August 2007 Bead News from Rachel Nelson-Smith

 
 
WELCOME TO THE AUGUST BEAD NEWS!
 

I hope you are enjoying a satisfying Summer full of things that make you happy! The late Spring and early Summer was a busy time teaching at Bead & Button Show in Milwukee, WI, San Gabriel Bead Company in Arcadia, CA and the Puget Sound Bead Festival in Tacoma, WA and a long visit with friends in Lemon Grove, CA. Though, along the way, a few photos were shot and a new kit is available and you can see it all from here.

The photo at left is peek into the past, a retro Rachel shot taken during a wire class at Bead It in Santa Cruz, CA probably in the late 1990's!

I hope you enjoy this Bead News and as always, email me with your beady questions and comments.

My Best,

Rachel Nelson-Smith
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RELEASE: Don't Bug Me I'm On Vacation Earrings
Symbolizing the tropics and vacation time, these cute palm tree earrings are fashioned after the evergreen real thing. It takes a little tubular peyote and herringbone stitch to weave the trunk and leaves with a fanciful addition of Japanese drops for finishing. Anytime can be vacation time.

Available as a complete kit, directions only, and materials only.

Available in 3 colorways: green fronds, pink fronds, aqua fronds.

click here for more Don't Bug Me I'm On Vacation Earrings info
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NEW PROJECT: Sea Star Bangle
Join structural right-angle weave and tubular even-count peyote stitch in radial symmetry to conjure up one of the most recognized and loved sea creatures as a bangle adornment. Student must be able to complete right-angle weave and tubular even-count peyote stitch unassisted.

click for more Sea Star Banlge info
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NEW PROJECT: Bhangra Fusion Bangle

Explore the vibrant fusion of jewelry-making and the colorful influence of Punjabi folk dancing costume and create a whorl of color and beauty with wire and beads. Choose materials in advance or let Rachel guide your choices in class.

click for more Bhangra Fusion Bangle info
 
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NEW PROJECT: Pacific Waves
Perched on Cowell's Beach, the salt air breeze lifts her wispy hair. She watches the bobbing of black-clad bodies in the cool Pacific Ocean shore waters, all hopeful for the perfect set. She straightens her coif with this bracelet riding her wrist. Learn to start the quadruple helix in a new, easy way and ride the waves of this oceanic adornment and the Pacific resides in your jewelry collection.

click for more Pacific Waves info
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FREE TUTORIALS: Spiral Rope Necklace
 

Learn to make a spiral rope necklace of Japanese seed beads and preview my new style of directions. This is a pretty big file designed for those who have a fast connection.

click for free tutorials page

 

 
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FREE TUTORIALS: Prepare Stitching Material
 

There is more than one way to prepare stitching material, or stitching work can begin without any preparation at all—just cut a piece of stitching material, needle the thread, and go. However, here are outlined two different methods of thread preparation with the intention of making bead working easier.

click to visit the free tutorials page
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PHOTOS: See the BLOG to see what I've been up to!
 

See photos of where I've been this season.

Click for BLOG

 
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Bead Cruise Sculptural Peyote Cuff
 

There are 5 sculptural peyote cuff kits remaining from this year's Bead Cruise. I've been holding on to them, but what good does that do me?! Click below to get one of these limited edition kits.

click for kit page