You don't know how well you know something until...

My new "Even Count Tubular Peyote Stitch Tutorial

This week I found out how well I know Even Count Tubular Peyote stitch.  I spent the better part of the week writing a step-by-step tutorial for this stitch and discovered some things about myself in the process.

No matter how well you think you know how to do something, I believe that you don't really know it well until you try to break it down to teach it to someone else.

When you try to put a process on paper, illustrate each step so that everyone can understand it, describe the process in words, photos and diagrams, then it becomes a part of you.

Sometimes it is amazing to me how hard it is to explain something that I have done so many times to someone who has never done it before.  Things that I can do without thinking I have to take apart mentally and try to display on a page.  In fact, I found myself having to do a project as I created the tutorial so that I was sure I did not miss a step.

It was a good experience for me.  A lot came out of it.  The obvious thing is the new "Even Count Tubular Peyote Stitch Tutorial" that I now have posted on the sites where I offer my patterns.  But during the process, I also learned how to compress photos with my publishing software, and which pdf publisher would give me the easiest pdf for other to download.

I also learned how to use some new "widgets" on http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/ to give my fellow beaders some customized features when the choose my patterns. 

My new Beaded Hair Stick

I also created a new pattern for a Beaded Hair Stick.  The complete pattern, including the instructions for making a point on the stick and adding the beads at the top, are included with the new tutorial. 

Oh, yes, and I even found some time for beading.  Check out the new pieces that I have been working on.

Wolf Tracks Card Holder                  Ring of Roses Bangle                     Queen of Hearts Bangle

These should all be ready to post in the next week or so.

So, all in all, I would say it has been a good week.  I learned a lot, beaded some, and just kept moving forward.  Afterall, isn't that what this journey we call "life" is really about?

Blessings,

Beth "Bouncing Wolf" Rudy

Native style beadweaving patterns available at:

http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/

& http://www.thebeadcoop.com/

 

Bangles & Bracelets

May is

Bracelet Month

at Bouncing Wolf Creations

I have been hard a work creating a selection of beaded decorations for your wrist.  I love to make cuff-style bracelets.  In fact, the wider the better!  Isn't that strange, because I have very small wrists.  But rest assured, I have taken that into account with my creations.  I have asked fellow designers and fellow beaders for input on length for these cuffs.  Each one has instructions to help you adjust the size to fit your wrist or the wrist of the person that you might make one for.

Wolf Tracks Bangle Bracelet

As many of you know, my totem animal is the Wolf.  I have a strong attachment to wolves and dogs of almost any breed.  So making jewelry with any symbol that has to do with the beautiful, loyal animals is truely a "work of heart" for me.

My bangle bracelet series comes from my desire to do something different all the time.  I have a hard time doing things over and over again.  I like variety and change, so I decided to change my usual cuffs into a bangle.  I tried several different materials to stiffen the beadwork into the bangle shape.  I finally settled on a plastic tubing material.  My patterns give the complete instructions for choosing the material and finishing the bangles, so I won't bore you with it here.

Wolf Tracks Cuff/Bracelet

But, I could not resist also creating a cuff/style bracelet from the same motif.  This pattern also includes the instructions for making the toggle bead and the loop.  It also has information to help you customize the size to fit your wrist.

Butterfly Bangle

This bangle is inspired by my beautiful daughter.  Her native name is "Barefoot Butterfly".  She is a fancy shawl dancer, and she hates to wear shoes, even in the snow.  She loves anything with butterflies, so she spurs me on to create anything with butterflies.  She helped me to test the size on the bangles, so I dedicate this piece to her.  This pattern should be up on Tuesday morning.

Bear's Paw Cuff

Bears can be found on almost every continent.  They are well respected everywhere, especially in North America where the native people they were once human.  The Great Mystery is also believed to live in the spirit of the bear.  (I should have this pattern ready by the end of the week)

Striped Bangle

For my next design, I decided to work in color that I LOVE.  Purple is my color!!  And yellow and green are the two colors that I like to put with my purples.  I hope you like this one as much as I do.  (This pattern should be ready to post by Tuesday 5/18)

I have serveral other ideas in the works, but no photos yet to share.  Keep your eyes open for "Rose Trellis Bangle" and "Hearts Afire Bangle" coming later this month.

Thanks for taking time to bounce by my little corner of the world.  And thanks for letting me share my new ideas with each of you.

Blessings,

Beth "Bouncing Wolf" Rudy

Native-style beadweaving patterns are availiable at:

www.beadpatternsboutique.com/catalogue.php

& http://www.thebeadcoop.com/