Alice & The White Rabbit

Oh my!
I am just about to complete the Alice In Wonderland Series. Here's a sneak peak at the White Rabbit in progress and the rough draft of Alice.

"The Queens" Long Needle Case Finished!

"The Queens" Long Needle Case in Progress.

Too much fun! Should have The Queens ready for sale in the next few days.

Please Pray For A Special Young Lady

I had the honor and the privilege of meeting a very special young lady during the Summer of 2009. Her name is Amanda. Shortly after I met her she was diagnosed with brain cancer. The challenges this diagnosis has brought her have been more than I think I could handle. I am told that Amanda has faced this battle head on and never complains. That she is an inspiration to everyone around her.

A belated birthday is planned for her this Saturday. Amanda has requested that gifts be brought for children in the hospital or items be brought that sheltered animals could use in lieu of presents for herself.

Amanda has touched my soul. I knew from the moment I met her she was special. I never dreamed she was going to touch my heart in such a big way.

Amanda,
Stay strong my friend. We will bead again.
Beth

Mad Hatter Needle Case Pattern

Gypsy & Maverick join the brood!

These pups were saved by my daughter. Miss Gracie had her babies much sooner than I was expecting. Maverick was found outside cold and near death. My daughter found him, warmed him and saved his life. She named him Maverick because he is brave and strong. She never plans to get rid of him. The only girl is mine. She is so pretty. I named her Gypsy. JJ, Victor and Spencer are all doing great. They can hardly wait to play with the new babies. Everyone is warm, happy and their bellies are full.

A Random Act of Kindness

When I left for work last night I did not bother to stop and check the mailbox because:

A. It was really cold outside.
B. I don't like to be late.
C. I could have sworn I saw the mailman driving down the wrong side of the road.

He must be new. I did not recognize the Charcoal Gray Jeep Cherokee. But, there was a yellow flashing light just off center on it's roof. I assume this is the new mailman. Yeah! At least someone is trying. Now if they can just pick up the speed a little. Who else gets their mail at dark-thirty?

So, I waited until I got home this morning to check the box. Much to my surprise a very special treasure was waiting on me. Robbie Payne (read her blog here) sent this gift to me.

See the special note inside?
It reads...
12/2010
Beth, Hope you can use! Robbie

Oh, I can use alright. It will not stay empty long. I am going to keep it in my nursing bag. I will store all the little tiny things that I need in emergency situations in the ICU. You know like spare parts and stuff that are not always easy to find, but a good nurse can get her hands on them in a hurry.

It will be used when time is of the essence and
small things mean so much.

So pretty. I LOVE IT!
I always wanted one of these. Now I have one.

Robbie,

Thank You so much for sending me this gift from the heart, not Walmart. It means so much to me.

Until We Bead Again, Beth

Needle Case Patterns - Another Dozen

Mad Hatter Beats The Rabbit

Something told me that little pesky rabbit would just have to wait.
Here's the rough draft for The Mad Hatter.
Much more to come!
Tweak, tweak, tweak!
You have no idea how much work goes into designing a needle case until you have tried it!

What have I gotten myself into? The Queen of Hearts is already haunting me!

Cheshire Cat Beaded Needle Case Pattern

Tah Dah!!! I finally finished The Cheshire Cat Long Needle Case Pattern!!!! I am very happy with it. Final count...18 different colors! He will complete the next dozen patterns that I will offer for just 12 bucks! Look for the new collection available soon on my website.

This needle case was attempted, rough drafted, tweaked, undone, & redone until I finally got it.

I have that pesky little rabbit in my sights.

And then there is this guy.

Business is booming!

Thank you to all my new customers and the old faithful ones too. My patterns are swirling around the world thanks to this wonderful thing called the Internet.

It is truly the ultimate satisfaction for a bead artist. Come up with an idea, express it in beads and have others repeat what you have created. Some even take it one step further and alter my patterns to make their own creations. Brilliant!

Here's what I am working on right now. And yes, it is official. I am going to make a series of Alice in Wonderland needle cases. Why...I don't know. The challenge is great, but the subject matter and colors ease the labor.

Because I was not able to fit that pesky little rabbit on the first one, he has earned a short needle case all to himself. Maybe I can have him ready by Spring. That remains to be seen.

Hope everyone is having fun this crafty season!

Until We Bead Again, Beth

P.S.

I'll be here, beading by the window in the sunlight if you need me.

Cheshire Cat Beaded Needle Case Pattern

Now the real fun begins! Final draft before beading. I can't wait to get started on this one. It's 30 degrees outside and I can't think of anything better to do than get busy beading! If all goes well and things turn out as expected, I will have this pattern available on my website in just a few days. Wish me luck!

I will not be defeated by the Cheshire Cat Needle Case!

And so the story goes. The Cheshire Cat has been haunting me since I watched Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland on the big screen back in March. This is the first rough draft. All attempts before this were just that. Attempts. If you have never designed a needle case before and you are looking for a new challenge in bead work, I highly recommend you give it a try. Just be sure you are up for the challenge of making big things fit into itty, bitty, tiny places. Oh and you also need a pretty good idea of how the reflection of light makes different bead finishes appear to be something they are not. 

This is far from over. I still have plenty of tweeking to do. I still want to fit in the hat and the rabbit. Maybe the hat but the rabbit is looking pretty doubtful at this point. Then there is this dream I keep having about making a whole series of Alice in Wonderland needle cases. Not that I am a huge fan of the story. To be honest, I fell asleep at the movie and I am too old to remember just what this whole story is about. But, what I do know is, I love all the colors and the cast of characters. I also love the challenge of making big things fit into itty, bitty, tiny places. Don't knock it until you have tried it!