Sign of the Dancing Fairy

Transferring

2012-01-22T15:45:00.000-08:00

Just to let everone know, I'm transferring my blog to wordpress. The url is the same, just wordpress.com instead of blogger.com (so, http://www.joancromley.wordpress.com/). I'm trying to blog more, really!

Fabric bowls

2010-12-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

I've been making fabric bowls for everyone this Christmas. I even added coupons for a bowl of their color and size choice to some! These green bowls are for the kid's teachers (green and white are the school colors). I just cut 1" strips of various prints, sewed the ends together to for a long strip and then wrapped it around clothesline, folding the trailing edge under so it hid the raw edges. The wrapping is what takes the longest, but it's easy to do while watching TV! Then I coiled the rope, sewing it together with a zigzag stitch on my sewing machine. Presto! Bowls for everyone! I did Christmas prints for the other presents. It's interesting how the prints look so different once they're wrapped. I had some red and green large design fabric that I thought was cool, but it didn't lend itself to small projects easily. Cut it into strips, wrap it and it was a perfect blender between more red or green prints! I'm really hoping they take me up on the coupons, so I can try different colors.

I sew, I sew...

2010-12-09T23:31:00.000-08:00

Still trying to get Christmas presents done. The good news is I seem to have stopped breaking needles (yeah!). As always, I have way more projects than time will allow. I'll have to see what gives - projects or my sleep! I am finally doing a little bit of beading, a crocheted bracelet that was ordered. It's a bit more bling than my usual, but I like it - it has AB finished faceted beads,amethyst triangles and pink and blue seed beads (all AB (AB=Aurora Borealis, a shiny multi-colored finish)). The large beads I'm using have a clear base- I might feel the need to try the black based ones in a bracelet for me!

Diversions

2010-11-29T22:36:00.000-08:00

I think part of the reason I've postponed blogging is I hate dealing with the pictures. I know they really help you see what I'm doing, but they just take so long to upload and get placed. So, I'll try when I can, but I'm giving myself permission to do posts without them sometimes, because otherwise I don't post at all.

I've been busy working on Christmas presents lately. I'm sewing a variety of things, including my finger (just the tip, through the callous thank goodness!). That's what happens when you sew without the presser foot in place, and trying to get things in place as the needle's flying! I really need to remember to take my lead foot off the pedal.

I'm recently hooked on the clothesline basket fad. I don't have the books, but I have perused the net, coming up with some good info. It's pretty straightforward - you cut fabric in strips, wrap them around clothesline, and sew it together with a zigzag stitch in a coil. There are some options - cutting the strips on the bias vs selvage to selvage, turning down one edge of the strip so it covers the raw edge (which I favor) or leaving them exposed so they ravel slightly. You need to use cotton rope, which I've found locally at our Fred Meyer in the laundry section at the cheapest price - they have the same rope, different brand, in the hardware section for more $! I'm using up some of the prints I've had stashed for years (probably decades) and it's totally functional. Flat, they make great coasters and trivets, or you can angle it as you go and make bowls. I've figured out how to turn the bowl and sew it backwards to give a nice flat rim. Yes, I can hear you saying, "Where's the pics?". I haven't even taken any yet! I'll try to do that before I ship them out.

My other projects are hero dress-up stuff for nieces and nephews. Mask, belt, gauntlets, capes and shoe covers. Lots of satin, and satin stitching. I'm sure DH would love to have the dining room table back!

Bead work has suffered seriously. My July BJP needs finished, let alone the other months I'm behind, and I already signed up again! A few pieces I've been wearing, and decided they need some flaws fixed, mostly involving clasps. I've been inspired by Silver Parrot to make the length adjustable with links (also has me wondering about links made from shrink plastic). Now I just need to find the time, and my desk, to work on it! I also have an order for a crocheted bracelet, found the beads I want for the outside curve ( I usually use 15/0, 11/0, 8/0 and 6/0 or 4mm to make it squiggle), now to pick the rest and get it done! Along with the at-least 20 something other things I need to do - like feed the cats and fish!

Trying... Feb, March take 2

2010-04-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here's the pictures, in a form that should enlarge. I was trying to play around with uploading the pictures in html and then typing, but guess whatever I did didn't work! I've tried typing and then adding pictures, but it still adds them at the top, so I have to move them around. Sigh. That means the other post I've got ready to post won't enlarge either. Crud. At least I checked these, they should enlarge.

March projects

2010-04-26T23:09:00.001-07:00

I've finally gotten whatever glitch my pictures files had taken care of. It's frustrating when the computer freezes when I'm trying to upload pictures! Now, I've learned they won't enlarge. It seems to have a problem with the pictures I took that month - when I go to load them, it makes IE freeze. Sigh!

This is a necklace I made for my sister. She showed me a picture in a magazine, I took a picture of the page and this is what it inspired. Not exactly like the original, which is good! It had goldstone chips, copper beads, glass beads in a couple sizes, charms and freshwater pearls. The necklace has 2 extensions, so it can be worn short or long (or in-between). I made earrings to match. I don't normally do stringing, let alone multiple strands, so it was a nice stretch for me. I've got one for myself on my project list now, and maybe one in bluestone for my Mom!

This pendant is made with stone cabs from a local valley. I got them from a mom who's becoming quite the rock-hound, and she gave me some cabs to "play" with! This was her thank-you. I backed the cabs with foil so the background didn't show through the stones. It's backed with grey ultrasuede, and strung on satin cord that's tied in 2 sliding knots, so it's uber-adjustable. Now I know why some of the beaders make pendants like this - they are fairly quick, a nice instant-gratification kind of piece.
She gave me a piece of petrified wood, and lots of clear-ish cabs from the local rock-hound valley, which is near to where she lives. I'm going to have fun seeing what they turn into!

BJP for Feb, March

2010-04-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

I have actually been able to keep up with my BJP pieces so far (grin). It helps that they are fairly tiny! My button for Feb started with a red double spiral with a gold dragon charm sewn on top. I love dragons. I even had a big latex mask of a white dragon head, that I put on an armature and displayed like a trophy head! I kept it until the latex started to deteriorate. If I find another one, I might have to buy it to put in my "studio" (that's such a pipe dream!).

March's button started with a small ceramic orca, that I wanted to have leaping out of the water. I'm using my scrap beads (that's my challenge for the year), and don't have many color choices at the moment, so the water is greens and blacks. I did a small (minuscule) section of Ndebele for the "spray" from the leaping orca. What is up with spell check not knowing "orca"? Calling them "killer whales" is like saying a racial epithet for me!

April's button is started. It has a crab claw that I found at Padilla Bay. The girls and I hung out there one afternoon over Spring Break. The tide was exceptionally low, little brown shells everywhere, and we flew a kite that hung out like a balloon, just followed along whoever was holding it. A few days later there was an explosion at one of the refineries across the bay from there - killed 6 people. (Update - it's now 7) It's horrific to think about what those people went through. I will definitely be using the black beads I have left in my scraps.

January BJP

2010-02-04T22:04:00.000-08:00

Woohoo, I'm still on schedule! This is still the first month, so that's a good thing! I have 2 months to finish from last year, so I'd prefer not to get behind from the get-go this year.

I have the incredible shrinking BJP pieces - they get smaller every year! First post-card sized, then half that size, now large buttons. In a way that's good, since I wasn't counting on doing this year when I planned how to mount the previous 2 years worth, and I just have room on the outside edges for the buttons!

