Spring Swap between Esty Beadweaver Members

This year we once again asked members if they were interested in designing and creating something for another member of our team.  Those that were interested were provided with the interests and style of their partner and then challenged to create a piece specifically for them.  These are the results were amazing.
EBW SPRING SWAP 2011
First Row:
1. Anna Hatvani to Jacquie Champion, 2. Callie Mitchell to Anna Hatvani, 3. Carol Holmes to Callie Mitchell, 4. Charlene Abrams to Carol Holmes, 5. Cheryl Boutilier to Charlene Abrams, 6. Chris Maj to Cheryl Boutilier,
Second Row:
7. Deb Andersen to Chris Maj, 8. Ginny Bracht to Deb Anderson, 9. Hadas Ferber to Ginny Bracht, 10. Jane Cucchiara to Hadas Ferber, 11. Jessie Yost to Jane Cucchiara, 12. Kinga Nichols to Jessie Yost
Third Row:
13. Lisa Fuller to Kinga Nichols, 14. Maria Nyberg to Lisa Fuller, 15. Mariya Zhalnina to Maria Nyberg, 16. Megan Baker to Mariya Zhalnina, 17. Melissa Kauffold to Megan Baker, 18. Mindy Patterson to Melissa Kauffold,
Fourth Row:
19. Orna Voloh to Mindy Patterson, 20. Rhiannon Fisk to Orna Voloh, 21. Ruthie Stickney to Rhiannon Fisk, 22. Silvia Sernicola to Ruthie Stickney, 23. Sue Charette-Hood to Silvia Sernicola, 24. Jacquie Champion to Sue Charette-Hood
Click each smaller images to see a larger image.

Meet EBW Member Kerrie Slade

How did you get started with beadweaving?

About 6 years ago now, during a period of illness when I was looking for something to do. I started off trying to follow patterns in various magazines, bought Carol Wilcox Wells 'Creative Beadweaving' and never looked back.

What is your favorite part of beadweaving?

That would have to be the magic of turning a small pile of beads into a sculptural little work of art!

Please tell us one little known or unknown fact about yourself?

I am a member of Mensa (don't know if that's any good - it's the only little known fact I can think of at the moment lol!)

What inspires You?

Nature, flowers, the sky, color and BEADS!

Kerrie has made three recent appearances in the UK beading magazine Bead.

Here she is in Issue 8 (Feb/mar 08) with her Herringbone cufflinks which made it onto the cover.




In issue 9 (April/May 08) we find Kerrie's Herringbone and Brick stitch Butterfly Pendant.



In the April/May 08 issue of Beadwork is Kerrie's Supernova Choker, a circular Brick stitch 'starburst' on a netted band. It's gorgeous!



And finally in the April 08 issue of Bead and Button, the amazing Herringbone 'Floral Fantasy' foxglove necklace which was featured on the cover.



You can learn even more about Kerrie here at My Lovely Beads. Or check out her Etsy shop.

November Challenge - Caught in a Net - Time to Vote!

The Challenge entries are in, and we have more than ever before! There are 31 entries by 22 of our members. You can see them all in the mosaic, but you'll want to click the individual links to check out these gorgeous pieces. And don't forget to vote for your favorite!

1. Royal Copper Lace, by arosebyname

2. Netted Fringe Explosion Choker, by cigarboxbeads

3. Beaded Netting Necklace, My Blue Lagoon, by nardiesarttowear

4. Capturing The Stone, by noeasybeads

5. Moss Agate, Green Netting Necklace, by LauriDesigns

6. Lacy Netted Collar, by clairecreations

7. Sweet Dreams, by totallytwisted

8. Caught in a Bronze Net Beadwoven Bracelet, by SandFibers

9. First Frost, Netted and Coral Fringed Necklace, by cigarboxbeads

10. Caught in a Net Captured by Pearls Bracelet, by noeasybeads

11. Mist on the Lake, by thebeadedlily

12. Beaded Holiday Evening Bag, by Forbesfarm

13. Champagne Bubbles Freeform Netting Bracelet, by myfairladyvt4

14. Beautiful Blues Netted Bracelet, by SandFibers

15. Arizona Copper Necklace, by KathysKraftyKreation

16. Caught in a Net, by bylynette

17. Winter Ice Bracelet, by LauriDesigns

18. Copper Bangle Watch, by LauriDesigns

19. Caught in a Net, Necklace, by LauriDesigns

20. Bead Woven Netted Gold Flower Bracelet, by MistyRidgeBeads

21. A Gift from Neptune, by Tresijas

22. Snow Garden Waltz, by DantesSpirit

23. Netted Pearl Cuff, by maneklady

24. Turquoise and Teal Freeform Netting Bracelet, by myfairladyvt4

25. Netted Christmas Ornament, by clairecreations

26. Beadwoven Matt Golden Large Christmas Ornament with Pearls, by beadbug

27. Princess Anastasia, by RegalBeads

28. Flowers in the Net, by Beadaholics

29. A Twist of Lime - Ruffly Beadwoven Necklace, by time2cre8

30. Russian Royalty, by RegalBeads

31. Aurora Borealis Netted Panel, by SalamanderHouse

November Challenge - Caught in a Net

Wondering what the Etsy BeadWeavers are up to in November? Sandy (aka Forbesfarm), the winner of the October challenge, has selected a new challenge: Caught in a Net.

When asked to choose the November challenge theme, Sandy said:
When looking at the other beader's work, it appears that many of them stick to one or two stitches. I try to use a variety of techniques when I work. I was thinking about a challenge using just one stitch. It would be new to some of the group, and perhaps not their favorite one, but it would challenge them to get out of their comfort zone. Peyote and Herringbone seem to be done to death. How about a challenge for the Net stitch with no limit on color, beads used, etc.? Personally, I have used this stitch quite a bit, but always in a flat necklace. There must be more to it than that!

We'd love to have you join us for the challenge! If you're not a member of Etsy BeadWeavers, you can click the link on the blog to join. You just need to be a seller on Etsy and love to do beadweaving to be a member. You can send a convo (via Etsy) to either me (time2cre8) or Carol Dean (SandFibers) to join the Etsy BeadWeavers Street Team.

I thought I'd save everyone some searching by posting some links to sites with information about netting stitches:
http://www.beadwrangler.com/samplers/netting1/making_bead_netting_samples1.htm
http://www.whimbeads.com/cart.asp?pg=classroom_3beadnet
http://www.angelfire.com/co2/beltana/net.html
http://www.beadjewelrymaking.com/Arts_and_Craft_Idea/bead_netting_instruction.html

In addition to those sites, there numerous books and patterns available. Check 'em out and get started on your November challenge!