Beaded Talking Tulips

Here are some talking tulips that I have been working on. They are made with transparent yellow and green beads. I used brown beads for the stamen. I have admired these beauties on a larger scale at the General Assembly in Richmond, VA along with pansies, dogwood and other floral delights.

Tulips represent lasting love and happy years. They measure approximately 10-11" in length and the bloom is about 1 3/4" across.

Close Up

Front View

Back View

Top View

Using Delica Beads

I went to B&B a few days ago to buy some purple seed beads for a rose. There were not any royal purple regular seeds beads, so I looked to the Delica beads. I've not used them before and had no idea why the cost more. So here is what I found out:

Delica beads are a specific brand of bead made by the Miyuki Company in Japan. They are cylindrical in shape and have very thin walls, as opposed to the rounder, thick-walled seed bead. They line up perfectly in loom and in off-loom stitches such as Brick or Peyote, with the thin walls and large holes allowing for multiple thread passes through each bead. Delica beads are so precise and they make any pattern line up perfectly and give a clean, crisp finish to any project. The beads are usually of excellent quality, creating fewer culls when you are working and therefore are cost effective (Taken from About.com).

So for this rose, I used Delica beads for the petals and regular seeds beads for the leaves. You can really see the difference between the beads. I love the way this rose turned out. The only thing I didn't know was that I had to use more Delica beads to make the same size flower when using regular seed beads. Even though Delica beads cost twice as much as regular seeds beads, I will definitely use them again.

May Lily BOGO

March winds, April showers brings forth May flowers and this wonderful sale! Lilies, which are the May birth flowers, will go on sale starting Tuesday, April 1. You can purchase full size lilies, tiger lilies, peace lilies, and calla lilies. You can also request the mini-me sizes, just let me know. Since my birthday is in May, when you purchase one lily you can a second lily for FREE.

Full Size Lilies are $16

Mini-me Lilies are $8

Paddle vs. Artistic Wire

As you know I went to B&B the other day for red seed beads for my sweetheart roses (click for previous post). When I was ready to make them, I remembered that I am extremely low on red wire. Since I didn't feel like going to the store, I decided to use green paddle wire instead. I started working on a rose for the boutonniere, but stopped when I taped it together. I don't like seeing the green wire from the front or the back of the bloom.

Front View

Back View

I actually prefer paddle wire, especially since it's cheaper than artistic wire. 26 gauge paddle wire is also stiffer than 26 gauge artistic wire. When I first started making beaded flowers, I used 24 gauge wire and hated that my fingers were sore at the end of the day. I love artistic wire because it's available in a wide range of colors. I can only find paddle wire in green, gold and red (only in 24 gauge) at my local craft stores.

So even though I love the mini-sweetheart rose I made for the boutonniere, I think I'll wait to get red artistic wire before I continue.

History of Beaded Flowers and More

Recently Rosemary Kurtz submitted an article in EZine about bead flowers. The article includes the history of bead flowers, the 9/11 wreaths, the Swarovski project and much more. Click on the following link to view the article.
http://ezinearticle%20s.com/?expert=

To view Rosemary's work go to http://www.rosemarykurtz.com/

Beaded Birthday Gifts

This year I plan on making a birth flower for each month, if I haven't already done so. These flowers will be on sale during their respective month, so check back often for undates.

January - Carnations & Snowdrop

February - Iris & Violets

March - Daffodils

April - Daisy & Sweet Pea

May - Lilies {{{My birth flower}}}

June - Roses

July - Larkspur & Water lily

August - Gladiola & Poppy

September - Aster & Morning Glory

October - Calendula, Cosmos

November - Chrysanthemum

December - Holly, Narcissus, Poinsettia

February Birth Flower - Irises & Violets

Birth Flower Sale
Ends February 29 at 12 midnight EST

Beaded Iris

1 Iris for $10
3 Irises for $25

Each stem includes 1 bloom and 1 leaf
Measures approximately 13-14" in length. Blossom is approximately 2" (5cm) across

Mini-Me Beaded Iris

1 Iris for $4.50
3 Irises for $12

Each stem includes 1 bloom and 2 leaves
Measures approximately 7" in length. Blossom is approximately 1" across

COLORS: Available in white, topaz, yellow, pink, red, purple, and blue (shown). Include color choice in the message to seller section during checkout.

FLOWER MEANING: Irises represent faith, hope, and wisdom.

========================================================

African Violet Hair Pins

COLORS: Available in white, crystal, topaz, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple (shown), and blue. Include color choice in the message to seller section during checkout.

Carnations Sale - January Birth Flower

Sale Ends January 31 at 12 midnight EST

1 Carnation for $10

3 Carnations for $25

Each stem includes 1 bloom and 3 leaves.

Measures approximately 18-19" (47-48cm) in length - can be shortened to desired length. Blossom is approximately 2" (5cm) across

================================================

COLORS: Available in pink, red, purple (shown), white, and yellow. Include color choice in the message to seller section during checkout.

FLOWER MEANING: Carnations represent pure, deep love. Certain colors also have a significant meaning.

Pink - I'll Never Forget You

Red - My Heart Aches For You, Admiration

Purple - Capriciousness, Whimsical

White - Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman's Good Luck Gift;

Yellow - You Have Disappointed Me, Rejection

One Hit Wonder

For your viewing pleasure, the following items are my "One Hit Wonders" so once they're sold, I won't make another one.

Basket of Lilies
Miniature basket with white tiger lilies growing out of it. This is the perfect little decor for you home or office and can also be given as a gift if you can part with it.

New November Items

This is the latest addition to my floral line for your viewing pleasure. They are available for purchase at Chop Suey Books in Richmond, VA during the Holiday Bizarre Market. Let me know what you think.

Pinky Trillium Spray
I bought this cool looking "bubble" vase and just had to make something to go with it.

You can purchase a custom trillium spray from my Etsy shop.

Basket of Lilies

I was in the mood to make lilies and had this mini basket on hand. So. . .This is what I created.

This is a "One Hit Wonder" so once it's sold, I won't make another one.

Moss Roses and Pine Needles

This is the first bouquet I've made. I wanted to start out small so I make something "quickly". So here you have 3 large blooms, 3 small blooms, 4 buds and a lot of pin needles. This would also make the perfect bouquet for a flower girl and someone with small hands. I placed it in a clear vase and surrounded it by white decorative sand.

Windflower
Okay - so this is what happens when I have leftover beads

November News

Hey everyone - Here are the latest news and updates for my products. Let me know if you have any questions or comments.


NEW CUSTOMERS
All new customers receive 10% off their first order.

NOVEMBER BIRTH FLOWER
Chrysanthemum Spider Mum




NEW THIS MONTH

Coral Earrings














Bougainvillea Candle Holder



Bougainvillea Stem



Lilies



Ivy Stem



Pine Needles



Starr Flower Stem


That's all for now. Have a beadiful day!

What are "French beaded flowers"?

The term "French beaded" refers to the techique I use to create my flowers. When using this technique, thousands of tiny seed beads are strung onto flexible wire and sculpted into various flower components (i.e. petals, leaves, etc). These parts "come to life" when they are crafted to make flowers and foliage. Next the stems are wrapped with floral tape and embroidery floss to give them a silky finish.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about French beaded flowers.