Thursday, November 28, 2013

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I have so much to be thankful for this year!  I am especially thankful for my health and the fact that I get to bead!  To show my appreciation I would like to offer a 10 % discount to all  for shopping in my Etsy store for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  If you use the code HOLIDAY1 in my Etsy shop at checkout, you will receive a 10% discount.

Have a great turkey day and happy beading!!!!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Christmas Ornament Bead Tutorial


 
I don't know where the time has gone, but it is surely flying, and we are soon to enter the Christmas season!  I know that I have been very busy, but I wanted to post this because I just completed my first Etsy bead tutorial!  I love the season of Christmas!  Especially here in New York, where we have the big tree in Rockefeller Center.  It is usually topped by a large Swarovski crystal ornament!  These ornaments which I created have Swarovski crystal as well, and are easy to make.  Follow the link to purchase the pattern https://www.etsy.com/listing/168288028/simple-netted-christmas-ornament-cover.
 
Happy Holiday's!
Happy Beading!


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Fall Craft Fair Schedule 2013

It's the end of the year and now I have to get ready for the fall and Christmas fairs that I have coming up.  This weekend on Sat, Sept 28, I will be in Plainview,  New York at the Episcopal Church of St. Margaret. 10% of the profit from this fair goes to help local families in need.  Please come out and join me for a good cause. The church is located at 1000 Washington Avenue in Plainview New York. You can find them at http://www.stmargaretepiscopal.org/

On Saturday,  October 19th I return to Staten Island for the Fall Fair at the Reformed Church of Hugenot Park.  This is my third time at the church.  This church will have activities for kids of all ages and there will be tours of the church building which was founded in 1849!  It is located at 5475 Amboy Rd, Staten Island, NY 10312.  Visit their website at http://huguenotparkchurch.org/

I end with the 3rd annual Holiday Shopping Boutique in New Milford, NJ at the New Milford Public Library on Saturday, December 14.  This is one week before Christmas...so stop by for your last minute holiday gifts and stocking stuffer's!  The library is located at 200 Dahlia Avenue, New Milford, NJ.  You can visit their website at http://newmilford.bccls.org/


Come out and visit Feith Hodge Creations!!!!


  


Monday, September 23, 2013

Surgery :-(

I know it has been a long time since have submitted a blog post, but I spent this last summer recuperating from surgery.  As some of you may know I was diagnosed a few years ago with a lupus like disorder, and as a result of that disorder ran into some complications with my lungs.  This surgery was a result of those complications.  A benign cyst was found on my left lung and something had to be done about it so that I would have less pain.
me, 1/2 an hour before surgery....sorry, no make up! 


The combination of just trying to feel better saddled with lovely pain medications made this summer seem like a  muddled blur.  Sitting for long periods were not possible, so my bead work went on standby.  All I could do was read my beading magazines and look over at my bead table, longing to make anything!

I realize during my recovery that creating with my hands was very important to me.  After the third week I couldn't take it and began to use my knitting loom.  Yes, you read correctly, my knitting loom.  I started loom knitting with my daughter in the late spring.  We had made plans to make beautiful hats and scarfs for the fall.  Since the loom could be done while I was laying down it was the perfect craft for me until I could get back to my bead work.  I started making socks, and hats and also a few fall poncho's.  It became my new love!!!!  That doesn't mean I'm abandoning bead work, it just means I am expanding my creative horizons!
Loom knitting in bed....literally.


It also made me think about my blog here and how I can expand my topics to bring more  to you the reader.  So I guess some creative good came out of my down time!

 I am focusing now on getting back up and running!  You can still find my jewelry at feithhodgecreations.etsy.com  and I will be starting the craft show circuit here in NYC and New Jersey.  So come back Wednesday and I will let you know a little bit more about my schedule.


Happy Beading!!!!!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

The Daisy Chain



Summer is here!!! The warm weather has arrived and the flowers are blooming.  Not only are they blooming in the park, but my work as well!  Below is a link to a  tutorial for making flower, or daisy chain, necklaces, which I have written for Cravehandmade.com.

http://www.cravehandmade.com/featured/basic-beading-weaving-the-daisy-chain/

Happy Beading!!!!!

Friday, June 14, 2013

Red Jewelry

I have been really busy preparing for summer shows, so it has been awhile since I have blogged. This week I have featured in my Etsy store bright red jewelry!  There is just something about the color of red that warms me up and puts a smile on my face!  In Asian cultures red is considered the color of prosperity and joy.  No matter what hue, and there are so many of them, the rich color comes through and stands out!

Here are a few I have featured this week in my Etsy store.

This necklace was featured by the Etsy Promotion Team 
















Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Black Jewelry

Each week I am featuring a new theme in my Etsy store.  This week the theme is black jewelry.  Because black is a neutral color it goes well with anything in your wardrobe!  Below are a few pieces I decided to featured in my Etsy store.

I used black AB Tila beads with black and silver seed beads.  Fringe beads accent the ends.  I really love the look of the antiqued silver clasp

https://www.etsy.com/listing/153000008/black-netted-bead-woven-necklace-with?ref=shop_home_feat

Two sizes of seed beads and a right angle stitch are incorporated to make this bracelet. 

