This One's for Me!

Turquoise is one of my favourite stones. Probably because it's my birth stone. I've got quite a collection of turquoise stones and I've been surprised to learn that they come in so many different shades. I've been collecting beads to go with them and finally decided to sit down and do something for myself with them. This bracelet in freeform peyote stitch is the result. I chose to add in some beads that pick up on the dark lines through the turquoise stones.

Glass Leaf Pendant Necklace and...

I've gotten over my inspiration block and completed a couple of new pieces. The first one was inspired when I was looking through my supplies. I'd forgotten that I had the glass leaf and when I found it, POOF - inspiration! Taking my cue from the colours in the leaf, I created a princess length spiral rope neck piece in two shades of blue beads and added gold triangle beads to pick up on the gold in the leaf. The leaf pendant can be removed so that the necklace can stand alone.



The second piece was inspired by the turquoise chips. Turquoise is my favourite stone and I thought I'd use them in a bracelet for myself. Again, using the spiral rope stitch, I included the turquoise chips in the center of the bracelet.

It's Time To Vote

This month I'm participating in the Etsy BeadWeavers' August Challenge with the theme "Art Deco". The piece that I've entered is here and is number 17 in the mosaic below.

I'd love it if you voted for me, but no matter who you choose to vote for, please visit the Etsy BeadWeavers' Blog and VOTE!!

Uninspired...

I'm stuck at the moment. Nothing is inspiring the next piece. I've got two sets of beads laid out and have started something that I'm thinking about pulling apart. Something will come along soon enough. For now, I'm practicing living in the moment.

The Joys of Living Alone...

This is a birds-eye-view of my coffee table in my living room:


Notice the bare edge of the coffee table. There is room to put down a cup of coffee and the remote.

'Nuff said!

Etsy BeadWeavers Art Deco Challenge Necklace

My Art Deco Challenge piece was finished yesterday, in my hotel room. The third triangle had to be stitched twice due to an unfortunate incident with the thread. I'll say no more on the subject. But the up side is that I persisted and finished it. What really makes me happy about this piece is that it looks exactly like I imagined...and I love it! The gold Taho triangle bead I used have an AB finish. The necklace makes me want to go out and buy a new little black dress and heels!

Way Away....

I'm away from home for a few days but I'm working on a piece for the August EtsyBeadweavers Challenge - Art Deco. Here is a sneak peek of my workspace in my hotel room and the challenge piece in progress!



I never leave home without my bead, my laptop and my camera!

Oh...and this is not the piece I originally bought beads for and intended to make. This piece is the result of serendipity.

Vintage Jewelry

I've been meaning to post photos of this necklace and earring set for a while. It's at least 50 years old and may be as much as 60 years old. It was a gift from my father to my mother and I believe it was before I was born. She gave me the set at least 35 years ago and though I've never worn it, I've hauled it around with me since then. I don't really know much about it but I've always thought that it's beautiful. I'm not sure what the metal used in it is because it's as bright and beautiful as polished sterling silver but it's never tarnished. Anyone got any ideas?

Inspiration Piece Finished

The piece that was inspired by the photo (below a couple of posts) is finally finished. It's not exactly what I had in mind but I had "technical" difficulties. The ocean jasper stone I used in the pendant had no hole in it and I wasn't able to manage a way to set it that would leave the stone completely visible though that is what I'd hoped to achieve. The spiral rope is a combination of 10 different coloured Delica seed beads. It was the first time I tried using Delicas for a spiral rope and I AM pleased with how that came out. I still have more beads in these colours and I'm contemplating another project.

Stars at Midnight Bracelet

I had to delay completing this bracelet because I ran out of beads. My order arrived yesterday so I was able to finish it by working on it last evening and this morning. I'm very happy with the results. It's made with Toho triangles and it's 1 1/4" wide. It's fairly stiff but still has a suppleness to it and it's a gorgeous colour - deep navy with some transparent dusty blue appearing as the stars in it's name.