Tuesday, 21 April 2015

How I Got into Bead Weaving



When many people think about "bead weaving", it conjures up images of intricate, but sometimes, garish pieces, usually done by middle-aged women. There is nothing wrong with this image, but my friends at the place where I work were amazed when I, as a 24 year-old with blue hair, discovered a love for brick stitch!

I work at a bead shop and hadn't done much jewellery making before I got the job. (I know... I don't know why they hired me either!) After hearing about bead weaving and the stigma attached, I didn't attempt it at all. It seemed unnecessarily complicated and fiddly, then I was browsing a magazine for ideas for another project, and came across a gorgeous bunting necklace that was made using brick stitch! I love bunting... There's something about it that's just so cute and makes me think of tea. Yum!

Now my first attempt was awful. At the time, I thought it was really good, but looking back, no. It was awful. I even made a pair of brick stitch triangle earrings that were for a magazine project (and were featured in the magazine!) and I'm so ashamed of them now! From that moment on, I developed a delica-addiction. It's not healthy the number of tubes of beads I now have! They are useful to have though.

Look at those terribly wobbly triangles!!


It took me a while before I started to create my own patterns. I used to copy other people's and give them to my friends and family members. I didn't realise how easy it is to  make your own pattern! With the help of Bead Tools, it's so easy! I tend to make them with a reference picture open next to the pattern page. It does take a lot of trial and error though, and I'm often not in a patient mood!

This panda is made using a pattern I made myself.



I heard about square stitch thanks to Pixelosis. She creates amazing pixelated pieces of jewellery using this technique. I knew that I wanted to give it a try! I'm still extremely new to this stitch and have only recently mastered the art of increasing! I really want to make tutorials on this stitch, but it takes a very long time to make charms with it. Definitely one for people with patience. With square stitch, it's possible to make things using Perler/Hama bead patterns, and there's lots of them all over the internet!


I need to master Peyote, then I will have three different stitches under my belt! There are so many bead weaving stitches out there! I'm excited to see what things I can create with them.


My favourite stitch is definitely brick stitch. Do you have a favourite? If so, which is it?

Monday, 13 April 2015

I'm moving... Country?!

You read that right! My boyfriend managed to get a job in an international school so in August The Corner of Craft will be in Frankfurt, Germany! I'm really excited about going and having this new experience in my life. I studied German and French at university so I already have the language knowledge, but as I've not spoken it in over 2 years, it's going to be very rusty!

My biggest fear at the moment is finding myself a job. We could live off what the boyfriend is earning but where's the fun in that?? Interviewing for a job in my mother tongue is nerve-racking enough, how am I going to cope in German?! Well there's only one way to tell I guess so we will be preparing for the big move over the next few months.

Have any of you been to Frankfurt before? If so, any recommendations on whereabouts to live/what to do etc?

Wednesday, 1 April 2015

Bunny and Chick Amigurumi Egg Cozy


These adorable egg cozies are so easy to make! You can jazz them up in any way that you choose and add your own creative flair. They are perfect for both normal eggs and creme eggs, making them ideal for Easter. This pattern uses UK terminology.


You will need:
4mm crochet hook
DK yarn
6mm beads (eyes)

Bunny:
Fork

Chick:
3mm hook


Egg Cozy


Ch 2
Row 1: 4 dc in first chain.
Row 2: 2 dc in each stitch round - 8 dc
Row 3: *2 dc in next stitch, dc in next stitch. Repeat from * round - 12 dc
Row 4: *2 dc in next stitch, dc in next 2 stitches. Repeat from * round - 16 dc
Row 5: *2 dc in next stitch, dc in next 3 stitches. Repeat from * round - 20 dc
Row 6: *2 dc in next stitch, dc in next 4 stitches. Repeat from * round - 24 dc.
Row 7-14: dc in each stitch round - 24 dc
Row 15: *dc2tog, dc in next stitch. Repeat from * round - 16 dc. Fasten off.

Bunny ears (make 2):

Ch 2
Row 1: 8 dc in first chain.
Row 2-4: dc in each stitch round.
Row 5: *dc in next stitch, skip next stitch. Repeat from * round.
Row 6-7: dc round. Fasten off.

Bunny tail:

Using a fork, make a mini pompom and attach to the back of the cozy.

Sew on a nose with embroidery thread (or felt) and the beads for eyes.

Chick's Beak:

Using 3mm hook

Ch 4
Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, YO, pull through. Insert hook into final chain, YO pull through (3 loops on hook). YO and pull through all 3 loops. Fasten off and sew onto front.

See video below for how to attach chick fluff!