Playing with Beads

I mentioned in my last post that I've been making some new things with beads, and here they are: bag charms!

A while back I was nosing around on Etsy, as one does, and found the cutest little bag charm for a few bucks. I didn't have any, and as I am wildly fond of bags--mainly organizing bags and especially for my stitching--I decided to get one as a little treat. I was more delighted with it than I expected to be, and that got me thinking: I can make these. So I did!

These are easy to make. I already had a small set of jewelry pliers (flat and needle nose) and a small collection of beads, so I picked up some head pins, jump rings, and lobster claw clasps and went to work. All of these findings are inexpensive and Hobby Lobby will have 50% off sales (along with beads). If you've never worked with jewelry findings, there are lots of tutorial videos on YouTube. It's easy.

Most of the beads were already in my stash, or are from Hobby Lobby, but since I know someone will ask, the iced tea glass is from this shop. I've had mine for quite some time, and when I looked them up for this post, I discovered they now have a black straw in them, which I don't care for, but I thought I would include the link anyway. Perhaps you can find some without, if you prefer.

Back to the sewing room!

Saturday Sampler: Pet Snowflake Edition

 

I've been digging through my Christmas finishing stash and decided I needed a little friend to sit on my craft table while I work, so I made a pet snowflake. No special purchases or instructions; I just used whatever I had on hand. He turned out pretty cute!

I also made a few more needle minders and maids-of-all-work. Info and links about how I make these and what the maids are for in this post.

I've also been playing with beads and trying my hand at making some new baubles for my stitching projects. More on that soon.

And I'm redoing my shelf-top stitching display to celebrate our 250th birthday! And have plans for a special decoration for our front door.

Busy, busy, busy! 

Stitchy Planning... January?!

 

Many of you know that during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, I observe my very own holiday: Stitchy Planning Week. I play in my stash, clean out, organize, and plan projects for the new year. Circumstances have made it a bit hit or miss over the last few years, and the state of my stash reflects that. It needs a good tidy. And I need a good, long stretch of what I call "restful busyness", the kind of busyness that's enjoyable and calming, not stressful and tiring. I need Stitchy Planning... January!

Yes. I've decided that I need way more than one week to do all of the things that need doing in my sewing room. I need to be able to putter around in there without feeling like I have a deadline. I need to play in my stash. Organize. Clean out. Make stuff. Plan projects. Stitch. Finish. Frame. 

I need to just... be. In my little burrow. With all my goodies. Unhurriedly poking around in baskets and boxes. Keeping the things I still love. Passing on the things someone else would love more. Making time for creativity. And for projects I've put off for too long because there was always something "more important" that needed doing (like laundry). Planning. Maybe a little shopping. 

And snacks.

I think I'm just gonna have a retreat in my own sewing room. 

Y'all come on in. Let's see what we get up to.