Tubular Herringbone Bracelets with Bead Loop Closures

I have about a bazillion projects going on at once right now, but that's no excuse for not writing about them - is it?  I'll start with the last couple of weeks and try to catch up to date over the weekend.

First, I got slightly hooked on tubular herringbone stitch for a little bit.  I've always loved the look of the stitch, but honestly had never tried it.  I don't know why, but I thought tubular herringbone would be difficult - but it isn't... at all.

Making a Native American Style Fetish Necklace with Squaw Wrap Closure

I love Native American style carved animal fetish necklaces.  I bought mine over 20 years ago on a trip through the South West.  I'm pretty sure I bought it in New Mexico, possibly Arizona.

I was inspired to try and make my own when I recently bought some carved butterflies from Fire Mountain Gems (FMG).  As you may know if you follow this blog, I don't do a lot of stringing projects.  I don't think I'm particularly good at it, but like anything, I know that if I practiced more I would improve.

So, here's my practice.

Making a Beading Mat (Beading Tray)

If you've been following my blog for any time, you probably know that I like to take my beading and jewelry making to go.  Mostly, that means to my kids baseball and softball games - but it also means to various parts of my house.  

I'm always trying different ways to take my beading with me - from how I store my beads to the dishes I put them in when beading to the work surface.

This post is about my portable work surface, or beading tray.  One that I made myself, of course.

Bead Storage Containers and Caddy

Welcome to my endless search for new containers to store beads.

Primarily seed beads this time, but I think these new containers are good for most small beady things including findings.

I tend to keep my delica beads in their original tubes, unless something goes wrong with the cap and they keep spilling out.  They are organized loosely by color family. (although what color family this picture is of - I can't imagine!)

Cleaning Up (Beads), Organizing (Beads), New (Bead) Projects

It would feel like I've had a break if it hasn't been for the fact that I haven't.

Let me catch you up to date!  There's been work, stuff with the kids...  And now to the beadwork and jewelry making part.

As you may (or may not) know, I've been writing for the beadwork site at about.com.  There have been a lot of changes since I joined in January 2015 with many more to come.  All of it is good, since the site really needed some re-work and it is always expected after a company is acquired.

One of the biggest changes for me personally, was being asked to shift my focus from writing new