So this is what I started with - a large wooden button (extra cheap Christmas clearance), a cardboard circle to put over the holes, a circle of felt to use as stabilizer under a larger circle of calico, and a squiggle scrap of felt for on top. My "theme" per se this year is to use up my bits and bobs that need a good home, and perhaps use some of those "I want this for me but I'm not sure how to use it" stuff. This is what I started with - the felt circle is basted on at the circumference of the button, so I know my main beading area.Here the beading is done, to slightly larger than the basted circle (now removed). I have stacked up the button, cardboard circle, and half a cotton ball.This is the back side. I trimmed the felt close to the stitches. I've turned under the edges of the circle and ran a gathering stitch around the edge. The calico edges were treated with Fraycheck, so they won't unravel while I'm beading.This is the finished button, top and side views. The side view is tilted a little, sorry.

This worked up lickety-split, I'm really looking forward to doing the rest!

Quick Ckeck-in

2010-01-10T23:50:00.000-08:00

What's new:

signed up for BJP 2010, probably doing largish covered buttons for my pieces - once I get the last 3 done from 2009!

working on the hand challenge from BAD, turning out Way Cool. I need to find a clear acrylic base and rod for the base - this piece would be worthy of a competition.

made more crocheted bracelets, pink and green/white, need to string the next one (purple/red). I gave 10 bracelets for Christmas, got some nice comments.

I really would like to post more regularly, especially with pictures. Of course, I also need to loose weight, eat healthy, exercise and bead on a regular basis - I'm not making any promises on any of it!

Yet Another Part

2009-12-04T23:34:00.000-08:00

The little local paper actually printed the press release from Land of Odds! Here are the pictures from July of Yamka's construction. I had a lot to get done yet! Her shoes and skirt were done. The cab for the turtle needed sewn on, and the rest of her was yet to be beaded! You can see in the pictures the pencil lines for her face. You can't see any of that blue material on the finished doll. The shots on my desk show something I'm glad I did - I made a banner of all the sample pictures from Robin Atkin's latest book, and have them right where I can see them for constant reminders of different ways to use beads. Sometimes I just seem to get in a rut, doing the same pattern, and looking at that helps break me - "oh, yeah, a bugle path would look great, or what about a row of those 8 oughts flat". I still haven't tried a pinwheel flower, though I really want to! I just haven't had the right place for one yet. If you haven't voted yet, please go to the Land of Odds website and look at the great entries!

Doll Competition press release

2009-11-19T10:04:00.001-08:00

TOPIC: Joan M. Cromley of Sedro Woolley, WashingtonSelected Semi-FinalistAll Dolled Up: Beaded Art Doll CompetitionView, Vote and Evaluate These Beaded Art Dolls On-line Through 1/15/10www.landofodds.com/store/alldolledup2009contest.htm
"Yamka Wuti Kachina" by Joan M. Cromley

Fourth Bi- Annual, 2009
ALL DOLLED UP:
BEADED ART DOLL COMPETITION
Theme: Earthen Mothers
Presented by:
Land of Odds, Be Dazzled Beads, The Open Windows Gallery, and
The Center for Beadwork & Jewelry Art718 Thompson Lane, Ste 123, Nashville, TN 37204615-292-0610Contact: Warren S. Feldwarren@landofodds.com

More information at:www.landofodds.com/store/alldolledup.htm

Synopsis:Joan M. Cromley, of Sedro Woolley, Washington, and her doll "Yamka Wuti Kachina", selected as 1 of 6 semi-finalists in our national Beaded Art Doll Competition.
Creating a Beaded Art Doll requires an extraordinary mix of multi-media talents by the successful artist. It involves the design of a 3-dimensional doll form. It requires an imaginative application and manipulation of beads resulting in a tactile, visual and emotional representation of the artist’s goals. This year, these goals are focused on the theme: EARTHEN MOTHER
The Fourth Bi-Annual 2009 All Dolled Up: Beaded Art Doll Competition -- sponsored by Land of Odds, Be Dazzled Beads, The Open Window Gallery and The Center for Beadwork & Jewelry Arts in Nashville, TN -- sought out beaded art doll artists nationwide. This competition primarily focuses on the design skills of the doll artists; it’s not merely a beauty pageant.
Six semi-finalists from across the country were chosen by a panel of experts from The Center for Beadwork & Jewelry Arts from 12 wonderful entries.

Yamka Wuti, part 2

2009-10-18T22:53:00.001-07:00

Rings N Things was in town today, so I managed to talk DH into going to town and getting stuff at Costco while I drooled over beads. I didn't get much (it all fits in my hand) but the gemstones always make me wonder what to do with them. I'm never brave enough to buy a whole strand of large beads, I'd never use them all. They did have a table with Czech pressed glass, something different for them. I picked up a few strands of different pressed glass, since I know I'll use those. And some glazed ceramic tiny skulls, just for fun (they cost one quarter of my total purchase!). Some shell teardrops, silver filigree ovals and a strand of moss agate 4mm rounds rounded out my haul.

Carol asked where my embroidery techniques come from. I'm self-taught, being fortunate that I can usually figure things out from a book or magazine. I have some of Robin Atkin's books, the one from Sherry Serafini and Heidi Kummli, and a trove of magazines with labels for projects of interest. My "style" of beading with felt comes from looking at Lone Beader's blog, where she wonderfully shows her work in progress, and a desire to incorporate my particular beading heritage -I'm 1/64 Iroquois. The Iroquois beaders made trinkets for the tourists around Niagara Falls with raised designs. One way of raising the design was to put something under that part of the design to raise it, like a piece of paper bag. I used a piece of felt to raise part of a BJP piece, and that got me hooked - then I started adding layers, like Lone Beader (she does entire pieces in felt, with loads of layers stitched together). I'm slowly learning how I like to do it for my "style", by beading a layer, adding it to the next, and building it up like an applique quilt. I like doing pieces like that, and I'm hoping it becomes my signature style, something that when someone sees one of my pieces, they recognize it as mine.

These pictures are from June. The phoenix and butterfly are attached to the skirt piece, and the turtle is started on her back. I ended up taking the turtle back off, so I could slip the skirt over her head when it was stitched together. It wouldn't have slipped over her legs, and barely fit over her head! The skirt is calico over artist paper. I stitched the first few rows on top and bottom, then tacked the edges in and stitched over them for the remaining rows. The bottom border of the skirt has rainbow stripes, a stripe of alternating white and purple beads (rain), a bugle stripe (running water) and fans that look like thunder clouds. My original intention was to make feathers from tiny 15's, to put on a belt over the black at the top of the skirt. It would have looked cool, but there just wasn't enough time for me to fiddle with it. I did make up a few samples, and the idea may make it another project.

Yamka Wuti, part 1

2009-10-14T23:14:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm officially allowed to start sharing pictures, I figured I'd start close to the beginning! These pictures were taken 5/28. The phoenix and butterfly were stitched separately, then added to her skirt. I stitched the phoenix body with additional layers of felt for the body, then did a layer of fringe on the wings and tail. The butterfly picture is before stitching, showing the layers of felt. I'll stitch the outline, tack down the pieces of felt, do the beadwork and remove the outline stitches. I've learned that trimming the pieces with the blade of the scissors against the beads, so it cuts one blade-width away, allows me room to sew one row of beads to anchor the piece to the foundation (in this case, the skirt piece). I cut paper patterns in this case, making sure they fit in the area of the skirt that they needed to.

