BEADS: Handmade Beads, Open Theme! Due July 1

[LavenderLizard]

Swap Due Date: July 1
Signup/Withdraw Date: June 20
Number of beads: 3:3 – 10:10
Number of Participants: 12

Do you make your own beads? If so, share some with others and get new ideas by participating in this swap! This swap is open to all mediums, such as polymer clay, painted wooden beads, tissue paper appliqués on wooden beads, paper, paperclay, PMC (if you can afford it at the current metal prices, which I sure can't!) and any others you can think of. Just make your beads something special--something you would be happy to receive in return.

Please package your beads in small plastic bags (or sealed ATC sleeves) with your username, real name, swap name, and the mediums you used for each bead. Enclose a self-addressed bubble envelope for returns (I can reuse the one you use to send your beads—in that instance, include an address label). Please put your username, the swap name, and the number of beads you sent on all your envelopes and labels to prevent confusion.

US participants please include $2.00 for postage. Internationals, I’ll take care of the postage (but please do include a return envelope). An extra bead would be lovely, but is not required.

So, who’s interested?

Participants:
1. monarch RECEIVED
2. amyfaerie RECEIVED
3. Joni Owens RECEIVED
4. lynn101 RECEIVED
5. AnitaM RECEIVED
6. teri RECEIVED
7. katilady RECEIVED
8. adifferentstory RECEIVED
9. Wudwooda RECEIVED
10. stillatthetop RECEIVED
11. nomnom RECEIVED
12. euphoria RECEIVED
...and me!

[monarch]

Please sign me up......

[amyfaerie]

i'll do it!

[LavenderLizard]

That's fast! Welcome monarch and amyfaerie!

[Joni Owens]

I can do this one!! May I join?

[lynn101]

Oooo....sign me up too please! :)

[LavenderLizard]

Welcome to you both, Joni Owens and lynn101! Thanks for joining us.

[lori.rn]

I'm thinking about this one.

[LavenderLizard]

I hope you join us! Then we'll have three of us from SC in one swap!

[AnitaM]

I'd like to play please

[LavenderLizard]

Sure thing, AnitaM! Welcome to the bunch.

[katilady]

Do bread beads count? (Bread mixed with water and glue, formed into shapes, dried and painted). I may be back if they are!

[LavenderLizard]

I certainly count them! Very creative...

[amyfaerie]

I am so interested in these bread beads! :D

[teri]

Beads..gotta have em...LOL Please sign me up if you still have room. Thanks!

[AnitaM]

Is there any size spec?

[katilady]

Well add me then!

[LavenderLizard]

Welcome to teri and katilady! Thanks for joining in.

And there isn't really a size specification for the beads, just as long as they are usable (not five pounds each or something!).

[adifferentstory]

I'd like to join please

[LavenderLizard]

Thanks for playing, adifferentstory!

[LavenderLizard]

I received amyfaerie's excellent and unusual beads Saturday--thanks for the extras! I'm going to have a lot of fun with them.

[Wudwooda]

Ok, ok, you talked me into it...I'll join. ;)
If there is still a spot available I would love to try this out!

[LavenderLizard]

There sure is room, Wudwooda! Welcome, and I'm sure your beads will be great.

[AnitaM]

I've just finished making some beads but I have a question - If I send in 10 beads are they going to 10 different people? In which case I would need to make up 10 packages ... right? (hope that makes sense). Sorry having a bit of DUH moment.

[stillatthetop]

OK. I just have to join this one, as I recently started making paper beads. I may add some in clay and painted as well. May I please sign up?

~T

[LavenderLizard]

Anita M...that's right, I'll be switching them out with 10 different people, assuming we have that many who complete the swap! It's a good way to collect beads for interesting combination jewelry or to make charms. Not a "DUH" moment at all.

And welcome, stillatthetop. You certainly may join! I look forward to seeing your work...

[AnitaM]

Thats lovely thank you. Please could you pm your address?

[AnitaM]

my beads are on their way to you. if anyone wants to see them they are in my gallery

[adifferentstory]

Ok i've sent off 10 beads to you today. I think I put them in seperate packages but i'm not 100% sure now. Let me know if they are not.

[adifferentstory]

They're beautiful beads Anita. How did you make those?

