Knit One, Purl Many

So this blog is not just about jewelry and beading. For those who like the rubbing of two needles together to form a warm woolly creation, let's talk about knitting!

I learned how to knit when I was about 10 years old.  Sitting side by side with my sister, 2 years younger, we'd watch our grandmother [Bobchee] patiently teach us how to knit and crochet.  My sister and I knitted on the same scarf together.  I knitted loose and my sister knitted tight.  So the finished product looked like a repeasted bow tie pattern!  It was a trial and error first attempt but our Bobchee was pleased with our lessons.  I know this because one day,  she pulled it out to show me that she still treasured our wonky scarf.  After she passed away, the scarf might have met its end.  My grandmother saved everything so I'm sure there was a large "toss" pile and a itty bitty "save" pile on cleaning day.  I thank her every day I grap for my neeles for sharing her gift.

After many years, and if it were not for the love of beads, I picked up knitting again.  I was driving down a main street in a town close to my work and noticed to my right the Bayberry Knitting shop.  And I'm always one to patronize local small shops as well as big bargain basements!  So, I found myself walking into a mirage of colorful fiber, warm welcomes and COFFEE!  I immediately signed up for a class to knit a scarf with what else?  BEADS!  So there you see is the start of my creating - combining my love of beads and my desire to take up a craft that our Bobchee lovingly taught us girls so long ago. 

For the Fringed Scarf pattern, I used size 8 bamboo needles, 6mm metallic bronze beads and fingering or sock yarn.  In my class I also learned how to do Long Tail casting which you can learn step by step online at another favorite website of mine - KnittingHelp.com.  I bought the beads at a local shop but if you are an avid beader or want to make scarves like this to sell on a site like Etsy, which promotes selling and buying handmade goods, I'd recommend buying in bulk.  I use websites like Fire Mountain Beads or check with your local bead store to see if they will order in bulk for you. Some do to retain your business! 

But be careful! Buying beads or yarn can be addictive!

Guarantee - you will end up with a stash in no time!   A stash starts off in a small box and then expands into large multi-drawer plastic cube that live in each room of your house.  Or like in my house, one full closet of bead and yarn devotion!  That's why a site like Etsy or EBay can be useful.  You can sell off the stuff you don't want to make room for future stash - but that topic deserves its own blog entry! 

NEXT?  How to organize your projects and stash!   In the meantime - for you knitters and crochet demons - checkout Raverly.  It 's a useful global community website that was created by a woman, aided by her programmer husband, to provide support and personally, my own validation for the love of needles and wool to the world!  So if you become a member, add me as a friend - Doraji Design or email me dorajidesign@gmail.com

Cheers and go on now - CREATE! <3 Dora

Silk Knotting with Pearls

So do you just adore pearls? Are you a closet-Jackie O fan who made wearing pearls and owning a pill box hat a must in the early 1960's. Maybe you were too young to remember who she was but still think pearls are neat! Whatever the reason, I finally sated my pearl fetish and took a class on how to knot a pearl necklace. And I am telling you, it was easier and quicker than stringing beads! And the look is just so classical!

A friend of mine lent me her gray pearls to re-string. This was a belated Christmas gift to her and it cost me under $15 to make. I used a sterling silver clasp and bead caps, plus gray #6 silk thread. The trick is the preparation and a good beading tweezer. [Do not use an eyebrow tweezer...invest in the $10-12 and get beading tweezers!] To prep your silk thread is to damped the length with water and stretch it tight. Skipping this important step will cause your thread to stretch after knotting and you will have gaps between your precious pearls.

Silk thread is the strongest thread you can use. Cotton threads can fray and break from stringing after a time. If you do not have silk thread, I would condition your thread with beeswax. Some silk thread products already come with a needle attached so saves the work of threading. Also be sure you buy the correct size thread that will allow your pearls to slide through. A #4 or #6 are standard for 8mm pearls.

If you'd rather do this in a class room setting, google a bead store near you or check out an instructional video on YouTube. [Note: You can practice with round glass beads first until you get the tension you desire.]



And just so you know, if you take your pearls to a jeweler to knot, they can charge up to $5-6 an inch! Imagine that! It's less work than you think. And if you use sterling silver clasps as the one I used above, it will bring added value to your necklace. Try it and let me know how you did or if you have any questions, just email me at DorajiDesign@gmail.com

Next blog, using two mediums such as yarn and beads to make an elegant beaded fringe scarf - get out those knitting needles!

Happy beading!

Doraji

Autumn craft fairs around the corner

Okay, so now I am hooked or threaded, whichever is the correct acronym for a beadaholic! No matter where I go, I google for the nearest bead shop. Athough, my favorite is Tatnuck Bead Company in Westborough, MA. Yeah, about an hour and a half away, but they have great classes and the customer service is great. And they have a rewards card and now a bulk discount, which is heaven for us beaders who sell their work.

Since I am a newbie at selling my work. I have to do a lot of research before I start mass producing. The hardest part when you are a new seller is where can you sell and how much to sell your piece. What IS the formula when pricing a piece you worked hard on? Those questions to be answered in my next blog posting...stay tuned!

Meanwhile, think about this to remember - whatever the art - jewelry, cake decoration, painting, pottery - only you know the true value of what your art is worth because you put in the hours to create it. A customer only knows what they see and their value will be much lower, unless they themselves are a craftsperson. So don't be discouraged if someone wants you to discount your piece. Look at it as your selling point. And if you put in a lot of time and effort for that work of art, don't sell yourself short. There will always be the right buyer and even if it is the buyer in front of you who wants you to take off a few dollars. In that case, make sure that customer gets your business card. There's nothing like word of mouth!

Well, ta for now. I'm headed for my favorite suppliers website to order, you guessed it, more beads. I'd like to recreate Monet's Garden with various shades of one colour. And I made another design and it's a big hit so I need to make more...there is a craft show coming up and I'm reserving a table. I will also write an entry of the rules of a craft fair, since this will be my first one, I'm sure to learn a lot!

Anyone who'd like to share their stories or favorite bead pattern, please contact me.

Welcome to Doraji Designs

Well, it's a day to beach and I mean BEACH...off to my favorite haunt Hampton Beach. I plan a relaxing vacation with family but I'm also on the lookout for a bead shop. Have you heard that familiar mantra, fellow beaders? "Don't worry,....BEAD happy!" I will scout around for ideas, take plenty of photos that will intrigue my creative sense and let the colours flourish into my jewelry. There is nothing like art or artful people to put colour into our gray human existance! So my thanks to all the artisans who have taught and inspired me to continue beading. It is truly an addiction!!!

By the way, the photo of the bracelet, aptly named Monet's Garden, on my blogspot is my creation but the credit to the design goes to my instructor. It is truly a remarkable design and easy to craft because her instruction handout was very detailed and complete.