Abrege

Abrege was published in the December 2011 issue of Perlen Poesie and is the cover photo.

An Kara Sesentayseis posted this lovely version that she beaded on my Facebook wall.

Everything about it is beautiful.  It is clear that An Kara has beautiful workmanship and her color choices here are exquiste.  Thank you An Kara for posting it.  

Mark, as you may know is taking care of kitting for MadDesigns while I remain busy with book writing.  Just last week he kitted the last of the Gold Silver and Capri Blue Abreges.  If you'd like one, now would be the time to order it.

 The Capri blue rivoli is vintage and the last 7 have now been kitted.  That color way will be retired when these 7 are gone.  I have one new color way waiting in the wings for some time to get it's supply list sorted out and parts ordered.  Lilliana's will like be on the website soon, and perhaps a few more new pieces.   

Alphabet Beads

Spell out Malayna, who is loving her newest bracelet, with sterling silver alphabet beads...




Fun day of being grandparents!

Also spent the day with my 16 year old grandbaby who has become such a beautiful young women. She is smart, funny, thoughtful, caring and kind. An excellent day of family. Today we go watch swim lessons with the little one and then on to visiting some friends. This was our home for 20 or so years, much to do each time we come.

More MadDesigns

I've created a Facebook page for Marcia DeCoster.  It helps to segregate me and MadDesigns a bit.  Family and friends who don't want to see all beads all the time will still go to my people page.

If you're interested you can go to the page and give it a like.  Hovering over the like button and making sure 'show in newsfeed' is checked will insure you'll get to see new posts.

I'll be showing you pretty pictures and updating you on what's new, where I'll be and in general what's going on at MadDesigns. Right now it looks like this.  There are photo albums of work, and a pretty place to peruse kit offerings.  There's links should you wish to purchase a kit.  It's all still in development but I'll be working to make it complete as the days move forward.

I won't abandon you here though.  I hear often how many people come to read on a daily basis, seeing the latest granddaughter knits or photos of Miss Maya along with the beads of course.  Just one more place to visit with you!

Jewelry for the little one

Malayna's last sweater was very sweet and feminine so I decided at close to 18 months her first jewelry to go with it was in order.

I used alphabet beads and crystals to make a sweet little bracelet.  I guess she's going to be a girly girl because she loves it.

So what's a Grandma to do but make more! This time I have some sterling silver alphabet beads with some pretty little bali spacer beads, oh and some crystal. And this time I'll be delivering it personally! We've planned a visit and I can't wait.

Cubic Right Angle Weave

I've been playing with CRAW, making shapes which is an excellent property of this stitch.  It's fluid and pliable and lends itself to both curves and angles.

As you can see I'm not finished, 6 more crystals to wire wrap.  The color is fern ab2x and I love the little brass heishi beads from Tierra Cast.  There's more, a pretty little pearl and crystal studded shape the pendant dangles from and a simple bail.  Next up is sorting out the best necklace, simple, but not entirely plain.  I'll keep you posted, especially when I name it something besides CRAW pendant.  It has an art nouveau look to it, so I'll be looking to that genre for some naming influence.

Design Mode

I've finished up Beads in Motion, well almost, still a few administrative details to attend to and now I'm on to The Bead Within.

I've been playing with cubic raw and I'm liking how it flows.  A piece of cubic raw is so flexible, yet has some heft to it and the combination makes for bits of beadwork that you can 'draw' with.  It will bend into different shapes, make itself into curlicues, lends itself to curves and creates geometry with angles.

Huib Petersen is one of the masters of this technique as is Heather Collin.  I'm just starting to explore it, and incorporated a wee bit into my Beading by the Bay piece.

My next design, the one that is currently in prototype mode uses cubic raw with changes in bead sizes to create interest.  I'm happy so far with the result, but it's at that point.....the how do I connect it to a necklace point.  Always somewhat anxiety producing for me these design cross roads.  Thinking about what direction to take, working out the engineering, the sizing.  Since I typically start with a pile of beads and little to no plan, I don't always see the challenges coming.  The curved top of my piece is an even count.....had it been an odd count the bail I had in mind would have worked better.  Do I overcome the challenge with another plan, or do I remake the entire first element with an odd count?

I don't know either.....I'm going shopping instead...San Diego Bead Bazaar is this weekend and I'm going to go have a wander!

Beading by the Bay Project Reveal

A few images from the 2013 Beading by the Bay.  Four years ago, during a drive to Tucson, friend Susan Kazarian and I dreamed up a seed bead retreat on San Francisco Bay.  In 2010 our first Beading by the Bay was held and attended with much enthusiasm.  2013 will be our fourth annual retreat and we'll be bringing you great designs from Sabine Lippert, Huib Petersen and myself.

Huib's Celtic influenced choker is a masterpiece of cubic and triangular interlaced connections.  It's fluid  movement drapes beautifully and would be a pleasure to wear.

It seems that both Sabine and I carried on the theme of Beads in Motion as I surprised myself with Pacific Morning Glory, a bracelet with a stunning focal of ndbele captured between crystal studded bands of raw. Yes it does spin!

Sabine's pendulum features bars of seed beads and ends of embellished pearls and rivolis which all slide within the neckband that captures them.

Besides learning three beautiful project pieces, you will experience the intimacy that comes with a small group of beaders, a beautiful and convenient bay side venue, a fabulous dessert reception and daily lunches in our private dining room.

Registration opens September 15th, and if you joined us last year you may register on September 1st.