FreeForm Sculptural Peyote Cuff with Jeannette Cook

My LBS (local bead shop) had classes with Jeannette Cook this weekend.  Click on her name to check out her website. Now I swore off seed bead, I really said that I would never take a seed bead class.  Well, I signed up for her Freeform Sculptural Peyote Cuff class that was this week. 

I love the class, this is what I have since Thursday night.  I spent some time off and on this weekend between draining my hot water heater that leaked all over the floor.

But I love it.  I just have to put the closure on the back of the bracelet and do a little more embellishment.  I can't wait for her to come back in 2015, by that time I should know how to right-angle weave.

Last weekend I made this cool orange and turquoise necklace--- I'm in love with orange I think is is the new black for me.

That is all I had time for this weekend that was fun.  I spent most of my day reading Social Studies standards for my National Board Teacher Certification journey.  I thought I was on the right path to begin writing this summer, but I'm not. 











Two weeks ago at the ceremony for the G. W. Bush library she had on this great gray pearl multi-strand necklace.  I googled her to get a closer look at it and found all the great jewelry that she has been wearing.  Don't you want to know what Barbara Bush is saying--- she is a hoot.

I am so looking for the beads to make this one

I love this off center necklace.  I just ordered the focal stone today from ZNET shows.

SOUP IS DONE!!!

I have been waiting months to show you what I made for my Bead Soup.  Participating in this was sooooo exciting for putting my soup together, then receiving mine from Terry, to visiting 500 great beading artist blogs.  Here is a small recap of my partner and what she sent to me. 

I just love the colors.  Now it took me some time before I knew what to do with the focal --------- I have to do some thing special.  During the time my soup was simmering  Tracy Stanely came to my local bead shop to teach Wire Jewelry classes. I took all but one because I knew I wanted to use what I learned to add some spice to my soup.

I'm a lucky girl right to have a local bead shop that brings great Jewelry Artist to Alaska.  If you ever have the chance to take a class from her she is a blast. The book is also wonderful.

 Well with that said it time to dish up my soup.  Come on and pull up a seat at my table.  Do smell creativity??? Let me know what you think.

 What do you think?? It is a two strand necklace I used eye-pins to put it together to give it movement and an organic feel when i wear it.  Let me tell you I were it all the time.The cranberry bead that Terry sent me just make the whole collection pop. I was also sent tiny flat beads in yellow, gray, and cream. What a collection.


Now lets talk about that focal bead is it to just die for.  When I opened the package I have never seen a bead that had so much detail so much to look at. I'm new to this beading thing.  Yes, I have jumped in with my eyes wide open but this bead was so lovely  tears of joy and honor came.  At that moment I was scared that my soup could not match up to what Terry had sent me, but she loved it and made some wonder full jewelry. Check it out here.  I'm going to give you a minute to savory the soup, taste the flavors, let the notes have a party in your mouth with each spoon full.

There were so many bead that I had to make a second necklace.  This one is a long single strand necklace that has a bohemian feel.  Are you ready for desert, that is exactly what this one is the icing on the cake --- 
 The focal bead is wrapped in two layers of metal that is pulled up about the bead to secure it in place

Let's start with the handmade copper clasp.

 More of those great ingredients that Terry sent in her soup. Don't those cranberry beads pop--- and those yellow one.  I think I forgot to mention two spices that were sent one was a light brown bead that I just loved--I have been looking for more of the color--- it was a neutral that I feel in love with, and the cream bead that you see mixed through-out both pieces.

Let me give you a second to finish your desert.

The heart I made in Tracey's class it is 2 layers of metal that has been texturized.  The heart in the center it wire that is wrapped and beads wired inside. 

I hope that you liked the meal---- drop me a line and let me know if this rookie did Terry's Bead Soup.  Don't forget to go over to Terry's to see what she did with my soup

Soup is ready Digging In!!!!

I joined the Bead Soup party go to the link to follow the 500 bead artist that have sent bead soup packages all over the world to fellow bead artist to make wonderful jewelry to wear and love.  Go check it out.

 I got my soup  in the mail last weekend I have been looking at it and adding beads from my stash that I want to add for a little spice.  I like it spicy.  Before I get into my soup let me show you what I sent to my partner Terrry,  here is a link to her blog if you have not stopped by yet.  Just a little recap Terry live up state New York, she has been beading for 6 years and has a great eye for color. Here is the Soup I sent to Terry

I took a beading class where I learned to make beaded flower that is what I sent to Terry for her focal. Then just for fun I made a small one and sent a key to help her unlock her creativity with this collection of beads.  Terry asked what kinds of stones I sent here and I an such a newbie that I didn't know I just buy beads that I love the way they look or their shape or how much they shine LOL.

Now for the soup that Terry sent me.  I wish I could have a little self control when it came to opening my box but I didn't so I don't have any pictures--- I tried to put it back together to take pictures but gave up.  I was the kid that unwrapped her Christmas gifts and re-wrapped then before my parents returned home.

Here is my soup and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at that cool glass bead on the top--- I love the texture and the colors.  Everytime I look at I see something different--- The bowl of soup is below I love it  I have some ideas but you have to wait until April 13 to see what I do.

