Bugle beads!

I am working on trying to incorporate the bugle beads into my Jade Dog challenge and it is challenging me!  I think I have it conquered but I am at a point where being an artist (the drawing kind) would really come in handy.  I can give you a hint about my finished project and what it is going to become....it is Alice In Wonderland inspired...shhh!  That is all I can say right now.  It is coming along slowly...bead by bead!

The Jade Dog Bead Challenge

I am getting ready to start stitching for the Jade Dog Bead Challenge.  I have had my packet of beads for a while now.  Musing on what I wanted to create.  I think I am ready.  I added a few things of my own for it.  The rules say I must use at least 50% of the beads from the packet.  I think that i won't add any beads of my own but rather another small surprise or two.  Thus making it totally unique and my own!  I probably won't be posting pics until this project is finished and the winners have been announced just to keep it a big surprise.  So stay tuned!  in the meantime here is a pic of the packet that I got from The Jade Dog.

Carved Moon Face Necklace

This little bone carved face is suspended from hand beaded spirals of coordinating colors.  One side is predominantly fuchsia with a green iridescent core with the other side the opposite colors.  The bone face is edged with metallic lilac delicas.  Backed with burgundy ultrasuede.  The closure is two drilled amethyst crystals into a loop.  Necklace is approx 21" in length.  The bone carved cabochon is approx 1 1/4" across at the widest point.  Retails for $95.  This necklace is currently at Flying Mountain Artisans in Southwest Harbor.  You can view it personally there or contace me for further info.

New Cabochons

I just got in this cool shipment of cabochons.  The little faces are lapis (hand carved) and just perfect for sweet, little earrings!  The mermaid is also hand carved marble and just gorgeous.  So gorgeous that I ordered a few more!  So, stay tuned for upcoming projects with these cuties!

Cherry Creek Jasper Earrings

I made these up today.  They are a matched pair of Cherry Creek Jasper enjanced with mustard yellow seed beads and delicas in fuschia, pink and a cranberry tone.  Backed with gray ultrasuede.  Sterling silver earring hooks.  retail for $35.

Finished-Top Of Bib Necklace!

I finally finished stitching the top of the bib necklace after a solid 3 hours this morning.  It has really come together nicely.  I am so happy with it!  It is my largest project yet but worth it.  I used so many different materials in this one including: peridot, turquoise and amber chips, freshwater pearls, swarovski crystals, jade butterfly, a antique carved cabochon focal piece, black onyx and carnelian cabochons, seed beads in the colors of antique gold, egyptian gold, metallic green and chocolate covered cherry brown, delicas in yellow gold, metallic green and iris black, gold bugle beads and black E beads. 

Just waiting on some ultra suede for the back and I can finish this masterpiece! 

Update: Bib Necklace

Got a huge shipment of cabochons in the mail today!  Good timing since it is a birthday present to myself...the beaded baby sereis is now at Flying Mountain as well as a few other new items.  I have some stones picked out for the next one's.  A gorgeous aqua one that will be so cute with the colors I have in mind.  I have been pretty busy but have slowly been beading along with the bib necklace so I will post an updated pic here for you to see.  I also got some small pieces of art finished and hung at the gallery.  Lots of painting of small boxes for upcoming displays. 

Monkey Box

I found these cool little boxes and thought these are perfect for beaded tops.  Started this one last night with a monkey head and think it is so cute!  The box has a little brass clasp and hinges and would be perfect for all sorts of little treasures (or just on it's own).  The box measures 3 1/4" across the length of the top by 2 1/4" across the top and 2 1/4" high.  Pink and blue bugle beads, rootbeer frosted, blu, pink and fuschia seed beads along with tiny pink delica's accent the two (pink and brown) vintage cabochons that decorate the top. And, of course, the monkeys head! Lined with ultrasuede in the bottom of the box. Retails for $35.

Bib Necklace

Taking a break from the beaded baby series (again) to create a larger piece.  I have had a box of colors and cabochons all picked out for this project for a while.  Since I finally had a dark bead backing I decided to get going!  This necklace is going to be lush and dripping with lots and lots of beads.  So far I have stuck with the color scheme of gold, bronze, copper, rust and greens.  I have picked out carnelian, black onyx, amber, turquoise, peridot, jade and oodles of seed beads and delica's in varying coordinating shades for my palette.  I think that picking out the colors and materials for a project is the most fun! 

