Fun Font for Bead Stringers

Oh! Oh! I'm always on the lookout for fun new typefaces at dafont.com. Here's one for bead stringers, called Jewels, by Clothier Fontes.

Oh and oh by the way, here's a tip on how I made the little text image above. With a simple screen capture and Dafont's preview feature, I didn't even have to download the font...

1. First, I browsed for a font I liked at http://www.dafont.com .
2. When I found the Jewels font, I clicked on the font name to go to the font's details page.
3. Near the top left of the page, I found the Custom Preview field and typed my sample text "beads". You can also choose between four different preview sizes.
4. Next, click Submit. Dafont returned my sample text preview, and I liked it. :-)
5. Here's where I launched my handy-dandy photo editing software (in my case, I used SnagIt, a beefed up screen capture tool. I dragged my screen capture boundaries around the preview text. You probably have some kind of screen capture utility on your computer (such as Windows' Snipping Tool), you can crop out any extra white space around the letters.
6. Next, using SnagIt's Fill tool (you could also do this in Paint), I selected various colors and filled in the bead shapes.
7. Finally, I saved the file as a .jpg and posted it here!

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"To the River" Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

This is the bracelet I entered into the 2012 State Fair...

To the River

 Bead embroidery secured to a handformed metal core by its ultrasuede backing.

 

Mostly simple running stitch, with peyote stitch around the cabochons.

Mostly Czech charlottes and true cuts.

Easy peyote stitch -- only had to reduce wherever the stones were most angled.

Still trying to determine whether these vintage stone cabochons are gaspeite or chrysoprase.

I always like to make the "back view" interesting, too.

I made the "muddy rocks" with really ugly, low grade freshwater pearls.

A view of the other end, with more pearls.

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Earring Wires Class Registration Now Open

Registration is now open for non-bead society members to register in the Bead Society of New Mexico's 2012 Bead Retreat Classes, "It's All About the Sparkle," October 19 and 20. I'll be teaching how to make your own earring wires, a beginner-level class.

We'll cover basic French wires and variations, plus my own personal favorites that I love to use in my own work. Only 12 students can register! And there is a small kit fee payable the day of class.

And the registration fee includes a Friday night reception (with hors d'ou light food and a free class), as well as meals on Saturday. There will be vendor tables there too, and of course lots of other classes to sign up for if mine doesn't tickle your fancy.

Go here and look for the "It's All About the Sparkle" link: http://www.bsnm.org/
See you there? Hope so!

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Best of Show!

Shoot, I couldn't make it to the New Mexico State Fair, but the MOTH sent me this photo...

 

Will post better pics of the bracelet after I pick it up Monday. Woot woot, in 20 years or so entering beadwork in the State Fair, I've never gotten a Best of Show, til this chunky hunk-o-bead encrusted bracelet did the trick. :-)

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Red Dolls. RED Dolls! RED DOOOLLLLLLLLSSSSS

Awww, here's Dutch girl pulling a spare cheeseburger out of her apron, while Pirate Man cozies up to Miss Navajo Barbie. Just a trio of red dolls out on deck, watching me take pictures of stuff.

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Mystery Doll

Can anybody tell me something about this doll?

 

She has a clay (porcelain? ceramic?) head, and her hair is glued on.

She looks Japanese somehow...but I can't tell whether she's vintage,

or just made to look vintage.

Cloth body, ceramic head, arms and feet. Everything looks hand sewn.

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