Spa For The Soul Bead Exchange

Now we're into 2013...

I know I mentioned before about the bead exchange I was in.  Well, I wanted to show you the bracelet I made with the beads.  I did receive one bead after this picture was taken, but you get the idea.  I added jingle bells as spacers so the beads didn't bunch up.  Plus it also makes a fun sound!

Here it is:

It's so pretty & powerful!  From women around the world!  

I thank you all!

I've been RAAKed again!

I am in an online group that recently had a bead exchange.  One of the participants made a bracelet called Pandora.  I loved it!  I tried to find the findings here in the U.S., but the silver ones were expensive!  Like $25.00 a piece, plus the special bracelet, caps, etc.  So she decided to send me the findings in a metal that doesn't tarnish.  Yea!  AND she also made me a very unique necklace which you can see on the right of my bead board.  AND she sent me a large piece of amber to use in healing!  What a generous spirit she is!  So now, once I get all the beads in, I'll be RTG on making my own bracelet!

The Pandora style was created by a man in Denmark.  Here is a pic of the one my online pal made.  Isn't it great?!

She had never done jewelry work before!  I couldn't believe it.  

Thank you dear friend!

Miracle Talisman

I finally finished this "Miracle" talisman!  And you can't see in the picture that the word bead says Miracle!  Ah, well.  Here's a pic anyway:

Birthday Gift for a pal

I decided to make a mixed media piece for a pal's birthday.  I sent it with an easel, but his DW said she was gonna frame it!  LOL!  Here's some pics:

First I beaded the heart

Then I painted the panel

Added dangles & testing where it should go

Finished piece

Piece on easel

July Witch's Rune

Once upon a time...well, a long time ago...I started a beaded piece using Witch's Runes as my subject.  One for each month.  Well, I finally just finished the one for July!  I have August left to go for the 12 months, then I have an All Seeing Eye to make for the middle.  You can see the sketch in the pic below.  Here's a pic of the July off-loom beaded piece:

This rune stands for the Sun.  It's funny 'cuz the quote in the book at the beginning of the chapter says "One goal perfectly imagined is one goal eventually achieved".  That's how I feel about my projects...eventually...one at a time.  From Susan Sheppard's Book, "Witch's Runes", this rune conveys how the healing and abundant light of the sun is essential.  The nourishing rays stand for strength, fertility, creativity, & healing.  Drawing this rune implies a break in darkness, or a breakthrough.  The Sun also represents the ability to draw to you what you need to overcome obstacles.  The Sun rune stands for that one big goal, not the more trivial interests of your life.  It's also a time of fun & levity.  This rune is always a good omen & means something of value is coming your way.  Go for the gold!

My niece's bridal shower gift!!!

So I wasn't able to get to WA state for her shower.  I was really sad!  But I wanted to make her a special OOAK gift.  I decided to make her a small beaded purse for her to keep her honeymoon key and an emergency $100.00 in...everyone needs to have an emergency $100.00.  Her wedding isn't until the end of the month, so told her to start saving!  Or maybe, as a "bursa", she'll get some money at the wedding.  Anyway, I forgot to take the final shots of it before I mailed it!  So all I have to show you are process shots until my family sends me shots from the shower!  

Here we go:

1.  Bead front and back of the purse and pin in the lining.

2.  This is the lining on the inside ready to sew.

3.  This is the lining sewn in.

4.  This is edging the thick part of the purse.

5. This is putting the picot edging around the open top.

I'll add the finished photo when I get it from my family.

See?  I told you we've been busy!  :)

Me? Working? Go figure!

Believe it or not, I've actually been working on some things. 

Here's a funny gourd elf I made at the library a while back:

I've also been working on beaded worded Hearts. 

Here's a whole batch cut & with the words glued on:

And here's one that is part way beaded:

I think I have a long ways to go to finish the whole batch!

I'm not sure what I'm gonna make these into...brooches? 

Glued onto painted canvas?  What do you think?

February Progress on Oneness Project

So with all the other stuff I've been into, I'm kinda behind on the Oneness Project!  I'll catch up eventually.  But here's a little progress I've made on the February focal piece:

Santa Fe Bead Fest!

Yahoo!  I've been waiting to be on the mainland so I could go to something like this!!  It was overwhelming how many vendors there were!  But being basketmakers also, the first thing we bought at the bead show was a basket from Zimbabwe.  It helps the families in a village there.  Here's the pic of it...we just couldn't believe the weaving:

 

We actually did get a few beads!  Not many as we were really trying to stick to our budget.  But here are a couple pics:

 

Did a close up so you can see the beautiful copper owl locket I got.  Just couldn't resist it!  

I love owls so much!