On my other projects, I was cutting the pieces of felt to fit the design, tacking them on the foundation, and then beading. I've learned that doing it as a separate piece allows me to let the beads dictate the form better, so it's more even. It's also easier to do it in layers than to try to get everything even and then realize half-way through the beadwork that it's off by half a beadwidth on one side.

All Dolled Up press release

2009-10-07T22:18:00.000-07:00

http://blog.landofodds.com/2009/10/02/all-dolled-up-beaded-art-doll-competition-2/

It has pictures of all 6 finalists, and snippets of the stories. I am so glad Sulia took so long that I changed tactics, since there's another tree spirit, very well done (Willow). Mine is at the very bottom. I felt a little wierd sending her off, but I'm just tickled that she made the cut!

skill vs vision

2009-10-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

While I was recently sick, I spent some time channel-surfing (the only thing my brain could handle). I chanced upon The Runway Project, where designers compete against each other for a shot at the big time. The particular challenge they faced was to make a costume for an imaginary film, done in a certain genre. And they had to be done in one day! They pulled the best and worst, and critiqued them. The best were really good - they had decided on a story, and the costume fit the story. The craftsmanship was good, and the costume's added to their story. The worst were ho-hum, couldn't tell where they fit in any story. But what struck me was a judge's comment - "She has good skills, but she doesn't have a vision" or something similar. How many times have we made something by following someone's pattern, or while you're making a piece you're just going through the motions? Are those pieces really art? When a piece talks to you, tells you what it's story is, and you manage to make something that really reflects that story, it just sings! It's made me affirm to myself, that what I make should have a story, that everything about it should reflect/add to that story. That my "major" pieces should not just reflect my beading skills, but be able to let someone see my vision about that piece. Skills only get you so far -the vision is key!

Split Salmon, revisited

2009-09-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

The split salmon cuff that I finished last year, is having a re-do. I decided the lining was too hot to wear comfortably (nuagahide), and took it apart. Now it's mounted on some canvas paper (Celitcat uses it), and will be framed. It's easier to see the difference in the sides with it flat, though the beadwork was done densely so it would work when curved -it's a little too tight now. Another lesson - larger designs get lost when curved, and I definitely need to use chamois or ultrasuede for lining. I'll post a pic when it's done.

Yamka Wuti

2009-09-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

Four months later, she's done! Yamka Wuti (Flowering Woman) got entered in the All Dolled Up competition, just barely in the nick of time! Major stress, but definitely worth it. I was ecstatic that she made it in the running. Now I get to finish a stand for her, and send her in! She made it to the top 6! There were 12 entries. I'll post a link here as soon as it get's published on the net. Voting counts for 25% of the final score, so please tell all your friends when it becomes available.

Now I get to finish my BJP pieces, starting with April. I'll have some mornings to myself soon, so hopefully those will go fast. I've signed myself up for a hand challenge. I'm considering taking 2 copies of Jenna's hand, back to back, minus the thumbs to make an octopus. I have some green wool felt, and lots of sea-ish colors (of course - they're my favorites!). Hopefully you'll be seeing more results from me!

Inspirations

2009-07-20T15:13:00.000-07:00

My mom has a book that gave me some great inspirations for beadwork. It's about flowers made by knitting or crocheting. The diagrams for the crocheted ones could really be useful to make them with beads - substitute 3 beads for a double crochet, 2 for a single, etc; or as a size guide for doing peyote or brick stitch. Sorry the picture's sideways! Some of the samples are very realistic, and done in beadwork would be stunning as a pair of earrings, or on a neckpiece. I would like to try some, and use them for dimension on some pieces. Another when-there's-time project, to file away for later!

In other news, my doll's got her skirt on, so she's about half done. The skirt was done with calico over artist paper and lined with chamois. I'm working on her torso now.

Computer Glitch

2009-07-08T22:02:00.000-07:00

We're back from our adventure, and besides the usual getting back into a routine, I'm faced with a cranky computer and weeds that suddenly grew overnight taking over my gardens. The computer is slowly getting fixed, and the weeds are slowly getting beaten back, but that leaves little time for wading through the almost 300 pictures from the trip, and I've got a beading deadline that I WILL NOT MISS! So bear with me a little longer please. I'll post when I can, but it may be intermittent for a few more weeks!

Cool Quilts

2009-06-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

Thursday I got to go to the La Conner Quilt Museum. This is not a "traditional" quilt place - the do have some, but the 2nd and 3rd floor has exhibits of art quilts - and these really qualify as art! I've linked their website to the title.

Karen Franzen's exhibit on the 3rd floor didn't allow pictures - her work is so unique! Layers of sheers, with different elements on different layers - it's a really neat concept that would adapt well to polymer clay. Unfortunately I don't have much time to play with that!

The pictures are from the 2nd floor (Sheila Groman)- there were crazy quilts, more traditional style quilts, and pictorial quilts. The hand quilting on these is fantastic! Her stitches are so tiny, I tried to take a picture with my thumb as comparison, but it didn't turn out well (trying to juggle too many things). It was great to have some unstructured time, and refresh my creative side.

Beady Goodies

2009-06-11T21:11:00.000-07:00

There's a give-away at the Silver Parrot. Her idea is to purge her stash, and ship the purged stuff to someone! It's a great idea. Some of the comments would like to peruse the stuff, pull what they want, and add their purge stuff to it and pass it on - I think that is WONDERFUL! Imagine getting a box full of unknown treasures, keeping what really speaks to you, and adding stuff that doesn't call to you anymore for whatever reason, then sending it on knowing the next person will be thrilled to get it! Even if I don't win, I'm tempted to start a box of my own, and start "spreading the love". I've linked her website to the title, go check it out!

Busy in so many ways

2009-06-07T17:01:00.000-07:00

So, this is a pic of some of the bracelets I've made. I haven't done much beading, I've been sewing instead - we have a trip to GA coming up, and I'm making dresses and clothes for the girls to wear (and shorts for me). And then there's the multiple meetings for my civic, scholastic and scout duties.

I have made some progress on my competition doll, take 2. I've made a bird image for the skirt, that has fringe on the tail and wings - it's to represent a phoenix, and looks so cool! I so wish I could show you! The base for a butterfly is made, but I'm having issues with it's embellishment. I want to have wings that rise above the base wing, but it's eluding me so far. I got the stiff felt to start a turtle and bear image as well (all for the doll).

I'm not sure if I'll have more or less time to bead once school is over - the girls are great at self-entertaining, and I won't have my classroom time commitments, but I have outings and craft days planned, and I'd like to be outside when the girls are, to keep an eye on them, and I don't have a good place to bead outside. I'll have to think of something. Anyone have suggestions? I have got to get busy, with the doll deadline and I'm so far behind on my BJP!

Idea Reboot

2009-05-18T22:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry, no pictures. I've been finishing some crocheted bracelets for Christmas, I now have 2 I need to post to Etsy. I've made 9 so far! I finished all but 1, which needs a toggle, to clear some work space. I also have been working on my Cold Water Creek bowl, so I can take it to GA to give to my mom in June. I just need some crimp covers and it's done! That project has been sitting around way too long. I'm hoping to submit it to a magazine as a gallery project.

