by Barbara | Mar 22, 2018 | Uncategorized
It’s time once again to make more polymer clay Faux Amber and Turquoise beads. They are an integral component in my “Tibetan Inspired Beaded Rope Necklace” kit. Time consuming to make but also great fun, these Faux Amber beads are almost ready to go into the oven for...
by Barbara | Mar 12, 2018 | Uncategorized
Are you ready for some color? Although we’ve set our clocks ahead to Daylight Savings time, several weeks of winter white weather still lies ahead and, I for one, am more than ready for some bright, happy color! I’m wearing my “Color Play”...
by Barbara | Mar 9, 2018 | Uncategorized
I’m busy putting the finishing touches on the tutorial for these earrings. I’ll be assembling kits for this “Color Play” Pentagon Drop Earring design in several colorways. I love the happy colors of these Caribbean Brights and Mango Brights...
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 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 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 | Aug 8, 2017 | Beading, Beads and Materials, Delica beads, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Seed Beads, Uncategorized
I had not intended to start my warped square project with a confetti-like design. I had carefully drawn out a mosaic-like colored graph, selected six colors, poured them into their respective containers, and placed them in my travel tin. My mistake was leaving the...
by Barbara | Aug 4, 2017 | Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Delica beads, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind, Resin, Rings, Seed Beads, Techniques, Uncategorized
This order of Delica beads arrived several weeks ago, but I’ve been so busy playing with resin and making rings that I haven’t had gotten around to doing anything with them. The first step always is to remove them from the plastic containers in which they...
by Barbara | Jul 7, 2017 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Gemstones, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Resin, Sterling Silver, Techniques, Uncategorized
Whichever way you choose to spell it, I find Druzy to be dazzling! If you haven’t a clue of what I’m referring to it is a coating of fine crystals that appear on a fractured rock or within a geode. The crystals sparkle and glisten, especially if they have...
by Barbara | Jun 5, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Beading, Components, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Uncategorized
It’s just too beautiful outdoors to stay inside today! I’ve gathered up a selection of Delica beads, needle, thread, and beading mat and am sitting under a fan blowing soft breezes on our screened-in porch. Along with iced tea and the company of...