A New Bracelet - Caterpiller or Fringe Style #1

After purchasing the pattern from Darcy Horne, I then purchased a kit to make the bracelet. I received the beads one day and was wearing the bracelet the next. Here it is:



Unfortunately it didn't photograph as pretty as it really is.

Contemplating

I've been thinking for a while about building some online quilting classes. I think I'm going to start with one and see how it works out. I'll be creating it and then putting it on my Etsy site for sale. So, I've been thinking about quilting, not beading and still haven't done much since the craft fair. Unless you count the pair of earrings I made today and the bracelet I made yesterday. I have not been doing the nose to the grindstone thing. That's for sure.

I puttered a bit yesterday at a first attempt at ATC's (Artist Trading Cards). I have a series of six on the go and five of them I'm happy with so far; one not so much. I'm torn between starting a new #6 and just leaving it at a series of five. Talk about high stress, huh?

The sun is shining. The clouds are hanging on the mountain tops on the horizon and the ocean is calm though there is a slight breeze. The temperature is 40 F. It's a beautiful day and the light is fading fast. See for yourself!

How's this for a view?






You can click on the image for a larger version. When it clears over the weekend, I'm going to have to get a photo of the mountains topped in snow.

Taking a time out...

This is the second day since the craft fair and I'm still in 'relax and recuperate' mode. I was completely exhausted when I got home from the craft fair and had no interest or energy to do anything creative the following day. I'm giving myself a period of time to rest but I'm also looking forward to 'what comes next'.

I've been surfing around the internet looking at the work of bead artists and finding much inspiration. I'm so new to this and I'm finding so many different directions that I feel a pull toward. Cabochons. I found a wonderful book that is an excellent 'how to' for cabochons and it's filled with photos to give ideas and inspiration. Beading with Cabochons: Simple Techniques for Beautiful Jewelry by Jamie Cloud Eakin. The book can be found on Amazon.

Another one that I'm in love with is Beaded Embellishment: Techniques & Designs for Embroidering on Cloth (Beadwork How-To series) by Amy C. Clarke and Robin Atkins. Also found on Amazon. This book has excellent detail and photos to help a real beginner...like me.

I've purchased the package for a bead challenge. If you are interested, you can see it (and buy it) here: Winter Bead Challenge. The beads intrigued me and I can hardly wait for them to arrive.

I also purchased a kit of beads to complete a pattern that is new to me. See and buy the kit and pattern here: Fringe Bracelet Kit

A Little Bit of Beading

These earrings were made a few days ago in preparation for the craft fair. They didn't do as well as I thought they might. My plan is to put them into my online store...wmarlaine.etsy.com and see how they do there. All three are so dainty and feminine looking.



Agate stones with sterling silver findings.


Agate stones and fresh water pearls with sterling silver findings.


Glass beads with sterling silver findings.