Silk Gypsy Steampunk Cuff Bracelet from Good River Gallery

STEAMPUNK/GYPSY
MULTIMEDIA CUFF BRACELETS ON ETSY!

Alrighty - these are just silly and fun to make. They have rough frayed edges, are almost completely made of thai silk with some other stuff thrown in just for good measure.

http://hannahrachel.etsy.com

Hey There from Hannah Rosner at Good River Gallery

My thanks this last month goes to Paulette Rosner-Baron and Amy Katz, who hosted a really wondefully fun Bead Bash at Amy's house in mid-January. Barb and I had a great time - thank you both and I'm looking forward to seeing you again in March.

Sasha turns 5 this early February. I'm thankful she made it this far, although she's started to have some reactions to her medications. Her fur is thinning significantly, especially on her little nose and on her toes. She's still hungry and loves her walks, though. We've started giving her baths, which she seems to enjoy, so she's also impossibly white before we take her outside and she finds any old mud puddle.

I'm still assembling new kits and putting them up for sale as I make them on my Etsy. Some of them are only going to be made once since I had only enough supplies for one and haven't been able to replace them. You can preview them on Etsy, or see the whole set if you are a member of the Northern Virginia Bead Society - I'll be teaching there in early March!



I know its still winter out there, but its time to start thinking Valentine's Day projects. Check out the new Valentine's Day beads on my Etsy - I'm still adding new ones. Also new on Etsy is a new line of fiber and bead and "whatever" steampunk/gypsy inspired cuff bracelets. They are huge and froofy and... well, just sort of bizarre. Check them out!



February is really busy for classes!

Ally Beads Classes for February:
Bead Embroidered Bracelet February 26th
You can register online at http://www.allybeads.com
Columbus Polymer Clay Guild Buckeye Bash:
The guild has asked me to give my lecture on Successfully Selling on Etsy on Feb 17. Hope to see you then!
Glass Axis Classes for February:
Intermediate Level Lampworking Feb 18&19.
Beginning Beadmaking February 18, morning.
You can read about the classes at http://www.glassaxis.org
Gahanna Bead Studio classes for February:
Champagne Dreams - February 15
Shamballa Bracelet - February 22
DNA Spiral - February 25 (photo above)
You can register online at http://www.gahannabeadstudio.com
Happy New Year!
Hannah
http://www.goodrivergallery.com

http://hannahrachel.etsy.com

New Kits from Good River Gallery

NEW KITS AVAILABLE ON ETSY!

I have new kits available! The idea, of course, was to use up extra beads. This never works since I had to go shopping to complete the kits. And I would never possibly go overboard with my bead shopping, so... there are an awful lot of kits. Most are one of a kind colorways, so even though you are getting a pattern, your finished piece is likely to be a unique piece of art. Bead kits include everything you need including instructions. You'll have to provide your favorite beading thread (I suggest 6lb or 8lb fireline).



You can see them all here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HannahRachel?section_id=7642073

Japanese Screen Bracelet - a beginning peyote stitch project.
Bright Rainbow Colors - 1 available
Pastels (even softer than the photo) - 1 available
Whites, pinks, lavendars - 1 available
Autumn neutrals (browns, purples, soft greens) - 1 available
Autumn Brights (reds, bright greens, oranges) - 1 available
Warm Colors (reds, oranges, purples) - 1 available
Brocade Ribbon Bracelet - A beginning bead embroidery project. Available in the following colors (the cover photo is the same for all of them since they are limited edition kits - just take a look at the second photo for exactly what is in each kit).
Olive, Blue & Green - 2 available
Blue and Lavendar - 1 available
Seafoam Green, Cream and Beige - 3 available
Rust, Ochre and Olive - 1 available


Steampunk Velvet Ribbon Bracelet
- A beginning bead embroidery project.
Kit is very similar to the sample piece EXCEPT has a larger/better quality wind-up watch and 2 cogs instead of 4 - 1 available
Steampunk Watch and Bead Necklace - a beginning level beading project. Requires basic sewing, but not much else!
Kit is very similar to the sample piece, slightly different seed beads - 1 available
Set a Cab in Beadwork - a beginning/intermediate peyote project. Comes with all kinds of extras in the kit
Gray & White - 1 available
Dahlia Pendant - an intermediate level pendant with a rivoli set at the center.
Stick Pearl Version - 1 available
Crystal Clear Briolette version - 1 available
Champagne Dreams - an intermediate level tri-sided beaded bead with optional fringe techniques to turn it into a tassel pendant. Kit includes beads for the bead plus extras for fringe.
Blue Zircon and AB green - 2 available
Pink/Fuschia/Orange - 1 available
Royal Ruffles Ribbon Bracelet - an intermediate/advanced peyote stitch project. Comes with a beaded toggle clasp tutorial and beads in the kit to complete both the bracelet and toggle.
Matte Silver and iridescent colors - 2 available
Lilacs and Pinks - 1 available
Arabian Nights - the big brother to the Champagne Dreams. Learn a triangular peyote technique. Advanced level.
Amethyst purple square stones with soft purple beads - 1 available

My New Valentine's Shop on Etsy

NEW - VALENTINE'S SHOP ON ETSY!





