Working with Waxed Linen

I love to work with waxed linen. I especially love the smooth way it knots and the great way it feels when you string handmade beads. This necklace was made with stones and Elaine Ray ceramic beads and just the perfect turquoise-colored waxed linen. The linen lends itself nicely to dangles and making odd knots here and there.

We are hosting a trunk show for Elaine at Ornamentea on October 3 and 4th. I will be teaching a class on working with Waxed Linen on the 3rd. Expect a demo, lots of fun linen to play with and even a glass of wine. We'll have a rainbow of linen for you to play with and you can shop Elaine's beads and bring some from your stash at home.

Call 919-834-6260 to register. The class is just $10 and we provide the waxed linen. Space is limited.

Charm Exchange photos

Well, we have gotten in several great charms so far for the Swap/Exchange*. I took a quick photo of a few that I could get out of their lovely packaging. The two soldered glass charms are from the same person, as are the seashell and the flower charm. See, you don't have to make them all alike! Or, you can make them all alike! Whatever makes you happy.

The second picture features the packaging that many of the charms are wrapped in. From simple (the waxed envelope) to complex (the fab gifty one in the back, or the neato tin that matches the charm inside) the wrapping is a nice extra. For a really, really nice extra put your name with the charm so folks will be able to say "oh, this charm? Cynthia made it for the Charm Exchange"

Still looking for great charm ideas? I love all the neato charms at Amber Dawn's Swap Site. She hosts the premier swaps, according to my swappy friend Orla. I love the name bottle idea...scroll down and click away for loads more neato charms. Let me know if you have any other ideas by leaving a comment. I will publish the best links and images.

If I have shown off one of your charms here I promise that I put it back where it needed to go, right back in the sweet package just the way you wrapped it. Promise!


*Sometimes I call it an Exchange, sometimes I call it a Swap. What does this say about me? That I am inconsistent and maybe a bit mentally disorganized? That's my guess.

Fabulous Fabric Beads book review

We received the new Fabulous Fabric Beads by Kristal Wick a while back and I have been carrying it everywhere. That is what I do with craft books, I carry them in my tote bag and bring them out when I am waiting or have a free moment. Some folks like to read a novel or catch up on the daily paper, I like to browse my craft books. I call it mental studio time. While others are waiting at the car pool, or sitting in the dentist's office I am off far away, mentally beading in my studio.

This book was a great one for my mental studio-it is filled with novel ideas for making beads out of fabric. There are a large variety of styles and the pictures are colorful and enticing. I kept thinking of ways I could also use most of these techniques with paper or other fibers and indeed, several of the beads do use papers. The last part of the book is filled with project ideas and some great color palette ideas. I will have to attack that big pile of fabric bits and scraps that I just can't part with and start turning them into beads and jewelry...

Check it out at both stores. Don't you need to visit your mental studio?