Un-Finished Objects Blog Hop or UFOs as we like to call them…
By francie | March 11, 2017
A while back, the lovely Karen Williams invited me to a “support group” for all those un-finished objects that all beaders have. I hopped right on board. I have an entire set of drawers full of UFOs! One of the perils of being a full time beader and designer. Inspired by the rest of the group, I resolved to tackle the drawers. I went through each drawer and catalogued what was there and what needed to happen for it to get finished. I also pulled out the things that I knew I would never finish, and I pulled out the things that were kits that hadn’t been started. I had 4 drawers of projects to cull.
What I learned was that pretty much everything there was there for a reason. A problem was encountered: maybe lack of supplies, maybe technical difficulties, perhaps even insufficient skill level at the time of the project. Some of the reasons were small. Those are the projects that get pulled out when it’s show time and I need some quick inventory. I think I found at least 7 bracelets that just needed clasps!
I managed to finish a few quick fixes. I have three major UFOs that I would really like to finish this years, but an unexpected vacation and a secret bead project have kept me from tackling those just yet. For the reveal, I decided to go with a project that has been languishing for at least 5 years. In addition to the pile of nearly finished bracelets, I found 6 crocheted ropes just waiting to be finished.
This pair of ropes was completed shortly after I learned to do bead crochet at least 5 years ago, maybe longer. I had made several bangles with a similar color scheme. I think I originally planned to make more bangles, but I got inspired to hunt for lampwork beads to match. I found these beads at the Bead and Button Show several years ago. They were carefully wrapped in tissue in the same bag as the rope. Now they have been joined together. I added a few onyx spacers to tie the lampwork in with the ropes. The clasp is sterling silver with a black stone of some sort in the center. I am quite pleased with the outcome. It inspired me to dig out the other ropes, but alas, I do not have the requisite focal beads to pull the others together just yet. I guess I know what I’ll be shopping for in June.
I also found this cute little dagger bracelet. It’s so wiggly, I can’t stop playing with it! I added the perfect purple slide clasp, and reinforced the whole dang thing since it seemed like that would be a good idea. I think this one will be worn a lot.
It has been fun seeing what everyone else in the group has been working on. I look forward to seeing which projects they chose to finish for the blog hop. Pop on by everyone else’s blog to see what they have been working on.
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Christine Van Dyke Altmiller, One Kiss Creations
Amy Severino, Amy Beads
Therese, Therese’s Treasures
Kim Dworak, CianciBlue
Liz E, Bead Contagion
Margo Lynn Hablutzel, My World and It’s Full of Books
Cynthia Machata, Antiquity Travelers
Cathi Salzarulo Kent, The Cat’s Meow
9 Comments
antiquitytravelers on March 11, 2017 at 3:06 PM.
That first one is so fun – those colors are festive! and that dragon scale bracelet is so cool – I bet if feels wonderful to run your hand over. Good for you – 2 down ….. how many to go?
francie on March 11, 2017 at 8:22 PM.
The dagger bracelet is definitely fun to pet. 2 down 200ish to go? I didn’t count because I think it might freak me out. But there are definitely a lot left.
Bead Contagion on March 11, 2017 at 5:52 PM.
Sensational UFO’s. You found the perfect focal and brought the necklace together in a true rainbow of beauty. Whoever wears it will feel joy! I also love the dagger bracelet. Fun, fun, fun! What stitch did you use?
francie on March 11, 2017 at 8:26 PM.
Thanks. I was a little worried that they weren’t quite right, but adding those black spacers definitely tied the whole thing together.
The dagger bracelet is super simple. The base is a 3 bead wide peyote stitch in size 6 seed beads. Once it’s the desired length, go back across the rows adding a loop of 5 mini daggers. Add one loop per column of beads. It works up fairly quickly. I decided to reinforce the daggers since I had a bunch of thread left. I think this was a good call. I used 6lb fireline for the whole thing, so it should be pretty sturdy. Let me know if you try one.
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Cathi on March 11, 2017 at 11:48 PM.
Beautiful necklace! I’ve always wanted to bead crochet, but I’m stopped by knowing I’d have to string all the beads first.
Re:your comment on my blog, Do you have Judy Walker’s book? It is well worth buying. She tells all the theory behind her beading.
francie on March 12, 2017 at 1:41 PM.
Pre-stringing beads is not so bad. I often do it while watching tv or listening to an audio book. I do most of my crochet in size 6 and 8 seed beads. I’m a little too chicken to try 11s. So they all string up pretty quickly. If you accidentally add an extra bead, it’s pretty easy to break one out. If you forget a bead, you can just take a stitch without a bead and sew the bead in later. But it’s better to not make mistakes in the first place.
I don’t have Judy’s book. I have taken a few classes from her over the years. She’s a really nice lady. I’ll have to pickup her book at some point.
cianciblue on March 15, 2017 at 8:15 PM.
I have tried many times to learn bead crochet and never have been able to do it. I love the bright happy colors in your necklace and those lampwork beads are beautiful! I also love the dagger bracelet – both of them would be so much fun to wear! I was way too intimidated to do a list, I just pulled the one on the top of the drawer out and that was what I did!
francie on March 16, 2017 at 2:27 PM.
Thanks. I like bright, fun colors.
It took me two different classes to finally get the hang of bead crochet. I think the trick was learning how to do it on a tube that had already been started. Once you got the feel for how to actually do the stitch, we then learned how to start it, which is the hardest part. I still struggle with that. Also, the c-lon cord is great for crochet. Don’t use a super floppy thread when you are starting out.
I only made a list because I had so much stuff, it really was time to clean out the drawers. It’s pretty easy to forget what’s there. With my list, I at least know where to find things now.