Love Completed

I finally completed this pendant!  Love, love, love completed.  Some day I will take the time and string all of the pendants I have made this far. 

Elephant Necklace

I just love working with these animal themed pieces.  This one, a grey elephant, swims in a sea of green, blue and black seed beads interspersed with coral beads.  Also pools of a blue acrylic cabochon and a coral cabochon and are included for spots of color that carry the theme.  I will probably finish this off with a strand of black beads and a silver clasp.

Czech Glass Earrings

I found a source for some really neat czech glass pieces from the 1920's.  These milky white one's are by far my favorite.  I used tiny pink delicas to fill in the pierced holes.  then I outlined the edge with matte verdi gras green seed beads and a picot edge of matte black delicas.  Backed with black ultrasuede.  They have the prettiest raised floral design that really enhances their individual beauty.  I am going to have to get more of this particular style if I can!

12 pairs of earrings!

Before leaving for the hospital to visit a sick friend...I laid out and got ready for an earring marathon....12 matched pairs all ready to stitch.  This is my next goal after finishing the two projects I am currently working on...whew!

Abbe Piece and "Love"

Have been busy with the Abbe piece.  I am not really happy with the way it is turning out so I decided to give them a choice.  I have an older piece picked out and will take both.  I think the reason I don't like it is because it is outside my box...not my colors etc.  So I am just patiently stitching away and trying very hard to not rip it out and start over again.  I have a great strand of rough dyed green turquoise that will be perfect for this.

In the meantime I am letting it rest on the board and stitched this one with a little charm I recently found on a scavenging trip.  I love the color combination on this one, which is also a little outside my comfort box, of freshwater pearls and coral beads with black.

Abbe Museum Auction Piece

I have been struggling with whether to create a new piece or donate an old one to the upcoming Abbe Museum auction.  I looked thru all of my cabochons looking for initial inspiration.  I found a great piece of turquoise carved in a pretty pattern but...it just was not quite right.  So I dug some more, thought some more, and then finally discovered an oval piece of bone I had.  From there I picked out a silver feather, some assorted beads in coordinating colors and a strand of dyed green turquoise.  I really wanted to use the turquoise beads which is what gave me the trouble with the blue piece of turquoise I was considering. 

I started it this afternoon inbetween visiting a friend in the hospital and all of the other things I cram into a day!  I started with the black beads and peyote stitched around and then switched to a pale brown for the top of it.  And from there the piece tells me what to do.  I love this part of the process when the mind takes over and it becomes exactly what it is supposed to be.

I really wanted to try to stay with a theme that matches what the Abbe museum stands for.  Its continuing indian education to the public and the crafts that have been carried thru the years with families and tribes.  i recently went to the gift shop in bar Harbor and found so many things to be inspired by.  I have 2 weeks to complete this piece and then it will be photographed for their auction book.  I am excited to be able to attend the festivities and be a a part of this great organization.  Last years event raised over $30 thousand dollars...wow!

Almost Finished Projects On The Board

I have several projects really close to completion that I am packing up with me.  Hopefully I can finish these while away!  I have a handmade Raven cabochon edged in red and black seed beads waiting to be strung, a carnelion and picture jasper pendant embellished with lots of crystals, bits of amber and beads waiting for edging and fringe perhapsand a handmade blue fairy cabochon waiting for the edge beading.  I hand beaded some little felt balls in matching colors but can't decide if I want to use them with this piece or not.   And lots more ideas in the wings waiting to be beaded!  

The clasps should be done soon and I have a pile of stringing to get to.  Looks like a stringing day is coming up in my future!  I stopped by Island Artisans to see my work in the case and got a little teary...I could not believe it was mine...it was that beautiful!  Amazing what a great display and lighting will do.  I was really pleased with it and will be even more so when I sell my first piece.  Here's hoping for a busy summer of sales. 

Earrings

Unknown black/burgundy/Gold matched cabochons.  These may be Jasper but I am not positive.  In one of my favorite color combinations of bronze and matte black.  Sterling hooks.

Multi Gemstone Pendant

Just finished this lush pendant!  I went all out with the gemstones which include: pink quartz, amethyst and aventurine cabochons.Garnished with freshwater pearls, garnets, swarovski crystals, vintage flowers  glass beads and an amethyst and opalite bead. Tiny pink beads make a picot edging.  I am going to string it  with freshwater pearls, garnets and glass beads.  Finished off with a sterling silver clasp.

Bronze and Pearls

This amazing pendant started with an amazing stone I got recently in an assortment package.  I love the muted colors with a small patch of sky blue.  I started the edging with an iridescent blue and then switched to smaller beads in bronze around the edge.  Then I remembered some freshwater pearls I got in an embellishment pack.  They were perfect for the edge and the pendant became vertical instead of horizontal after I put them on.  I wove some strands around and over the pearls melding them into the stone so the pendant appears to be a solid piece.  Yellow jade beads, freshwater pearls and glass seed beads incorporated into the strand it hangs from.  A handmade sterling silver  S clasp finishes off the pendant.Backed with pale grey ultrasuede.

New Piece

I had made this pendant a while ago and finally got it strung.  This might be one I keep because I really love the combination of colors and materials.  The stone is unknown but an amazing yellow color that I enhanced with black and choc covered cherry beads and garnets strung around one side.  It has some fringe bead on the bottom. Strung with aragon and garnet beads for the necklace part.

Finishing Projects



Strung with black and black/silver beads!

 Did some beading with my friend Amy yesterday.  Got a lot of things finished and ready for the finishing touch of a clasp.  My friend Shelley is busy making me some and I am excited to be able to help support her art and buy them locally made.  She does great work!

