Thursday, December 17, 2015

Minimalist Bead Crochet Necklaces

The most popular post on this blog so far has been the 2010 tutorial post for the Understatement Necklace, which was a very delicate clustered-bead, crocheted necklace. That tutorial is still a great place to learn how to make a beaded crochet necklace of your own. I'll add a link at the end of this post, so you can go check it out, and after the holidays, I'll try to get around to finally doing some more tutorials on the blog here.

Meanwhile, here are some of my latest bead crochet necklaces. All of these, except for the last one, are great wrap bracelets, too.

Green Beaded Crochet Necklace with Removable Christmas Tree Charm

Cobalt Caprice Beaded Crochet Necklace with Removable Dangle Bead



Stone Feather Beaded Crochet Necklace or Wrap Bracelet

And finally, this little beauty, in a clustered-bead style:

Flower Vine on Pagoda, Red Beaded Crochet Necklace

When worn, these necklaces are lighter and more minimalist than the knotted bead necklaces from the last post.

Here is that link for the Understatement Necklace tutorial that I promised you, in case you want to make a necklace of your own.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Boho, Southern Chic, Hippie Flavored, Advanced Style Knotted Bead Necklaces

Adding necklaces to the shop has worked out well, because people seem to like them. The style categories in the heading could be easily applied to my design choices so far.

In today's post the show-and-tell topic is long hand-knotted bead necklaces. You can click on the links to learn more detail about each one.

Pixie Mayhem Necklace

This one used some unorthodox knotting and a wild assortment of beads in a Southern Country Chic style. It's a boho beauty, so I also made one for myself, too.

Also as an homage to good Southern things, this one was named for delicious whiskey caramels:

Whiskey Caramela


Winter inspiration can be seen in the next two:

The Snow Queen

Snow on the Beach

The first three of these have sold already, so I am busy making more. Also, I'm making some bead crocheted necklaces that are more minimalist in style. You'll see some in the next post.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Wrapping up this Year's Etsy Life Cycle

Procurement, production, photography, product listing, promotion, packing orders--the Etsy business cycle. It's been keeping me plenty busy as the year winds down.

During my hiatus related to my parents' aging and passing, I lost a lot of momentum in regards to my shop. The time spent with Dad and Mom was so important and so full of blessings. that I have absolutely no regrets.

It's taking a lot of time and effort, but slowly and surely I am regaining my footing and online confidence again. I'm hoping that my sense of humor returns soon, too.

Over the next several posts I'll get you caught up with some of the things that have been in the works. In this post there are some wraps in holiday photos.

The shawl in the Old Shale stitch variation was finished. I decided on a different gift for the redhead, so I put the shawl in my shop. This is how it looks when worn as a scarf:

The Candlelight Shawl in Alpaca and Merino
It's so unbelievably soft and luxurious that it was tempting to keep it, but alas, not the perfect colorway for my skin tone.

Here are some product photos that were re-shot in order to have a little Christmas spirit in the shop:

Chevron Scarf in Sangria Colors - Hand-spun and Commercial Wool



Salsa Fever Shawl - Dropped Stitch Shawl or Oversized Scarf


It's been fun to make the shop a little festive for the season. These photos were fun to take.

Friday, October 30, 2015

Update on the Old Shale Shawl Project

Three week ago I shared a photo of a swatch for a ripple pattern that is a type of Old Shale Pattern, of which there are many variations. I started a shawl in this pattern as a gift, and it has been fun to knit because of the relaxing rhythm to the undulating waves.


This shawl combines three different yarns: one laceweight merino yarn has been paired with a thin yarn that is a combination of 78% Suri Alpaca and 22% nylon. (See the ball on the lower left corner of the photo.) The Suri Alpaca has a superb fiber halo, almost like mohair. The third yarn is the other ball in the picture. It is 100% superfine alpaca. I am alternating these two balls every two rows.

This shawl is 90% complete. When it's been finished and blocked, I'll post more photos of it and also the ball bands from the yarn.

The colors are like candlelight or the canyons in Utah. (It's for a redhead who is going to look great in it.)

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Mother Would Like That - Ma

Yesterday the Flash Mob, a treasury team on Etsy, had a treasury contest on the Japanese concept of "Ma," the empty space between things.

Here is what Wikipedia says about this concept:
Ma () is a Japanese word which can be roughly translated as "gap", "space", "pause" or "the space between two structural parts." The spatial concept is experienced progressively through intervals of spatial designation. In Japanese, ma, the word for space, suggests interval. It is best described as a consciousness of place, not in the sense of an enclosed three-dimensional entity, but rather the simultaneous awareness of form and non-form deriving from an intensification of vision.
Ma is not something that is created by compositional elements; it is the thing that takes place in the imagination of the human who experiences these elements. Therefore, ma can be defined as experiential place understood with emphasis on interval.

My mother loved feminine accessories and jewelry, but she was spartan and minimal in her home decor. In this way she practiced Ma, and for me, there is a tremendous negative space where she used to be. I chose these treasuries to feature here, because they reminded me of her. These are collections she would have liked. (The images are clickable, in case you want to start your holiday shopping early.)


