Micro Bear, Micro Bunny, Stained Glass Vessels, Paper Needle Cases, Cantaloupe Seed Purses, Humbugs

Visit my new web site at http://idelegilbert.com/

to view my beaded miniature bears and other bead creations.

Visit my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadeddesignsbyidele/

See my miniature beaded magician bear automaton in action at www.youtube.com/user/beadeddesigns/

I have been designing some new projects, teaching beading classes and writing instructions for bead projects. Here are some recent creations. My new website is - www.idelegilbert.com.

Here are two new beaded micro miniatures - a multi-colored bear - 1 1/8" high and a tiny version of my Blue Jean Bunny - 1 1/4" high. They are both fully jointed and are worked in Peyote stitch with vintage size 18/0 seed beads.

My new miniature black and white cat is- 1 1/2" high. It is fully jointed and is worked in Peyote stitch with size 15/0 seed beads.

I have a new pattern available for an elegant "Stained Glass Vessel". The vessel is 2 1/2" high x 3" wide. It is a free standing structure with no glass support inside. The vessel is worked in brick stitch with various sizes of Czech seed beads and Delica beads.

I have designed a 2 1/2" high drawstring purse made out of cantaloupe seeds and size 9/0 3-cut beads. The fabric lining is Dupioni silk. The drawstrings are silk ribbons. The purse is a smaller version of purses made in the early 1900's.

I have been working with perforated paper and beads to create needlecases and other items based on antique pieces in my collection.

This first needlecase has a floral design and measures 3"x 3". It is worked on 14 mesh perforated paper with floss and 11/0 seed beads. The inside of the case is made from interlaced satin ribbons.

The next needlecase has a basket design. I named this one "It's Magic" because it is based on an antique trick called a magic wallet. The ribbons inside the needlecase magically flip an inserted item from under the straight ribbons to magically appear under the crossed ribbons.This needlecase measures 2 1/4"x 3 1/2". It is worked on 14 mesh perforated paper with floss and 11/0 seed beads. This piece includes cutout squares and raised stacks of perforated paper.

The third needlecase looks like a small box, but it is actually a needlecase when the lid is opened. This "Kitty" needlecase measures 2 1/2"x 3 1/4". It is worked on 14 mesh perforated paper with floss and 11/0 seed beads.This design features raised perforated paper borders.

Using Peyote stitch, I have designed two humbug needle grabbers. One is a mermaid design. The second is geometric. They are each 1 1/4" plus fringe. They are made with Delica beads. There is a magnet inside to grab the needle.

I am including photos of my miniature beaded boxes. The boxes are made just like my "Tiny Treasure Boxes", but they are made with size 15/0 seed beads. They are 3/8" wide x 1/2" high including the lid.

My micro miniature boxes measure 3/16" wide x 1/4" high including the lid. The tiniest box is 1/8" wide x 3/16" high including the lid. They are all made from vintage seed beads sizes -18/0 - 22/0. The lids all open.

Scaredy Cat and Betty Boop Bracelets, Magician Bear, Automaton Magician Bear

Visit my web site at http://mysite.verizon.net/designsbyidele
to view my beaded miniature bears and other animals.
Visit my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadeddesignsbyidele
See my miniature beaded magician bear automaton in action at
http://www.youtube.com/user/beadeddesigns

I have created two more theme bracelets: Scaredy Cat and Betty Boop a Doop. I have also returned to making new designs of my miniature beaded bears.

I enjoy doing bead embroidery. It is fun to collect the objects for the bracelets and use them to create a one of a kind piece. The bracelets are worked on Ultra Suede. The beads are mostly size 11/0 with some larger 8/0 accent beads.


My magician bear is from a drawing I did about five years ago. I wanted to create movement in my beadwork by making an automaton bear that would actually have the magician pulling a rabbit out of his hat. My goal was to combine my love of automatons with my beadwork. The bear is one and a half inches high. He is worked in Peyote stitch with size 15/0 seed beads. You can see my bear doing his act at
http://www.youtube.com/user/beadeddesigns

Koi Fish, Bumblebee Beaded Bead, Suitcase, Vanity Case, Treasure Box, Book Box, Pincushion

Visit my web site at http://mysite.verizon.net/designsbyidele
to view my beaded miniature bears and other animals.
Visit my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadeddesignsbyidele

I have been working on the instructions for some of my bead designs. I am now making them available as pdf files for sale on my website. The patterns represent a variety of beading stitches, including right angle weave, double sided right angle weave, three dimensional Peyote stitch, and square stitch. The patterns include color charts and diagrams.

Koi Fish
The three dimensional Peyote Koi fish is 2 inches long including the tail. It has an open mouth and a patterned underside. It is made out of size 11/0 Delica beads. Idele’s Koi fish have been shown in Jane Davis’ bead books.


