Friday, August 20, 2010

Homemade Bead Board

Hi everyone. Long time no post I know. I've been so busy beading, and then got knocked off my feet by a bout of salmonella.  I will try my best to get caught up on everyone's blog this week. I am anxious to see what everyone has been up to.



So if you are like me the little bead boards they sell always feel to small to work on. So I decided to make my own.

Each board measures approximately 21 x 15 inches. They are super easy to make. I took 2 - 3 flattened shipping boxes and taped them together. Any sturdy cardboard would work. Then I padded them with either some thick cotton fabric or a couple of the vellux bead mats you can buy for $1.00 or less at the bead stores. This makes them nice and soft to rest your wrists on, and also gives a little cushion to stick your needle in. I'm sure there are lots of other options, but the vellux mats, and cotton fabric were what I had on hand. Then I bought a yard of vellux fabric from Jo Ann's fabric store, using my coupon so it cost me around $8.00. Out of that I was able to make a wrist rest, 3 boards, a cover for my camera, and still have enough for either another board or another wrist rest. I wrapped the fabric over the top and secured on the back with a staple gun.

Easy as that and I have a large bead mat to work on. I love it as it is easy to swap out projects without having to pack everything up. I just cover with a piece of scrap vellux cloth to protect from dust, set it on the shelf, and grab another project that I am working on. I purchased some great little ceramic dishes from the dollar store that are shallow and wide enough to be able to easily string my beads onto the needle.

Here are some pictures:





Thursday, August 5, 2010

busy busy busy

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't been posting lately. I've been working on a beading project, which I have torn apart 4 times now. I am determined to make it work though, so it is has been consuming all of my attention. I am eager to see how it will turn out; however the perfectionist in me keeps willing me to tear it apart and start over, so I'm not sure when or if there will ever be an end to it. I keep reminding myself if I can just get through it, that I can always call it a prototype, and start fresh with a new and improved one once I get to the end of this one. I'm sure you've all been there :)

Anyways. I am hoping to catch up on everyone's blog and see what everyone has been up to this weekend. I am sorta penciling in Sunday for a day of blogging :) I also have several pictures of my studio that I took a few weeks ago, and am eager to share.

Okay. I gotta get back to the beading. Just wanted to drop a quick note to show I'm alive and say hi to everyone.

I know my contest/giveaway list is also behind. I will be updating that on Sunday also. So if anyone has any fun contest or giveaways please let me know. Would love to add them to the list.

Have a fantastic rest of your week, and a fun filled weekend :)