I'm adding new stuff every day - includes some super sweet items, and a few steampunk-inspired not-so-cutsie pieces.

http://hannahrachel.etsy.com.

News and Updates from Hannah Rosner at Good River Gallery

Are you used to writing 2012 yet?



It finally really snowed here, and the pups want to go outside every five minutes. I've been using the cold weather to finish that long-overdue computer work. It seems like even with updates on my website, there's always more to do. I've just updated the earrings and purse pages as well as added new product into the focal and florals bead sections. Maybe now I can stop for a few moments. Its oddly addictive. This new year has been mainly dedicated to getting some new work ready. I've held over the Hawaiian Sunset Pattern since I've gotten so many email requests to extend the special on it. I've created new kits and put them up for sale as I made them on my Etsy. Or, you can preview them below.



In addition, check out the new pate-de-verre bead sets (preview to the left) and the new Valentine's Day beads (preview below)!



January and February are really busy for classes!

Ally Beads Classes for January and February:
Beginning Peyote Stitch Band Jan 26th, eve
Bead Embroidered Bracelet February 26th
You can register online at http://www.allybeads.com
Columbus Polymer Clay Guild Buckeye Bash:
The guild has asked me to give my lecture on Successfully Selling on Etsy on Feb 17. Hope to see you then!
Glass Axis Classes for February:
Intermediate Level Lampworking Feb 18&19.
Beginning Beadmaking February 18, morning.
You can read about the classes at http://www.glassaxis.org
Gahanna Bead Studio classes for February:
Champagne Dreams - February 15
Shamballa Bracelet - February 22
DNA Spiral - February 25
You can register online at http://www.gahannabeadstudio.com
Happy New Year!
Hannah
http://www.goodrivergallery.com

http://hannahrachel.etsy.com

New Tribal Beads On My Etsy Shop

NEW - TRIBAL BEADS
ON ETSY!




These drop shaped beads range from about 1 1/2" long to 2 1/2" long. Sold as sets. I'll probably use them for bead embroidery at some point, but meanwhile, have been just having too much fun making them.

http://hannahrachel.etsy.com

Happy Valentine's Day from Good River Gallery!

Brrrr...!

The winter weather has finally hit us here in the Midwest. But, we are enjoying evening blazes in our fireplace, white wines and good movies. The romance reminds us...

Its time to look towards Valentine's day! Head on over to our Etsy Store and see what is currently in stock in our new valentine's day shop. http://hannahrachel.etsy.com/

A Word from Good River Gallery

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I wanted to wish everyone a really happy new year, health and prosperity in 2012. I've enjoyed the past year immensely, wanted to thank you all for your friendship and support, and look forward to an even better upcoming year.

I've spent the last two weeks of 2011 updating my website. It was sadly behind. I think its all caught up now, with updates on almost all of the pages. There are new catalog and tutorials pages, a pdf calendar (Charlene's idea) and more. The catalog section has brand new eye candy, and the tutorials section now has ALL of my tutorials. In addition, all of my free tutorials have been transfered to the tips section, so if you missed one, you can find it there.

This month I'll be creating kits and putting them up for sale as I make them on my Etsy. In addition, I have some new bead styles in the works!
I'll be doing my Etsy Success lecture at Gahanna Bead Studio on January 10. You can register online at http://www.gahannahbeadstudio.com/

Happy New Year!
Hannah

http://www.goodrivergallery.com/

http://hannahrachel.etsy.com/

Murrini with Hannah Rosner

Murrini with Hannah Rosner
At Glass Axis. Columbus, OH
http://www.glassaxis.org
This traditional Venetian technique gets its name from the Italian for ‘thousand flowers’. Molds and cane are used to pull sticks of glass, which when cut into slices, reveal beautiful floral designs. This torchworking class will cover several types of murrini pulls while focusing on strengthening basic skills. Students will learn to create a variety of murrini and incorporate it into glass beads. Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm
Jan. 7 & 8

More details...
We'll begin by using some mass produced murrine on beads, just so you can mess some up while learning to apply them.

Then, we'll make really simple stuff like bullseyes.
Then we'll move onto a valentine's day heart

And then a star (this one has reactive stuff around it)

And then a simple flower
And then a feather
And then probably some cute paw prints

And then an eye.