[AnitaM]

Thanks Lynne. Here is a brief description -

All you need to do is cut long narrow triangles - I have templates which came with a bead maker if you want some let me know and can send them to you - I used the width of the paper (normal copier paper) and then all you need to do is wrap them around a wooden skewer (the ones used for barbeques). When you get to the end apply some glue and hey presto bead made.

I then applied some diamond glaze very randomly and dipped the bead into some micro beads put them onto a thin wire and hiung them to dry (between 2 pots of similar height). Once these were dry I brushed off any excess beads and applied a final layer of golden gel medium -this was just stippled on so that there was a kind of texture on it.

[adifferentstory]

Well, well, well LOL That is how i've done mine but yours look so different. I just rule min out and cut to a triangle. I'd love the templates as yours look better. Never though to use micro beads. I edged the ends with krylon 24ct gold pen and then coated with gel medium. I couldn't take a pic as I didn't have a battery for my camera.

[AnitaM]

Great minds think alike. Will send you templates but like you said they are only triangles.

[LavenderLizard]

Such great beads! I look forward to seeing them in person...

[adifferentstory]

Great minds think alike. Will send you templates but like you said they are only triangles.

yes but I think you used different triangles to me :P

[nomnom]

I'd love to join this fun too :)

[euphoria]

I would LOVE to join this! I'm picturing a mixed-media necklace made with all the beads I get back! :)

[LavenderLizard]

Yay! New players! Welcome, nomnom and euphoria!

[teri]

Here are 5 of my beads. I'm not sure if I will do more like this or include some polymer clay beads. These are the paper beads with embossing powder...approx 1 inch in length.

[adifferentstory]

Lovely beds Teri

[AnitaM]

cool beads Teri

[LavenderLizard]

I'm definitely going to make more paper beads...you guys are inspiring me! I htink I'll be making polymer clay ones to distribute here, though. I love spiral canes...

[lori.rn]

If anyone drops out let me know..........I will send. I am planning on making some this weekend. I am sooooooooo mad I missed signing up.........it filled up quick!

[LavenderLizard]

I'll be sure to let you know if anyone drops!

[LavenderLizard]

I received beautiful beads from AnitaM today. Wow! May I be nosy and ask how you made them?

[AnitaM]

They are very easy to make. Here are some instructions

I painted some paper (heavier than copy paper but not card stock) with black acrylic paint applied some burgandy colour to one half and green to the other (didn't show up too well). I also applied some gold paint to the edges very randomly with my finger (you could use a krylon pen).

All you need to do is cut long narrow triangles (I have templates I can email to you if you would like them) I used the width of the paper (normal copier paper because I didn't want them to be too bulky) and then all you need to do is wrap them around a wooden skewer (the ones used for barbeques I have a bead maker but to be honest you don't need one). When you get to the end apply some glue and hey presto bead made.

I then applied some diamond glaze very randomly (dipped the bead into some micro beads put them onto a thin wire and hiung them to dry (between 2 pots of similar height). Once these were dry I brushed off any excess beads and applied a final layer of golden gel medium -this was just stippled on so that there was a kind of texture on it.

Hope that makes sense if not give me a shout and I will do a step by step for you (with pictures)

If anyone else would like the templates please pm me your email address and I will send them to you. I would attach them on here but the file would be too big.

[poshscot]

Darn, I've just noticed this swap, will look out for the next one.....there willl be a next one right?

[LavenderLizard]

You bet!

[LavenderLizard]

Anita, I'd love that template as well! Your triangle is prettier than mine...

[lynn101]

My beads are going postal on monday! This was such fun!
:)
Whoops, I guess I'll need an address to send em to before then....*off to pm our hostess*

[adifferentstory]

I'm getting worried about mine. If they are not with you by the end of the week i'll make another set.

[teri]

Here are some more of my beads. I uploaded them to the gallery.

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=17897&w=o

I'll be sending these and the embossed paper beads.

[AnitaM]

Those are really great. How did you do the mica? (seen info in gallery) I've not done that before would you mind sharing?

[teri]

You can find some information online by searching "mica shift" but I learned more about it by renting a video:

http://smartflix.com/store/video/1021/Marvelous-Mica-Clay-and-Ghost-Imaging

It is really fun and once you get started it is hard to stop playing. :)

[AnitaM]

Thanks Teri. I've bookmarked it and will have a look when I have time to spare.

