Annual Christmas Party

We’re heading to The Willows again!
The Bead Society of Oahu will hold our annual Christmas party at The Willows restaurant on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. All members (past and present) and their guests are welcome.
Cost to all members and guests: $41.84; Seniors: $38.18.
Send the form provided in the newsletter and a check (made out to the Bead Society of Hawaii) to Coleen (our Treasurer) at the address provided on the form or give her the form and check at the November meeting.
We will have a voluntary gift exchange after dinner. The gift should be worth $10.00 or more, bead-related, and can be bought or made. The gift should be wrapped and brought to the dinner.

November program: Netted Cabochon Bezel

Wednesday, November 18, 2009; 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Linekona Art Center

This project is one of several ways to make a bezel for a cabochon; no glue is involved to mount it onto a backing, as the stone is tightly captured in a netted border of seed beads. Cabochon sizes are typically given in millimeters, with the length first for ovals, and diameter for rounds. The samples pictured are 18x13 mm, 30x22 mm, and 40x30 mm ovals, and 20 mm and 30 mm rounds, as well as a donut approximately 35 mm. These are all done with size 11 seed beads; later, try size 14/15 seed beads, especially for the smaller sizes.
Supplies:
- Cabochon, your choice of shape and size
- Size 11 seed beads in two colors to coordinate with the cabochon
- Two needles, size 12 if you can thread them with Fireline or size 10
- Scissors or cutter
- Hypo glue, Beading mat
- Fireline 6 lb,* either crystal or smoke, depending on your cabochon and seed bead colors
* Notes: You can also use Nymo D or C-Lon, but you will be pulling it tight. Also, needles don't fall off of Fireline like they do with thread, and you'll be handling both needles, front and back, at the end before bringing them together on the back for knotting and gluing.
Optional: Closed ring to incorporate for hanging (other beaded options will be discussed).

October program: Lacy Bead Necklace

Wednesday, October 28, 2009; 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Linekona Art Center

For the October program, join us and create a lacy bead necklace. This project is a simple, repetitive technique requiring only size 11 seed beads, Nymo thread, and a needle. It's best as a continuous ring without a clasp, long enough to go over your head.
Dottie has made two, one in bright mixed colors and the other in pastels. You can use any color or colors you wish, and after learning the technique, you can make repetitive designs along the length.
In addition to the beads, thread, and needle, you'll need scissors and Hypo glue for knots – and you'll be making a lot of knots! (But Dottie will show a way to minimize this.)

September program: Lotus Blossoms

Wednesday, September 23, 2009; 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Linekona Art Center

For the September program, join us and create a crystal flower that can be used as the focal piece on a short necklace. Because of the way the weight balances, it would tip forward on a longer necklace.
Try different combinations of the three crystal styles; there are many possibilities! It could also be attached to the surface of a wide bracelet; how about several different colors on one?!

Materials List (flower only):

- Five 10 mm crystal hearts, top drilled, front to back hole
- Five 6 mm flat crystal flowers (marguerite or margarita)
- Five 4 mm crystal bicones (for front)
- Five 4 mm beads, such as fire polish (for back). These won't show, but use a color similar to the heart color.
- Fireline 6 lb., either crystal or smoke, depending on color of crystals
- Two size 10 or 12 needles
- Hypo glue

Peekaboo Bracelet Workshop has been scheduled!

Great news beaders! Our fundraising workshop has been scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We have succeeded in obtaining the use of Safeway Kapahulu's meeting room, which is in the Ewa end of the one-story AT&T building adjacent to Safeway's parking lot. The times are approximate; the room is available all day. There are ample choices for lunch, including in Safeway. There is handicap parking nearby and longer-term regular parking above the store (take the ramp to the right of the store). There is a 2-hour time limit in their regular street-level lot.

