I recently made this Swarovski Rivoli pendant, inspired by beadweaving artist Laura McCabe...

I bezeled the 16mm Rivoli with 11/0 Miyuki Delicas beads, 15/0 Miyuki seed beads and 4mm Swarovski bicone crystals...

Click the picture to zoom-in to the bling.

This is beautiful St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chelsea, Iowa. It is the church my mother and her family and relatives attended while growing up in Chelsea. My mother and uncle also attended St. Joseph school that was located next to the church. It is also the church where my parents were married.

My nephew is here visiting from Alaska! This is a picture of my nephew and his mom, my sister! Along with my other sister we went to the Chelsea, Iowa area to visit the area where my Mother grew up. We had such an awesome day! Here are a few pictures of the Salt Creek area where my Mother use to pick flowers, picnic, and go fishing while growing up...

Remember...

Oh no,

Thursdays without Luka!

The above is a crochet loop bracelet I finished this evening. (Same technique, just a different color combo than the May 12 post.) Click on this picture to view a larger image.

Does this give you any idea what kind of day I had subbing today?

Pictured above is my "Painted Desert" lariat made with Turquoise, Coral, Czech glass, and Miyuki seed beads. The tassels incorporate Bali Silver bead cages and cones.
I am still working on my May 14 Stringing Project - I still do not know when it will end. I think I'll work on it some more today and then that will be it! So many beads, so little time...

...weekend!

I finished this today-if you click on the photo, you will see closer detail of the stripe seed beads which are Czech glass!

Luka, I'm waiting...

This is part of a necklace that I am currently working on...it is all stringing with .018 Beading Wire and Fireline. It is one of those projects that I never know if it is finally "finished".

This evening, and early morning, I have been working on a new design for Split Cuffs. I have incorporated five of my Mother's antique buttons, Miyuki seed beads and gold wire into this new Split Cuff Bracelet. Do click on the picture so that you can see the beautiful detail of these precious metal buttons...

Crochet Bracelet...

(No subbing for me today.) This is my first attempt at a Crochet Loop Bracelet... It was fun to make and for a person who really doesn't know much about crochet-I was pleased with my end result. Give a click on the above photo to see a clearer/brighter picture of the bracelet. Do you think it would make a good class?

Happy Mother's Day!

Aren't they beautiful? They are from my wonderful son, Matthew!

Signs of Spring...my Aunt's beautiful Tulips!!

Yes Luka, I'll be there tonight...

same time, same place.

Melissa from "Sea of Glass" created this beautiful necklace that features one of Cris Leonard's exquisite PMC toggles as a focal piece...stunning combination! Click the pic to enlarge.

On This Day...

May 5, 1961: The First American in Space... From Cape Canaveral, Florida, Navy Commander Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. was launched into space aboard the Freedom 7 space capsule, becoming the first American astronaut to travel into space. Alan Shepard's first flight into space lasted only 15 minutes and 28 seconds, traveled at a maximum velocity of 5.134 miles per hour, reached an altitude of 116.5 statute miles, and traveled a distance of 303 statute miles.
I vividly remember this event! I was in elementary school and the whole class was so excited-we all sat at our desks around the classroom television set and anxiously awaited the event that had been talked about for so many weeks previously. I remember all the hype - we were going to watch history in the making! I recall how much we looked forward to that monumental event, but before we knew it the 15 minute suborbital flight was over! ...I had hardly gotten settled at my desk!

Seed Bead Beginnings...

I have been working this evening on a Seed Bead Bracelet. I don't know where it's going yet, but I'm excited about it. (It needs to be finished tomorrow.) Melissa's "Sea of Glass" lampwork beads are my muse... Click the pic to enlarge photo.

Deadwood SD Snow...

The blizzard that blew through the Black Hills on Thursday and Friday left 28 inches of snow in Deadwood and 54.5 inches on the ground in Lead. That's more than any previous May blizzard on record. The 60 mile an hour winds also left drifts that reached to rafters of some houses. The blizzard trapped many northern Hills residents.