Brenda's Needlepoint Studio: January 2023

Friday, January 20, 2023

Bracelet Russian Spiral Beaded - 1/20/23

January 20, 2023--Ever since I learned the Peyote Stitch to make the needle case cover while on the Rhine River Cruise last spring (click here), I've wanted to learn more about making things with beads. At the Rehoboth Beach Needlework Exhibition, I met an award-winning beading artist who got me in touch with a local bead teacher named Donna Baratta who teaches beaded jewelry classes out of the Rehoboth Art League facility.

So yesterday I was finally able to set in motion my plans for beaded jewelry making and I'm a happy camper indeed. Below are photos of my results after 4 hours in class. The bracelet is made with size 8 brown and size 11 gold seed beads. I also discovered there's a bead shop in Laurel, MD, about 2 hours from my home, called Bead Soup that should satisfy my bead lust, so to speak. Stay tuned for more in the months and years ahead.

I highly recommend taking a class with Donna. She's very patient, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about everything beading.

Bracelet Russian Spiral Closed

Bracelet Russian Spiral Closeup of Toggle

Bracelet Russian Spiral Open

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Janet Zickler Casey Santas Stitched to Date - 1/3/23

Click on the photo caption to view more information about each santa.

January 3, 2023--I had the opportunity to stitch a few more Janet Zickler Casey's santas in 2022. Here are the new ones and if you scroll down, you'll see the ones stitched in prior years. Now there are 16 stitched santas in the collection.

To see the santas yet to be stitched, please click on the 2 Pages on the right side of this blog called Planned Projects-Santas by Janet Zickler Casey and In Process Projects.

Santa Snow Cone

Santa Holly Jolly

January 1, 2022--In keeping with my goal of stitching one new and one old Janet Zickler Casey's santas each year, I stitched the below Cashmere and North Wind Santas. This makes 14 santas stitched to date.

Cashmere Santa Completed

North Wind Santa Completed

May 18, 2020--Here's the 12th santa ornament stitched so far--North Wind Santa

North Star Santa Completed

May 12, 2020--the 11th Janet Zickler Casey santa stitched to date called Santa in the Moon.

Santa in the Moon Completed

January 5, 2020--The 10th JZC santa, Heart Santa, is stitched.

Santa Heart

February 11, 2019--The 9th JZC santa is stitched.

Star Spangled Santa

January 9, 2019--Here's the eighth stitched so far to add to the list below.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Santa

November 16, 2018—Recently I counted up the number of santa ornaments designed by Janet Zickler Casey that I’ve stitched over the years. Below are 7 out of 23 total to date. As new ones are completed, I’ll add them to the list. My goal is to stitch two a year (one new, one old) until all are done. Click on the caption for more information about each santa pictured.