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Bead Journal Project, January

Well, here they are in all their glory! Don't they look sweet? The one on the left represents my daughter, Dawn...the one on the right my daughter in law, Alina. Subtle changes in whites to silvers, more surface finishes than color. Lots of bead soup mix used for this project.

Only a few different stitches used in the creation of this piece. Mostly backstitch and stop stitch to hold the beads with holes in place upright. All down on Stiffy Stuff, then ttrimmed close to show the shape.

These pieces might be mounted into a frame later, so the edges are waiting until that deciding factor. Perhaps one will be set into a frame and the other afixed onto an Ultrasuede backing with a bail attachment to be worn on a necklace later.

Bead Journal Project in progress, January

This is January's work in progress, photo taken on the road. Yes, I do get lots of beadwork competed while John is driving. This clearly shows the layout and design of the little pregnant "goddesses" that have become the vehicle for my beaded project. The outline is printed on a new water soluable product called Tranfer-Eze. Best used for stitching projects, I thought it might give my pieces a bit of uniformity...at least at the start...We'll see where they end !!!

The two Goddesses represent my two sweet gals going through their pregnancies almost side by side. my daughter is expecting in July, then my daughter-in-law is expecting in September! We are calling them our twin cousins! So, mirror imagery came to mind first, then the white light for the "light of my life" or the "light of the universe" that these two babies represent. These will be our two first grand-babies! The cabochons are actually hand made glass by BeadStarr, the flash of rainbow color are the result of dichroic glass. The bead embroidery is laid onto Stiffy Stuff, next pieces will be in color since I have gotten packs of Nicoloe Campanella's beadbacking. Lots of white beads from my stash, mixed into a bead soup of various of shades and surface finishes were used for this piece. More to come soon! This is great fun...just finding time for it all is the challenge.

Olivine Pearl Wraparound

First of all, for any of you Latin buffs out there...would you like a challenge? Translate the wording on the copper button; tandem patientia vincit...together we conquer, umm, calmly? no that doesn't seem right...what do you think?

Okay, now down to business! The wraparound was something I made in an evening, amazing how fast it went together. First the inspriation came from the glass pearls, nice look and smooth finish with smooth holes, too. Each pearl section was about 8" of beads, separated by a grouping of chinese rondells and then a group of 4mm fire polish czech. It wraps four times and feels very nice. It's such a pretty color of green, goes with lots of the wardrobe.

Well, this is probably the first of several in this pattern. I know a grey and black one are waiting to be made, as well as a red and silver one...Now , where'd I put that silver button???

Old World Netted Cuff

This is one is for the record books! I think it has taken me five years to complete the finished product. How about a big cheer...one more UFO finished. Hey, it's a great accomplishment for such an ADD beader such as myself....oooh, look another shiny object over there!!!! I'm a crow for sure!

Well, the good news...These beautiful Oval Swarovki Crystals, #4127, are very popular right now.

Alot of bling for your wrist! The capture for this stone, in Fuchsia, is a little unique, first a right angle bezel , then an added peyote row...Next add a bit of Bicone crystal trim and a few picots edges with some very tiny 15/0'one cuts...which are tinier than the Japanese 15's...Of course, the seedbeads are hard to come by, vintage true cuts (somewhere between an 11 and 10) which I purchased at Monica's Quilt and Bead Creations about 7 years ago... I have a collection of some colors, it was easier to find them 5 - 10 years ago.

I'm most proud of the connection of bezel to netting...the focal piece is not just set on top of the bracelet...it's all built as one piece! really..how can that be???? well, stay tuned, secrets to be revealed in due time. Classes, of course, are the easiest way to get inside my head...HA-HA!

Oooh, wouldn't this be a pretty ring!!!! and a BIG one, Too! Hey, we'll see about that.