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| Dragon Bangle, Nancy Jones pattern, Beadwork, Feb/Mar 2011 |
I finally have something finished to show. Work has been busy and stressful and my beading time hasn't been productive. Beading is my refuge, my meditative time and I know I'm better when I'm beading. Last night I had a quiet house, a glass of red wine, some dark chocolate and lots of beautiful beads in front of me... and time... so I finished this piece.
As I said in a previous post, this pattern was really tough to get started. It felt like my fingers were too big to manipulate the beads. I learned that placing the funky, magatama drop beads with the steep side up made them easier to grab and placed them in the proper position when sewn into place. I'm not a fan of brick stitch. I'm not sure of the integrity of a piece that is hooked together thread to thread. But this pattern was so intriguing and looked cool in the magazine. I'm going to wear this today.
I'm off to get a hair cut... I'm going short again. Love the pixie do... but fast-growing hair, I have to return often to keep it short.
This afternoon I plan to straighten out the bead studio and work on some new projects. I really want to do some of my own designing with seed beads but it's a little daunting. Throwing together earrings or bracelets or necklaces with chain and beads is comfortable for me... if I don't like a design it can be taken apart quickly and re-worked. Designing cool ways for seed beads to be woven together will be a challenge for me. From previous attempts, I know I will have to re-work and re-make the false starts... that's what has discouraged me before. Am I up for it? Well, I have patience and tenacity... so I think I'm up for it.
Hi, I tried to make my own dragon bangle but the instructions from the magazine says to use 6' (which is six feet right?) but i'm only getting about half way done. Am i doing something wrong, I'm pretty sure my stitches are good, or is this a misprint?
ReplyDeleteJust looked at the pattern to try to jog my memory. I do remember having to restart this a few times. I made it just like the pattern and yes 6' is 6 feet. As I'm holding the bracelet though I think I must've added thread. I used size 8 beads for the base. Hope that helps. I did notice that the designer of this pattern has an email: tinydog@tinydogseedbeads.com
DeleteWhen you were making this, how tight were the beads together? As in before you zipped them together at the end did they basically lay flat or did they curve around?
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