The first pieces I decided to start on are the curved pieces for the neck.  I have turquoise and amber chips, gold bugle beads, a carnelian cabochon and seed beads in cherry brown, gold and a mettallic green.  With coordinatin delicas in brown and yellow.  I added some frills on the ends of the bugles for texture.  I am hooked!  The vintage cabochon piece for the middle is going to be the crowning focal for this necklace.  It will be my largest project since the box I previously made (scroll down a bit to see it).

Also this weekend I got some great little wooden boxes (and more beads!) for future projects.  I already have a couple of ideas that I cannot wait to start on...always thinking!  Today is my first day of work.  It will cut into the actual beading time I have had...darn!  But a girl has to eat.  Also tonight I have an interview for the local newspaper.  I spent the morning cleaning up a bit.  The sun is out here finally and it is a beautiful morning.  Enjoy yours!  I will be organizing the kitchen at the bakery and getting ready for the season.

Earring Prototype

I have been experimenting with earrings in my head for a while now.  Decided to test out some of the ideas that I have and am pleased with the results.  Here is a pic of one of them so far!

Beaded Baby Series #6

Took a little break from beading for a few days!  Got a large bead order together, did a little local shopping and finally got this little doll done.  She is #6 in the beaded Baby Series,  All red, green and copper with little flower embellishments from http://beadinpath.com/ I added a little red crystal to the bottom of her for a little bling.  She measures approx 3 3/4" long (with the crystal at the bottom) and 2 1/4" wide at the widest point across. Retails for $65.

I also took a little time to do some internet surfing for supply ideas and stumbled upon a brilliant artist by the name of Laura Mears.  her website can be viewed here http://beyondbeads.com/  I will be adding the raven and an eagle to my collection.  Which one strike your fancy?  I have a list of faorites...the little fawn, tree frog, owl...the list goes on!

Thanks, Nicole!

Nicole from beadwright mentoined me in her blog today!  It has made my day.  All due to finding, purchasing and using her great product: Nicloe's Beadbacking.  I love it and you will too!  you can view her blog at http://beadwright.blogspot.com/ and her etsy store at http://beadwright.etsy.com/

Clay Cabochons On Etsy

Due to some interest I have listed some of my handmade cabochon faces on my etsy store.  You can see them here!

http://etlee.etsy.com/

Beaded Baby Series #5-Every Shade Of Purple!

Well, here is the latest!  For those who guessed purple...you were right!  This one is done in all kinds of shades of shimmering purples.  I embellished with a purple freshwater pearl, crystals in lots of  purple shades and a tiny little purple irridescent drop at the very bottom to balance her out.  There is lots of detailing and this one took a little longer than the others but I think she is worth it!  Backed with soft pale grey ultrasuede and backed with dark purple (http://beadwright.etsy.com/) Nicole's Beadbacking!  Loving the color variety that I got in the multi pack!  Measures approx 3" long by 1 1/4" across at the widest point.  Retails for $75.

Great News!

Well I found out last night that I have been officially invited to participate in the Gifted Hand Gallery in july.  Christina Heiniger has in the past had a "pop-up" store there over the Christmas season.  I mentoined it before as a source of some of the beads and cabochons I have used.  She had the opportunity to do it again and went for it!  So, I have been invited as one of the 15 artists that will be represented there.  Jenny (my friend, beading and craft table partner  http://beadjenny.etsy.com/) has also been invited!  I am very excited at the opportunity and exposure this will have.  The sun is out here today which means good light at my work table for some more beading!  I will post a pic later of the latest beaded baby that I have almost finished.  Can you guess what color she might be this time??

Beaded Baby Series #4

Here is the fourth in the series of 12 I am doing.  Once again I used that great new beadbacking I got from Nicole at Beadwright. You can visit her at her etsy store http://beadwright.etsy.com/  This one in a lovely dark brown.  I edged her in dark brown, tan, blue and a gold brown seed and delicas.  Her neckwear is opalite.  I love her crown of blue and brown beads that encircle her face.  I always consider my current work to be my current favorite but I really do love this one.  I love blue and brown together!  Measures approx 2 1/4" long by 1 1/4" across at the widest point.  Retails for $75.

Organization Day!

Yesterday I was thinking I had every color of seed bead that I might need...then I discovered an elusive brown was missing from my collection to finish a piece I was working on.  I tried them all but not the right color appeared.  Strange...maybe I need more!  So I awoke this morning determined to organize my bead collection a little bit more.  And think about the aspects that makes a working space/studio the right enviorment.  Certainly the first things that you might think of are...light (natural is always better than electric), a comfortable work table and the ability to be surrounded, without cats,  by your collective chaos for inspiration!  But there is so much more...So in true fashion I have started a list.  In the meantime I went thru and put all of the seed beads I had in bags, boxes etc into clear tubes to then display in my great new rack.  All of the seed beads are vertical and color organized now for easy access.  I discovered I did have the right shade of brown after all! 