By CaryeVDPMahoney:

Bella Solid Bright Sky - 1 yard - 6.50Hand Dyed Fabric Gradient - ParadiseCloud Photography, Nursery Decor, Rainbow Photography, White, Aqua Blue, Pink Wall Art, Photo of Clouds for Nursery,  Dreamy Sky, 8x10 PrintHeavenly Sky Cloudscape - Spring And Summer Nature Sunrise Sunset -Pastel Pinks & Blue - Home Decor Wall Art - Fine Art Photography Print
Fat Quarter Rainbow Sky Clouds Cotton Quilting Fabric - Elizabeth's StudioLANDSCAPE FABRIC- Sky - 1/2 metreℳ Stretch Panné Solid Velvet Sky Blue 58 Inch Wide Fabric by the Yard, 1 yardRainbow with White Clouds and Blue Sky Wall Art Home Decor Photo Print Digital Download Fine Art Photography
Sky Painting, Cloud Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, "A Touch of Blue" by Carol Schiff, 6x8 LandscapeSunrise Oil Painting- Original Cloud Art on Canvas- Water-Based Oils- Pink and Blue- 24x30-  Free US ShippingSky Photography, Cloud Photography, Sunset Print, Film Style, Wall Decor, Abstract Print, Minimal Photography, Fine Art PhotographyBule Skies - Smoking Cloud  - Fine Art  Cloud Photo    Zen Wall Decor - Mother Nature
Sky Landscape - Cloud Painting - Monochromatic Painting - Original Watercolour - 4 x 6 - BlueSky and Clouds, Blue and White, Sympathy, Day Dream Perfection, Photograph or Greeting cardPhotography of Cloudy Blue Summer Sky Nature Art PrintSKY WITHIN Abstract  Color Original Art Photograph

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By Linda Voth:

Landscape photography, fog, mist, dock, cottage, grey, serene, calm, muted, water, minimal, dreamy, morning, soft,dawn, Goodbye SummerOutdoor photography - Morning mist and sea grassMichigan Photography, Michigan Photo, Michigan, Whitefish Point, Michigan,Lake Superior, sunset Mist white pink dark gray, white, gray UPFemale Cinnamon Teal, Waterfowl, Ducks, Wetland Photograph, Teal Photography, Duck Fine Art Photography, Cinnamon Teal Art, Photo Decor.
Lake photography, Morning mist, Fog in Finland, Nature art print, Nordic mood, Scandinavia, Poster, Landscape, 12" x 8", 30 cm x 20 cmSeats to Infinity in the Fog, River and Mistlandscape photography, mountain photography, mountains, fog, mist, evergreens, pastel, green, nature, Elevation No. 2Early Morning on Malden Lake II, Landscape Photography, Mist on Lake, Borderless Prints
Fine Art Photography: "Canoes in the Mist" 20x10 print, boating, Russian River, beach, water sportsBlue Ridge Mountains in Virginia Mist 4x6 Landscape Photography PrintLake Home Decor Photograph Mist Water Home Office Wall Art Nature Photography Fine Art Gray Grey Up North Cabin Decorate Your Walls Gift IdeBar Harbor Schooner Photograph, Black and White Maine Photography, Boats, Pier, Coast, Morning Fog and Mist, Monochrome Art Print, Gray
nautical photography, fog, mist, dock, cottage, grey, serene, calm, muted,cool, morning, minmal, cottage,soft, old wood, aged, SecuredConnecticut's Lake Mohegan Misty Morning Photo - 11x14 Color Nature Landscape Photography Print - Fog Forest Woodland Blue Purple Dawn ArtAncient English Castle in the Mist, Fantasy Landscape Photography Print. Historic Corfe Castle.Artwork. Limited Edition Mounted Fine Art Photography Print - "Mist of a Memory" 12x16 inches

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By Christie of Poppy and Purl:

photography, surreal, landscape, cold winter, grey white, pale, neutral, abstract photograph, anonymous, Los Angeles minimalist artthe bonny blue, hand-woven blue tweed woolen scarf..by The Weaver of Words...weaving fibers & fablesLight Blue Abstract, minimalist photo, nautical abstract, light blue, orange, rustic landscape, calming art, abstract sea, landscape, fogAbstract Sky Photography, Minimalist Photography, Sky Print, Cloud Photography, Print, Photography Print, Puffy Clouds, Fine Art Photography
Pendant, Men pendant, Necklace, Metal, Hammered Copper, Copper Pendant, Alternative look, Modern Design, Eco chic, Jewelry, Birthday giftLarge Abstract Minimalist Pastel Landscape, Large Modern Wall Art, Minimal Home Decor, Modern Photo Collage, Pale Color Layers, Zen InteriorWave hunting on the Baltic Sea - dog on the beach in Koserow, Germany, 2013, Fine Art Print, color, signed with embossingDark beauty Portrait Artwork photography Home Decor Surreal  - Limited Edition Print, girl, fish
Cornish Mackerel, Abstract Fish Painting, Signed Giclee Art Print 20x10 inchesPocket Knife, Vintage Pen Knife, Camillus, New York, from All Vintage ManTranquil Ocean Photograph, Beach Photography, 5x5 Soothing Ocean Art, Seascape Photo, Landscape Photography, Coastal Decor, It's Oh So QuietLarge Photography Print - Beach photo - Seagull photograph - Nautical Photography - Bird decor - Minimalist Art
Black feather "Keepsake"  Fine Art Photography Still life Photography Brown Nature Photography Wall art Black Feather Print Feather ArtStarr Design 4 Pack Fat Quarters Mediterranean Blue Hand Dyed Cotton FabricsHandmade necklace with wooden articulated fishbone, fish bone made of wood, bones, medium lenght necklacePerfect Large Brown Sea Glass Heart, Grade A, Genuine Seaglass, Valentine Gift, Ocean Nautical, Jewelry, Keepsake, Frosted Beach Glass, Love

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