button, button, who's got the button...

I finally got the stained glass bracelet done.... and now I can't find my buttons!  I've spent the last 2 days looking for them.  At least, I've managed to do more organizing in looking for them.  Since I decluttered, I've found stuff that was 'lost', stuff I'd forgotten about, and managed to misplace my bag of buttons I used for clasps!    It has to be here somewhere.  
Besides looking for buttons,  I have managed to get a couple other pieces done.  The necklace is for my neighbor, Angela, for her highschool graduation ceremony.  The school (my alma mater) colors are red, black, and white.
The bracelet is one I have wanted to do for quite a while.  I love the jewel tone colors of these lampwork beads and always pictured them in a bracelet.  I couldn't decide if I should use gold or silver with them.  I think I came up with a good solution... silver fire-polished crystals, and gold beads/clasp.

stained glass pains...

Well... I am still working on this piece.  In the past, when I have hit a block, or had problems with a piece, I would usually put it aside for a few days (weeks, months.. ) and then come back to it when I felt new inspiration for it.   But this piece has me acting like a dog with a new bone.  I just can't put it down. 
I came up with what I think will be a great focal for the bracelet.... but actually creating it has become a challenge.  I first attempted to just stitch it as a break in/ part of the peyote band... not much luck with that.  Then I made a couple of attempts to stitch it as a separate piece and later attach to the band.  Not much luck doing it in peyote, but got the shape and size i wanted when I did it in brick stitch.  Unfortunately, I wasn't as successful in attaching it.  At least I wasn't happy with the result.  Mom was here the other day and said it looked fine... but she likes almost everything I make (moms are like that :) ).  So that last attempt has been broken down... and I'm back to the drawing board.  I spent some time this evening on my laptop working out a pattern to continue from the original peyote band.  My first attempts at this were done free hand, then from just a rough sketch, and that was probably why I couldn't get it to work.   I have a good feeling, this will be the right way to complete it.  I am looking forward to see if it turns out as good in actuality, as it looks in my head. 
oh.. and if this doesn't work... I'll breakdown and tell you what I'm trying to create and let you experts come up with a solution!  :)   With any luck.. I will have photos of the final piece by the end of the weekend!

Andrew Thorton blog bead giveaway

Great blog site (thanks Therese for sharing that!) giving away an amazing selection of beads.... oh plz pick me!  :)
Andrew Thorton blog

stained glass and Ellis

Here is the peyote piece I started yesterday...

I'm really please with it so far :)


and.... I picked up another greyhound for ChinookWinds, and I get to foster her overnight.  What a sweet girl!  She is going to her forever home tomorrow.  :)   This is Ellis

stained glass

I was watching a craft show on tv this afternoon, they were talking about a really pretty knitted blanket in a stained glass pattern.  Yup... I could picture in my head how great it would look worked up in beads.
I did up a pattern on my laptop, but to show the pattern the way I wanted, I had to make it 30 rows wide... a little big for 11/0's.  So, am doing it in 15/0's.  My color selection isn't nearly as good in that size, but I've done about 1.5" and am very pleased with how its starting out.  I might need some kind of focal for it, so get your thinking caps on!
Will take a pic tomorrow in the daylight and post.

my bead stash!

First off... anyone who really knows me, knows what a pack rat I am.   I recently fostered a rescue greyhound overnight.  It went well, she got along fine with my grey, Daisy.  But.. I very soon realized if I want to foster again, especially for more than one night, I need to do some serious de-clutter in my livingroom.  So... I had a couple friends help out - cleaning, decluttering, and most important.. keeping me focused!  Now I realize I had beads stashed here and there.. but I'm almost embarassed to admit, I found some I had completely forgotten about!  On the other hand, it has been fun the last couple days going thru some of the bags - feel like a little kid at Christmas!!  Also found that package of gold-plated fishhook earwires I knew I had!
So many beads, so many ideas... where to start!   Think I'll just close my eyes... and grab a random pack, and start to play  :)

Jamberrysongs' Challenge - Mystery by Indigo Girls

really enjoyed this challenge - creating from a piece of music.   I often create by how something makes my feel based on what I've seen.  So I went with that.. and listened to the song several times.. as just background music, following along with the lyrics, sitting back with my eyes closed and really just feeling the notes... 
What I came away with, is life changes, but there are always bits we keep with us and keep us connected.  So this bracelet is made up of individual dangles... some using the same beads, but all unique. 
The metal of the dangles change... as does our lives.  A sunburst bead used in the clasp promises there is always something new ahead.. another mystery to begin.

lol ... as I am uploading the pics.. I realize I've used dark blue - indigo - beads!!  That hadn't even clicked until now.. :)

I hope you enjoy all the other pieces done in the challange as much as I did participating.
Patty from My Life Under the Bus
Karen from BeadDelirium
Therese fromTherese's Treasures
Judy from Three Red Beads
Jacinta from Jamberrysong's Creations

There's no place like home!!

I'm not going storm chasing this year... but have been chatting with several chaser buddies and following some chases online (have to get my fix somehow!!).   I was cruising around some bead sites the other day and was intriqued by some 3d shoes on petersenarts.com.  Then, I was putting some seed beads away yesterday... and got inspired... :)  What do you think?

And this is the purple rope that was on my unfinished list.. now completed 

productive days!

I think taking stock of what I had outstanding was a good kick in the butt for me.  Of the six projects listed in my last post, I only have one item not completed.  I took pics of the blue necklace, and then the battery in my camera died.  So, while it is charging, I will post the pics I have.  The purple rope and the buckle bracelet pics will have to wait.

 

 

I like this type of necklace that can be worn different ways.  In this case, there are two peyote tubes to embellish the rope.  One is large enough to cover the clasp if you so desire.  Or, one or both can even be removed completely.

getting caught up!

There was a question on Beading Daily forum recently... how many beading projects do you have on the go?
I figured I had a couple.. then I actually counted... I had 6 pieces in various stages, uncompleted.
I know I will set aside a piece if I need addition beads/supplies, but I will also put aside pieces I am doing for myself or for my selling inventory, if a specific order comes in.
So.. this is what I have oustanding:
1. purple netted rope, with spiral pattern - had to order additional beads - okay those have come in
2. repair of bunny bracelet - completed and mailed back to client (also included bunny earrings as gift)
3. blue spiral rope necklace - just have to get the clasp sewn on, then get it in the mail
4. black cuff prom bracelet - completed and delivered on Sat.
5. dog collar - had been misplaced, now found and almost finished.
6. buckle bracelet - took a while to find the right color beads to complete the clasp
And... Sunday night, got an order for another dog collar :)
Tonight/tomorrow I have to get the blue spiral rope completed so I can get it in the mail!
But in the mean time... here is the black cuff bracelet for a good friends daughter.

The charms have inspiration words, and the dangles are Swarovski to match her dress.