Natural Patinas for Brass...

click on the image for the text and directions...cat litter not absolutely necessary!

Daisy Stitch for Junior Girl Scouts

I just made up this Daisy Stitch beaded bracelet project for a group of Junior Girl Scouts I am teaching next month. I remember learning the Daisy Stitch from Paz in 5th grade and decided a sweet bracelet in this stitch might be just perfect for a group of girls. I selected the beads and then began stitching only to realize that I couldn't remember how to do the stitch. It was like realizing I had forgotten to ride a bicycle. My needle kept getting tangled, the flowers looked like odd balls of beads. I did what all reasonable adults do when confronted with a problem. I Googled Daisy Stitch. Reassured, I started stitching again and got one, two flowers just right and then, oops! Tangled again.

I was so frustrated. I called an expert on the phone. She murmured reassuring but incomprehensible words about linking thru the third bead, going around again, whatever. I was still confused. I consulted Google a second time, looked up the stitch in a few books, drank some coffee. After a good ten minutes of regrouping I started the whole bracelet over again and boom, I had it. Oh! That's it! I was going the wrong way...

Does this ever happen to you? do you ever try to do stitch or technique you have known for years but haven't used only to find that you don't really know everything you think you know? It is quite humbling to fall off that bicycle. It is also a good thing. Now when I have those Junior Girl Scouts around my table I will be better able explain this stitch. I will remember the problems I had with the needle and the third bead and going backwards.

(And yes, of course I was a Girl Scout. Can't you tell? Since I was a Scout in the 70s I have a very full badge sash, a pocket knife scar on one hand and a strong aversion to olive green polyester. Oh, and some great memories.)

New project, coming tomorrow!

A new project tutorial, featuring a bracelet by Alison Myers, is coming out tomorrow...this is just a sneak peek for you. If you want to see the tutorial and get the free PDF project sheet just sign up for our Dispatch. See that button right there to the right? Click on that...

These lovely earrings are the current Superstars at Ornamentea. At least once a day we have a very lovely, very hip young woman come in and ask us to show her how to make 'those big flower earrings.' We have a pair at the store that feature a crystal in the center, plus these, plus a pair with bead caps and metal beads. They are all popular.

I think this flower is so popular because it is both bohemian and graphic. The earrings can be hipsterish or hippie, depending on the beads and the hairdo.

It is so funny how trends ebb and flow. I remember a few years ago when large flat pieces of capiz shell were all the rage. We could not keep them in stock and it seemed like we only filled up the dish to have it empty again. Last year we started a run on metal octopi for necklaces and now this flower is suddenly on everyone's earlobes. Since winter seems bent on staying around for a bit longer I guess that these flowers might be the closest thing we have to spring here...

If you are in Raleigh come and make a pair of these earrings on Thursday night for just $4 a pair. That's a great deal for a bit of spring...details here.

If you are not in Raleigh, the flowers and other good things can be found here.

Slumber Party Video

Sorry for the bad camera-phone quality. Er, wait, actually I should say 'Don't you love the great hand-held feel of this professional video?'
That was a fun night!

Click on the image to read the details in slightly larger type! May I just say, we have been amazed and overwhelmed by the tremendous work we are seeing. Thanks to all who are sending in their photos.