Materials List:
- 9x6 oval crystals, approximately 12-16, depending on wrist size. (Note: Nancy refers to ovals as olives). Some colors are available from Bonnie Pestana; otherwise, obtain them from local bead shops or online. JewelrySupply.com has the bead in 24 color options (Swarovski bead code # 5200).
- Two 6 mm bicone crystals in the same color as the ovals (optional; you may use all ovals instead)
- 4 mm bicone crystals, 1 or 2 colors (number will vary, so have plenty
- 3 mm bicone crystals, 1 or 2 colors (number will vary, so have plenty)
- Size 15 seed beads, 2 or 3 colors
- 19 or 49 strand flexible beading wire (Nancy suggests Beadalon), or Fireline
- 2 twisted crimps and a magnetic clasp (or regular crimps and your choice of clasp)

The sample pictured is made using peridot ovals. Dottie used one 6 mm bicone on each end, or you could use all ovals, tapering toward the clasp on each end with 3mm and 4 mm bicones and size 15 seed beads.
If you use a magnetic clasp, you should attach a piece of security chain to it, at least on one end, before attaching it to the bracelet. Also see Jere's bracelet for color combination suggestions. Since the ovals may be hard to obtain, you should get them first, then coordinate the bicones and seed beads. If you can't find the ovals locally (including from Bonnie Pestana), try online, especially JewelrySupply.com. Nancy suggests combining several colors for a richer effect.
This is a fundraising event for the Bead Society. If you'd like to attend, you must first register and pay the $25 event fee. Please contact Dottie via email or phone as listed in our montly newsletters. There is a maximum of 20 participants.

August Program - Stash-buster Holiday Ornament

Wednesday, August 26, 2009
7:00 - 9:00 PM, Linekona Art Center
For the August program, Heather Tipon will lead a workshop to create a holiday ornament.
This ornament is a great way to use up beads. Lots of beads! The inspiration and patterns were found online through craft blogs and free project web pages. The idea is simple: Cut out a holiday shape on a sturdy, cloth-like background, and sew beads in random order onto the background. When the background is completely covered in beads, attach a backing piece to the stitched piece (you can sew this or use glue), attached a ribbon or create a beaded ornament hook, and you’re done.
Samples found online used beads in a monochromatic color scheme for the ornaments, but you can get as creative as you like (or use up as many old beads as you like!). I had a bunch of cheap, red beads in my stash that I wanted to try. They were mixed sizes and shapes, ranging from size 11 seed beads to 6mm rounds. My ideal mix of beads for this project includes 3-4 colors of size 11 seed beads, size 8 seed beads, and beads in all shapes, ranging from 2-3mm to 8mm. I would say a good mix of beads has more beads in the 4mm range than the larger, 6-8mm range. But that’s just me! Bring what you would like to try. A wider mix of bead sizes makes for a very interesting ornament.

Materials List - The materials called for in the original instructions (as found online):
- 1 small piece of wool felt (in coordinating color to your bead mix). I used scraps of ultra suede fabric and it worked just fine.
- Assorted beads
- Sewing or beading needle and thread (I used Fireline, but you can probably use C-Lon type thread, too.)
- Scissors

We will not have printed instructions of the project for you at the meeting (they’re really not necessary for the workshop). If you would like to preview and print the patterns and instructions for yourself, you can do so by going to the following link:

http://www.livingcreatively.com.au/projects/create_now_project.php?v=147

Otherwise, at the meeting, we’ll have the patterns available for you to trace onto your materials, and we’ll run through a quick set of instructions and tips prior to getting started. This is truly a project you can do while watching TV, talking on the phone, or a take-along project to do when you have some downtime outside of the home.
The sample on the right, above, is a partially-complete red wreath, made using the technique we'll be doing in the workshop. If you click through the link above to the project information, you will see beautiful samples in shades of blues and light purples.

