by Barbara | Oct 29, 2015 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Bead Embroidery, Bracelets, Earrings, Handmade, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind
Shutterfly.com offers freebies every now and then…free photos, cards, calendars, etc., but what I love is when free books are offered! Over the past few years, I’ve assembled three 8″ x 8″ photo books of my metalwork and beaded art jewelry and...
by Barbara | Oct 26, 2015 | An Aside, Handmade, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind
It used to be a lamp, but after fifteen years of use and being knocked over several times by cats, it stopped working. Considering the initial price of the lamp I knew it would cost more to have it rewired. I had always loved this lamp…I found the branches and little...
by Barbara | Oct 23, 2015 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bronze, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Earrings, Embellishments, Gemstones, Handmade, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind, Sterling Silver, Techniques
Mary’s life was fraught with complication. Upon the death of her father, James V of Scotland only six days after her birth, Mary ascended to the throne with her mother, Mary of Guise, acting as regent. At five years of age, she was betrothed to Edward, Henry VIII’s...
by Barbara | Oct 19, 2015 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Bronze, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Earrings, Embellishments, Gemstones, Handmade, Inspiration, Patina, Sterling Silver
Born in 1122, Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine was wealthy, intelligent, and ambitious. She reigned as Queen of France from 1137-1151 while married to King Louis VII and as Queen of England from 1154-1189 during her marriage to King Henry II who imprisoned her from...
by Barbara | Oct 16, 2015 | An Aside, Art to Wear, At the Bench, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Bronze, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Delica beads, Embellishments, Handmade, One-of-a-Kind, Seed Beads, Sterling Silver, Techniques
Miyuki of Japan manufactures Delica beads, which I have used extensively in my geometric beaded creations. But Miyuki also makes wonderful beads in many shapes and sizes…bugles, tilas, triangles, square, etc., and of course, seed beads in many sizes. I especially like...
by Barbara | Oct 13, 2015 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bead Embroidery, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, One-of-a-Kind
I’ve been working on this design for much longer than anticipated, but my bead embroidered “Amphitrite’s Cuff” is finally finished and ready to wear! I began the project nine months ago while on vacation and it had languished in a drawer partially...
by Barbara | Oct 10, 2015 | An Aside, One-of-a-Kind
When my husband goes on business trips he always brings “presents” home for me…usually hotel soaps and other amenities! This time he surprised me with a set of Artists Notecards that I think are so fun! From left to right are Claude Monet, Frida...
by Barbara | Oct 7, 2015 | An Aside, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind
I can cross this project off my “to do” list. In spite of my little helpers who were constantly jumping up on my work table and playing with loose seashells, I’ve managed to finish the mirror repair in fairly short time. I’m pleased with the...
by Barbara | Oct 4, 2015 | An Aside, At the Bench, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind, Painted Furniture, Techniques
At the moment I have several projects in various states of completion…a bead embroidered cuff that I started last February, a pair of heart earrings, and some beaded beads to name a few. But for the past few days, I’ve been working on the mirror that attaches to the...
by Barbara | Oct 1, 2015 | An Aside, Art to Wear, At the Bench, Classes, One-of-a-Kind, Sterling Silver
Utilitarian items have been on my bench over the years as well…a series of small brass picture frames for one. Then there was the beautiful tiny sterling silver hors’ d’oeuvre spoon capped with a matte onyx bezel-set finial…unfortunately, someone helping with...