My recent work on a new range of floral earrings meant I needed to make much smaller flowers than normal. I find it quite a challenge to get in lots of detailed shaping and still keep the flowers dainty enough to be wearable. Last weeks bluebells were made using size 11 cylinder beads and each bluebell is only 1½cm high. This lead me to want to make not necessarily even smaller flowers but to be able to get more detail in - hence I have splashed out on some delicious new size 15 seed beads in a range of gorgeous colours. As you can see, pinks and greens are the predominant colours I have gone for and these tiny little beads look as though they will be perfect for my future experiments with all things floral. Looks like I will finally have to give in and wear those glasses I have been avoiding for months though!
On the subject of bluebells, it's expired now, but I managed to create another Etsy treasury this week 'She sells bluebells' - which of course I do! I am not comfortable including my own work in treasuries and so I searched for other artist's work with 'bluebell' in the title and look what beautiful items I came up with!
I'd need glasses and a magnifier if I used size 15 beads! Can't wait to see what you create.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to add tiny detail to tiny flowers, but the 15s are wonderful for that. I usually use my optivisor when working in that scale, sometimes even wearing my reading glasses underneath it. What a beautiful treasury! Thanks for sharing. xx
ReplyDeleteKerrie, you are so on a roll! What awonderful niche you have made for yourself. We should call you the beadwoven-flower lady. By the way, I love how you placed your boxes of your new beads in a floral arrangement for the photo above.
ReplyDeletePatricia
I've been working with the 15's for a little bit and I absolutely love them. Like you, I think they are great for detail.
ReplyDelete15 seems to be huge and fine when you remember that it's possible to find 22... :) Looking forward to seeing your new beauties, dear Kerrie!
ReplyDeleteI really didn't think there was anything better than size 15 rocailles - but Zoya says there are 22's?? How exciting! I'm sure you will love them Kerrie and will treat us to some beautiful detailed flowers. I have to use magnifying glasses all the time when I bead - comes with age I think.
ReplyDeleteKerrie, what pretty graphics! I have to put pictures into my next effort. You ARE on a roll!
ReplyDelete15s are wonderful to work with. They add so much more detail. 22s usually are antique. You can get them from beadcats http://www.beadcats.com
ReplyDeleteJoann
Thanks everyone! The beads I bought are Toho size 15's and I've since learned that the holes in them might be smaller than some other brands - they certainly are tiny! Zoya, I think I'll pass on the 22's for now lol!
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