My competition doll has been turned on it's ear. I've decided my original idea will not be done in time since I am determined to make her with the precision she deserves. So, once I finish a few small things to clear more workspace, she'll be on the back burner for a bit. I've come up with another idea, and have the doll form stuffed - I'll stitch this one in the round, but the doll is in pieces to make it easier. I ruminated on it for a while, and then the idea came and I was off like a jack rabbit! And the story that I need to write has formed along with the doll, so writing it will be easy! I know, starting a new idea with just a few months to do it - this doll is as tall as the leg on the first, so there's a lot less area to cover, and the form is an easier one to bead. I want to get some curved needles to make it a little easier, and I already have the beads I need. This is another doll that wants to be done, so I think I can give her a short gestation. I'm excited to make her, can't wait to dive in! I made a prototype doll, which taught me a few things. The prototype may end up beaded somewhere along the line too, she'll go in the unfinished project pile for now. I haven't had much time for bead embroidery lately, so I'm itching to get going. I need to make the most of my time before school lets out for summer!

Tulips, lack of beady progress

2009-04-29T21:28:00.001-07:00

I haven't done much beading lately. Friday we went to Tulip Town with friends. If you're not from around here, the valley is a large tulip bulb growing place - they have a month-long festival. I was

trying something different - taking pictures of the tulips from the ground looking up. My BJP fabric for April has tulips on it, and my colors are red, purple and sky blue - I was thinking of doing something like my Under the Fairy Ring piece from last year. That's the first time I used felt to raise my embroidery off the background, something I totally love doing now. I obviously won't get April done in time, haven't even stitched a bead yet. The hummingbirds have come back in force this month, sounding like large bumble bees as they fly between our feeder and the neighbors'. The goldfinches are also here, and I have a few feathers gratis our cat. I'm not sure how much of that will make it into the piece!

I've been trying to clean up my act (literally)around the house the past couple days - I don't focus well on June Cleaver tasks. I am grateful that my DH has a job that enables me to not work outside the home, so I try to keep things tolerable for him. Left to myself, I would probably end up with a house that looked like my room as a kid - a pathway with sometimes minor hurdles from the door to the bed - and that's with tons of storage! Organization is a skill I'm still learning!

I've also been sewing lots lately to get summer clothes ready. There's 5 things ready to put together, and a stack of fabric still waiting to be cut. At least I know the girls like what I'm making, they're wearing them already! Jenna's wearing a dress that doesn't have buttons yet!

I'm still trying to crochet bracelets when I have time. I just need to put the clasp on 3 of them now - the latest one is oil-slick colors. I'm faltering on the doll again - the whole put-it-together part is slowing me down. I need to get some curved needles, maybe that will help my dilemma. Sigh. Maybe if I can keep up with the housework stuff, I'll have more time to sew and bead!

Bracelets

2009-04-20T22:41:00.001-07:00

I haven't had a lot of time for beading lately, but I have been working on some bracelets. I finished the pink/purple version of the purple/pink one I did for a friend, with a nice silver toggle. I don't know why it put the picture sideways! I finished the first of many orange and purple (hometown colors) bracelets that will be gifts. The copper toggle really plays up the orange. The current in-progress one is green and black with man-made malachite - the greens are silver-lined, and sparkle nicely!

Now that the sun actually shines once in a while, the molding is getting stained and poly-ed to finish the bedroom - also where my "studio" is. Part of my craft storage is in the closet, part in the living room (backwards, so I can't access it of course!) and DH doesn't want any of it properly placed until the molding is down so he doesn't have to move it again. At least the molding is getting closer to being done! Of course, with the sun shining, I need to get the gardens in order - which eats into my beading time! It also means the girls can play outside, so they aren't under my feet so when I do bead, it's more peaceful.

March BJP

2009-04-08T15:27:00.000-07:00

This is the finished piece for March. March is when my favorite daffodils bloom. They have a great family history - either my paternal grandmother or maternal great grandmother (both Marion's, living on either side of the creek where I grew up) planted daffodils before a big flood, which swept some of them downstream. Now every March you can see huge patches of yellow daffodils along the creek - they have spread in many places! My mom dug some up, and has them planted in a few places around the house - she sent me some after I moved to WA, and I've taken them with me! The trumpet of the daffodil is all fringy. Back home, everyone who knows calls them Marion flowers.

The beads picked were gold bugles, yellow silver-lined and green AB 11's. I added 2 blue butterflies and a heart for the history. I used all the bugles and yellow beads, and needed more, so I also used up the gold beads that matched the bugles and another yellow. I used up 4 kinds of beads in this piece! Which is great, as it gives me a reason to buy more! If you look closely, you'll see the side edging is copper - it's a remnant of Ver's hair, that I wrapped around a bugle to make kinda beads, since I spent a lot of time that month finishing her! The middle of the flowers is Robin's wildflower stitch, with the outside a bugle ruffle.

I've also been working on some crocheted bracelets. The first one needed a clasp adjustment, since the magnetic clasps I got weren't strong enough. I've been preparing to make some for Christmas presents. They are a good thing to work on while I watch TV, since the beads are pre-strung and I don't have to count anything that late at night!

Feb BJP

2009-03-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

I'm a behinder no more! After spending so much time on Ver, I managed to get some beadwork done! I've taken pictures of each stage. First, what I started with. 11's -Blue transparent AB, clear yellow-lined. 15'-red. Some brass stuff. Red silk scrap that I used on the square for the bead quilt. Blue felt heart. I set the arrangement and got started! I actually used up all of the yellow beads. I did 2 rows of bocche/moss/individual picot stitch next to the brass. A couple of fans, and a spikey heart (the heart has some additional felt under it, so it really stands out). The finishing touch was blue loop fringe with pearls. Remember I used pearls for snow on January's BJP? We had more snow in Feb, but it didn't stick around long. The fringe is only attached at the upper edge, but lies neatly. I stood some up for the side view. It actually looks slightly better vertically, but it's place is horizontal. It was nice to just put beads down wherever I felt like it, no "grand picture" to get in the way. There's bits of the fabric peeking out in places. It felt so good to be beading again!

Lady Ver

2009-03-15T22:53:00.001-07:00

Lady Ver de Gris is done. I'm still trying to get good pictures. As you can see, my initial setup wasn't great. I need a broader background, and better light. I'm filling out the paperwork. I need a general artist statement, and artist statement on the piece. And it needs to be in Bellingham by 5pm Tuesday! So tomorrow morning, once I pick up everything the wind is blowing over, I'll try again. Now is when I could use Photoshop, but I don't have it. I'm fairly pleased with how she came out. She looks like she is out for a walk in the fall, with a fairy message in her hand. The only thing I purchased was a package of copper pot scrubbers. I haven't stretched my "crafty" side for a while, and this fits the bill! Her base is a square cake pan, painted and decoupaged with leaves cut from wrapping paper (I think my mom used it on a package sent to me). I used some black #6 plastic and shrank it for her belt medallion and the piece in her hand. Her skirt is brown nuagahide with copper paint brushed on. I definitely got to use some of my bits and bobs!

Barbie Boobies

2009-03-10T22:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, the title says it all! Meghan got some Barbie clothes for her birthday, and they were on little plastic torso forms. I of course kept them, cause they look like something you could use for something. I had out my air-dry clay, and used the form as a mold to make this piece. I'm thinking use them as a form to mold felt, and bead them - a study in breasts lined up in a shadow box. A friend of mine has a thing called Feel Your Boobies on her Facebook page, I recently finished the square for the breast cancer quilts, and there are beaders I follow that are currently fighting the disease; to see perky little Barbie boobs seemed appropriate somehow. A soaper friend has ideas for the forms as well.

