My friend Suzy came over yesterday for a fun-filled day of beading.  She has always amazed me with the way she works a needle and thread.  Her bracelets are incredible – so bright, colorful, fun and very well constructed.  She’s not afraid to jump in and try a pattern even if the instructions make no sense to a normal human being.

Crown Jewels Fringe Bracelet

During this weekend’s session, Suzy helped me sew my very first bracelet.  In fact, it’s the first thing I’ve successfully sewn in my entire life.  (Andrew repairs the clothes in the house, and sews on new buttons.  I’m pathetic with those tasks.)  The bracelet is from a book called Crystal Brilliance by Anna Elizabeth Draeger.  Suzy and I met her this year at the Tucson Bead Show at the Swarovski event.

This basic fringe design is called Crown Jewels and is featured on page 14.  It’s the easiest of all easy sewn bead patterns and packs a big punch depending on the colors you use.  I chose clear crystal and light sapphire blue Swarovski bicones with clear seed beads, while Suzy opted for some pretty pinks and light green beads for hers.

I really enjoy beading but I enjoy it more with Suzy.  Great conversation is always on the menu, followed by a teach-n-learn from one of us to the other.  As you can see, yesterday was very lucrative for my jewelry rack.  I made five rings, four pair of earrings and a sewn bracelet.  You can see more pictures in my Flickr pool.

This Weekend's Completed Projects