[LavenderLizard]

I received excellent beads from adifferentstory (a few days ago--I rated and forgot to post here) and lynn101! Both packages made it in excellent condition. I appreciate the extras from both of you!

[nomnom]

my beads left in the morning - all r painted air dry clay - sent 15 - 10 for swap the rest for our Host - your choice of course - had lots of fun :)

[nomnom]

these r some of my necklaces i've made for myself from beads like i sent for the swap

[AnitaM]

Great beads nomnom. I like the necklaces too. I can't wait for the returns from this swap. Everyones beads are fab.

[teri]

Very nice nomnom! I never thought about the air dry clay...I have some...must go play! :)

[nomnom]

thanks ladies - this swap looks real cool - great beads - can't wait for returns - and Teri - yea go play that's lots of fun - the clay is easy to work with and the results r very nice and.............useful :yes:

[LavenderLizard]

What great PC beads, teri! And very cool painted beads, nomnom! I can't wait to see them in person.

I will be in and out of town until Tuesday with very limited internet access, so if I don't respond to you immediately, that's why. Back soon!

[katilady]

My beads are drying, which takes a few days and then I get to decorate them! Yippee!

[stillatthetop]

OK. This is my next project up and I am already starting to feel intimidated. The paper beads that I have created do not seem a fair trade for all of the wonderful clay beads that have been shared here. Those are some of the ones that I would like to see in my returns.

My idea is this.....can I include many paper beads per person...like enough to make a bracelet with or something, to even out the trade?

I wanted to buy some clay and try some of those, but time is sneaking up on me and I am not sure when I will get a trip into town to buy some. I have some cornstarch clay in the fridge, but I really like all the wonderful colors of the FIMO, and my acrylic paint stash is limited at the moment. Then there is also the dry time with those vs. the kind you bake. Oyvay.

I keep telling myself to quit stressing things so much, but it isn't working. LOL.

[AnitaM]

Hey SATT I have sent in paper beads - stop stressing.

Umm can we have a peek at the beads? pleasssssssseeee!!

[stillatthetop]

Well, they aren't exactly finished, yet. I just made a few to try out my patterns and to practice. But here is what I have so far. The top ones are from security envies and have a really neat pattern to them. The bottom one was basically just to test the pattern, but I am thinking of some watercolors or marker added to it. They still need the varnish put on them, and obviously I still have them on the straws.

I don't mind gettiing some paperbeads back in return, as you all are adding embossing powders, etc. to fancy them up. Mine just seem plain by comparison. I was going to try some out of the magazine papers and see if those look better.

Does anyone have the pattern for the paperbeads that turn out more rounded? I googled some of those and they are really cute. I'm thinking that it is a narrower and longer triangle than the ovalish ones are.

[stillatthetop]

Update....I have solved my dilema!
A google search brought up a neat idea....WIRE BEADS!
This way I will have something original to send to give artists new ideas.
Yeah! Off to play!

[LavenderLizard]

There have been lots of nice paper beads sent in, so don't feel shy about that if you like the paper ones better! Any medium is welcome in this swap, and paper does not necessarily mean the beads are not as good. I have some jaw-dropping paper ones already...they've inspired me to try making some myself!

[LavenderLizard]

I received nomnom's lovely clay beads from the swap! There were a few more than 10 in the package...are the extras presents? Just don't want to assume!

[nomnom]

glad my beads arrived safe and sound to u - and yes 10 beads for swap all the rest for u - extras for host - enjoy :)

[LavenderLizard]

Thanks a lot! I look forward to using them!

[stillatthetop]

I agree that the paper beads in this swap look stunning. I unfortunately do not have all the wonderful luminaire (sp?) paints or the embossing powders to make them snazzy. Mine are just looking plain by comparison. I am having wonderful luck with all my different wire bead ideas, so never fear.

It is my purpose in this swap to get beads that will serve me as examples of things that I can make additional beads of for larger projects. Other than the pendant style beads, I will probably not be using any of them. Just keeping them to look at and remember all the possibilities. If that makes any sense. I will probably string them into a "hodge podge" style bracelet to keep them all together.