2009 Community Service Project

Ipu key chains for the American Cancer Society
Many thanks to a Bead Society member who suggested making Ipu key chains. The American Cancer Society distributes Ipu key chains locally to help women learn the signs for early detection of breast cancer.
We will not be making the key chains during meetings. You can create the key chains at home with free kits. If you are interested in contributing your time, contact the Board or mention it during a meeting.
Information cards are handed out at local hospitals and health centers along with the key chains. I've scanned the front and back of the card so that you can see what the key chain looks like if you're not familiar with it. Click each image for a larger image if necessary.

July Program - Chevron Chain

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
7:00 - 9:00 PM, Linekona Art Center

For the July program, Dottie Rosinksy will be leading a workshop on the Chevron Chain.

From Dottie: This simple chain can be made in any length and used in many different applications, such as different styles of necklaces: long, short, single- or multi-strand, or lariat. You can probably use beads in your present stash! You don't need to decide on the ultimate use of the chain when you start; I had made my blue chain long before I acquired the two blue beads on the ends of the lariat as a door prize and then decided on the lariat.

Materials List:
The materials called for in the original instructions in Bead & Button Magazine (June 1994) are as follows:
- Size 2 (7 mm) or 3 (9 mm) bugle beads
- Size 11 seed beads (the diameter of the seed beads should be equal to or greater than that of the bugles)
- Nymo B or D thread [or Fireline 6 lb.]
- Thread conditioner if using Nymo
- Size 12 needles

The lengths of the bugle beads given in the Materials List are not necessarily accurate. I used bugles labeled size 2 which measured 4 mm, and I used them successfully with 4 seed beads as shown in the instructions. I'll show examples with different lengths of bugle beads and numbers of seed beads, but this is not a good place to use really long bugles which some members used in the spiral rope project.

You can download and print a color copy of the two-page article at:
http://dianefitzgerald.com/Articles/ChevronChain.pdf

Dottie will have a few black and white copies of it available at the meeting. If you would like to be sure to receive one, please call or e-mail Dottie (contact information is provided in the newsletter), as she doesn't want to make more copies than necessary. The instructions and illustrations in the article are kind of vague, but she can demonstrate starting, and after that it becomes easy, so this printed handout may not even be needed.

Also on Diane's Web site, there is an extensive list of Diane’s books and articles, many in PDF form that you can download and print.

Retreat News!

Good news! We have a tentative location for the retreat: the Macy's Pearlridge Gazebo. We'll announce a late-summer date soon.
On the materials front, one member is opening up her Swarovski stash and is going to sell packaged oval beads (a key part of the design) at a good price for members interested in attending the workshop. Dottie Rosinsky will also provide some suggested color combinations with other crystals.
The bracelet is another beautiful Nancy Craig design, a fun mix of shapes and colors of Swarovski crystals. Nancy has graciously allowed us use of her pattern for our Bead Society gathering.
More information about the retreat, including final cost, date and time, as well as needed materials will be posted to this blog and in announced in later newsletters.

June program - Hawaii State Flag Sun Catcher

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
7:00 - 9:00 PM, Linekona Art Center

For the June program, we are making a beaded Hawaiian flag. The project uses a modified Herringbone stitch. Pattern and instructions will be provided at the meeting. The finished size is about 4 1/4 X 2 1/4 inches.

Materials list:
- 4mm beads (can be Swarovski bicones or Czech fire polish) in red, white, and blue. Roughly 140 of red, less than 100 of blue, and less than 100 and white.
- Size 11 seed beads in coordinating red, white, and blue colors (The sample uses 11° white opaque seed beads [# 402], 11° blue translucent seed beads [# 151], and 11° red translucent seed beads [# 141].)
- Crystal Fireline 6 lb. beading thread
- 10 or 12 beading needle
- Scissors
- Beading mat

The example pictured uses Czech Fire Polish 4mm beads ordered online from Fire Mountain Gems (www.firemountaingems.com):
- Opaque White (# H205587GL)
- Cobalt Blue (# H206043GB)
- Light Red (# H206013GB)

Blogger’s note:
The sample pictured is close to, but not the final design! The top-left of the flag will be tweaked prior to the meeting on June 24. This is the best picture I had when the newsletter needed to go to print. Mahalo!