This is Ver's face. I finished painting it today, while caring for a sick kid at home. Meghan thinks she needs a crown. I have some broken jewelry pieces that would work, so we'll see!

Aiyah!

2009-03-09T21:28:00.000-07:00

There I was, happily sewing away on a new shirt for me, ignoring the complete beady mess I had laid aside on the bed, when Louie (our completely adorable, frisky, crazy black cat) walked on my bead board, spilling it onto the floor! I had at least 10 different colors on it, in neat little piles. Did I mention how much I HATE bead soup? So, I've picked the beads up, have them in a bowl, and will sort them out (Yuck!) probably (better be!) soon. They are the beads for my competition doll. Then as I'm cleaning off the bed so DH can get some sleep, I spilled my sewing box. Thank goodness the pin box was closed! I was afraid of what I'd do to the computer, I seem touched tonight! BTY, the picture came from an article on spilled beans, hopefully I managed to link it to the picture!

I did manage to get a pair of pants finished for Jenna, and all but the hand sewing on another pair of pants for Jenna and a shirt for me. We're going to Georgia in June, and I want cool (in both the weather and fashion sense) stuff to wear.

Ver isn't finished (big surprise). She now sports a very bright, kinky hairdo, courtesy of some copper pot scrubbers that I dismantled. Her stocking top shirt is slightly coppery and just needs sleeves. The stuff for her skirt is painted, I just have to figure out how to make the skirt. Her feet - now that's still up in the air. Oh, and a base, she needs a base. And finish the cuffs on her gloves. And possibly a staff/scepter/stick thingy. And so on and so forth.

Deadlines Approach

2009-03-01T21:49:00.001-08:00

I managed to start and complete a project! I've done a square for Jeanette Shanigan's bead quilts for the past 2 years, and needed to get this year's done. This year the theme is hearts. I managed to take pictures of the process.

I started with the required square of pellon, and some red silk. I decided on a crazy quilt look, and drew a rough pattern. The silk was cut to size, and fray-checked. I sewed the silk to the pellon following the pattern. The next picture is part-way done. I filled the spaces around the heart, leaving the silk in the heart spaces, but continuing the "quilt" lines. I finished with a small fringe with a lt blue fringe bead. It will go in the mail tomorrow. Yeah, something done! I can't seem to get the final picture to straighten out! You'll have to tilt your head.

This is my next deadline. Her working name is Ver de Gris (verdigris). She's for the ReStore's art show - needs to be 75% "waste stream" stuff. Did I mention I need lint? That's what I'm using to stuff her, and I've run out. I still have about 60% of her other leg to stuff, and her hands. One arm still needs to be attached. Her face is roughed in. I have a Tyvek envelope, some excess empty lamination from school, and assorted odds and ends collected for clothing. Anyway, I'm going for copper, new and aged tones. I was thinking of using old Easter grass for hair. I need to have pictures ready in 2 weeks, so I've got to hustle. I'll post the finished pictures, I promise. Needless to say, my BJP is on the back burner for now.

Running out of ...

2009-02-23T22:54:00.000-08:00

my mind? time (daily)? beads (never!)?

Would you believe...

LINT!

Yep, I've been working on dolls (notice it is now plural!) and stuffing them with lint! It started as an entry into a contest for the ReStore, a building recycling place. 80% of the piece needs to be from the "waste stream." Well, what goes in my waste is different from other people's for sure. I made the doll body from a pair of jeans that weren't suitable for rags, let alone wearing. I started stuffing with the lint I'd saved, and my friend saves hers for bird nesting stuff so she gave me her stash. It packs so firmly, it's great. So I got inspired to work on my beaded doll, and now her legs are stuffed, and awaiting finishing work. I'm in the midst of making "shoes" for her from material that looks like rain on windows. I've run out of lint, and still need to stuff the legs for the denim doll! So Sue has decided to do extra laundry this week, so she'll have some to give me Friday. What a sweetie! I'm painting the face of the denim doll (with paints that are 10 years old!), and need to figure out clothing. I have various broken kid's jewelery beads, a Tyvek envelope, and lots of #6 plastic for shrink art. I'm stumped on material for clothing, but I'll figure something. I need to do it soon too, it's due end of March. And then there's Feb BJP - not started (see pic of fabric and beads -that's as far as I've got). And the heart square for the breast cancer quilt - not started. And my beaded doll - behind schedule.

What I did get done is a bracelet to match the blue and silver necklace. I'm currently working on one in blues and green, and have the materials to start one in purple and pink. I work on those while I'm watching TV some nights. Now if I could just remember to take pictures during the day...

January BJP

2009-01-26T11:20:00.001-08:00

Well, I didn't get the necklaces posted to Etsy. I wore the blue one Sat, and the one circle keeps flipping over - seems I twisted the crocheted part when I put that half the clasp on, so it doesn't want to stay put. I'll need to take off the clasp and re-do it. I also want to check the green one for the same problem before I post it as well. I am half-way done with the matching bracelet for the blue one.

I did manage to finish my December BJP piece! I took pictures of the whole process, so pardon if it takes a while to load. I started off with the theme, and it took me a while to figure out how I wanted to do it. This area was hit with lots of creeks flooding and mud slides at the beginning of the month. I wanted to portray the mud slides, with rocks and trees being swept away, the water, and the snow that made things worse. This is the finished piece, with a side view to help show the texture.

I started by layering felt and tacking it down for height . The chosen colors for the month were a shimmery blue, translucent AB orange and some sequins. I started with the orange, adding stone chips and some larger beads. I used various lengths of stitches, inspired by Robin's latest book. Each picture shows another thread finished (yes, I use long pieces!). I added the sequins to show the water splashing up from the mudslide, using varying fringes. Next came rows of the blue, following the mudslide, which helped the fringe stand up more. I was worried it would be hard to work next to the fringe, but it wasn't that bad.

I used plastic pearls that I won't let myself use in jewelry (way too cheap!) but worked in this case since they won't get any wear. I put them in rows, and added green sequins on the one side. The green sequins are the footsteps my daughters and I took through our neighbor's pastures to make sure they were ok after their driveway flooded unexpectedly. Over 2 gates and a barbed wire fence - it was an adventure!

Necklace Series

2009-01-19T22:10:00.000-08:00

Well, this week didn't go as planned (do they ever?), so I didn't get any work on my BJP. I did manage to finish 2 necklaces. I purchased some chip board circles and ovals from a specialty scrap book store a while ago, intending to cover them with beadwork of some kind. These are my first 2 creations using that chipboard. I did the beadwork on fabric, which was gathered around the chipboard and backed with material that had been gathered around poster board. The edges were then sewn together. The necklace straps are bead crocheted and have a magnetic clasp. The beadwork went pretty quickly, and I'm looking forward to making more. I have a silver and African turquoise one in the works, but I'm not liking it so far - I'm either going to embellish over the silver, or frog-stitch most of it (frog-stitch is take it out (rip-it, rip-it)). Hopefully these pictures will enlarge when you click on them - if not, check out my Etsy site in a few days, I intend to post them with some detail pictures as well. The face on the green necklace is made from air-dry clay, painted with acrylic paint and coated in 2-part epoxy for a glassy finish.

Soup Anyone?

