…that I’ve made that is.

Beading and stitching go hand in hand. Many stitched pieces are embellished with beads, and many beading techniques are stitching. Of late I have been working on the beaded side of things as evidenced by my recent posts. It is a short trip from beading to jewelry making. In the midst of my bead and jewelry re-purposing I came across a jar of buttons I’d put aside for use “someday”. Today was that someday. Inspired by a ring I saw in a post on Decadence 2 Boutique and this black and gold-ish button I came across in the jar, I have made my first ring. And it is absolutely mine. My technique is obviously rough and in need of practice, but I think it came out very well for a first effort.

Taking the pictures proved to a bit of a challenge at first. It is intended to be a right hand ring yet every camera I’ve ever come across has the button on the right. Once we worked around that, even the pictures turned out well, at least in my humble opinion.

Tags: Beading, Finished Pieces // Add Comment »

I spent a good portion of Saturday afternoon pulling apart various bits jewelry that were either pieces I do not wear or were broken.  These were all put into various empty baby food containers.   I also went through my various loose beads and findings and transferring things in bags into the little plastic containers as well.

No, that isn’t a blatant add for Fire Mountain Gem, but this is.  There are only a couple a small beading shops within an hour’s drive, and one I absolutely refuse to go to due to very poor customer service (or even acknowledgment).  So I get my bead on through Fire Mountain.  I do keep meaning to drive out to Ventura to the shop there…A Thread Garden and Bead Time  I may need to gather up a friend or two to make the trip.

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My newest listing on Etsy

And a lovely Score at Michaels this evening, 5 hanks of glass beads and a 7 inch of abalone sticks for $13 (including tax). May have to go back tomorrow.

Tags: Beading, Lefty on Etsy // Add Comment »

Now that the package has finally arrived, I can post pictures!  My friend was wanting something like a chatelaine but not one to keep her scissors close at hand.  I told her to find me a focal bead that she liked, and I would take it from there.  She found a marvelous cloisonne set at Fire Mountain Gems.  I think the part that took the longest was deciding what beads and findings to use to compliment the focal bead.  There were so very many choices.  I am happy with my choices and the resulting piece.  My friend is ecstatically happy with it too, which is the best part.  She has also promised me photos.

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Nordic Needle’s annual Bookmark Challenge runs officially from March 18 – May 6 this year. I have decided to start a bookmark stitch along to help contribute bookmarks to the literacy cause. If you would like to participate, please leave a comment and include your URL if you have a blog.

The only requirement for the bookmark is that it be handmade. Please share pictures of your bookmarks with us. There are two options for submission of the bookmarks. You can either send them directly to Nordic Needle at
Nordic Needle
Attn: Bookmark Challenge
1314 Gateway Drive S.
Fargo, ND 58103

or you can send them to me, and I will submit them in batches during the challenge time frame. If you would rather send them to me please send an email to lefthandedstitcher at sbcglobal dot net.

And to kick it all of, I am offering a free bookmark pattern.

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More beaded counting pins listed on Etsy.

Pink Marking Pin

Blue Marking Pin

Black Marking Pin

Lavender Marking Pin

Purple Marking Pin

Light Blue Marking Pin

And a Laying Tool

Tags: Beading, Lefty on Etsy, Needlework // 1 Comment »

I have had my shop set up for awhile but not populated. The first marking pin went up tonight. I will add a few more later this week.

The Left Handed Stitcher’s Etsy Shop

Here’s a sneak peak at what’s coming.

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My first post for the TUSAL since joining…my 2010 Ort Keeper…I’m not using the glass rolling pin since that would not show any progress.

First I started with this container… but then I figured that was way too optimistic.  I really don’t get that much stitching time between my job and my toddler.

So I decided to go a bit smaller…

Here’s a side by side comparison…

What is in my 2010 Port right now is some bits of sewing thread and a couple of snips of fabric from my recent pin cushion obsession.  I add some bits of gold eyepin pieces and a couple of seed beads from some beading projects I worked on this weekend.

For more information or to join the TUSAL (total useless stitch along) visit Dragon My Needle.

Tags: Beading, Needlework, TUSAL // 2 Comments »

Sometime ago I made myself a beaded lanyard.  A few beads broke and it was in need of restringing.  I was finally able to do that and make some changes that I think make it function better.  I started with the sitting buddha as the focal piece ad went from there.  It was a lot fun to do.

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A little sneak peak of a new item I am working on…

We’ll see how this turns out.

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