All Done!!

I realize beetles are not to everyone's taste, but I happen to like them; big, small, colorful or plain, beetles are always interesting to me.

This one began as a beetle-in-resin pendant, from the NC Childrens' Museum in Durham, NC. It came on a faux leather cord, and most folks ignored it when I wore it.

Try and ignore it now- he he he....

Happy Beading, Everyone!

What is it?

Just playing around with some bits from the last wholesale gem show, and one from the NC Children's Museum in Durham, NC...can you tell what that is?

Pearly Heart Double-Sided Bliss

Bead and Button offered an online pattern by Susan Eisemann, called Two Hearts Forever. It is fast enough to work up, if you have the materials ( calls for 4mm glass pearls, 4mm bicones- but you can do it in two colors of pearls, 11o seed beads) and if you are fairly proficient in RAW, that you can make it up for Mother's Day!

I absolutely did not want to make two RAW bases, as the pattern called for, because the one a friend made, that I was able to fondle, felt bulky and sort of pooched out in the middle. So, I wanted to see if I could make one base, then embellish both sides.

YES! It can be done. I used Miyuki 11o beads, and culled as I went, to be sure that the holes were not small, as they were going to have to take multiple thread passes. I should have used 4# Fireline, but only had the 6# with me. It worked out fine, doncha think?
Instead of the beaded bail, I am going to attach sterling jumprings or the like to the top, so that a sterling chain can go through it.

Happy Beading! And Happy Mother's Day!

Bloomin'

Sometimes we just have to have flowers in our lives. I have collected glass and lucite flowers for some time now, but have been reluctant to use them. This version of Stacked Sparkle (April Bead and Button magazine) has a double stack of beaded leaves and glass flowers along both edges. I tried just one row on each edge, but it wasn't enough. You can see pearls and Czech faceted rounds peeking out here and there. This is going to be a fav of mine, I can tell already.

Who Wants to Go Shopping For Beads?!

The turquoise and dyed agate square are from Alice's Lace and Fabric Shop, in Whittier, NC, right on US 74 West. No website, but a wonderful place to stop for seed beads, loose stones, all sorts of Native American bits like feathers, turtle shells, leather and stone pipes, plus the only fabric shop for 60 miles either direction!

The Raku Button came from the John C Campbell Folk School gift shop- $4!!

The rest of the beads come from Birdsong Beads in Andrews, NC- a really cute shop with surprising goodies every time I go!

PEARL SPARKLE

A varation of the Stacked Sparkle by Michele Skobel in the April 10 Bead & Button Magazine, I wanted something with a little less bling, so added glass pearls and matte 15o to the mix. Also am not a big fan of metal clasps, so did up a toggle and loop of the same beads.

I really like the results! Hope you do, too.

For Gail

This is for you, dear Friend, who watches our Tippy when we have to leave town (and spoils him rotten, and laughs off his faux pas!), fixes us tea, shares hours of interesting conversations on any topic, and doesn't mind me organizing or rearranging her home!

She is also my Mary Kay rep, so the colors are those....wear them in good health, Gail!

Last, but not least

A bit of Turkish crochet, in the form of bangles; one for my FL hostess Friend, Bebee and one for my transportation Queen, Harleen.

I will be taking this form of creating to the upcoming jury selection March 1, in Bryson City :-).

My Version

This is from the pattern Eidelweiss, on the cover of the October 09 Beadwork. It looks fine flat, but hangs strangely when worn, so I made it hang lengthwise, and added a large carnelian drop and more pearls to go through a hole in the focal beadwork. It is too much work to tear apart, but that was my first impression after finishing it...it may still happen, but will try to enjoy it first. It is comfortable.

MerQueen's Hand

She loves all things from the Seas, collecting the bits and baubles she finds in her travels, and adding them to her bejeweled self...

10"H X 6"W X 1.5" D, not including fringe.

stuff done since march 09

just so you know I wasn't sitting around doing nothing LOL!