Bumble Bee Beaded Bead
The beaded bumblebee is hollow. It is 1 ¼ inches long. It is worked in square stitch and Peyote stitch using size 15/0 Japanese seed beads.

The Suitcase
The suitcase is a double layered right-angle weave project. Finished size is approximately 2 ½ x 2 inches using size 11/0 Japanese seed beads. Included are instructions for making a miniature Peyote beaded bra and panties. Beaded hanger instructions are also included.

The Vanity Case
The vanity case is a double layered right angle weave project. The finished size is approximately 1 ½ x 1 ¼ inches using size 11/0 Japanese seed beads. Included are instructions for making a miniature Peyote beaded mirror, a miniature bead and Ultra Suede cosmetic case and a miniature beaded key.


Treasure Box
The treasure box is a double layered right angle weave project. Finished size is approximately 1 ¼ x 1 x 1 inches using size Japanese 11/0 seed beads.

Book Box
The book box is worked in double layered right angle weave. It measures 1 3/8 x 1 1/2 inches. It is made with Japanese 11/0 seed beads. The box opens. Inside there is a beaded envelope. The envelope opens. The envelope is worked in square stitch. Instructions are included for the beaded envelope.


Harlequin Pincushion
The pincushion is a right angle weave project worked from a color chart. Each side of the pincushion has a different pattern. Instructions include a matching scissors fob and bead decorated pins. The finished size of pincushion is approximately 3 x 3 inches using size Japanese 11/0 seed beads.

Aquarium, Garden Bracelet, English Cottage Needle Case, and Embroidered Parakeet

Visit my web site at http://mysite.verizon.net/designsbyidele
to view my beaded miniature bears and other animals.
Visit my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadeddesignsbyidele

The "Aquarium" is worked in double-sided right-angle weave. It measures 2" wide x 1 1/2" high x 1 1/4" deep. It is made with size 15/0 seed beads. The inspiration for this piece was from my childhood. My parents took me to a Home Show where they sell items for home repair. One of the booths was selling miniature fish tanks with real living miniature fish in them. My parents wouldn't buy one for me. So now, I finally have my own miniature fish tank, and I don't have to feed the fish.
A three dimensional beaded fish sits on the top of the tank. It is worked in Peyote stitch. The fish is trying to jump out of the tank, because as the lid is opened, the first beaded panel that spills out, is a black cat. There are seven double-sided right-angle weave panels including the black cat reaching into the tank, whale, fish, sunken ship, treasure chest, mermaid and shark.

My Garden bracelet is worked in bead embroidery in shades of green and pink. It is backed with beige Ultra Suede. It has a ceramic bunny button as the closure. It is 2" wide.


The English Cottage Needlecase is worked in size 11/0 seed beads and small glass flowers. It is backed with brown Ultra Suede. The case has a scissors holder, and a wool fabric insert for needles. There are colored pearl headed pins along the edge. It measures 3 1/2" x 3 1/2".


My embroidered parakeet measures 4 1/2" wide by 5 1/2" high. It is worked in long and short stitch with embroidery floss on cotton fabric. I started stitching this piece quite a few years ago, but had not finished it. I drew this portrait of my bird, Casey when he was young. I am happy to have finally finished it as a tribute to my favorite bird.

My Greenhouse, Fish Pincushion, and Bracelets

Visit my web site at http://mysite.verizon.net/designsbyidele to view my beaded miniature bears and other animals. Visit my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadeddesignsbyidele

It has been a while since I updated my blog.I have been busy beading several new projects this year. In my last update, I featured my blue beaded peyote parakeet that looked just like my bird Frankie. I am sad to report that Frankie died from a tumor in April. It was quite a shock because he was so young. I now have a new baby parakeet named Jesse. He is nine months old and is already talking. He is yellow and green. I have not yet immortalized Jesse in beads.

I have completed four projects: a bead embroidered fish pincushion, two bracelets, and a right-angle weave greenhouse. I am almost finished with a fifth project: a right-angle weave aquarium.

The fish pincushion is bead embroidery. It measures 3 1/4" long by 3/4" wide. It is stitched on gray Ultra Suede. My inspiration for this piece was an antique sterling silver fish pincushion in my collection of antique sewing tools.

My greenhouse is entirely constructed with size 15/0 seed beads in double sided right-angle weave. The interior strip fills the greenhouse and shows things found in a greenhouse. It measures 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" by 1 3/4" high. A beaded peyote blackbird sits on top of the roof of the greenhouse. The roof opens and holds a sterling silver watering can with my nametag. This is my original design.

This bracelet is called "Kaleidoscope Cuff" which was designed by Carole Ohl. The triangles are worked in Peyote stitch with size 11 Delica beads. It has swarovski crystal beads embellishing the centers and edges of the bracelet. It reminds me of grannie square afghans.




The Medici Cuff bracelet was designed by Hannah Benniger. It is worked in double sided right - angle weave. It is 1 1/4" wide. I used all matt 15/0 seed beads for this project.