

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