2009-01-11T22:22:00.000-08:00

My work space has been under construction lately. The wall behind my desk had to be opened to deal with some leaky pipes, so my stuff was put in the living room while the work was done. It's now back in place mostly - the desk is back but my stacking drawers are still MIA. Since the wall was under construction, and the window next to it needed re-doing (we are replacing all the inside casings and trim with real wood) both projects got started. Unfortunately, it hasn't been warm enough to stain the trim pieces, so we still need access to the window, which my desk usually sits right up against. In the midst of moving, this bead soup was created on my bead pad. I am not one for creating bead soup. I have my beads in little piles so that any extras can be scooped back into their containers. I hate the thought of sorting out soup - not enough patience/time. I also don't want to stash it away to never be used again - not enough money. This time, I know that all those beads (plus many,many more) will be used, so I don't mind the mixing. Actually, looking at it is pretty cool, and gives me some more ideas about using them (hence, I took a picture). It's got me thinking that maybe mixing soups isn't bad, leading to more creative results. But I still can't get over having to sort out leftovers! I've even considered buying other artist's soups to use for free-form peyote (something I really want to try). It's definitely a love-hate thing - I love the combinations, hate having to deal with left-overs. Anybody else have strong opinions about soup?

I've actually gotten a little beading done - I've crocheted straps for my other chipboard pendant, with just enough beads left to do a matching bracelet. I was having problems with the thread not being strong enough, so I doubled it. It didn't make the crocheting much harder, and I don't have any worries about it's strength. I'll post pictures when it's put together. I haven't put a bead on my January BJP, but it will definitely be about swirling water. Our area had a lot of creeks overflowing and mudslides last week - my girls only went to school 2 days because of it. This picture was in the newspaper - it's one end of my access to the highway into town. The other end had water in places as well. The snow clogged drainage ditches and diverted water in weird ways. It's back to normal now, so maybe I'll be able to post a finished BJP next week!

Dec BJP

2008-12-28T22:15:00.000-08:00

Finally got a picture of my finished Dec BJP! I think it looks pretty tree-ish. The side view is to show how the ruffles stick out. The left side of the ruffles are tacked down, but not the right. In order to have really curvy ruffles you either need to put lots of beads in between the posts or have a long line - short lines don't do much curving. I put the same number of beads in-between the posts in each row - you can see the bottom row is way more ruffly!

This is the pickings for January. I'm not sure about a subject yet - snow is what keeps coming to mind (It doesn't help that they are calling for more later in the week again!) but January is also about reflections on the past and looking to the future to me. I have a hummingbird feather that I'm fairly certain will make it into this one. I know I need to sit with myself a bit to find it's voice.

I put the crocheted pieces on my green man necklace - all it needs is a clasp. I was thinking magnetic, but it does have some weight so I think I'll put a toggle on it. I'm starting the straps for a silver and blueish piece I did at the same time, but am running into trouble. The thread I used isn't strong enough, and I've already strung the beads! It's ok doubled, and the beads fit, but I'm going to have a heck of a time with it, figuring out how to manage 2 strings. I've started doing a little bit as a Cellini spiral instead, but I'm not sure the 15's I'm using can take the string mass. I strung all the beads I had to make sure I'd have enough for both straps - it's quite the nice mess!

This is a teaser shot of the drawing I did to figure out what I was doing with my doll.

In general, I've been doing less beadwork than I could, but I'm not beating myself over that. I've not been sleeping well, and I'm hoping a check-up will have a simple remedy. I can't focus on beadwork when I'm tired. The girls have been enjoying the snow (which we've gotten more off, but now it's raining instead, until later in the week - more snow!) but until now it's been powder, not good for building much of anything. They've enjoyed helping Daddy shovel the driveway!

I really want to use some of my quiet moments this week to look at how far I've come artistically, and where I want to go, what I want it to mean in my life. The BJP has helped by making me have a concrete example of my beadwork throughout the year - how much will I have changed by the end of this one?

December Snows

2008-12-22T21:30:00.000-08:00

I've finished my December BJP piece, but haven't taken a picture of it yet. I do have a pic of what it started as. The colors that were drawn were clear silver-lined bugles, red ab and orange beads. I added a wooden bead, 4 purple ceramic beads, a mother-of-pearl button and a blue star. The material is red and green swirls, very festive. The wooden bead is the trunk of a tree, the four ceramic beads represent my family growing up (orange and purple were my high school colors), the button became a tree star. I've done an off-center pine tree by making ruffles using the bugles and red ab - try to picture it, and see if it's close in reality when I post the picture!

The snow picture is of my front yard, with my oldest. It has since gotten more snow, drifted over, more snow, and they are calling for more snow over the weekend. The icicles coming from the roof are looking like shark teeth - the snow slides, so the icicles start angling towards the house, and another row starts to form in front of them. With all the snow the kids don't want to stay outside long, so we're getting a little cabin crazy. I did manage to finish the other green and brown crochet piece to finish my green man necklace, now to put it together. I've also worked on the doll some, I'm working on the back of the torso. I drew sketches of what I want to do, so I'm not working blind, and that actually speeds me up - otherwise I was spending a lot of time just staring at it, wondering if I was going to get the effect I want.

Hopefully I'll get another post by the end of the week - but Jenna's birthday is tomorrow, and then Christmas, so don't hold your breathe, you may pass out!

Dec BJP start

2008-12-08T22:35:00.001-08:00

This is the start of my December BJP piece. The colors selected are clear silver-lined bugles, opaque orange and AB transparent red. The red is actually being used on the doll, so I don't get a break from that! The extra's I've picked are a wooden bead, either a gold or mother of pearl button, a star, a heart, some matte goldish 8's and 4 ceramic purple 8's. The purple beads represent my family. The wood bead will be the trunk of a tree, the button the top of the tree. I'm hoping to do a representative of a pine tree. We'll see - the colors aren't exactly conducive for Christmas!

December Already?!

2008-11-30T21:29:00.000-08:00

I've been working on my doll, and doing some bead crochet for a necklace. I managed to finish the other leg for the doll, and make the armature for the legs. I am so looking forward to being able to put the body and legs together, and see her stand! The bead crochet is a nice thing to work on while I'm watching TV with DH - I can't do embroidery while I watch TV. It's my first attempt at a patterned crochet, using various sizes of beads from 15's to 8's. I bought a bracelet from Another Country for my sister's birthday, and it inspired me to try it.

The other picture is of my haul from Peacock & Periwinkle. Robin mentioned them in her blog, and it turns out they are next to the Boy Scout office in Everett, which I occasionally need to visit! The left side are cotton batiks, the right Dupoini silks. There's also a green felted wool and 2 cool buttons that I can readily see being clasps for freeform peyote bracelets.

My Christmas present this year is a new computer monitor. The old one is a 17" CRT, clunky and slow. The new one is a 19" LCD, thin and speedy and much easier on the eyes, since it can sit back much farther on the desk. Now I can really see the details in the pictures on everyone's blogs! Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving, and wishing you a Christmas season full of grace.

2008-11-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

This is a piece of crocheted rope I made this week, as part of a strap for a pendant I've made. It's the first time I've done the crochet bit with a pattern and with different size beads. These range from 15's to 8's. I have the other half strung, just need to crochet it. That's one of the few beading activities I can do while watching TV - everything else, I need to pay attention to what I'm doing, and the TV just gets in the way. I used Gutermann top-stitching thread, and it works nicely, except for stringing on a needle to thread on the beads. The brown beads I used did not like the needle that was big enough for the thread - oddly enough, they are 11's, the 15's had no problem (also they are Czech versus the 15's are not). I'm slowly making progress on the second leg. I bent the armature for the legs from a wire hanger, and I'll need to open the sewing a bit more to get it in, so I'll probably do more beading now that I'll be able to reach it! I'd feel better if I could just figure out what to use for weight in her feet!