[AnitaM]

[quote=stillatthetop;138341]I agree that the paper beads in this swap look stunning. I unfortunately do not have all the wonderful luminaire (sp?) paints or the embossing powders to make them snazzy. Mine are just looking plain by comparison. I am having wonderful luck with all my different wire bead ideas, so never fear.

I used acrylic paint and then sealed them with gel medium. You don't need embossing powders.

[LavenderLizard]

I plan to put them towards a collection of handmade beads I am acquiring to make a door curtain (one of the shorter, graduated ones, as I have two cats and need to keep the ends out of reach). It's a project I have been thinking about for some time now.

[stillatthetop]

Now that will take a while to accumulate! Neat idea, though. I have one of those 70's style plastic hippy bead curtains in my pass through to the drum room myself!

Oh, I am also back on the paper bead project, too, so mine will be a mix. AnitaM shared some kick a$$ patterns with me that have the complexity that I was looking for. I won't feel guilty sending these. Thank you sweetie!

[nomnom]

stillatthetop don't worry so much i'm sure your beads will as good as all the rest. and here is what i once made with a lot of paper beads. i just glued them on canvas. this is now hanging on the wall in my "studio"

[LavenderLizard]

I like that idea! Maybe I'll design a bead landscape sometime...

[stillatthetop]

Wow. That looks neat, nomnom. You could have also left the center area open and put a photo of you wearing some of the beads in there! That would make a neat picture frame for that.

I have done searches for paper beads, and found several overseas islandy places that make them, and other recycled material art for sale. I think this is an excellent "green" project, and helps raise money for their families and villages at the same time. I hope to set a day aside and do nothing but make some. It would be interesting to see how many I could make in a day. I am thinking that some Christmas gifts could come out of it!

[teri]

I'm sending my beads off on Monday. I can't wait to see what I get back! :) I'm a bead collector...addict....whatever...:twitcy:

[katilady]

My beads will go off Mon as well cause I finally finished them! Can I get an addy? I will post pics in the morning when there is better light!

[katilady]

Here are my beads! There are 8 total, 7 are for swapping and 1 is for the host. They are made out of bread, elmer's glue, acrylic paint and embossing powders.

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=20275&w=l

[katilady]

Mine have officially been sent!

[stillatthetop]

My beads are packaged and will mail tomorrow. Here is a peek at them.

[LavenderLizard]

Very cool! I will keep my eyes open.

And just an FYI, for those of you who have not mailed yet, the due date is fast approaching! Let me know if you have problems or need to withdraw.

Thanks!

[teri]

Stillatthetop....AWESOME wire beads! Those are a lot of work, I have tried in the past and my wire beads never turned out as well as those...in fact, the trash bin was their fate...LOL Great work!

[euphoria]

My beads are on their way as of yesterday. I made two for each person, kind of a "before" and "after" to show them plain or embellished. They are very light!

[LavenderLizard]

Great idea! I can't wait to see them.

[monarch]

My beads are going in the mail tomorrow......They should get there by Tuesday......

[LavenderLizard]

Yesterday was a huge day--my mailbox was literally overflowing with envies stuffed right and left! I received beads from:

Joni Owens--lovely paper beads, and thanks for the extras.

katilady--I like the bread beads! Neat idea, and they have more heft than I expected--I've never made those before. Thanks for the extra.

stillatthetop--I got your wire, etc. beads, and I love them as well, especially the ones that are randomly wrapped. Thanks!

euphoria--beautiful drinking straw based beads. The black is really effective, and I want to try that technique now. They are lovely!

So thanks to all, and I'll leave itrader...

[nomnom]

WOW - i see here great beads - wire, bread - everything is good for beads - great job ladies :yes:

[monarch]

My beads were sent today...............

[LavenderLizard]

I'll watch for them!

[stillatthetop]

I went on a paper bead spree yesterday. I made 159 of the paper beads. I had wanted to make myself a necklace for my birthday, but didn't get to it in time. Oh, well...better late than never. I now have enough for at least two strands of beads. Yeah! My fingers are sore.

[LavenderLizard]

Holy moly! That sure is a lot of beads...you can make a chunky necklace with that many!