Beaded Baby Series #3

I just finished up another in the Beaded Babies Series.  Three done, Nine more to go!  This one is done in a variety of pink, gold and fuschia seed beads and some sparkly black delica's. I also incorporated some pale pink bugle beads and some pale pink sparkly crystal beads around her neck for some added bling. The cabochon face was handmade by me.  I tried out this great new backing material (Nicole's Beadbacking) and am so pleased!  Glad I went with the variety pack of colors because I now have a great palette to match my color schemes with.  If you want to check it out you can reach Nicole at her etsy store: http://beadwright.etsy.com/ I think you will be very pleased at the quality and stiff surface her backing provides.  I matched this particular piece with a pale pink beadbacking.  Measures approx 3" long by 1 1/2" at the widest point across.  Retails for $95.

Beaded Babies Series #2

As an artist it always amazes me when the process guides me to something that satisfies that craving to create we have inside. I love beading with a passion that is hard to put into words. That is how i feel about it every day. Especially when I stumble upon something that makes me just want to keep on making them. This series of dolls has me enraptured in the tiniest of details! From their hand stitched bodies to the little features that makes each one so unique. Like hair or cabochon facial detailing. I have been trying to think of a unique name to incorporate all of them as a whole. The second doll in the series is pictured. Her tiny grey dreadlocks really make her personality shine. I hope you like her too! I am already planning the next one so stay tuned. I can picture at least a dozen of them so far.

Beaded Baby Series #1 and Faces

I could not wait and got the little faces painted! Started matching them up with cabs and started a little one with a silver face cabochon. I got the little swarovski crystals at the bead show this past weekend and love the irridescent sparkle they have in the light. They make a pretty necklace for the beaded baby. The face is painted in a wah of silver, gold and bronze and has such a sweet musing expression. I put a picot edging around the body and a twisted rope edge around the head for more hair like texture. I can picture a whole series of them more plainly now that I have completed one. Off to the next! Materials used include seed beads and delicas in silver lined dark amethyst, matte black and a glossy lime green and swarovski topaz crystals. Backed with soft pale grey ultra suede. The focal bead was bought at the gallery grand when it was open this past march in ellsworth. Measures approx. 2" long by 1 1/4" wide at the widest point across. Retials for $55.

Southwestern Inspired Pendant

I thought I would have a try at colors that are totally different from what I usually use....so I chose red and yellow. They turned out to be the perfect companion to a mystery cabochon that I had coupled with a superb piece of turquoise. I loved how it turned out and perhaps am now a fan of yellow. Measures approx. 2 1/2": long and 1 1/2" across at the widest point. Comes with a leather cord for hanging. Retails for $75.

Recovering!

Recovering and taking a "little" break from beading! It is a gorgeous sunday here in Maine. Maybe spring really has arrived...tell the snowbanks that still reside in my driveway that it is time to go. The show was lots of fun. I got to meet and talk with some great people while there. I also was invited to participate in the little pop up store that Christina Heiniger has on Main Street in Ellsworth for July. I am very excited and already have some ideas running thru my head for some great things to have there. I think it is going to be a busy and creative summer. I have a series of little fetish dolls in the back of my head. I started on the faces and here is a glimpse of them in their raw form before I start painting them. I am trying to figure out little details such as incorporating cloth into them. Definitely some hair textural features such as dreadlocks etc. So stay tuned for further updates as they evolve. For now they are silent and still...

First Day Of Bead Show

Spent the day with my friend Jenny at the Spring Bead and Bauble show. For those of you in the area who know these Bead shows are twice a year and organized by Christina Heineger. They are a great mix of beaders who do their own beading and those who want to sell their finished projects. 25 vendors! We had a fun day and sold a few items to the general public. The funnest part for us is also restocking our own personal supplies. I got some new things to try and will post pics later and show off mky new loot. We had a personally catered lunch that was scrumptious. Divine sandwiches with slices of pear, hummus and yummy vegetables. I have never had pear in a sandwich before and am now a huge fan. I got to see lots of my friends. My friend Amy spent a large chunk of time, and money...lol. I have her hooked on stitching with beads now and am happy to see her beautiful results! I got a little work done on a green cabochon in pink and yellow. Back again tomorrow for more fun!

