Studio Musings

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Still not done, but boy have I been busy

Freeform peyote ruffles, process photo collage by Karen Williams
On Tuesday that I'd post my finished piece from the Time to Stitch blog hop today.  Well, as the title indicates, it's still not done.  Just in case anyone did indeed decide to check back, I thought I should at least post an update. 

I've managed another two or three hours of stitching since Tuesday, so not a lot. I do like what's starting to happen with the curls on either end.  It's about time to start working on some ruffles along the edges mid-center.  The question is whether I add the poppies now or later.  Placing them now will make it easier to know where I want the ruffles to frame them.  But working around them will be far more difficult.



Lacework Bracelet PDF tutorial featuring right angle weave by Karen Williams
So what else has kept me busy this week?  Thanks for asking!  Mostly I'm working to finish up a couple of different e-book tutorials which also double as class handouts when printed. 

I'm in the final stages of proofing and editing a complete overhaul for my Lacework Bracelet tutorial, expanding it from eight to sixteen pages.  The overhaul included replacing many of the old photographs with new, better ones, expanding and improving the section on color mixing, adding several new project notebook pages which walk through the creation process and reviewing all of the text instructions.  I may also decide to replace the images on the cover.

I've included a screen shot of one of the two-page layouts below, just to give you a feel for what I'm doing with the interiors.
 

Lacework Bracelets tutorial by Karen Williams
2-page spread screenshot from Lacework Bracelets
Corset, Caps & Stays Bead Beads tutorial by Karen Williams
 I'm also working on the tutorial for my Corset & Stays Beaded Beads.   The Tutorials full title is "Corset, Caps & Stays" because I plan to include two distinct, but related patterns.  The corset beads shown below, and then their opposites, with beaded caps and open stays across the center of the beads. 

The tutorial also includes detailed diagrams and instructions for single needle right angle weave, including decreases, two different types of increases and joins - expanding upon the free instructions from my website. 

My hope is to have both available on Etsy before the end of June, with kits to follow shortly after. 
 


10 comments:

  1. The bracelet is very nice. Keep showing these to me and I might just have to try my hand at freeform weaving.

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    1. Definitely! Try it, you might like it..... then I'll have another one hooked! :)

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  2. I am going to go out on a limb and say the first bracelet reminds me of a lizard, but a wonderful and gorgeous magical lizard. The colors and your bead work is amazing. Lovely lace designs as well. ~ :)

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    1. Thank you Lisa - I love that idea, as lizards, snakes and other reptiles can have the most amazing scale patterns.

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  3. yay~more progress! and i am loving how it is turning out. the end result will be GORGEOUS!!! you have so much going on with work, i am really impressed you got to work on it at all :-)

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  4. I love it Karen! For me when I look at it I think and "under the sea" theme. Gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks Mandy! I think it's fun how the same piece can evoke entirely different associations in different people. The ocean is definitely one of my major influences - maybe that's why I felt I had to add a touch of blue to the green.

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  5. Hello,Karen:-)
    ...but it's still going on:-) You still make it in Your spare time-that's essential-the design's worth making,as it is going to be one of the prettiest freeform designs I have ever seen.The colors are fantastic,the form and the texture is fabulous even right now.
    Warm Hugs-Halinka-

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  6. The bracelet is looking awesome!!

    I'm excited about your tutorials, too. The photos are gorgeous, and the layout looks so professional! :)

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  7. Those corset beads are fantastic. I'll be watching for the tutorial!

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