May program - Stars & Stripes for the Ears

Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Linekona Art Center

For the May program, we are making earrings with a peyote-stitched beaded bead. These earrings feature tube beads of Delicas in patriotic colors and stars in blue and silver size 15 seed beads, along with other silver components, as follows.

Stars and Stripes for the Ears materials list:

- Delicas for Tube Beads (Red #723, White #200, Blue #726, and Silver-lined clear #41)
- Blue and silver-lined clear size 15 seed beads for the Stars
- Crystal Fireline 6 lb. for the tube beads and white Silamide or Nymo B for the stars
- Size 10 needle for the tube beads and size 12 needle for the stars (or for both)
- 2 closed rings, 5-6 mm, for the top stars
- Silver small-link chain for the bottom two stars, about 6 inches
- 4 x 6 mm silver daisy spacers

- 4 silver 4 mm bicone crystals
- 8 silver 2 mm beads
- 22 gauge silver wire, about 6 inches
- Hypo glue
- Earwires

Preview - Late summer retreat project

Hello Oahu beaders! Here's is a sneak peek at the bracelet project for the retreat we'll be holding later in the year. It's another beautiful Nancy Craig design, a fun mix of shapes and colors of Swarovski crystals. Nancy has graciously allowed us use of her pattern for our Bead Society gathering. We're currently looking for a venue, so if anyone has any suggestions, please share them during our regular meetings, or email beadsocietyhawaii@yahoo.com.

"Flex Your Creativity" Bead Contest

Contest alert!

What is your perfect color? Show them in the form of an awesome jewelry design! Soft Flex® Company is looking for colorful designs that showcase your creativity. Design entries must include all three Soft Flex® Wire colors from one of ten Trios. There is no limit to the number of designs that you may enter. They encourage you to feature beads and findings from your local bead shop.
FIND OUT MORE HERE!

Spiral Tube Workshop April 22, 2009

Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Linekona Art Center

For the April program, we are having a workshop on the spiral tube stitch. This project is a simple technique that has many possibilities. You can make a necklace long enough to go over your head without a clasp by creating a long continuous rope, or a shorter necklace with a clasp. A bracelet can be made either completely with the spiral tube or combined shorter sections with other components. You can also make earrings either with a continuous circular loop or short dangles of the spiral tube. The design may be made with one, two, or three colors of bugle beads connected by seed beads. Three colors of bugles gives a particularly intriguing spiraling design, with a single color of coordinating seed beads. Black or dark colors of beads and thread are not recommended for learning. After starting with size 2 or 3 bugles (about 1/4") and size 10 or 11 seed beads, try smaller sizes of bugles, along with size 14 or 15 seed beads and finer needles and thread, for a delicate piece. These involve many changes of thread, as it doesn't go very far, and you'll get a lot of practice tying, gluing, and burying knots.

Diane Fitzgerald has a downloadable color PDF on her Web site, http://www.dianefitzgerald.com/. I will also have some black and white copies of the magazine article; if you would like to be sure to get a copy of one of these black and white copies, call me as I don't want to copy more than necessary. If you have a collection of Bead & Button magazines, it's from the October 1994 issue. (from Dottie Rosinsky)

Spiral Tube materials list:

- Size 2 or 3 bugle beads, 1 to 3 colors
- Size 10 or 11 seed beads (not Delicas)
- Nymo D thread or Fireline 6 lb.
- Size 10 or 12 needle
- Hypo glue for knots
- Ceramic tray and/or beading mat
- Clasp (optional for necklace) or earwires (optional for earrings)

Softflex Bead Festival starts Friday

Don't forget! This Friday the Ward Warehouse hosts the SoftFlex Art Glass and Bead Festival. The show starts Friday at 10:00 AM. Please go and support the artists and companies coming in from the Mainland, as well as local stores who are operating booths.