by Barbara | Apr 29, 2013 | Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Seed Beads, Tutorials
“Nothing succeeds like excess!” Maggie Smith, playing old Lady Grantham, made that statement in Season 3 of Downton Abbey. When it comes to wearing bracelets, I’m of the same opinion…the more the better! Granted wearing all four of these beaded...
by Barbara | Apr 27, 2013 | An Aside, Beading, Beads and Materials, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, One-of-a-Kind, Tutorials
I wish there were some magic way for creating tutorials – some wonderful software program that one just plugged info into and the directions would appear! Unfortunately there is no such thing and writing a tutorial takes a lot of time and effort.There are all...
by Barbara | Apr 24, 2013 | An Aside, Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Seed Beads, Tutorials
Life has a habit of getting in the way. I was making good progress and had finished the second row of tiny horns on my Sea Dragon III wrist wrap, but momentum was thrown off when I went to Chicago for three days, then upon returning to the studio, a huge shipment of...
by Barbara | Apr 23, 2013 | An Aside, Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind
Nine pounds of Delicas and over one hundred colors to be exact – that’s a lot of beads! It took three hours to unpack and I’m presently considering my storage options. Clearing out a drawer and dedicating it solely to Delica beads seems to be a wise...
by Barbara | Apr 22, 2013 | An Aside
I haven’t walked so much in a very long time. I’m ready to give my legs a rest and happy to settle into a day of beading and giving the cat attention now that I’m back home. It’s amazing how much I miss both after several days of being away....
by Barbara | Apr 19, 2013 | An Aside, Art to Wear, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind
It’s been months since I’ve been to Chicago. Years ago when I lived in the greater Chicago area, I often frequented what has been dubbed the Magnificent Mile. I always enjoy going to the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Institute, and strolling through...
by Barbara | Apr 17, 2013 | An Aside, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind
I think my passion for jewelry began that day; fifty-some Septembers ago (does that make me an antique?). It was my birthday and I had asked my father for “pop beads”, which were all the rage back then. I don’t know if they are still made, but pop...
by Barbara | Apr 15, 2013 | An Aside, Beading, Beads and Materials, One-of-a-Kind, Tools
I just couldn’t resist these! Do you know what they are? They are sold as novelty erasers, but if you are a beader, they serve as a beading tool! When I was new to beading, I would tear out rows of beads when I discovered a mistake. Granted, sometimes this is...
by Barbara | Apr 13, 2013 | Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tutorials
I’m not sure what the title of this Sea Dragon (my third) will be. When finished, it will sport eleven wings and seventy (yes, 70!) petite horns jutting from its glossy diamond patterned skin! The Ocean palette shades of matte and metallic blues and greens are...
by Barbara | Apr 11, 2013 | An Aside, Classes, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay
If you’re into polymer clay or have been contemplating playing with this medium, check out Christi Friesen’s latest effort, “Flourish”. This book is filled with inspiration for all things flora from leaves to buds to blooms! Christi has...