These were made from TOHO hybrid sead beads.  I love the way the colors marble!


I wanted to make something fun and whimsical, but also a statement piece!  

A black and white double flat spiral bracelet






Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Choosing A Clasp For Your Beadwork

Here is a link to an article I wrote for cravehandmade.com!

http://www.cravehandmade.com/choosing-clasp-for-your-beadwork/

Enjoy! and Happy Beading!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Rose Gold Jewelry

Rose Gold  jewelry has become very trendy for this spring!  I love the gold tone with its hint of pink shining through!  Most rose gold jewelry is traditional yellow gold alloyed with copper, which gives it that blushing pink tone.  I have found glass seed beads, crystals and rose gold pearls as well. Swarovski has a beautiful rose gold pearl and crystal which made its premier this summer!    Below are a few things I created last week.

 I love this ring!  It is made from Swarovski rose gold pearls and rose gold tone copper wire.  I consider this my statement ring.

Rose gold topaz Hybrid seed beads were used to create this cuff bracelet.  These beads are special because of how they were made.   They are manufactured in Japan for precision and size and then they are shipped to the Czech republic where they receive their wonderful coloring! The marbling of the colors makes each look like a tiny gemstone!


 Rose gold tone copper wire caresses a Swarovski Crystal with AB finish (aurora borealis).


Rose gold pearls with silk Swarovski  crystals complete this wedding set! 










Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Turquoise Jewelry

I love the color Turquoise!  During the summer month's it reminds me of the ocean and going to the beach, and during the winter it keeps me happy by generating those same memories! The gentle balance between blue and green really speaks to me. When researching its meaning online I found that Turquoise symbolizes strength and protection from harm.  It can be given to a friend as a symbol of friendship and love.  Upon further research I found that in some Native American cultures it represents the earth and the sky and represents the connection to Yei (Holy People).  It is worn as a way of honoring and recognizing them.

  Last week I pulled out my turquoise beading stash and started creating some pieces for my Etsy store.  I even made some paper beads as well!  Here is what I came up with;




















Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Choosing Crystals for Your Beadwork


I love creating jewelry with crystals!  There is just something about the sparkle that makes me so happy!  Last week I wrote an article for CraveHandmade.com on choosing the correct crystals for your work.  There are so many colors and different types to choose from.  


Happy Beading!!!!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Handcrafted Wedding Jewelry

.  Last Saturday I had the opportunity to be involved in a Spring Craft Show on Staten Island. at The Reformed Church of Huguenot Park.  I always take at least 2 wedding necklaces with May being so close to wedding season.  Sometimes I am fortunate to get a sale, usually from the mother of the bride or a caring aunt,  and this was one on those times.  What makes this so special was that the bride herself made the purchase!  The bride looked very regal in it and she is headed down the aisle this weekend! Check out the above pic!

Here is some more wedding jewelry featured in my Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/FeithHodgeCreations?section_id=13039719





Congratulations to all the June brides out there!





Monday, April 29, 2013

In My Etsy Store This Week April 29th 2013: Metallic Green Tila Bead Netted Bead Woven Necklace

I have still been very busy with my creations for the Craft Fair this coming Saturday in Staten Island.  This Thursday I will post pics of some of the creations I will take to the fair!  I had time to create one necklace for this week in my store.  Since Emerald green is the Pantone color for the year, I decided to make something you could wear that would match that and would be a cool accessory.  I love the double row of Tila beads on this one!




Monday, April 22, 2013

Paper Bead Making: 5 Video's I Love!

My latest little beauties!!!


So as you probably guessed it I am totally in love with the paper beads, and I have been making tons lately!  I started thinking back to a time when I started making paper beads and the videos I watched to get started, also some videos now that inspire me.  Here are a few for you to view!


This one is from the paper bead girl.  I eventually went on to get the roller she used and love the way she shows with ease how to make paper beads.


Next we have a video by Janice Mae on how to roll paper beads.


This next video shows how to cut the paper.  I use this technique to cut my own beads





Here is a video on the paper bead glaze I use.  I glue them first with Diamond Glaze and saturate the entire bead with any excess Diamond Glaze left on my fingers to give it its first coat of glaze and to also keep it glued together, and smooth out any ridges.  After that dries I use Janice Mae's Vibrance, and immerse it 4 more times, allowing it to dry in between each 'dunk'.  This allows your beads will be glazed inside and out.   This video shows how to do it!





After I glaze my beads I found that when you hang them vertically they tend to stick to each other, so I used a modified version of this bead dryer to help me keep them drying more uniformly and not stick together.



Enjoy making your paper beads!


Friday, April 19, 2013

New In My Etsy Store This Week April 19, 2013

So, this week I didn't get a chance to make a whole lot for my Etsy store.  I have been busy making sure I have enough pretty things for the craft fair in Staten Island which I will be in attendance at the first weekend in May.  Even though my time was scare I did want to make another long bead woven lariat and had a large amount of creamy pearls and 3 cut beads to create one with.  3 cut beads are seed beads that are cut on 3 sides, because of the cuts they refract the light really well and look almost like tiny crystals. Here is the lariat I came up with.  The pics don't do it justice!