Trash and Treasures

I am a packrat. I love little pieces of lace, paper,buttons.... You have a good idea! Since starting on my bead journey, I have looked for ways to use my findings, my treasures. Here are a couple of new pieces I've finished. One was formed around a cracked plastic bowl(the green and aqua), the next uses a vintage button, and the last one comes from a serving platter that was chipped.Friends have started handing me baggies with broken plates and cups. It is so much fun to create with what would otherwise end up in the trash.

BAO Item of the week

The Bead Art Originals street team from Etsy is an incredible group of artists. I was invited to join ages ago when they started the street team and because of a CRAZY school year, have not been able to be very active. Hence, summer vacation is here and the the beads are flying (along with the weeds in the yard this morning!).

One of the really cool things that BAO does is to have an item of the week offering.
Each artist participates in her own way, with whatever discount or "special" they want.Mine item will change through the summer but will be offered at a 20% discount. SOOO...Check it out each week to see if your favorite item made the discount list.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7215986

http://beadartoriginals.blogspot.com

Serenity Pendant

I created this delightful pendant using a handmade polymer clay face and a piece of broken china. I love creating using throw away things. Things that are broken and seemingly of no use.

The fantastic beads that I used to bead this with were from Artbeads.Artbeads carry a wide variaty of beading supplies. I used size 11 and size 8's in the same smokey topaz. They have such a vintage look. The colors seem to change as you hold them up to the light.Check them out at http://artbeads.com. They are called Toho beads.Toho Seed Beads


Check back soon, as summer is here and the beads are flying!!

Don't Rain on my Parade

I didn't realize that it had been so long since I had posted.
In my mind of course, I blog daily!
Of course I'm working on some new things for summer. Bead embroidery has consumed my time lately. It could be reverting back to my childhood days of actual embroidery, or those days of smocking. Which ever the appeal. I find it very rewarding.

It is often hard to turn a negative into a positive. That was the goal with this little totem pole face. I loved it's snarling glare, but that doesn't sound very nice. Hence a turn around!! Don't rain on my parade was created. Enjoy!

Squares Can Become Circles

 

I'm almost finished with the "Prom Bracelet" but needed to work on something to clear my head so I made this cute little brooch.
It was simple but I liked the results of the ruffle around the outside edge.
The colors are very subtle and refreshing sort of like the new little plants comeing up everywhere. I guess the next piece will have to be hot and steamy to fit the 90 degrees we had today. Gotta love the Heat!!

My Current Project

My daughter Taylor is going to the prom in 2 weeks. She choose a really cool dress, sort of unconventional for a prom, but that's Taylor!!
The dress is purple, lime, and aqua big geometric retro design.
I'm beading a cuff for her out of the same colors.
This is a sampling of the beads, the start and where I am now.
I don't usually like for someone to preset colors for me but this has been fun. I'm off to bead...

Many thanks go to Darcy Horn of The Jade Dog for her wonderful inspiring work.