Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Beaded thingies

These are peyote flower beads that I started beading last night. Of the two on the dowel the one on the left is the first one I did following the directions from the Bead & Button magazine ( 2005 issue) and I was not happy with the result. It was a tad bit hard to do it that way, so the for the next one I started from the inside of the flower and worked my way outward.. MUCH easier!! This will be a cute design using reds and greens for Christmas I think.


Now.. this next bracelet I finished a couple weeks ago.. it is peyote stitch..regular even count.. but the reason it is so shapely is because you use different sized beads and ALOT of tension. This makes the beads bow out and gives it shape. I like it.. but hands protested after it was done. ...also...I recommend doing this in one sitting.. because when you put it down you loose some of the tension and it shows in the work. I got the pattern at www.bead-pattern.com .

Monday, July 30, 2007

New beading

This is a bracelet that I made for myself using 8 mini polymer clay cabochons I made recently. I used 11º and 15º seeds beads and 4 mm crystals. I really like how it turned out.
Here is another beaded polymer clay cabochon I made last week. The necklace is made with 11º and 15º seed beads in a spiral technique. I am going to put this one up for sale soon.

The technique used for this one is the Herringbone stitch. It is the first time I have used that stitch and I like it. These are some of my fav colors. The seed beads used are 11º and the clasp is a lightweight button I had laying around.

Now.. this bracelet I made last night in matte topaz 8º, gold lined 11º and shiny gold twist 12mm bugle beads. The pattern is in the August Bead and Button magazine and it uses the herringbone stitch too.I liked making this one too..not too difficult but you do have to take your time on it so you don't get lost! This one will be for sale as well.

In the Works

I have been working on a beaded fabric art doll recently ( pattern by Patty Medaris Culea) and as usual I had to make my first one a tad bit difficult/time consuming! Not only does my doll...Sunny...have a beaded sun on her back ( her tatoo as it were) but I decided to bead spirals all over her as well. I have dyed some lace for her skirt, which will have beads dangling as well, and am making a beaded collar too. Her hair will be dyed wool with beads in it too.I am happy with her so far..and am learning alot as I go. I would love to hear what you guys think about her!


The beaded sun tatoo on her back.




Close up of beaded sun..done in 11º and 15º seed beads..all embroidered on by hand.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

a new look

Well... have had a rough time of this blogging business! First computer trouble for over a month..then simply no time to post. Then.. today when I go to update my blog..it is gone! ugh! So I am starting afresh. I am not one to chat about my day to day life much..but I do like to share my art and things I have learned with it.
I do want to say that I have been honored to have been elected into the Vice President position of the Blue Ridge polymer Clay guild here in Asheville :o). It is a great group of folks that love to play with clay...we have a great time and lots of laughs. I hope I can do the job justice. Thanks guys!!
My favorite creations are the ones that I can put my many obsessions all together, like beading, polymer clay work and stamps. I am now making cool faux dichro clay cabachons and then I bead around them. Looks way cool and is MUCH cheaper than the real glass..tho I love that too!
Here are some pictures of what I made last weekend out of polymer clay. There are beads, cabs to bead around and pins.Clockwise starting bottom left: face cabs to use for art dolls, faux dichro with alcohol inks and metal leaf ,alcohol inks and stamped images, cabs and an art doll. I use Kato Liquid clay to get a thick glass like finish which is easy to do and looks great !