Horn of Ammon and Artbeads' What's Old is New Again

Good morning! I am so thrilled to let everyone know that I have been accepted into the Artbeads Design Team! I have admired the beadwork of all of the artists involved with this, and have been inspired by many of them, so I was mega excited when I was told I would be able to participate. The beady challenge this time was to create something to the theme "What's Old is New Again."

I really loved what Mikki Ferrugiaro made - her ha'penny farthing necklace was just so perfect! I set out on a search around the house to find something old of my own that I could bead up... and couldn't locate one object that seemed right or that inspired me. I sat down and just pondered on 'old.' Happily, rocks and fossils crossed my mind quickly and I found some perfect examples in my stash. Since I adore embroidering around cabochons, this solution pleased me no end.

I chose an ammonite fossil and a honking big Boulder Opal that I have been hoarding forever, and a Swarovski crystal that just needed to go with them. The ammonite is actually a cephalopod from wayyyyyyyy back, which went extinct somewhere around the same time as the dinosaurs, so I felt that it was, indeed, old. Pliny the Elder had named ammonites ammonis cornua (in 79 AD, my G!!), Horns of Ammon, due to their resemblance to rams' horns - and the fact that the Egyptian God Amon was usually depicted wearing such headgear, and I loved the name, so now I had my title, too. Then came the fun part - I got to go to Artbeads and find some beads! Their button was perfect for my clasp, and the Swarovski crystal air blue opal pendants were out of this world, and the brass drops had to be included, too. I modified the brass components by taking the larger part of the drop off, and sanding down the edges of the small bits left over to use alone. After all of the embroidery and embellishment, I decided to go with simple for the strap, and used a version of my Trellis rope.

The absolute best part of creating this was watching all the varying bits come together and become something cohesive, because at the beginning it felt like I was just grabbing odd bits and beads and hoping they would work together somehow.

I've also managed to finish two other projects recently, one of which was a UFO that has been sitting for almost a year; Sunrise. This one has a sunstone focal, and the pendant is reversible as the bezel is open on both sides. The rope is a version of my ColorPlay ropes in cubic right angle weave.

ColorPlay Versions I and II. (Version II has already found a new home with the wonderful and talented Juls of Julsbeads!)

And, Sands of Time was made during March. I can't tell you how much I lovelovelove this cabochon!! (And thanks to Robynne for the help with naming it!)

I've also listed quite a few new things in my Etsy shop, NEDbeads, stop by if you have a minute!

Artbeads has provided me with materials free of charge for review, and have not compensated me in any way for my opinions or product endorsements.

March Bead Journal Project

So. I think this one is pretty self evident. I woke up 3-11-11, saw the posts on FB, and ran to the TV. I started crying as soon as I saw the footage and went to wake my husband, feeling almost the same as I did on 9/11. It didn't matter that it wasn't in America, and that it wasn't terrorists to me, the loss of so much life, human, floral and fauna, devastated me.

Over the next few days, I read many, many blog posts and status updates that shared my sorrow and my feeling that the Japanese people were doing amazing, heroic things to cope with their incredible losses. One of these blogs, by my friend Nefer Kane, led me to fold an origami crane, a tiny little thing to do... but I encourage you to visit her website and read this post, and fold a crane yourself if you are so inclined.

Having folded my crane, I still felt that I needed to create something. I think many of us feel that we must create when we feel strongly, I don't think I'm alone in that at all. My husband and I discussed what would work for me... and we eventually came to the Bead Journal Project. I feel that this square is perhaps not as technically pleasing or precise as it should be; but I was distressed while I made it, and there was a sense of urgency while I was making it, that it HAD to be done quickly... so I just went with it. The feather above the flag represents a great many things, not only in different cultures, but person to person as well. In my case, I meant for it to represent hope, lifting of both spirits and difficulties, courage, and perseverance. Nobility was also something I thought of over and over; not in the sense of society classes and castes, but nobility of human spirit in times of disaster.

