Embroidered Hummingbird is done!

I have been working on this little guy since the beginning of September and I am so happy he is all done :)

I also made this cuff bracelet yesterday-inspired by the Magpies that were all around out campsite but would not hold still for a photo lol.



Snowy Owl finally finished!

After months and months of hitting the wall with this little lady I am finally done! I have been quite literally living at a new bead store in Bellevue the last month or so, taking the owl with me and getting inch by agonizing inch sewn. If it was not for the help and encouragment of Candy and Cara at Bird Tail Beads, I think this would have never been completed.

I really wanted to add a fringe to fill out the bottom of the piece and give the top and bottom sections some sort of connection. Beaded fringe was not an option for me, I did that with the Hawk and he is very heavy.

I came up with the chain fringe idea on Friday while visiting with Cara. It took me all day Saturday to complete the super fiddly execution. And without further ado, here is "Winter Solstice":

Along with Ms. Owl, I have also been working with my Vintaj Big Kick (goodness how I love mashing metal!) This necklace design was inspired by a pattern in the Vintaj Mixed Metals book (I do not recall the artist's name, but I thank her for the awesome idea!)

I also gave in and started making wrap bracelets (they are EVERYWHERE!) Even my cat likes them.

Well, that's it for now...next embroidery project is a Hummingbird (also by Laura Mears).

If you live in Washington State or come here for a visit, please stop in Bellevue and visit Candy at Bird Tail Beads. They have been open since last December and have a great selection of swarks, vintaj, glass, and metal beads. Yes, this is a shameless plug for my LBS (local bead store.)

It's been awhile!

With the better weather here in Washington I have been away enjoying the great outdoors. I have hiked more this year than ever..and I am also learning how to fly fish (not easy at all but so fun!)

A couple of my favorite pictures so far:

Middle tier of the Wallace Falls, Gold Bar, Wa:

The small but really awesome Eagle Falls, Skykomish river, Wa:



And now back to our regularly scheduled BEAD blog :)

I have been working on an embroidered owl...she's not quite finished yet but here she is:

Porcelain owl-Laura Mears. Rainbow Moonstone and Dendritic opal, Etsy.

I am just now working on the edging. I am not sure if I want to add fringe or not. Any suggestions??

I also got a fantastic deal at Hobby Lobby on a Sizzix/Vintaj Big Kick (referred to lovingly as "the bead squisher") It was the only way I could describe what it did when I was telling my Boyfriend about it.

I haven't played with it much yet...I just put in a huge order at Beadaholique for Vintaj blanks to stamp..should be here any day now (yay!) I also nabbed an awesome deal from a seller on Etsy-she was clearing out all of her Vintaj products. That order should be here soon too.

I have the stirrings of an evil plan coming together. I love buying destash lots on Etsy..only problem I have is I seem to find lots of Swarovksi crystals...I use up "that random pretty green" color and want more but I have no idea what it is called (so frustrating!) So I poked around online for a Swarovski color chart...I found the "official" one but it only seems to have the popular/basic colors.

I decided I am going to make my own. I have managed to estimate there are 261 colors (including the AB, ABX2 and special coatings). If I get 2 4mm bicones in each color it will cost about $55.00. The bonus is if I order them from Fusion Beads, the labels on the baggies will have the color name printed on them. I can then tape the baggies to some 8 1/2 x 11 size white cardstock and put each page in a clear plastic sheet protector. Then put them in a binder (kinda like a carpet sample book.)

Yes. I am that crazy. Homemade Swarovski color chart crazy.

Bead Soup #7 Get your bowls and spoons ready!

So what have I been doing the last few months?

Playing with the generous and delightful box of beads from Sabine!

I knew exactly where the Cinnabar bead was going when I saw it!

Prehinite, Coral (also from Sabine), cobalt chinese crystal, and a handpainted brass fan.

I was so surprised that Sabine sent me this amazing heart bead that I dropped it on the floor. It survived! I had some ribbon in my stash that had to go with it. Silk ribbon, silver toggle clasp (from Sabine), Bali silver, lavendar acrylic big hole beads (from Sabine) and swarovski crystals.

