Almost there

It's been a good week! I've made good progress on joining the sides of the purse. Since the last post, I've finished joining one side, and I'm left with about 1/4 on the other seam. And I have to say I like the way it's looking!



It was also easy enough to figure out how to stitch the peyote section and base together so it's completely sealed on the 'corners'. I took some close ups for when I have to the other side, and for future reference. Those extension tubes for my camera are very handy now!



I'm thinking about the strap/handle and fringe while I work. For the strap I'm thinking perhaps this. I'll leave you to imagine what it may look like :)

I haven't had time to work on those bracelets and the strip for the violin yet. I work an extra day from home now, so it's one less day of beading. But more money at least :) I've been waking up by about 7:10 these days to get some in before the minis wake up. I've also learnt to take (more) regular breaks. So now I (try to) bead for about 15-20mins then break for about 5-10mins. I find it hard to start-stop so much, but I shall just grin and bear it because it's for my benefit.

This morning as has become my routine, I woke early and worked on joining the side. I managed to do quite a bit but had to put away for work and then having my hair done. I would have gone back to it this evening but my thumb is feeling the strain!

I have a commission to start planning for. It will be another (colour) portrait of newlyweds. I will probably try and work on the pattern over the coming days. I don't know if I'm allowed to share it online so, erring on the side of caution, I will keep it hidden unless I'm told otherwise.

Hopefully the next time I blog the seam will be done and I'll be doing the lining. The part I'm most dreading as it involves a sewing machine :D That grin is pure front! But good enough I have enough lining material to make mistakes!

Tomorrow is an early start so I bid you goodnight. Enjoy your Saturday :)

Practice makes (almost) perfect

I have made a lot of progress since my last blog post. I finished joining the two panels, and made a start on weaving in the warps along the top edges - I'm more than half done on one of them. The joining was a little slow going. I made a few mistakes, one of which couldn't be undone. It can be seen if you look closely enough, but It will likely be covered up by the fringe.

I went to the local haberdashery on Saturday to buy the lining and zip. I went to the shop with the purse so I could pick the right colour. I tried it on black, cream and white. The black won out in the end. I had to buy a larger zip to get the one I wanted. But I think (hope) I'll be able to work with it! I'll try and do a video on sewing the lining. I'm not very good with sewing (read dislike) but will give it a go. Let's hope I don't regret it :)

I have made a start on the violin - decorating it. I sanded most of it down to get rid of the smooth varnished finish. The colour scheme for the side strip will use the colours in the Ugandan flag (my country of origin) - black, yellow and red. Here is the one motif I have so far designed.

The plan is to stitch the loomed strip to ultra suede and glue that to the woodwork. I have a design in mind for the back. Again based on the culture of Uganda. I still have to measure and design for it, so shall leave that for now. I think it would be good to include the crested crane, perhaps at the front. But there is something else (related to the design for the back) that I want on the violin. I'll have to see if I can squeeze everything in! In the meantime I have made a start on 'beading' the violin. The method of putting the beads on neat a time is very slow going. So it could take a while to get all the way round!



Tomorrow is another day! Happy beading and sleep well.

Slow and steady wins the race

I've managed to do a little joining on the panels of the purse. When I get a chance to sit down and do any, I get into a rhythm and it goes quite smoothly. But overall it is a little slow going. I've made the mistake of weaving into the wrong space, and had to pull out several warps before i could continue.



I thought it would be a good technique to show, so here is a video demonstrating how you do the join. The principle is the same as for reweaving warps. I hope the video is clear and it's easy to understand.



It's starting to look good though, so I shall soldier on! Of course I'll have to do this for the warps on the top edges as well. Either that or knot. I have decided I will line the purse, so will think of how to handle the warps along the top edge so I don't have to reweave. Once I'm done with the join (hopefully by Friday night time allowing), I will then be able to go and buy the lining. I want to be able to try it out rather than go with what I think would go well with it.

The other things to consider now are the fringe and the side joins. I'm thinking joining the sides using odd-count peyote. Square stitch could work but I think it would be a little slower to work up. Another option could be to loom two strips and join them on. For the fringe, I have an idea I would like to try for the shape and layout. I'm thinking Swarovksi beads of some sort, though that sounds rather vague!. In any case, the plan is to browse some sites of bead shops and see if I can find something that catches my eye. I'm open to ideas if you want to make any suggestions.

I received all the beads for the Nelson Mandela bracelet except for two. I don't know f I an make a start as yet. I still have to edit the pattern. But hopefully the loom will be wiped by Sunday. There's another portrait I need to work on - its on my large homemade loom. So much to do and so little time!

Good wishes for the rest of the week, and I hope you enjoy(ed) the video!

And CUT!

It's off the loom!!!! And it feels lovely in my hands. Yesterday I finished weaving the photo bracelet that was on the other side of the loom. I then had the boring (self-inflicted) task of reweaving those pesky warp ends. Yes, once again I ignored my own advise! When will I learn to weave them in as I go??? Anyway, I finished weaving in the ends today and cut it (and the two bracelets) off the loom.

I haven't looked at or touched the other panel since I finished weaving But they were quickly dealt with. Once I get into a rhythm it's easy and not as boring! So here are the panels side by side after being cut from the looms. I think I made a mistake - the row number doesn't seem to tally. If you exclude the 3 rows (of bead soup) I added to form the base, it seems the panel on the right I short by 1-2 rows. The extra will just have to form part of the base. I'll align them properly once I'm joining the sides.



As mentioned before, the plan was to weave it as one large piece. However, my large loom wasn't free. So the solution to this little dilemma is to join the bottom of the panels.

The method is the same as hiding the warps so is easy. I've already made a start. I will try and post a video on Tuesday. Fingers crossed I get a chance to record it in silence. If not I'll just remove the sound. Hopefully it will be clear nonetheless.

Here are the two bracelets I had on the back of the loom. The black and white is awaiting edging and some extensions before the clasp is attached. The photo bracelet is also awaiting edging then the clasp. I'm hoping I can complete both by the weekend. I've enjoyed having multiple projects on the loom. I'll definitely be using that feature again!



I ordered the beads for the Nelson Mandela bracelet. I'll have to do some editing to move the face to the centre rather than what will be the back. Then I can make a start. I'm thinking I should also try and make a start on the violin project too. Perhaps I can try seed beads instead of delicas. I'll see what I have in my stash.

Meanwhile happy beading, weaving, reading and a good start to the week.