To sign up, call Glass Axis. 614-291-4250

FREE Silk and Chain Steampunk Necklace Tutorial

Silk and Chain Steampunk Necklace


Materials:
Centerpiece - I used one of the steampunk watches that we bulk ordered from China, but you could use a lampwork pendant/bead!
1/4" silk cording
Cord Caps
Wire - I used 22g since that's what I had hanging around
Chain (I have three varieties here). My longest piece was TWICE as long as the cord and just happened to come attached to that watch.
Big jump rings (I think these guys are 10mm)
Clasp
Disk Beads
Lampwork Spacer Beads
Size 8/0 or size 6/0 seed beads
Beading Thread (I recommend Fireline)
Clear Tape
Glue - I recommend .527 watch glue or "Zap-a-Gap." Don't use superglue since it puts a white film on glass beads that looks bad.
Optional - Steampunk Cog Bead things (I used two - they were made by Tim Holtz)
Optional - if you're using a lampwork centerpiece: headpin and matching beadies
Optional - matching 6mm Swarovski crystal
Wireworking Tools - flat nosed pliers, round nosed pliers and wire cutters

The Centerpiece

If you have purchased one of the watches and want to use it as the centerpiece, you don't have to do anything to it besides take it off the chain. However, if you want to use a focal bead, you'll need to turn it into a drop first.

Slip a bead (shown is a Swarovski, but you’ll be using your focal) onto a head pin, and using round nosed or needle nosed pliers to bend the head pin over. If your lampwork bead hole is too big for the little "head" on that head pin, block it up with some smaller beads, one above and one below your bead. See the little space between the headpin and the 90-degree bend? You want this, but you only want a little bit of room there (no more than 1/16”).

Tip: In the photo I'm uploading, that's a towel behind the Swarovski, but it looks like a shag rug, so turn on some disco now to complete the rest of this project.

Next, hold the bent part of the head pin with round nosed pliers, and with your fingers bend the rest of the head pin around the nose of the pliers to form a loop.

Insert the nose of your round pliers back through the loop. Hold the loop of the head pin over the nose of the pliers while using bent/flat/needle nosed pliers to wrap the head pin around itself. This will secure your loop so it cannot open.

If you are using the watch, you might want to add some heavier beads at the bottom of the tassle chains. I've noticed the weight isn't well distributed otherwise. I also added some more chain into the tassle, because I LOVE fringe.

The Silk Cord

Our own Jamn makes silk cording, but its not as thick as the stuff I used. You could bundle some of hers together though, and it would add a layer of texture that would be really beautiful.
http://Jamnglass.etsy.com
Here's a photo I randomly ripped off her etsy site, just to tempt you. Hopefully she won't mind...

I found some of the thicker stuff also on Etsy at
http://TandZSupplies.etsy.com
but here's the thing... I've never ordered from this company and so as a result can't vouch personally for her.
She's got good feedback, though.

I happened to have a piece from a million years ago, made from a company called embeads. I looked them up online and can't find their website, though. I'd also like to pretend that I was all trendy in using orange since its the Pantone Color of 2012. Actually, the Pantone Color is "tangerine" and I just had this cord...

The Disks

I refuse to take responsibility for my boro disk-making obession, so I'll just go ahead and blame someone else for it (you know who you are, up there in Canada)! You can make your disks out of either soft glass or boro. I just like the colors of the boro. If you want some, I've got plenty to spare, just let me know how many and the approximate color. They're super cheap, too. I used... uh... 8 of them. They only sort-of matched.

Anyhow, here's a bunch of eye candy I had hanging around on my computer...

If you do want to try and make your own, here are two videos I dug up on youtube. They use soft glass, but you could use boro instead. As a matter of fact, I think its easier in boro. You do want to pop them into a kiln, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl5s3FLmdaM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtmR8Ib5z2s

Ready to put this thing all together?

Wrap your longest chain around the silk cording. Wrap it pretty tightly, and try to keep the wraps even.

Wrap scotch tape tightly around the ends. This will help to keep your chain nice and even with the silk cording and will also help keep the silk cording from fraying. Cut the tape directly in half so that when you add your bead cap the tape doesn't stick out from underneath that cap. Nip off the extra chain with wire cutters.

Wrap a piece of your wire around the chain and taped edge. Do it really really REALLY tightly. Add a bunch of glue right at the top of the tape. This will help keep your silk from fraying also, and acts as extra insurance in case your wire wrap wasn't tight enough. Run the wire up through the bead/cord cap. I like adding a matching bead up here to make the back look as nice as the front. Wirewrap your clasp onto the piece.

Okay! Time to embellish the front!

Add a large jumpring at the center front. I like to catch the chain here, too, just to make sure that the wrap stays consistent. Attach your focal bead/watch to the jump ring.

I put a piece of thin chain through each of 4 disks and suspended them from jump rings around the cord/chain.

I also added two other short pieces of chain between the jump rings. You know, since I had that extra chain and all. The three chains I used in this piece did NOT match. This was part of the fun of it.

Finally, I stacked glass disks, spacer beads, cogs, Swarovski crystal and some 8/0 seed beads and sewed them onto the silk cording. My cogs were two different metals and none of the beads matched. I was okay with this!
Here's a close-up on one of those stacks.

Too busy for you? Here's a simpler version...

Now, lets see your version!