Unearthed

Good morning, all! I feel rather pretentious as I sit down to write this: I don't normally think of a theme or have a specific intent while beading away, the beads just put themselves where they want to be. And while that did apply a little with my new cuff, not as much as usual... so it happened like this;

Whilst browsing online (I should NEVER be allowed to do this while I have money in the bank, NEVER), I came across Beverly Ash Gilberts' site with her glorious bead soups. I could not possibly leave the site without buying something. The soups are just mesmerizing, and I had to pick more than one, too, of course. But this one in particular struck me, called Cafe Au Lait. HAD to have it. Yet, it didn't remind me at all of the name she chose for it. I sat down with it spread out on my bead mat when it came and stared at it for awhile, because the colors were just amazing to me.

What to do with it? I know her mixes are just perfect for freeform work, but I wasn't in the mood.... the more I stared the more I wanted to embroider with it, but I couldn't think of how it would look laid out. I went to The Stash and combed through my cabochons, looking for one that perfectly matched the teal in the accent beads and actually FOUND one (I was so excited, I had been sure I would need to shop more - such a hideous trial that would have been, too, lol). I took my lovely cab (I don't know what the mystery stone is, I am only positive it isn't turquoise) and plopped it down in the middle of the soup and then used my hands to scoop the beads around it until it looked like it was half buried. And that was it; all of the luscious shades of brown looked like fertile dark earth in layers of strata to me, and the accents of moonstone and teal were like jewels found on an archeology expedition. My whole focus on the cuff became the intention of 'burying' these beautiful beads in such a way that people would be able to see these as unearthed treasures half buried in the ground of some ancient site. And so it became Unearthed, before I was even fully begun.

About a day later, as I was happily excavating, I saw Andrew Thornton's blog post for his word of the week: this week's word is Ancient. So I am going to post this to Andrew's comments for that post, I can't resist. It feels like everything worked in conjunction for this cuff to happen, and that I wasn't alone while making it, it's kind of incredible. I know it may not be the most gorgeous or sparkly of my cuffs, but I think it's my favorite, because of how it came together.

Being a sneaky, teasing sort of person, I posted my cuff to Facebook last night without announcing the name, because I really wanted to see if I had succeeded, if anyone else would see what I had seen while making it. I really love all the different interpretations I got in response, some of them were just wonderful, and gave me the opportunity to look at it from different perspectives. Some of my favorites were:

‎"...late autumn... when there is but a hint of color left in the leaves..." - Robynne

"It is similar to Hopi Indian beadwork that is very spiritual. In Navajo rugs with similar patterns, there is a beginning and a physical outlet within the design for the spirits within the pattern." - David McKinney

"Sort of reminds me of treasures in wet sand. That matte brown along the edge and in the cabs is great." - Kim Spooner

"Tamed Wilderness.. I think.. Its raw, and beautiful and you tamed it..." - Diana Curtis

"My gut response to it was something like 'Dream Path'. I think it looks like the paths that some people walk in China for natural reflexology." - Jeri Kennedy

"...beach with pebbles and blue sea." - Jan Fly

And I was amazed at how many people included the earth in all of it's variations in their interpretations, I am thrilled!! It is really touching to me that I was able to conjure part of what I had intended. I know, I know it's just a cuff - but it was more than a cuff while I was making it. Thanks to all of my friends for responding with your reactions to it!! And now, off to start the next Super Secret Project, lol!!

Have a great day!

We have a winner!!!!!

For those of you who follow my blog regularly and were here for the last giveaway, you know that Teds is my random winner-picker-outer... for those of you just joining in, this is my Pomeranian, Theodore H. Bear, and he loves to be part of the action (any and all action, mind you). So, Teddy snuffled up our winner this morning (and tried to breakfast on it, as well):

I'm happy to announce that Teds picked Melinda LeBarge from the slips on the floor! Melinda, thanks so much for supporting handmade and for entering my little giveaway!! Melinda's favorites were my Thistle Meadow bracelet bangles, but I'll have to run and chat with her to make sure that's what she'd like to choose for her prize.

Thank you to every one of you who purchased from my favorites, for supporting your choice of artists, and your support that you give me, as well! Please do come and try again with my next giveaway, which will be sometime next month or the month after!! Have a fantastic week!

