Split Salmon finished

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.