New Photo

I decided to retake some of my pictures of items I had listed on Etsy. This is the first one. It is named Rachel Ruffled. It is a funky little fish, hand stitched in peyote stitch around a fishing lure. This isn't one of my son's lures, its new without the fishy smell!

I love using unusual items in my beadwork. If it isn't nailed down, I'll bead it!

Looking for the Small things

Working with very small beads and then using the macro on my camera to photograph them has allowed my focus at times to be small. I look for little things, I break thinks down into their smallest pieces. I really do like 1, 2, 3. I like for things to fall off the frame of the camera. I thank God daily for small things that He brings into my day. Today I'm thankful for hearing the birds as I woke up, the smell of coffee (it wouldn't taste the same without the smell!),and that my kids can sleep safely (and late!)

This extremely small bird's nest and 4 tiny eggs is at my parents house. Dad was going to get the grass off the bush and realized that it was there for a reason..
Take a look at what was in the bush!!Surprise ...Small things.

This is the newest piece I'll list in my Etsy shop today. It's a freeform bracelet in pinks and browns with fresh water pearls.

Look for the small things today and be thankful!

Front Page and I missed it!

Thanks to my wonderful friend Carol Dean Sharpe, I made it on
the front page of ETSY.
Of course if you read my post from yesterday, I was working in the yard and thus missed the event!
But The wonderful friend sent me a screen shot ......
so here it is.
Thanks Carol Dean!

One before Two

Number one today is to finish my front flower garden. I started reworking it last Friday and haven't gotten back to it. The perennials were going crazy and looking too Snakey.
Number Two is BEADING. I can't do number two until I finish number one.....
I've got a couple of new ideas in my head and can't wait to get those beads strung.
Here is a little taste....
This necklace I finished yesterday.
I was pleased with the mix of bead work along with the metal.
I always struggle to make wearable pieces, not just the art!!!
Going to the yard!!!

Back to the Beginning

Way back when, I'm not so sure how long ago,
I finally figured out how to do the Peyote stitch by doing beaded beads.
I created a great necklace with 3 large beaded beads, then attached them to other glass and vintage beads with wiring.
Mom loved it, my brother and sister in law bought it for her, my cousin saw it....now I'm doing another.
Actually it is finished, photographs to prove it!
I surprized myself that I was faster and neater than on the other necklace.
It was a nice little surprize to my self that I had progressed.
Now if I could every get RAW, or right angle weave as they call it. It has simply alluded me!!
Jordan is at GA Tech this week for tennis camp. He is LOVING it!

Summertime Fun

I finished this adorable pendant and Listed it in my etsy shop this morning http://www.dawnchastain.etsy.com
I love the fun lime green color
Its just like the plants look in the morning after a light rain.
I finished East of Eden last night, It is one of those books that you hear about but I'd never read before, I enjoyed it!!
I'm working in my side garden today, with the rain we've had, it has gone CRAZY! My brother is coming to get some plants so I thought I'd get a start on it.

Happy Summertime Fun!

Freedom in Freeform

It has been a while since I've done any freeform peyote stitch.
I wasn't real sure I could flow with it like I had done previously.
So...last night I started a bracelet and it was like riding a bike, once you've done it you never forget how.
The colors in this bracelet are so peaceful.
I used green and aqua and let it flow.
I also added a beautiful vintage bead for the closure.
Hope you enjoy!

WISH

I love the beading that I'm currently stuck on.
It is very freeing going round and round these little shapes,
and then creating something so cool.

I've had the dilemma of creating some of the big beaded collars that are incredible works of art...
but the practical side of me says - NO
It isn't practical, it really isn't wearable
who in the world would wear it

We live in such an impossible casual area

so I guess I'll stick with the more wearable brooches and pendants.
Here is the newest creation, hope you enjoy and wish a wish today!

Sweet Joy....

I have a lovely neighbor,I am incredibly blessed to have her living beside me. A couple of weeks ago we were chatting and she told be about a book she was implementing into her life and Gave me a copy. The book is - THE 4:8 PRINCIPLE by Tommy Newberry.It is life changing book! IF you can apply it and live by the principles that GOD had laid out for us. I'm on my second time through, I can tell that my thought process is better.It is sure hard to retrain an old dog!! GO get a copy of this book for your summer reading, you'll be glad.

Loving Me Some Summer!

Not much is better than laying by the pool,

soaking up the rays

sipping on a shave ice...

except new beads..

a broken plate...

and creating a cool piece of jewelry!

Enjoy!