Embellished Mesh Brooch...

This started as a circle mesh brooch finding that I embellished with a variety of different Czech, Japanese, and Austrian crystal beads. I enjoy the interplay of textures and colors.

Seed beads...

We just can't have too many, can we ? It seems like there is always another color that we just have to add to our "artist palette". There is always another finish, shape, shade, or something different that we think we can't live without. Just when we think that we have all the beads we could possible want, isn't there always another and another?

Starting To Melt...

Yes, today we are starting to melt after the weekend storm...temps in the mid 30's! I just got cable service back after 24 hours. Many people are still without power. The TV said there is no time line as to when the power will be restored - it may be a week for some. When my sister and I went out to eat tonight, the restaurant was really busy with people that came from homes that had no power. Good for the restaurants-bad for the home owners! Things will most likely re-freeze tonight, with falling temperatures at hand.

Snowy Night Sky......

Now the snow is starting on top of all this ice... Many roads and Interstate closed... Blizzard storm warning now. Electricity out in most of the city. My power went out around an hour ago - just came back on, so I'm posting quickly! I'm sure electricity will go out again soon. Lights are blinking. Charge your cell phones now while you still have electricity... Radio just reported that 1 1/2 inch of snow fell in just the past half-hour...

Oh My, Ice BIG time......

Icy Mix.......

Icy weather this Friday afternoon and evening...be careful out there!

"Magatama Mama"...

My "Magatama Mama" Bracelet is made with, you guessed it, Magatama beads (they are the pale green large drop-shaped beads) and two colors of size 8 Miyuki seed beads. It is an articulated and versatile stitch I learned during last year's Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee. It is as supple as crochet but done with needle and thread! It is a fun textural bracelet! Click on the picture to see more detail...

Mosaic Stitch...

This is the Mosaic Stitch. Notice that there are no threads showing on the lengthwise edge! The only thread that shows is the thread on the closure ends. It is a very fluid bracelet-unlike square stitch that tends to be stiff. There is another example of Mosaic Stitch on my Jan 3, 2007 post. I will be teaching this technique at Bead Haven on Feb. 28...I believe there is one spot left. I will also be teaching this technique at Your Designs in Bettendorf, Iowa on March 17.

Question...

Is Tweety Bird a girl or a boy?

Spring Sprouts...

This necklace is made using the Ogalala Stitch. It is made with Miyuki seed beads and Czech glass. This necklace along with many other compositions will be available for purchase at the Cete Boutique-Riverside Resort & Casino during the month of March, where I will be featured as the "Artist of the Month."

Ogalala anyone???

This is an Ogalala Stitch necklace. I started this one last week in class when I taught the stitch at Bead Haven. I did this necklace with size 8 Miyuki beads and donut beads. In the class, Bonnie did her necklace out of size 11 beads in shades of green. How did your Ogalala turn out Bonnie? I bet it is just beautiful!

It's Friday!!!

...a Friday smile for you!

ROYGBIV...

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet... Do we really ever have enough beads?

Brrrrrrrrr..........

Some days, don't you just want to stay under the covers? Hope you are warm wherever you may be! My son left yesterday to fly to a convention in Boston...but the weather delayed him in Chicago. He is still waiting today, at Midway, for a flight to Boston. The Northeast really got hit hard with winter, didn't they! What a Valentine's Day the Northeastern states had...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Heart done by Andrea Stern. Isn't it beautiful?

My Favorite Bead Weaving Book...

If I could have only one book with me on a deserted island(and supplies!)-this is what it would be!! Creative Bead Weaving by Carol Wilcox Wells - a terrific book with fantastic illustrations! It is a wonderful reference book. What book would you choose #1??

Blue Hues...

This is a bracelet I modified from a choker pattern by Bonnie Clewans that appeared in BEADWORK magazine June/July 2005. I made the bracelet with Swarovski Crystals and Miyuki size 11 seed beads.

Snow and Ice Bracelet...

Snowflakes are coming tonight! I made this bracelet with 8mm Swarovski cubes, and Miyuki seed beads. You can zoom-in on the detail by clicking on the picture.

Surprise...

My wonderful son, Matthew, surprised me last night with these beautiful flowers AND a great meal that he cooked...marinated chicken breasts and pasta!!! (I am enjoying leftovers now even as I speak!) Matt came up from Iowa City, where he is working on his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Iowa, with goodies in hand and prepared the awesome meal here in my condo. I am always so proud of him...and the wonderful caring son he has always been!

When Sled-Dogs Dream...............

Square-Stitch of Flowers...

Is this inspiration for a future spring Square-Stitch project?

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

This Day in History...

Being a Theatre Arts Major, I need to acknowledge this day in history... On this day, February 5th in 1919, Hollywood superstars Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and director D.W. Griffith launch the United Artists Corporation, agreeing to share full financial and artistic control. The leading film artists of their era, the partners established the company seeking complete creative freedom in their work. United Artists was the first studio to be controlled by artists, not businessmen.

Monday Night Class...

Basic Stringing......Didn't the gals do fantastic? Click on the above pictures to zoom-in on detail. Proud of you, Cheryl, Debbie, Melissa, Deb, & Robin...Beautiful combinations! Wasn't it easy...are you hooked?

Super Bowl Sunday...

Yes, I'm ready for some football...

Great fun with Saturday classes...

I had two classes today with a group of great ladies, that really caught on fast to the weaving techniques! (Pictures of their beautiful work above-although my photos don't capture how really cool the work is...)

The first class started in the morning...called "Crystal Path" which incorporates "Right Angle Weave" stitch. Betsy worked on a stunning Vitrail Swarovski combination. Cheryl worked with a beautiful combination of dark green Swarovski. They did a fantastic job working with Fireline! Very impressive, girls! The second class in the afternoon was "Square Stitch" technique. Gail worked with a beautiful combination of blues, pale yellows, and light purples. The button was a perfect compliment to her neat bracelet. Jenny's combination is called "Wheatberry"...a beautiful mix of browns & golds. Her unique closure is a fun carved bead that also compliments her neat work. What an excellent job they both did with their "Square Stitch"!

I so appreciate working with such nice people and so satisfying to see how great they all did...great work gals!! Thank you for the pleasure of working with you...

Happy Groundhog Day!

Beaded Cab Necklace...

This is the Czech Glass cab that I beaded around during last night's class. The circular peyote stitch uses Miyuki size 11, size 8, and Miyuki drops. I finished it when I got home and incorporated Miyuki and Czech glass in the strung section of the necklace. The necklace is 18 " long. The center medallion is approximately 1 3/4 ".