This is going to bee too much Fun!!!!  
Thanks Terry

 

Soup's ON

 I love a challenge and I love swaps--- Bead Soup is the best swap of all.  I get to send a mixture of bead, a focal and a clasp to my partner and she get's to stir my soup with her creativity and I get to do the same with her soup.  Doesn't that sound fantastic??

Here is the peek of my soup

The Soup is done and it will be on it’s way the the state of New York.  It was a blast mixing, tasting and a pinch of this color and pinch of that color until it was bowl of color.  This is my first Bead Soup--- I love the book and the idea of stepping out of my color zone to see how Terry’s soup feeds my creative soul.

With all that said let me  introduce you to my Bead-Souper partner. Terry Matuszyk  from upper New York State.  Terry got into beading about 6 years after taking a class she said  it was love a first bead.  I love her work. Terry has a vintage vibe with a burst of color---- I like that!!!!!  We are a pair of gals that are not afraid of color or trying combinations that make you think and say I like that.

In the past  we have both taken a few seed bead class however neither of us have worked much with them.  I personal have the philosophy that you need to see it from a moving bus, but I love the work of seeders (is that a word??) 

We both wish we could just bead all day, but then we would need money to buy all those lovely beads that call our name while we try to sleep.  So we get up every day to go to work to support or beading habit.


Here are a few link to my partners Esty store-- check it out I I hope she motivates me to get my store up and open
Pink Chapeau   


 

I'm addicted to Pintrest

 Just like many of you I could spend hours leaping through Pin after Pin, Pinning projects, beauty items, quotes.  In between Pinning ( it is like going steady with a guy, those first phone calls that last for hours but only seem like minutes have gone by)  Like I was saying the other day I stumble upon Anthropologie knock off Vintage Lace Bracelet and I had all the stuff to make it except for the ribbon bars

Here is the Anthropologie and the knock-off

Here is the list of supplies but go over to the site to follow her directions

You’ll need-
-two lengths of 6″x2″ ribbon or lace for the base and the backing (doesn’t have to be vintage, it gets covered)
-enough vintage lace/trim to cover the your ‘base’ (see above)
-extra lace/trim to tie
-embroidery thread
-invisible thread
-beads, pearls, etc. for embellishing

Here are the ones I made while I was watching bad TV.  I love them.  I haven't wore them yet waiting for the right outfit.  I'm such an East Coast girl. This is a great way to use left over bead from past projects.

  I think I'm going to pull out my Denim Jacket, skirt,  white T-shirt and my cowgirl boots and sport my new  Bling

 I really like those clear sequins. This one is the first one  that I made it took me twice as long to bead as the  one above.





Ciao for now!!!!!

A Little Bling for my wrist

Anthropologie Cuff

Wonder Woman Cuff

Have I told you how much I LOVE Pinterest??? I didn't think so I have found sooooooo much stuff out the just waiting for me to pin, LOL.  While I was out there looking for jewelery ideas I found a few pins that were knock-off from a store called Anthropologie. Remember that I live in Alaska and  we don't have the store up in Anchorage, but I love it, I love the style and I really love the accessories.

I love this one

The first knock off I love it.  It is made on a metal cuff that I ordered from BeadWork Supplies (living in Alaska you almost have to order items, thank God for online shops.

1. First  I covered the metal cuff with Jacquard ribbon which I had to order from Renaissance Ribbons. 
2. Below in the picture you see how I stitched the  the Yo-Yo's together that will  go across the front of the cuff.
3.  The first cuff I made I stitched the Yo-Yo's on the cuff before I added the embellishment this was too hard I needed a curved needle. Never again.   I keep it flat and add my jewels.  When I think I have it covered I us a little hot glue in the centers of the Yo-Yo's them I hand stitch it on to the cuff on the edges.
4. I had to call home to get  my Mom's vintage pins to use on these cuffs
5. Here is where you  can find the directions Flamingo Toes

 

Project Supplies

I have a new love!!!!

It has been a long time since I posted.  We all know how life gets busy and we think the create force has left us because of other responsibilities.  That is what has happened to me theses past months.  I spent most of my summer quilting for the 2012 holiday craft shows.  I don't understand how I worked so hard and had so little to show for my summer and 2 bolts of wonder-under.

As much as quilting will always be my first love, I really want to move to smaller items.  At the end of the school year my BFF Dianne took me to a new bead shop that opened in Anchorage.  I fell in love at first sight, there were cases of crystals. pearls, and stones.  I have been making jewelery  like a woman that can't get enough (hmmmmm pie, LOL)

This was the necklace that I made for a friend for Christmas, but I have to wear it to work  to see if it didn't fall apart ( well that is the story I'm sticking with).  I fell in love with it and it is mine. I had to make her another one that she loved.


I loved making this necklace two strands of stones mixed with fashion beads mixed with chains and a metal flower pendent. It is about 23 inches in length.

 The necklace  focus is one on the pendents from the mixed-media artist collection found at Micheal's. The bottom strand is pink tear-drop glass beads mixed with glass pearls.  The first strand is a mix of fashion beads and crystals.

 More to come tomorrow.  I told you I have fallen in love with beading.