Worth the Wait

I’m in Corpus Christi, Texas anticipating the birth of my friend’s baby. As both my friend and her husband fulfilled their Navy drill obligation this weekend, I was happily left to my own devices for entertainment. Saturday I walked the Corpus Christi Marina and today I walked Corpus Christi Beach and visited the USS Lexington Museum. The tacos aboard Lady Lex were astonishingly good. Also shown are the officers’ quarters and some stairs I climbed and some shoes I may need to own.

Location:Corpus Christi,United States

Discovering Red Baraat

What do Charles Mingus, beads, and Bhangra beats have in common? They are all close to my heart—very close. You know I love beads from my website and you know from my book Bead Riffs that I love jazz. But, did you know I love me some riotous, fun as hell world music, too?

Today I realized a missed brush with music grooving destiny when the Indian-American fusion get-down band known as Red Baraat came and went through my beloved hometown of Santa Cruz, California via Moe’s Alley last Friday. It wasn’t until this morning’s caffinating session while reading through a local rag I learned of the concert—and, of the band for that matter. You can bet I’ll seize on the next show like a beader on vintage crystal or Mingus on hard bop.

Listen On Amazon
CD Bootleg Bhangra samples here
CD Chaal Baby samples here

Who is Charles Mingus?
Where is Santa Cruz, California?
What is Bhangra?
What is beadwork?

Swarovski Celebrates Life

Have you seen Swarovski’s new Trends? Like a surprise gift from a friend, the Fashion Trends Spring/Summer 2013 is posted online and ready for download and design inspiration. This collection of inspiration for coming fashion can guide the colors and textures and shapes you elect to include into your work. All the colorways of the pieces in my newest book Rachel Nelson-Smith’s Bead Riffs—kits were announced this week—were born in Swarovski Trends. It will certainly be a treat to hear Swarovski’s Trend Presentation delivered by Ron Rock at Beading By the Bay but I’m happy to see this preview online. The title is The Celebration of Life with emphasis on a changing economic outlook. Insightfully, the opening paragraph reads, “as consumers we have literally reached saturation point. In a world where every purchase must be considered and every move is monitored, true happiness and well-being… are even appealing to economists who are busy seeking a more satisfactory measure than money.” Appealing, indeed—the new effect Crystal Luminous Green is to die for and the four individual Trends are, well, exceptionally gorgeous.

The Classic trend—Embracing Togetherness—calls to mind subtle brocade and lace, sipping slowly, and comfortably yet fashionable appointments. The colors are beautiful in the minimal variance from white. It whispers and shifts like a historic and radiant dream.

The Progressive trend—Journey to the Moon—recalls pride of past accomplishments as a source to inspire a new can-do stance. With a focus on the new Crystal Dark Lapis Pearl this trend is fleshed out like a starry night.

The Romantic trend—Blowing Kisses—is at first look a group that will be very close to my heart. Set against the high contrast of black and white is a spectrum of red-based shades. It is a playful trend with fantasy and nostalgia and bright days ahead in its heart.

The Glamour trend—A Feeling of Freedom—brings to mind the work of Bill Cunningham. He’s the legendary photographer who shoots and visually editorializes eye-catching Manhattaners. This energetic and festive trend is a playground of color with a mix capturing the modern primitive. Those keen for going quite a bit beyond typical to the exquisite and exotic will find the collisions a delight.

Ready for exploration?

Swarovski Elements Innovations & Trends Spring/Summer 2013

Beading By the Bay

Bill Cunningham

Bead Riffs Kit Release

They’re finally almost here! Bead fans around the world have emailed requesting kits and I’ve listened. Since the September 2011 release of my new title for Lark Crafts Rachel Nelson-Smith’s Bead Riffs I’ve been sequestered away with work and unable to kit up the projects. Now, the time is coming when all the projects of Bead Riffs will be available.

Stay tuned for the official release in the next few days when all the Bead Riffs kits will be in the shop. In the meantime, check out my book or the kits from my first book Seed Bead Fusion here.

And, read Ray Hemachandra’s The Rachel Nelson-Smith Interview: Stories From the Beadist.

Fan Beadwork

Beadwork by Andrea Mangold of Munich, Germany

Beadwork by Christine Dittrich

Its Phraseology from Bead Riffs!

Beaders Andrea Mangold in Munich, Germany and Christine Dittrich whose blog I happened across the other day have made the Phraseology from my new book Bead Riffs (Lark, 2011). It is always a treat to see what fellow beaders do with my designs.

Thanks goes to Andrea and Christine for the time and energy to make these pieces and to share them with us!