[stillatthetop]

Who hooo. I made that many more last night! About 4 - 5 movies worth! I sit in front of the TV at the coffee table to make them. I will tell all the paper crafters....subscribe to GQ magazine! They have the most awesome background (for ATC) artwork in their ads, great text headlines/word art, and I am finding all kinds of wonderful colorful clothing ads that I am making into wild and wonderful triangle paper beads. I am printing my pattern on the backsides, as when they place an ad, they generally back it up with text...I can print right over that and then cut from the backside. I sprayed the first batch...now it is outside to spray last night's booty.

Is a chunky necklace different than a regular, just plain strung one? Most of the beads I have made are 1/2" or less. I think they hang better that way. The longer (wider?) beads don't curve as nicely, through obvious properties of physics. LOL.

[teri]

Are my beads there yet? I know I cut it close...dang it... :(

[LavenderLizard]

Last night the last two sets of beads arrived! So teri and monarch, my compliments on some amazing beads! Thanks to both of you for the extras.

I have started trading out the beads, and am feeling paranoid that I might send someone back one of their own...I am going to double check before I seal the envelopes tonight, but if for some reason I miss something, please let me know. I made a set of 10 beads myself to trade out, that way I would have some "backups" in case something went wrong.

I will get returns mailed out by the end of the week. Congratulations to everyone for a creative and skillful set of beads, and I hope everyone is happy with their returns.

[AnitaM]

I'm sure we will be more than happy with our returns as there is so much variety and different techniques being used. I for one can't wait to see what pops through my letter box.

[teri]

Yeah, mine made it! I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever I get back. Everything I saw here has been fabulous! I'm jealous that you got to see and touch them all! ;)

[katilady]

How exciting!

[amyfaerie]

i got my beads today! woot!

AnitaM, a green-microbead-covered paper bead that is TOO cool,
euphoria, paper + outback steakhouse straw [LOL!] bead that is awesome!
Wudwooda's collaged eyes that are creepy and fabulous,
Lynn101's delicate, glittered paper bead in a fairy-like ivory/pale gold,
Joni Owens' long, gold buffing waxed paper bead that is beautiful,
and
a gorgeous blue-swirled clay cabochon bead from our glorious host, in addition to a really lovely pair of purple clay beads!

These are ALL amazing, and i love them all--i can't even begin to think about how to use them--i'm just staring at all of them! :D

thank you, LL, for hosting such a rokkin' swap!

[stillatthetop]

Yeah! I got my beads today!
A wonderful paperbead and a polymer rose bead from teri,
A marvelous paperbead made from play money by Joni O.,
Two beautiful straw beads made from Outback straws by euphoria,
A very interesting paperbead with polymer clay added from wudwooda,
A wonderful metallic bread bead from Katilady,
Unique fiber beads from Monarch,
A totally different paperbead from adifferent story,
A beautiful paperbead with microbead embellishments from AnitaM,
And a glow in the dark bead and interesting blue and gold bead from Lavender Lizard.

Thanks gang. This was a very fun swap! I will get to the iTrader and rep points later today. I am off to find some mischief for a bit first:D.

[Joni Owens]

My beads came today, I've had so much fun, looking and pondering how I was going to use them!!! Thanks to: Lavendar Lizard for hosting and the beads, AnitaM, Stillatthetop, Euphoria, Wudwooda, Teri, Nomnom, Adifferentstory, Lynn101. All of you did outstanding work on your beads. They are a treasure!!! You all Rock!!!

[katilady]

I am getting excited about mine coming!

[euphoria]

I got mine today, I got mine today! Yippee! Thanks so much to Katilady, Amyfaerie, adifferentstory, nomnom (I LOVE your username, btw, is that from ICHC?), Joni Owens, Teri, Sarah Graham, lynn101, Anita M, Wudwooda, and of course our lovely hostess, Lavender Lizard. They are all unique and lovely; thanks so much!

[nomnom]

i don't know what ICHC is - nomnom is how some friends call me and i'm glad u also loved the star bead

[katilady]

OMG! They arrived! Woot! I got:
2 gorgeous fiber beads from Monarch
2 kick ass straw beads from Euphoria
A lovely coiled wire bead from stillatthetop
A wonderful paper bead from adifferentstory
A yummy painted air dried clay rose from nomnom
A luscious embossed paper bead from Teri
A divine gold buffed paper money bead from JoniOwens
AND two sweeeet purple beads from our awesome host!
I am stoked!

