More Goodies Please.....

I promised some more goodies!  Some of my pictures are a bit on the dark side...while I was taking pictures the puppy knocked over one of my lights and blew the bulb! It may be a bit before I can get some nice bright pics...  :-(

Here is a better pic of the pendant from a previous post.  This is really the 1st poly clay pendant/beads that I've made (except for the bazillion candy heart charms).  The necklace has Swarovski crystals in Indian Red and Violet satin, red jasper pebbles, Cape Amethyst rondelles and TierraCast antique copper bead caps. 

This is the most recent Bead Embroidered pendant that I've made.  This one was the most simple one I've made to date.  The lovely cabachon is from Earthenwood Studio.  Melanie makes a variety of ceramic links and pendants and beads.  I've used Miyuki Delicas, 11/0 and 15/0.  I've also used some faceted Czech faceted rounds in jadite and topaz ab.  The maize colored seed beads are Toho 11/0.  The dangle is a gold colored coin pearl.  This didn't take that long to make...maybe about 3-4 hours total.

This teal pendant is made from poly clay and has some silver foil applied and then run through the pasta machine.  Since I can't really sketch/draw for diddly, I used rub-ons.  I then sealed the pendant with a satin glaze.  This is just calling for the beach!

Here is a new metal book.  I used Vintaj 34mm blanks and one of the embossed circle blanks. I've become addicted to making these little books!  I've also used a gold foil pen to highlight and edge.  And...something that I found at my local scrapbook store...Enamel Gel Pens...it's what I used to line my letters.

Page 2 of the Heaven book.

Page 3 of the Heaven book

Page 4 of the Heaven book...and my little version of an angel.

Another metal book.  This time using a rectangle embossed daisy blank for the cover.  The Ranger Adirondak inks also include a silver, copper, gold and pearl...I really love the way the silver & copper look (i'm waiting for the gold).

Page 2 of the Hope book--this one I've embellished with metal stamps. 

Page 3 of the hope book

Page 4 of the Hope Book

I just thought the overall picture of the book came out great!  The oranges and pinks are just so summery!  Can you tell that I'm ready for some warmth???

I have to say that one of my most favorite things occured today....and I think that it's the 1st time that it's happend this winter.  Of course in Wisconsin, our winters are very grey and gloomy.  The last 2 days have been beautifully sunny!  I stopped off to do some shopping between the paying job and going into the shop.  I parked my car facing the sun.  When I got into my car...it was that lovely warm heat!  I have leather seats in my car and they just absorbed that heat.  So even though it was cold...that lovely warmth just radiated out of my seat and into my body.  I think I could've stayed there all day!

Do you have a small pleasure like this?  That when it happens, it is such an unexpected yet treasured joy???

Have a great one and remember to Bead Happy!

It's been way too long.....

....Since my last post.  I wasn't feeling well for most of December and January so I didn't work on a bunch of new stuff.  So now I've been working like mad, but still have to take MORE pictures.  I've been trying out some new stuff so hope you enjoy!

I made a little "book" from Vintaj Blanks, Alcohol Inks and some texturing. I came home from the shop one Saturday and did the whole book in one sitting...although I did add some copper ink and re-worked the neckstrap.

Page 2 of the Metal Book--this one is my favorite page...the colors just worked out perfectly!

Page 3--a great sentiment of what we should all try artistically

Leap into experimenting with metal...my last page of my book pendant.

Thanks to Diane Fitzgerald's book Shaped Beadwork I've been playing with dimensional peyote.  This is SOOO addictive to do.  I'm going to eventually connect the Triangle, Rectangle & the Pentagon to make a pendant. 

I had to try my hand at polymer clay.  I made the pendant and the barrel beads in the neckstrap.  This was after making some candy heart charms.  I really need to retake this photo with better lighting. The colors are a twilight purple that fades to copper.  Then, after the pendant was baked, I added copper mica powder to the glaze to give it more shimmer.

This is just a small portion of the polymer clay heart charms that Mom & I made---over a 110 of them in all (that's just the large charms!)

I've been really hooked on making wire spirals.  I called this Spiralling Out of Control---hmmm...maybe I can mix some wire spirals with the dimensional peyote.

I couldn't get this pendant to come out really clear no matter how many times I tried to photograph it!  This design is by Deborah Roberti.  The crystals are Swarovski 4mm Ruby, Black 11/0, and Cream pearlized Fire Polish.  I said that this was my Twilight inspired heart.  I have since made a lovely Aqua Satin and Light Green Pearl heart.

I guess that's all for now.  I'll take some more pictures over the weekend (hopefully during the daylight hours instead of always at night) and post a few more finished pieces. 

Bead Creative and Bead Happy!

What's been shakin'

Ok...it's been awhile since I've posted anything new.  I've been working on several things--Christmas Ornaments for our Ornament October classes (we had 3 new ornaments this year) and then I totally got hooked on the new rivets from Vintaj. 

Above are my samples that I played around with to try out the rivets. Of course I had to add a bit of sparkle to some.  Our class is full for this project on November 14, but don't worry, we will be having this class again after the 1st of the year!

We've gotten in a bunch of cool new books including Seed Bead Fusion by Rachel Nelson Smith.  Isn't this a cool bracelet.  I used Met. Gold Iris 8/0 & 11/0 and Matte Met. Green Iris 11/0 and fushia Swarovski crystals.  This is really an easy technique! 

One of her projects--the Shiloh necklace--was offered as a class at the Bead and Button Show this past summer.  I almost took this class it was sooo pretty!  Can't wait to try this project.  We've sold out of some of the books that we've gotten in over the last couple of weeks...but we will be getting more in time for the holidays.  So put some books on your holiday wish list!

There are some new holiday earring ideas that we will have out...Aren't these candle sticks adorable!?! 

Thread on a 10mm Swarovski 3700 (Margarita bead), 3 4mm bicones, 1 4mm Swarovksi Rondelle and a Swarovski 5500 (9x6 drop bead).  Create your wrapped loop or simple loop and attach to an earwire.  These cuties are about 1 inch long (not including the earwire).

And these little cuties...Christmas Lights!  Thread on (narrow side down) a Swarovski 5500 (9x6 drop), a 4mm rondelle and a 4mm round (Swarovski 5000).  Create your wrapped loop or simple loop and attach to the earwire. 

There have been other things that I've been toying around with...I've been trying to practice my wire skills so that I can teach more wire classes next year.  I've also been playing with some new weaving patterns and wire knitting on a spool. 

What new things have you been working on or reading?

Oh!  And if you didn't know...I had my hair all cut off!  Talk about change...I donated 10 inches to Pink Heart Funds which will accept hair donations of 6 inches or more.  The hair is used to make wigs for children AND adults who are in need!  So if you or someone you know would like to donate hair but do not have 10 inches to spare this is the organization to use.  I found this organization through AARP magazine. 

All for now and promise to post more often! 

Bead Happy!

Michelle