The garden pendant had so many details, I was afraid I would overwhelm it. I tried to keep it simple with Silk ribbon, lampwork pendand, and lampwork beads all from Sabine. Pewter dragonfly, czech glass flowers and leaves.

I really loved the earthy, organic look of the green ceramic beads Sabine sent me. I ended up making 2 necklaces with a similar color scheme with them. Ceramic beads (from Sabine) betel nuts, coco wood, czech glass bead (from Sabine), Tibetan copal amber beads, silk ribbon, silver clasp, and a polymer clay pendant from Swoondimples (Etsy)

Similar color scheme as the necklace above but with more metallics than naturals. Green ceramic beads (from Sabine), bronze delicas, vintage bronze faceted czech glass, cream czech glass rondelles, brass clasp, vintage/antique bronze budda pendant.

The lampwork bead above the wing pendant was just screaming "clouds" to me. Sky blue lampwork beads (from Sabine), vintage faceted mother of pearl, vintage opaque sky blue rosary beads, metallic blue iris czech glass beads, blue opal chinese crystal, and a ceramic wing pendant (Earthenwood)

Matching earrings with Sabine's lampwork and vintage mother of pearl beads.

This one even suprised me when I was done...the color combo is an odd one for me but it reminds me of the sun setting through the trees. Every time I have gone hiking with my Boyfriend, we are followed back by a robin. No matter what trail it was. Silk ribbon, opaque red and lavendar czech rondelles (from Sabine), polymer clay robin and birch rondelles Humble Beads, swarovski bicones, vintaj brass branch and bail. Vintage cloth button clasp.

And a matching bracelet:

Czech glass rondelles and silk ribbon (from Sabine), swarovski crystal, bronze bird charm (Green Girl Studios.)

And last but not least:

Silk ribbon (from Sabine), czech glass, blue freshwater pearls, chinese crystal, lucite flower, swarovski crystal and a ceramic dragonfly pendant (artist unknown.)

I hope you have enjoyed looking at my pieces...please make sure to visit Sabine's blog at http://www.perlendschungel.blogspot.com/ and see what she made with my beads!

Soup is here, Yippee!!!

I know I promised to write more about my Bead Soup Partner last week..but things like work and sleep keep getting in the way (darn those pesky things.)

My package of beads from Sabine arrived today and I am still in shock..the colors are so happy and scream spring and summer. A sharp contrast to both the weather here in Washington (grey and cloudy) and my current project (white snow owl embroidery in grey scale.)

When I was assigned my partner by Lori, I went on a visit to Sabine's blog...and instantly fell in love with this amazing lampwork heart bead (it's just fantastic, what can I say)

I can tell you that Sabine is a wonderful and kind person, she included the heart bead along with an assortment of other amazing lampwork beads, ceramic beads, glass beads, shell beads, and ribbons. I was so shocked to open the little wrapped package to find the heart bead inside that I dropped it on the floor. I can now also say that her beads are very very sturdy!

I also remembered to take pictures of everything BEFORE I starting beading like crazy (like I did last time.)

I have so many ideas brewing it's not even funny!

If you love happy colors, high quality work (and sturdy too!) or you just need some beads to drool over, check out Sabine's blog at www.perlendschungel.blogspot.com and her Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/Perlendschungel

And, without futher ado, the soup!

I am off now to go put away the embroidery for awhile and jump into the soup, yum!

Bead embroidered Hawk is finally done!

No, I did not fall off the face of the planet!

I got busy making bead soup for my partner, Sabine (I promise to write a more fantastic post just about Sabine and her awesome lampwork beads just as soon as I get the bead desk put back together) and in between that I have been working on this guy:

And a close up of the pendant:

Hawk: Laura Mears...stones used: Amazonite, Brecciated Jasper, Ocean Jasper, Moss agate, and Carnelian. Also used were various and sundry glass seedbeads, Swarovski crystals in topaz, palace green opal and emerald and last but not least, 3 little brick/picasso czech glass flowers. Add 2 months of sewing away and ta daa!

Soup's on!