[AnitaM]

stomps feet 'I want mine" not fair everyone is getting their goodies

[euphoria]

i don't know what ICHC is - nomnom is how some friends call me and i'm glad u also loved the star bead

You will love your user name even more when you visit ICHC, which is www.icanhascheezburger.com. That's the main site for "LOLcats," which are photos of cats and other animals with hilarious captions on them. A whole new language, "LOLspeak" has grown up as a result of this site; the premise is that if a cat could talk or write, it wouldn't know how to spell or talk quite correctly and would use a lot of internet shortcuts in their typing, much like any 14 year old on AOL! :)

In LOLspeak, "nom nom" is the sound a cat makes when it's eating!

[katilady]

OMG! I forgot about that Euphoria! And I go to ICHC all the time! Duh! It's the most hilarious site EVER! So if you need a chuckle check it out! Oh, and just so you know when 'Ceiling cat' is referenced that is LOLcats version of god and 'Basement cat' is the devil! It was confusing at first picking up all the idiosyncrasies!

[euphoria]

OMG! I forgot about that Euphoria! And I go to ICHC all the time! Duh! It's the most hilarious site EVER! So if you need a chuckle check it out! Oh, and just so you know when 'Ceiling cat' is referenced that is LOLcats version of god and 'Basement cat' is the devil! It was confusing at first picking up all the idiosyncrasies!

Those ceiling cat and basement cat references crack me up! "Ceiling cat" is always white or light colored, and "Basement cat" is always black. One of my favorite LOLcats is the one where a black cat is sitting in a bathroom sink and the caption says Basement Cat sends his minions up through your drains!

[AnitaM]

Mine came today and they are aewsome. I am going to make a bracelet with them.

Thank you to -
Wudwooda for a poly clay bead with an embossed wolf(?)
Joni owens for a bead made from play money
Nomnom for a glitzy pink bead made from air dry clay (gonna hide it from my niece she loves pink)
Teri for an amazing poly clay mica shift bead - got to have a go at this technique soon
Monarch for the fibre beads
Lynn101 for her paper bead (?)
Euphoria for the straw beads
Amyfaerie for the her paper bead - love the idea of using embossing powder
SATT for her lovely paper bead - I don't always get this design bead to work properly for me so kudos to you
and last but not least our hostess for her lovely beads and a BIG thank you for hosting this awesome swap.

[adifferentstory]

The most wonderful beads dropped through m letterbox this morning. I am blown away by the talent. I'm going to take a close look at them all to see if I can work out how they were done. My seem very bland in comparison.

Thank you to our wonderful host and hope that she will host another of these fun swap.

A big thank you to the artists who have shared their beads with me:
Teri, Joni Owens, Monarch, amyfaire, nomnom, wudawooda, AnitaM, Lavenderlizard, stillatthetop, lynn101,and katilady

[AnitaM]

Yeah if she does then I can have a necklace too.

[AnitaM]

Ok so I changed my mind and made a bag charm instead. I added beads which I received from a bead swap on the OS and never made use of them.

[LavenderLizard]

I certainly will start another bead swap! I'm thinking of doing one with a "word" theme...beads that incorporate words, like stamped clay or paper beads made from books, that sort of thing. What do you guys think?

And that is a cool bag charm...

[stillatthetop]

AnitaM...that is absolutely fabulous!

LL. I like the idea. Maybe even take it one step further, and select what words can be used...then a bracelet could be made with a combination of words like dreams, wishes, hopes... highlighted on them. That sort of word theme thing.

[adifferentstory]

I like the idea of a wors one or even a specific colour.

I have decided i'm going to make a charm bracelet out of the beads i've received. I might make a start on it tomorrow.

[LavenderLizard]

Oooh, maybe "inspirational words for artists." After that we can start thinking about colors! We'll have a whole spectrum of bead swaps...

[LavenderLizard]

Okay...I started the next one! So if you're still itching to make more beads, come and see it...

[stillatthetop]

Here's the link. http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4478

I am hoping to get back to this one. I want to see how my timing goes on my current commitments, first.

[nomnom]

got my beads yesterday - thanks a lot to:lynn101 - stillatthetop - wudwooda - adifferentstory - joni owens - katilady - AnitaM - euphoria - and Lavenderlizard for hosting this beautiful swap and for your beads too :)