You will have lots of fun making your own angel. The pattern is for a blue angel, but you can use any color beads you desire. I have made about five of them and they look great in any color.

Kathy Zengolewicz

Here is what you will need to get started:

• A 1 ½ to 2 inch head pin
• 1-4mm round bead
• 1-6mm round bead
• 1-4mm flat flower bead
• 1 Angel wings bead
• 1 pair of round nose pliers
• 1 pair of flat or needle nose pliers

Slide a 6mm round bead onto the head pin to create the body. Slide the angel wings bead on next and then put the 4mm round bead on to make the head.

Next you will need to put the 4mm flat flower bead on to make the angel’s halo. When you have the angel together take the round nose pliers and grab he head pin right above the halo. Wrap the pin around the plier to make a circle.

Hold the circle you just made with plat or needle nose pliers. With your other hand, wrap the pin around the circle three times to keep the beads tightly together.

Cut off any excess pin length with the needle nose pliers. Add a jump ring or a spring ring to attach your charm to a bracelet or a fine chain for a necklace.

I have three granddaughters and I made one for each of the girls. I used different colored beads for each necklace. I chose the color of their birth stone, or as close as I could get, for each of their pendants and they love them. My oldest granddaughter told me that when she wears her angel she thinks of me and I think that is great.

Post from: Blisstree

Angel Charm Pendant

Image: sxc.hu

My curiosity often gets the better of me, and I ask what the customer plans to do with them. This leads to interesting and informative conversations.

Various uses for beads acquired at yard sales:

• Enlarge an art supply stash
• An art teacher planned several beading projects and found these perfect for what she had in mind.
• A homeschooling mom thought the colorful beads would be great for teaching counting, math and color recognition.
• Embellish quilts and fabric art
• Add three dimensional effect to mixed media art
• Making jewelry for fun and profit
• Decorating Christmas stockings sold at craft fairs
• Adding interest to an otherwise plain sweater

What do you use beads for in your arts and crafts?

Post from: Blisstree

Beads, Beads & More Beads!

Photo & Felted Fiber Art by Beth A. Mastin

Beth doesn’t have a felting machine, so she did hers by using hand felters.  Then she added beading and decorative stitching.

For more details about her felting ventures and more photos, including close-ups, visit her Meandering Threads blog.

What have been your experiences with felting?

Post from: Blisstree

Trying the Art of Felting via Beryl Taylor

Shawnery commented on my post, Organizing Beads and Embellishments, and shared her inexpensive methods of storing these items:

When I first started, we didn’t have a lot of spare money so buying a lot of new containers was out of the question. We were on [a] diet at the time so we ate a lot of eggs. I had a ton of the two dozen egg containers laying around and it turns out to be the perfect containers. I arranged each tray color. They stacked on top of each other easily so it helped out with space.

When I took a class at the college and needed to transport my stuff, I borrowed my sons tackle bag which had 3 lure storage trays. Those worked great also.

We have moved several times and each time I put cotton balls to fill the gaps [in the egg cartons] and then wrap the whole thing with saran wrap. A few beads sneak out but everything is mostly in tact and organized each time we unpack.

Image: sxc.hu

Thanks, Shawnery, for letting us know about these great organizing and storage ideas.

Post from: Blisstree

Inexpensive Bead Storage Ideas

  More quilters are discovering the fascination of art quilts, those you hang on the wall and use for decorative effect.  You might place them on a bed but generally use only for adornment.  Perhaps you’ll use fabric art pieces in clothing, too.

To embellish their art quilts, quilters and fabric artists often choose beads and buttons, some of which they may make themselves.  I ran a poll to determine whether my readers are into this type of embellishment.

Question – Do You Use Beads and Buttons to Embellish Your Quilts?

10%  – Yes, frequently

70% – Yes, occasionally

20% – No, never

It would seem that throughout the quilting world, embellishments are becoming popular.  Some fabric artists, like my daughter, make beads from a variety of materials to add to their work.

How about telling me how you use beads and buttons.  Do you have any pictures of projects on your blog or web site you’d like to share?

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Poll Results – Using Beads & Buttons to Embellish Your Quilts

Check it out and let me know your thoughts.  Also, share in the comments, your experiences with using beads and/or buttons in your quilting and quilting art.

I’ve asked:  Do you use beads and buttons to embellish your quilts? 

You can choose the following answers:

Yes, frequently

Yes, occasionally

No, never

Post from: Blisstree

Beading Poll at Quilting & Patchwork

Now I’ve heard of many types of retreats, but never one for beaders before.  I’m looking forward to Cyndi’s report about her trip to this event about halfway across the USA from where she lives.

Quilters have begun to find beads important as embellishments in their work.  My daughter collects beads and even makes them to add interest to her quilt hangings and fabric art.

What have you been doing with beads?  Have you ever attended a “beading retreat?”

Post from: Blisstree

Beading Retreats…Do Quilters Attend These?

Here you’ll find many arts and crafty ideas for starting your holiday shopping and creating during Christmas in July season, thus getting a head start to avoid the last minute rush in December.

At Quilting and Patchwork, I’ve given a number of sites where you can find quilting patterns, supplies and ideas, along with books to read and help you create.  You’ll find these here at Quilters Think Christmas Thoughts in July.

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting & Patchwork Participates in Christmas in July Channel Showcase

Some of these involve using only a few beads (of different types, colors, and sizes) for highlights.  With other projects, the quilt artist may almost cover entirely the fabric surface. 

How about expanding your creativity with beads and buttons interwoven into your art?  I’d enjoy hearing what you’re doing.

Post from: Blisstree

Embellish Your Quilting With Beads & Buttons

Now I’m on the lookout for beads when browsing second hand shops and yard sales.  I was thrilled not long ago to find a whole box of these little gems.  And the box was separated into little compartments for the various size and shape beads. 

            How are you using beads in your quilts and fabric art?  Some quilters just use a few as eye-catchers.  Others almost cover the whole piece. 

Post from: Blisstree

Try Beads for Your Easter Quilting Project