I have not fallen off the face of the earth...just very slowly recovering from a bout of ye olde Office Plague :(

I just got my partner info for the Bead Soup Blog Party!!! YAY! (just got the info as in about an hour ago)

I am so excited!

Off to whip up some soup!

Memories and thanks Blog Hop

I was deeply moved by Lori's story of her friend, Marianna.

I spend alot of time focusing on the external when creating..and this was a challenge for me. There are so many people in my life that have and do inspire me that it was difficult for me to know what direction to go.

I decided on Christmas Eve to sit down and go through family photos. I have not been able to get through them since I lost my Mom 3 years ago...and it was still hard. I kept coming across pictures of my grandmother, and realized I had so many happy (and sometimes silly) memories of her. In all the pictures I have of her, she is always smiling and always wearing blue...why blue? I have no idea...the summer I turned 10, she had major surgury for cancer and her heart. She was going to be spending alot of time in her bedroom. She had it remodeled and painted a very pretty shade of pink called California Mauve. She love pink but never wore it! Both my Grandma and my Mom collected hammered aluminium dining ware from the 20's/30's, many of which I inherited (I collect them too.) I was searching for something really special for this blog hop and came across an Arts and Crafts hammered Silver locket.

This is for my Mom and my Grandma... without either of them, I would not be who I am.

The really neat thing about this locket is that is engraved with an "S". My Grandma was Elizabeth but she went by Sally.

There is also a little loop at the bottom of the locket built into the hinge. I figure it was put there to keep the locket from opening all the way with the backs touching (that is what is seems to do anyway) and it was the perfect place to add a dangle. I kept the chain simple to reflect the era the locket was made.

I also made one more piece, I did not know Marianna but I was so moved by her story, I made a necklace with 2 of her favorite things, red, and birds.

Please take a look at these other amazing jewelry designers and what they came up with and the stories behind them:

Hostess, Lori Anderson       Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir                   Dream Struck Designs

 Aimee Biondolillo               Aimee's Jewelry Treasures

 Alicia Marinache                 All the Pretty Things 
 Andra Marasteanu               Handmade by Indra Marasteanu 
 Andrea Trank                      Heaven Lane Creations
 April Grinaway                   Brooklyn Bead Goddess

Barb Solem                         Vivi Magoo Presents

Becky Pancake                    Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Beth Emery                         Stories by Indigo Heart

Bonnie Coursolle                Jasper's Gems

Cassi Paslick                       Beads: Rolling Downhill

Catherine King                    Catherine's Musings

Cece Cormier                      The Beading Yogini

Chandra Leitz                     Juniper Goods

Charlie Jacka                       Clay Space

Christina Hickman              Vintage Treasures Jewelry You are here

Christine Stonefield            Sweet Girl Design

Chrizette Bayman               Bead Soup Mix

Cindy Wilson                      It's My Sea of Dreams

Crystal Thain                      Here Bead Dragons

Cyndi Lavin                        Beading Arts

Debbie Rasmussen             A little of this, a little of that

Denielle Hagerman             Some Beads... and other things I like
Diana Gonzalez                  Arte y Poemas

Diane Hawkey                    diane hawkey

Dita Basu                            ankarshilpa

Donetta Farrington             Simply Gorgeous

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell     Deeliteful Jewelry Creations

Emma Todd                        A Polymer Penchant

Erin Kenny                         beadiful therapy

Erin Prais-Hintz                  Treasures Found

Gina Hockett                      Freestyle Elements

Gloria Allen                        Innovative Dreams Jewelry

Heather Marston                 CSW Designs

Inge von Roos                    Inge's Blog

Jacqueline Marchant          Fiddledeedee Jewelry

Jami Shipp                         Celebrating Life!

Jean Yates                          Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Do!