November BJP done

2008-11-09T22:27:00.001-08:00

November's BJP piece is done - it's supposed to look like swirling winds, which we have a lot of this time of year. We also have swirling water, as this is the start of flood season, with a flood watch having already happened. The colors picked were 2 kinds of red and pearl white. I stitched black felt strips on the ends, and did not follow those lines with the beading. It's hard to see, but the beading bulges in places from the felt underneath, adding another element.

I'm still learning to use my new camera - the first picture isn't focused well, but the detail shots of the top and bottom are! I'm considering taking pictures of some of my stuff for art print - my friend Sue (see website here) made me some cards with pictures of some of my BJP pieces from last year. It's definitely cheaper than buying the actual artwork that takes a really long time to make, and it's another way to get something for your work! I'd like to get a really good picture of my split salmon cuff to sell as a print.

I've gotten behind on my doll - life keeps getting in the way! I'm hoping in a few weeks things will calm down again so I can make better progress. I'm also working on neck straps to go with some pendants I've made. I received one of Carol Wilcox Well's books for my birthday, and it was hard deciding which technique I wanted to use! What I have ready to start is a crocheted rope using different size beads for a curve, and a more complicated patterned crochet is probably looming on the horizon!

Halloween

2008-11-02T20:11:00.000-08:00

I haven't done much beading these last 2 weeks. I've made 3 pinatas, a gingerbread haunted house, and had a Halloween party with 11 kids!

The gingerbread house was a first for me. I got it constructed ok, but when we went to decorate it I made the icing too runny. I was too tired to mess with it, so everything I put on it ran! It's supposed to be frightful anyway, and the kids had fun helping.

The pinatas turned out great again. This is the 2nd time I've made pull pinatas, versus bash'em ups. I don't like the idea of teaching little kids it's ok to beat anything! So the streamers are attached to the strips holding the bottom on, and one string is actually tied to the bottom, so as the kids pull them off, the bottom lets go, and out come the goodies! The one for our party didn't open, but it's easy enough to poke a finger in and pull it apart. The oldest kid there wanted to keep it, he might try and make a body for the alien chicken!

This is my first casting of my plaster bust mold. It stuck a little, I need to seal the plaster more, but it's ok - I'm going to put thin cardboard strips on the back stiffen it, close the neck area off, and probably put some expanding foam in the back. You at least get the idea that it's not flat chested! It's really going to help check the lay of my neck pieces without having to continually getting up to look in a mirror - I've already started using it!

I didn't finish my installment on the doll this month - I ran out of brown Nymo! So I should be getting some tomorrow (I ordered from CCBeads) - I have about 10 more hours on the leg to finish, then start the front or back. I need to get armature wire to start constructing her legs and torso, and I still haven't figured out a good small but heavy weight to put in her feet to give her ballast. Hopefully next week I'll have my BJP to share too!

Life-time To-Do List Got Shorter

2008-10-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

These pictures are of the moon and sunrise over the San Juan islands. Wednesday I got to meet Robin Atkins - that was one of the things on my professional to-do/wish list! She was gracious enough to meet me at 7:30 am - the best time for me to take the ferry (why is it that every time I try to plan something, everyone else's world is already topsy-turvy?). After a scone and hot chocolate, we went to Lime Kiln Point so I could scramble on the rocks to peek in the tidal pools. Then I got to see her studio - it's amazing! Everywhere I looked there was something else that begged a closer inspection! Her work has a texture to it that gets lost in pictures - to be able to see it in person was wonderful. I'm working on the next part of my doll, so I did get some beading done on the ferry ride over, and a little at her studio - I could have spent a few more hours just looking at her work. The moon on the ride over was glorious, just calling me outside to look at it. The ride back the boat was vibrating a bit much to bead, so I plunked myself in a seat to enjoy the scenery, and saw a pair of Dall's porpoises! So I truly was blessed in every part of that journey (and that Sue agreed to get the kids to school for me!). It's amazing to me that, having decided to pursue something to an art form, one of the top people doing that art form lives so close! My life can be very hectic sometimes, but that day was just so awesome!

Crafty Strikes Again

2008-10-12T22:37:00.000-07:00

So, I may not have gotten a huge amount of beadwork done this week, but I have been busy, and sick, and (how much whining can I do?).

This is my Nov BJP base, the bead colors that were chosen are 2 shades of red and pearl white - I'm going for swirling wind, which we tend to have a lot of in these parts.

This is a project I'm starting for when I need a break from the doll - it's African turquoise, I'll put it on black with probably lots of silver. The grey pieces are actually chipboard, I got a couple packs of them from a scrapbook store.

Ok, ugly mug time! It's very hard to take a picture of yourself when there's plaster hardening on you. Yep, plaster! I'm trying to make a mold, so I can cast (probably in paper) an actual "bust" to display necklaces and collars on. How will I know what it's going to lay like if I don't have something that I can check it on - especially for length? And let potential costumers see as well? It needs to be lightweight, transportable and cheap! So for $5 (I may have also used a coupon) I put gauze with plaster on it on myself. The mold is actually pretty good - I need to seal it so I can cast on it. I did not put the plaster around my neck, so I could peel it off, and then used a can the right size to re-create a neck. I cut the back of the neck while still flexible and patched it together. The mold is very light weight once dry. So once the 3 pinatas for Halloween are done, I'll try making some mini-mes!

Oct BJP

2008-10-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

I managed to get my Oct BJP page done this week - finally something I can show! The chosen colors were matte amethyst, AB lime green 8's, and turquoise 15's. I picked out beads that went with the colors, and came up with "Things that go bump in the night" for a theme. The glass bead in the lower left has fringes around it, and the one on the right has little picots on the bottom, and fringes with sequins on top. It was fun to do, especially since I've been using only a few colors for about 24 hours of beadwork, and now I'm going back to that project. Next months colors are 2 shades of red and pearl white - all 11's.

2008-09-28T21:01:00.000-07:00

Once again, no pictures. I got outbid in the last 30 seconds on the camera I want to get on Ebay. So tomorrow I will be receiving the tripod and case for a camera I have yet to get! I can't believe what people are paying on Ebay - the camera retails for less than what they're paying, not even including shipping. And I'm still working on my un-publishable doll. I almost have the first leg done, I'll have about 30 hours in it, and I want to have it done by the end of the month to stay on track. I still haven't figured out what to use as a weight in the foot - it needs to be small, so I can pack it around the dowel in her foot, and really heavy to give her a solid base to keep her standing. Maybe instead of dowels I should use armature wire? Then I could extend it from her legs to her neck, and bend it the length of her feet. This is such a new format for me, it will definitely take some experimenting!

I'm seeing Red!

2008-09-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

No new pictures this week - I've been beading a storm, but it's on the doll, which can't be publicly seen (competition rules). That kinda sucks, cause it's great beadwork! I usually don't think my work is great, but some of this is really good! I figure I have about 10 hours left to finish the first leg, already put in around 16 hours. I'm glad I joined the BJP again, at least that will give me a break from working with the same colors all the time - red and brown (hence the title). I've pulled any beads that remind me of Oct, so as soon as it's Oct 1, I can get that rolling. I've also been working on other creative pursuits - starting 3 pinatas for Halloween, adding fabric to the hems on some jeans for Meghan, altering a blazer for my pirate jacket! Now if I could just win the camera I want on Ebay, I could take better pictures of it all!

