Book Review - Artistic Seed Bead Jewelry by Maggie Roschyk

A funny thing happened on my way to writing this post.  Yep you guessed it life!  I know it is late but here is what you all have been waiting for.  My sort of annual Tipsy Beading Post.  If you read last years post I have to tell you that so much has changed since that post.  I said that it would not be a regular feature but since so many of you had a good laugh I thought I would attempt another "beading til the Ball dropped" with a bit of help from this.....

So what pattern to pick?  Well that was a no brainer once I saw the "Helena Elements" excerpt from Maggie's book in the Feb/Mar issue of Bead and Button.  In my usual style I fall in love with something that I end up having to morph because I generally stick to my stash for reasons you are all well aware of by now and I tend to fall for projects with beads that are just plain too expensive or hard to find.  I had some gorgeous 12mm puffed squares that I have been holding on to forever and as soon as I saw this pattern I totally knew this was the reason to use them.

I even made a snap clasp to finish this off.

Helena Elements is a fantastic well written and frankly ingenious way of showcasing these beads.  I did have to adjust my bead counts but with how her pattern is written that was an easy task.  I did make one before I started drinking though just to insure I wasn't going to have any surprises.  By the way just in case you are all thinking I am a lush....you know how bars sometimes have a 2 drink minimum?  Well Kristen has a 2 drink MAX.  Yep I am a total lightweight.  

So on the tipsy part....

1. I did so much better on the three I made while waiting for the ball than the first test run.

2. When threading the needle....the middle needle and thread are best to follow!

2. Yes by the time the ball drops you are so ready to morph just about anything ( in your dreams )

5. You totally loose count too often making it very difficult to finish a whole project.

8. Lady Gaga can really freak you out if you have been staring at beads then look up.  Love her music though.

7. Make sure if you want to continue with your Mimosa's watching the New Years Day Parade that it is not on a Sunday!  Had to wait a whole week to have them! 

There now you are well aware of the challenges faced when attempting to plan a tipsy post.  Next time (if there is) I think I will just let it flow.

On the review part of Maggie's book Artistic Seed Bead Jewelry......Yes I have the book.

I have to tell you that I do love the books that are out there but sometimes I also think some bead designers do not remember what it is like to have a restricted budget which can make their projects seem unattainable.  When my hubby asked if I wanted the book I had these reservations, however they were totally unfounded.  Yes the 8mm cubes I so desperately want are a bit difficult to find at a good price for me but her book is filled with so many awesome projects using a lot of readily available beads that I can not wait to make another project.  Her instructions are easy to follow and she can really inspire you to think totally out of the box.  For that I am truly grateful to her for sharing her knowledge.

So there you have it a 2for post.  I can not wait for you all to see the next post.  I have been so lucky to have been selected by Jeannie to participate in........

That's right she picked me!  Click the pic and it will send you to her! I have been working on my design and the reveal is January 25th.  I am so excited to be part of this and she really inspired me to go way outside my comfort zone!

Til then

Hugs and Blessings

KK