Jennifer Reno                     Musings of a Crafty Jenny
Jenny Robledo                   Peppa's Dream

Jennifer VanBenschoten    Jewelry, Art and Life
Jessica Klaaren                  Cellar Door Jewelry

Jessica Murray                   Whimsical Monkey

Joan Williams                     lilruby jewelry

Jo-Ann Woolverton            It's a Beadiful Creation

Joanne Browne                   josjewels1

Jodie Marshall                    Jodie Marshall Lampwork Beads Wearable Art

Johanna Rhodes                 Fire Phoenix Creations
John Rasmussen                 Rasumussen Gems and Jewelry LLC

JuLee Wolfe                       The Polymer Penguin

Julie Bean                           Blue Pig Blog

Karen Mitchell                   Over the Moon Designs

Karin King                         The Sparklie Things Blog
Karin Slaton                       Backstory Beads

Kat Douglas                       Washoe Kat's
Kay Bolton                        Toodles and Binks

Kelly Hosford Patterson     The Traveling SideShow

Kim Ballor                          Vitamin C ... A Daily Does of Creativity

Kim Dworak                       CianciBlue

Kim Houston                       The Pink Martini
Kym Hunter                         Kym Hunter Designs

Laren Dee Barton                Laren Dee Designs

Lea Avroch                          LA Jewelry Designs

Leanne Loftus                      First Impression Design

Lena Adams (Mari's daughter) --Lena's Beady Blog
Liddy McLaughlin               Liddy McLaughlin Art

Linda Florian                       Lily's of the Valley Jewelry & Creative Creations

Linda Inhelder                     Must-Haves Jewelry

Lisa Hamilton                      Simply Irresistable Jewelry
Lisa Suver                            Fancee That

Lori Bowring Michaud        Artfully Ornamental

Lori Poppe                           Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean

LouAnn Elwell                    Southpass Beads

Mandi Effron                       Craft-o-licious

Marcia DeCoster                 MadDesigns

Marcia Dunne                     The Alternative Foundry

Marie Covert                      Creating Interest

Marjorie Savill Linthwaite     bennubirdrising

Marlene Cupo                        Amazing Designs by Marlene

Martha Aleo                           Ornamento

Marti Conrad                          Marti's Buttons -n- Beads

Mary Ellen Parker                  BeeTree by m.e.

Mary Govaars                        MLH Jewelry Designs

Mary Lindell                          Mary Lindell Artisan Jewelry

Maureen Connolly                 Mrs Beadsley's Workshop

Maybeline Tay                       The Jewelry Larder

Melissa Elgin                         The Addicted Beader

Melissa Mesara                      one-eared pig beads

Menka Gupta                         Menka's Jewelry

Michaela Pabeschitz              la mar de bonita

Mischelle Fanucchi               Micheladas Musings

Mona Rae Baroody               Who Does She Bead She Is?

Nan Emmett                          Spirit Rattles -- Spirited Earth

Nancy Pedersen                    Something Heartfelt by Nancy

Natalie Davidson                  NorthShore Days
Nikki Douglas                      Bead It and Weep

Pam Farren                           re-maker

Pam, the Crazier Sister        The Crazy Creative Corner

Priya Krish                           Hellopalz 
Rebecca Anderson               Song Beads

Rebecca Sirevaag                 Becca's Place

Robin Kae Reed                   Artistry HCBD

Rochelle Brisson                  a creative chelle

Sabine Dittrich                     perlendschungel

Sandi Volpe                          Sandi Volpe

Sandra McGriff                    Creative Chaos

Sarah Goode                         Pookledo
Sarah Singer                         String a Song of Sixpence

Serena Trent                         All Things Made Jewelry

Shai Williams                       Shaiha's Ramblings
Sharon Palac                        Sharon's Jewelry Garden

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson    Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections

Sheila Davis                         Stone Designs

Shelley Graham Turner        Fabric of My Life

Sherri Stokey                       Knot Just Macrame

Sherry Baun                         Unicorns Jewels

Skylar Bre'z                         Brising Beads

Stephanie Haussler              Pixybug Designs

Tania Spivey                        Moobie Grace Designs

Terri G.                                Blooming Ideas

Terry Carter                         Tapping Flamingo

Terry Matuszyk                    Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry

Toltec Jewels                       Jewel School Friends
Tracy Kruse                         Goldkisses Art

Tracy Martin                        Nutkitten's Jewelry

Zia Parks                              Anzi~Panzi's Work Shoppe

Zoe Marcin                          Beads, Tea and Sweets