Sept Done

2008-09-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

All I got done this week was my Sept BJP piece, but at least it's done. Now I have the rest of the month to catch up on the rest of my work. The photo isn't the greatest, I forgot to take it during the day, so it's awful lighting, sitting on my cut-up kitchen counter. The crystals are for my daughters, watching them go back to school. The angel charm is for a miscarriage in the family, as well as the spikes in the lower left corner, my thoughts were spiky. The irid purple, navy and black worked out pretty well. Oct will be tricky - matte amethyst, lime green (limited supply too!) and turquoise 15s.

Gearing up for BJP

2008-09-07T21:06:00.000-07:00

Well I've got lots of photos for the week, none of which have actual beadwork! I'm done gearing up for this year of BJP - I selected fabrics, planned my pieces, have all of my paper sewn to the fabrics. I have a picture of Sept's fabric and a cool raku leaf I bought. I'm doing a drawing to see which beads I will use each month. Since my storage cases have 7 lines, I'm using a deck of crazy eight cards, minus the eights. I draw 3 numbers to correspond to a bead - which case, which line, which space. Sept is trans AB purple, navy and black 15's. It has nothing to do with the fabric, which for some reason the buttons make me think back to school. I usually encrust my pieces, so that's ok - hardly any of the material will show.

The other pictures are of my workspace - a dilapidated student desk that had a painted, glued, sticky, dented top until we put a piece of laminate on top. We got the laminate at the ReStore (great place!) for under $3 and I have enough yet to possibly do the door and some edges. The shelf above is also laminated on top, and I made a "banner" of the sample pictures from Robin Atkins newest book to remind me of the different techniques. I just need to get an Ott light to replace my ugly desk light!

Split Salmon finished

2008-08-31T23:04:00.001-07:00

I finished the split salmon bracelet this week. One side is go with the flow, smooth currents; the other is against the flow, swirly currents - like the salmon swimming out to ocean and back upriver. I like it, wore it part of the day Sat. The person who inspired it said it was too wide for her taste, I guess I like chunky stuff! Now to start my Bead Journal Project pages. I bought a raku leaf, more than I would normally pay for just a bead, but I know it is for my BJP, so it will be for me. My copy of Robin Atkin's newest book arrived, so I'm raring to go and see what I come up with!

Salmon bracelet

2008-08-24T23:01:00.001-07:00

I had a chance to do some beadwork this week, finally! The lid for the CWC bowl is almost done, just 2 more strands of wire to weave in. The other project Ive been working on is a split salmon bracelet. I'm working on the background now. One side will be smooth lines, the

other side swirls (with or against the flow). The smooth side is almost finished. Hopefully this week Robin Atkin's new book will arrive, so I can plan a little more for the new BJP. My size is dictated by the area left in the middle of last year's pages, and I've decided to challenge myself with new color combinations and new stitches (which is why I need Robin's book!). I also received my bead order that I placed for the doll challenge, so that may start soon as well! So many ideas, so little time!

Story time

2008-08-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

I don't have any new pictures this week - I didn't have time to bead. And then we got sick. Yuck. That's my story. I'm working on the doll's story for the doll challenge, so her story is sounding better. I want to do the story before I bead her so I include everything I need to. I'm starting to second guess myself on my idea (if it's right for the challenge) but I still like it the best, so even if it doesn't win, it will be a joy to behold for me.

4 Star General

2008-08-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

The first picture is a ring I made using aquamarine and blue zircon Swark. crystals. The ring band is done using elastic thread, so it fits really comfortable, but I'm not happy how the top turned out, and the metal finish is already wearing off the beads on the band - it will get redone after a while, but it's cool to wear for now. The other picture is a pin that's in progress - it's for a town volunteer who has gone above and beyond. Someone said she deserved a gold star, and she replied she wanted four - so here is her four star general's pin. It's about 1"x3" on blue cotton fabric. The background in these pictures is the formica that will soon (I hope!) be covering my work desk - the surface now is covered in paint, sticker residue, you name it. I got the formica at the Re Store, where they sell recyclable building supplies, for under $3!

Doll Challenge

2008-08-03T22:44:00.001-07:00

This is a bracelet I'm working on. It's a split salmon design. The fish are matte reds, the white is pearl, the background will be shiny blues.

What I can't show you is that I've started a doll for the Beaded Doll challenge. We're not supposed to show pictures of it, so you'll have to wait until it's done to see it. I'm really psyched about this, that I feel my skills and artwork are up to that level. Once my girls are back in school, I should have more time to work on it. The deadline is Oct 2009, so I should have plenty of time. I have so many ideas, I may need that long to decide what to do!

CCW Bowl Lid

2008-07-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I've started the lid for the gourd bowl, using the wires the necklace was strung on and the last of the beads. I only have 1/3 of the wires in. It's interesting weaving the wires in, very free-form. I'll use the chain from the necklace for the hinge when the weaving is done.

This pendant is done with a chipboard base. It's pale blues and silver with a touch of purple - it makes me think of denim. There are jump rings sewn on the ends. It's backed with the material the front is sewn on, a beige slightly batiked cotton. I want to make a silver chain for it. I liked how fast this worked up - there's something to be said for instant gratification. I put some black rat tail cording on and wore it this week - it feels nice at the base of the neck, looks great in a v-neck shirt.

Goddess2

2008-07-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

This goddess is second in a series of planned goddesses. I finished her a little while ago. She has stone chips on short fringe for hair, a heart on her abdomen and fringes on the bottom. I tend to bead to the edge on this type of projects, and hand sew the back on afterwards. The bead for her mouth is a short milliflori(sp?) tube. She's browns and reds with turquoise accents. The necklace is a triple strand, with an additional piece to make it longer to adapt to different necklines.

My pictures may be sparse for a little while - I've misplaced my camera, and am relying on the capabilities of my video camera for now. We'll see, maybe it will take better pictures!

I'm currently working on 2 pendants that use scrap booking chipboard pieces for the structure - one is a leafy face, one bluesy. I'm hoping to use viking knit chains for them. It will be a series of pieces using circles and ovals in different ways.

Banner

2008-07-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

The picture I'm using for my banner is from a bowl that I am making for my mother. She couldn't find anything she liked in one of her favorite stores while visiting me, so I told her to buy a necklace and I would make a bowl out of it.

The bowl is done over a gourd, with the section that was sawed off for the top used for the foot and side pieces. I only threw away a little nubbin of gourd. The beads on the bottom are leather disks done mostly in brick stitch. It's not done yet, as I intend to take the wires it was strung on and weave a top for it! I only have a few beads left, and hopefully they will be included. The idea is for the necklace clasp to be able to close the top, with it hinged using the bars that held the strands.

This is the original necklace, the pieces of the gourd and a tube of beads I thought I would need (I haven't used them yet). I'm waiting to do the lid until I get a good pair of crimping pliers!

Beginning Again

2008-07-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

This is the new home for my artful musings. The name is because I can see fairies dancing when I'm really quiet and happy. I wish I could dance like they do! I hope to post about once a week on whatever projects are in progress, or on inspirations as I find them. In case any one sees this in time, if you bead, please join the Bead Journal Project 2008. Doing the BJP 2007 has changed my beading, and I hope for more of the same this time around (but I have decided this will be the last year). I have created another blog for news about my family, Snyder Current.