Playing with embroidery

Some time ago, at a bead fair, I picked up a kit by designer Alison Nash. She assured me that bead embroidery was easier than peyote stitching my way around a zig zag bangle.

Of course when she showed me I thought “I could do that!” So I bought a kit.

Her kits are utterly beautiful, with everything you need (except needle and thread) and clear instructions with photos.

Following along the instructions I found this medium quite fun, if a little taxing in places! Not as easy as easy or fast as other techniques but a lot of fun! So here is the pendant I made.

Following on from this I downloaded a template and instructions from her site, which she offers free if you sign up for her newsletter.

Last night, after a busy day, I pulled out my beads, photocopied the template and set about doing something very similar. Before I knew it, it was 3am and all I had left to do was the border and hanging strip. This morning I finished it. What do you think?

I have been lax on the beading front and putting things together for the shop. I am looking at Etsy as another outlet and working on some bracelets I had custom orders for after posting on Facebook.

I finally have some display stands and will be adding more soon.

So it begins

Hello and welcome to Made In Merton!

I have just opened my Folksy Shop with the first item of what I hope to become a lovely collection of hand made wearable art.  I’ve launched with my “It’s Only A Number” brooch.  These fabulous statement brooches (design by Jean Power Beadwork) have been an instant hit wherever I’ve worn them. 

I made this collection of brooches last week, wore one on Saturday morning to a meeting.  I got stopped after the meeting and sold it on the spot to the lady who asked!

 

 

I had some difficulty deciding how to deal with the backing.  I could sew it into a fabric disc glued on the back, but this didn’t work so well in testing.  Using a single disc glued was also problematic.  I finally settled on a double disc of fabric, housing the silver plated brooch pin, which is securely fastened to the back with jewellery glue.

 

 

As someone who always carries a flat tape measure around, and uses it almost every day, this design appealed to the maker in me.  On the other hand I’m also working on losing weight.  It very much reminded me that the numbers on the tape measure, going around my body are just a number.  It’s a gentle reminder to myself that when I’m out and about, I don’t want the number to go up!  A willpower booster to remind me in the sandwich shops not to get the cake, take the fruit instead!

The stars you see in the banner are another Jean Power Beadwork design, made from her book Geometric Beadwork.  Jean is about to publish her follow up book, Geometric Beadwork Volume 2 which is packed full of jaw dropping, beautiful designs.