January & February Progress on the Oneness Project

So here's some pics of January's progress:

 And here's a few of February's progress:

 I also have all three panels for January, February & March painted and ready to go!

 It's going to be interesting to find fabric that is metallic gold that I can bead on!

Beachcomber's Cuff to it's Owner

I'd saved this Beachcomber's Cuff for a pal who was volunteering in Africa. Well, he got home & I finally was able to sell it to him! I hope he enjoys it forever!

More Hearts!

I am So enjoying making these lavender filled hearts! Since I'm packing up most of my studio, I'm only leaving out bits of things to work with...a special pal gave me the trim on the purple heart below! She wondered what I'd end up doing with it! :) Well, this is one little part of it. I'm using extra bits of beads, sequins, stamped fabric, etc to embellish them with. And then the wonderful smell of lavender fills the room as I fill the hearts. MMMMmmmmm..

Here's another one I made & just finished yesterday at craft day at one of my pal's home. I'd already done most of the embellishing & just had to embroider it together & fill it. If you click on the image on the right, you may be able to see all the tiny seed beads I sewed along the edge of the lace trim. So relaxing! And upcycling of little bits of ephemera! FUN!

June BJP - Moon Rune

I LOVE the moon! So I enjoyed making this moon rune...even tho' if I hadn't predecided colors, I would have chosen different ones than these shown.

The basic meaning of this rune is being aware in the dark. Gypsies called the moon shion which means arms of protection. Early goddesses were associated with the moon. We're talking feminine power here! Expect shifts in focus or mood. It speaks of home, ancestors, female relatives & your personal space. Sometimes you can be taken out of your better senses (being moonstruck) & maybe act a little impractical. The moon has been associated with magick, witchcraft & sorcery...meaning now you have the ability to make positive change. It is also associated with a new cycle, maybe buying a house, having a baby...some form of expansion. In astrology the moon governs imagination & creative expression. It's time to use the moon's intuitive energy. Take your time before taking action. Be calm & take it slow. And pay attention to your dreams!

This was a good one for me to do now as we are moving & intend to buy a home in New Mexico! I'm getting really pumped about it!

The background color I had chosen for this rune is Alexandrite. What a cool stone this is! The most sensational feature about this stone is its surprising ability to change its color. Green or bluish-green in daylight, Alexandrite turns a soft shade of red, purplish-red or raspberry red in incandescent light. This unique optical characteristic makes it one of the most valuable gemstones of all, especially in fine qualities. It changes just like the moon! Might just have to get one of those! Someday!

As always the info on this rune is found in "A Witch's Runes" by, Susan Sheppard.

Experiment I Can't Resist!

I just couldn't resist this!! One of my fellow beaders on BJP is famous for her wonderful beaded trash to treasure creatures! You can see her blog here! I especially LOVE her May 2009 BJP called "Sprout" which you can see here! Scroll down about 1/3 of the page.

Anyway, I have no idea how she does it, but I decided to try! Ha! LOL! Below you can see the little critters I got at Habitat for Humanity. They were way at the bottom of the bin! Under all the big pretty stuffed buddies. So I picked 11, with my Honey's help, & we paid $1.00 for them all! Yahoo!

Now the first thing I do know she said you have to do is de-stuff these guys! Owee! Above you can also see me starting that process, & the tools I used.

Above is one of the guys ready to get washed! He looks so smooshed!

And here they all are happily hanging up to dry! I wanted clean critters to start with. So now I get to choose which one I'm going to restuff first with new, clean stuffing...and then begins the embellishing process! I wonder how they will turn out? I'd like to make one into a talisman for our new home...and my DH has a special one he wants for himself. I think we'll call his Jolly Mon!

Wish me luck!

Lavender Hearts

Been working on some hearts stuffed with just a bit of lavender. Using fabrics & embellishments from pals, as well as my beads, threads & own bits. This is the first one I finished. It can be used in a drawer or hung in a closet. It smells wonderful, & is a deterent to some insects here!

Off Loom Square Stitch Example

Some have mentioned they thought my work was done on a loom, but I am using an off-loom beading stitch called square stitch. One bead at a time is sewn onto a bead in the previous row. Below you will find an example.

Here I am part way into my June rune. I am ready to add a new bead:

I pick up the yellow bead on my needle.

I insert the needle back into the bead in the previous row

that will be directly below the new yellow bead.

Now, I'm sorry this is blurry, but I wanted to show that you pull the thread below the just added yellow bead. I'm sure you can just imagine it! :)

Next I go back up thru' the yellow bead & pull the thread thru'.

Ta Da! One bead added! Now how many hundreds more to go!

Each rune has 625 beads in it stitched on one at a time.

I hope this little example helps just a bit. At least you can see how it's not made on a loom! :)