More Earrings

Made up a couple more pairs of earrings.  The first is a pair of vintage (plastic) cabochons I got at a thrift store.  I liked the raised dimensional dome design on them and the feeling of lightness as well. They almost resemble a sun with rays. They are a pretty clear blue with a little silver on the backing.  I beaded them in metallic pink and two toned blue/yellow.  Backed with black untrasuede.  Sterling Silver ear hooks. 

The other are a matched pair of white quartz with pink, purple and green beads around the edge.  The ruffled pink edge really sets off the stones as does the pink freshwater pearl drop in the center.  Backed with grey ultrasuede.  Sterling Silver ear hooks. 

Lapis Face Earrings

I finally used a pair of these hand carved Lapis faces to make a pair of earrings.  Metallic fuschia seed beads and tiny irridescent blue beads ruffling around the edge complete these tiny earrings. 

New Earrings

Made a few pair of earrings over the weekend.  One is a matched pair of green turquoise edged with metallic pink seed beads and pale pink #15's and black delica's.  I added a ruffle around the edge with the pale pink and a pink freshwater pearl to the drop at the bottom.  Backed with pale grey ultrasuede.  Approx. 3/4" across.

The other, a pair of matched black onyx, is edged in my new favorite color combination.  A green/blue matte finish seed bead with a green tinted bronze #15 edging and around the edge in a picot finish.  Backed with pale grey ultrasuede.  Approx. 1" across.

Both will have sterling silver ear hooks.  These will both be at Island Artisans in Bar Harbor.

Zebra Piece

Finished another little zebra necklace.  I used seed beads in the colors of burgundy and black in this one with a few crystals (cut glass and white quartz) to shimmer and sparkle.  I strung the necklace with handcut garnet beads and black seed beads between.  Love the look of it.  Lots of subtle sparkle!  This piece is available for viewing at Island Artisans in Bar Harbor.  Finished off with a hand made and hammered copper finish clasp. 

Mermaid Necklace

I finished the black mermaid and am waiting for some beds to string it with.  Meanwhile I went ahead and started the white one in some happy, cheerful shades of pink and purple.  I have lots of amethyst chips that will make a great necklace for this one.  Love them both!  Mermaids and mythical things are often a part of my work. 

Happy Dance!

For years I have been going into a certain Gallery called Island Artisans in Bar Harbor.  I love their stuff!  It is really high quality handmade crafts of all kinds of different materials.  I used to look into the jewelry cases and drool and think someday...I will be good enough to be here.  After years of trying, perfecting and finally finding a craft I love I decided to take the leap.  Amy, I could not have done it without your support and encouragement and great reference!  So I called and went over for not only a talk, and viewing of my beaded jewelry, but a job interview.  I got a part time job and left some things with them to look at and possibly jury at the next meeting a few days later.  Well it is official...this morning I got an email from them saying I am in!!!  Happy dance! 

Now I will meet with them and see what pieces fit into their gallery.  I am so glad that this year I decided to be serious and dedicate myself to my art.  It is really paying off.  You have to believe in yourself and be willing to trust that it will all happen!

Mermaid Pendant

I have been busy with the garden the last few days but had a little time to start this new pendant.  I got this carved marble piece a few weeks ago and really like the feel of it.  I peyote stitched a base of irridescent seed beads and green delicas.  I just have to do the edge stitch and backing and this will be done.  I am hoping to get in some serious beading time soon!

Cabochon Pin

Decided to try my hand at a pin.  I am rather pleased with the results!  I started with a mystery green cabochon that I had and peyote stitched green seed beads around the edge with a red delica border.  I added a yellow hued gemstone crystal, 2 red and 1 green vintage plastic cup flower, a green jade bead and a green swarovski crystal.  It has a vintage christmas feel to it with the color scheme. 

I am so happy with it that you will probably see more in the near future.  I think pins are always popular and a great gift!

New Pendant and Finished Contest Piece

What a beautiful day we had here.  Lots of sun and outdoor activity.  I finished the Jade Dog project and am quite pleased with it.  I took some great pics and will post them all on May 16th when the official pics are all posted on Jade Dog facebook page. 

I started a pendant today with a mystery cabochon that I just love the color of.  It has a sort of mustardy yellow.  I enveloped it with a chocolate covered cherry brown and matte black seed and delica beads.  Then I tried some twig like fringe at the bottom with some cut faceted garnets that climb up one side of it.  I have not decided if I want to use some of the beads that I have picked out for a necklace or put it on a leather cord.  But I really love how it turned out.  I backed it with some green ultrasuede. 

Jade Dog and Update

Still working on the jade Dog challenge.  I will post pics in May when the other entrants are also posted so it will be a surprise!  It is coming along and I am trying my best to stick with only the beads from the kit and not add any (except the one that I have) to the overall piece.  I hope everyone likes it!!

This weekend we went to a few stores and I got a few new trinkets.  Some pretty green seed beads and some cute buttons that I am going to try to take the backs off of to incorporate into some pieces.  Also, last night, we went to bar harbor and stopped in at the Hemporium.  They have a huge selection of the cutest animal, food etc shaped beads.  I found some loons and puffins to make earrings for the tourists with.  And a cute pair of eyes to add to my morbid collection of bones, skulls and the like.  Some day they will all make a great piece just for me!

And...the best news is the Fire Mountain order came in and we got it all sorted out.  It now resides in my house in various drawers and shelves.  I have a lot of projects crammed into my head at the moment!  I just need a lot more time to create them all.  Happy May 1st to all!