Finished Zebra Pendant

I finished the edge and stranding on this pendant finally. Ready to wear. I used silver lined violet delicas for the fringy edges. Lots of crystal beads and freshwater pearls make up the length. Retails for $150.   SOLD

Lemon Chrysacolla Pendant

A large lemon chrysacolla cabochon is framed with tiny delicas and seed beads in cream and brown. I stranded this with freshwater pearls, cut agate and jasper stones and finished it off with a gold clasp. Backed with sot green ultrasuede. Hangs approx. 26" long. Retails for $195.

Fairy Necklace

Another beautiful necklace...cabochon by florasfindings! I love fairies and this little cabochon is so magical. I chose green, browny gold and mettalic colors in seed and delica beads. the strand is coral beads and bronze freshwater pearls. Finished off with a gold hook clasp. measures approx 23" in length. Retail $95. SOLD!

Crystal Ball Pendant

This pendant is so gorgeous! The picutre does not do this beautiful cabochon justice. It is even better in person. This is called Crystal ball (john Waterhouse fine art). It is a handmade cabochon that I got recently on Etsy (florasfindings). Florasfindings has some beautiful cabochons in different styles and she is wonderful to deal with!). I have several other styles to follow. This was edged in pink and gold seed beads and silver lined fuschia and gold delica beads. I added a picot edging in gold delicas as well. It has a hand forged clasp and is strung with gold seed beads, garnet drilled beads and maroon freshwater pearls. Backed with a soft grey ultrasuede. Truly one of a kind and unique! Length is approx. 23". Retails for $95.

The Colors Of Fall Pendant

If fall colors are you palate than this is the necklace for you! I went all out with three seperate strnds ending with a hand forged clasp. Lots of green, rusty oranges, cream and black beads, including little glass shaped leaves, comprise this necklace with three stacked cabochons that are hand stitched with tiny seed beads on ultrasuede. Tiny peridot chips also encircle the smaller cabochons. Lots of textures! Retails for $195.

Dripping with Purple

Three agate cabochons hang suspended and encircled with tiny purple seed beads in varying colors. I also added purple freshwater pearls and strung it with amethyst chips. If you like purple this is the necklace for you! Retails for $195.

Spring Butterfly Pendant

This cute little polymer clay cabochon has sweet little flowers and a butterfly on it. Tiny intricate detailing. Measures approx. 1 1/4" wide by 2" long (including beaded fringe. Includes leather cord with clasp. Retail $25. SOLD

Amethyst Pendant

I had this half finished pendant on the beading tray and finished it today. It is so pretty in pink, purple and black. I tried a little picot edging on it for something different. Measures approx. 1 1/4 by 1 1/4: around. Perfect for a leather cord. Retails for $25.

Purple Sea Sediment Sea Jasper Pendant

A lovely triangular piece of Purple Jasper edged in coordinating purples and pinks. Backed with a soft grey ultra suede. This is a large piece! Measures approx. 2 1/4" by 2 1/4" across at the widest point The veining on this piece is really lovely. Peyote stitched loop at the top for a leather cord. Retail $125.

Beaded Box Creation

I finished the box! Undecided about whether to keep it or sell it. Hard to figure out what to sell it for but certainly it took a LOT of hours! Going to take it into the gallery today and see what my partners think of it. I still have to glue the top and put on a border.

Eclipse Pendant/Beaded Box

Finished this pretty little eclipse stone that I got this year at Gallery grand. I had a hard time choosing colors for this palate. Not my usualy but I eventually found a nice soft green and black to showcase it. I really like how the colors all work together! This pendant measures approx.

1 1/2" high by 1" wide. Retails for $35.

I also started a larger project after being inspired by a bead artist I admire on line. I painted an old box, that has a nice recessed top, in black. And then I picked out a few cabochons and just started letting the beads tell me where to go with it. I experimented a little with bugle beads and made a cute sort of fan edge on them. The colors are great. They remind me of oil on water. This will be the largest project I have beaded but good practice for that necklace that I have in the back of my mind!

Update

I have been otherwise occupied the last few days and have not been very productive. I got this small pendant done though! It is a gold tigerseye edged in root beer brown seed beads and blue delicas. Hangs from a leather cord. Measures approx. 1" across by 1 1/2" down. This is a fairly new shape for me. I had fun working the teardrop shape of it. Retails for $45.

Also while perusing a newly opened flea/antique mall in ellsworth I found this just built case. I have been looking for one for a while. I was really hoping to find one in black (my favorite color) but after getting it home and putting stuff in it I found I love the brown. It is juat the sort of display case that I need and so affordable. I will probably get a few more in the future for shows! I am really happy with this find and just in time for the show this weekend as well...

Also my new boxes have arrived just in time for the stickers I got for the tops of them. And my new business cards as well!