by Barbara | Dec 14, 2017 | An Aside, Beading, Beads and Materials, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Seed Beads, Techniques
I will get back to beading and metal work, but every now and then I need to step back from it all and delve into something totally new. In this case, I’ve wandered off into working with paper collage, creating tiny one-of-a-kind boxes, pillow envelopes, bags,...
by Barbara | Dec 1, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Seed Beads
This is my “Loch Ness Sea Dragon III” Wrap design (inspired by Contemporary Geometric Beadwork). I entered it in the Fire Mountain Gems 2017 Seed Bead Contest and the results have just been announced. Lucky me! This piece won a Bronze Medal Award in the Fashion...
by Barbara | Nov 26, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beading, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Resin, Rings
When I was a young girl, it seemed that every person over the age of fifty constantly remarked how fast time was passing. I didn’t understand why they felt that way. I’d watch the clock in my classroom edge along at snail pace. I waited for the hands to strike 3...
by Barbara | Nov 17, 2017 | An Aside, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Uncategorized
What am I doing this week? I’m creating tiny gift boxes and bags. With the holidays rapidly approaching, I’ll need hostess gifts and small tokens of appreciation to give to friends and service people. To make this process easier than cutting and measuring cardstock...
by Barbara | Nov 10, 2017 | An Aside, Beading, Components, Delica beads, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind
Many gift-giving dates are fixed…birthdays and Christmas, to name a few. Preparing for these occasions is stressful enough without the task of running out at the last minute to buy gifts. When I see an item that I know someone would love, I buy it even if it’s months...
by Barbara | Nov 3, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bead Embroidery, Beading, Classes, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tutorials, Uncategorized
I had a dream in which I was teaching a bead embroidery class and as in so many dreams one has, it was fraught with problems that must be solved. In this dream (perhaps I should call it a nightmare!), I was teaching my “Six Petal Bloom” project. So far, so good, but I...
by Barbara | Oct 29, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Designer Patterns, Embellishments, Gemstones, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Resin, Rings
Last August while on vacation in California, I purchased some wonderful natural crystals from which I created molds. This collection of blue and teal faux crystals were created from those molds. I have a theory as to why some of the faux crystals come out crystal...
by Barbara | Oct 21, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Seed Beads, Techniques
I’ve worked primarily in Peyote stitch for the past few years because it lends itself so well to geometric beadwork. The beads sit nicely stacked like little bricks and it creates a fairly stiff and supportive structure akin to the feeling of upholstery fabric...
by Barbara | Oct 13, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Designer Patterns, Embellishments, Gemstones, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Uncategorized
The deadline for latest Fire Mountain Gems contest featuring Swarovski Crystals was October 8 and I finished this neckpiece just in time to enter! I had been so busy finishing up my latest geometric beadwoven bracelet that I’d forgotten the contest was closing....
by Barbara | Oct 6, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Designer Patterns, Gemstones, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Resin
I love Autumn! Daylight now has a different glow with the sun lower in the sky. The prairie is awash with brilliant shades of yellow as goldenrod, native sunflower, and black-eyed Susan are in full bloom. Trees are sporting leaves in shades of gold and crimson. The...