February BJP, Maven Made and my Giveaway

Good morning to you! Glad you could stop by!

I wanted to post my February Bead Journal Project Piece and catch up a bit... I wasn't too original this month with the BJP; I did a heart, of COURSE, everyone (almost) does hearts for Feb...but I couldn't resist. I think I've come to the conclusion that the final product (a purse) will be made up of these 'quilt' squares. I began with the idea of doing something different each month, design wise, but I've had a lot of fun trying out these quilt patterns, so I think I'll continue.

I've also completed a few new pieces. One is a set for a very dear friend and return customer, and I am happy as heck to let you know that she really liked it:

The other is a spiral necklace I named Cobalt Tear, which includes a lampwork bead that I've been hoarding - I fell in love with it and hadn't been able to think of how I wanted to show case it for a long while. But I like how it turned out, especially the 'bead cap' bit that was the result of one of those little mistakes that turn into happy endings.

I hope I'll get some more entries for my Giveaway, as well!! Please do check out my last post and see the details, I'm keeping it open for entries until the 28th!!

The Bead Mavens (a group of lovely beaders I belong to, for those of you who didn't know already) are holding a spring challenge with a TON of awesome sponsors donating prizes, so if you haven't been to look at it yet, stop by the website for the entry rules. I have yet to start my Vernal Visions piece, but I have some yummy ideas that include some flowers...!

Each of my teammates have been busy, and I thought I would share a bit of their hard work with you here...eye candy!!! Enjoy! (And if you're interested in purchasing any of their work, or any of their patterns, stop by the website as well, for links to each of their shops.)

One of Mikki's newest flatwork designs - I love this one SO much!!

One of Cynthia's newest bracelets - my favorite colors!

A WONDERFUL new idea in rings by Christina - these ROCK!!

And a brooch made by Linda - another one of my favorites! Her brooch was made earlier during the winter; Linda is working on a Secret Project and I can't share yet, but make sure to keep your eyes peeled, it's going to be STUNNING!!!

Have a fabulous day and an even better week!!

Wanna Play Favorites?

Hi all. I'm depressed. So, to cheer myself up, I want to have a giveaway. I love giving things away, I'm odd like that.

Here's what I'm giving away: something from one of my shops, whether it be my Etsy shop or my Artfire shop, worth LESS than $150. The winner gets to choose their own prize from the stock in my shops.

You'll have until February 28th to get in entries.

The rules:

Leave me a comment here on my blog telling me which of the items in my shop(s) UNDER $150 you like best AND:

Go to my favorites on Etsy (or on Artfire) and shop from My Favorite shops; make a purchase from any one of the shops I heart (no matter how much the purchase may be) and you will get a shot at winning. Make sure that you come back here and leave me another comment, telling me from which shop you made your purchase.

Purchase a tutorial or a beaded item from one of the Mavens from any of their shops or websites, get another shot.

None of the ladies and gentlemen in ANY of the shops (including the Mavens) know that I am holding this giveaway, and no one is reimbursing me or giving me any kind of incentive to hold this contest.

Have fun shopping and good luck, I hope to see whole bunches of entries.

Spaces

I finished another cuff!! I am so happy that I made another one - it's been awhile - but I'm not very happy with how it turned out. I think I should have done something differently, but I can't put my finger on what. It's had a good reception, and people seem to like it, but I'm very lukewarm on it, myself. I keep wondering if the crystals on the edges of the cabs are what are bothering me, or if it's the fact that I think my embroidery seems messy, due to the unrelenting black. I think I was a little crazy when I made it; it's almost all size 15 seed beads and took forever.

I'm thinking on whether I should list it in one of the shops, or send it to the gallery this month when I pick up my October's Goddess necklace from it's display at the Members' Exhibition. Or maybe it should go to New England Beads to hang out...

Now I'm off to start a new project; making a necklace and a cuff for one of my bestest friends on Facebook!! She has sent me some drop-dead gorgeous cabs and crystals to work with and given me complete artistic license to make whatever comes to mind... she's a wonderful lady!