Saturday, May 28, 2011



The trades with Debbe brought me the charms I was needing to do the embellished fish so here are some of them. Been squeezing my eyes all week with 15s so I got an idea for 6s for Art in the Redwoods. Yesterday I was at the Arts Center to pick up the Dolly (I wish I had taken a photo of her sitting in the foyer waiting on me!) and I got the entry blanks for the pinewood derby and am thinking of what I can do there. I need to figure out if the block of wood needs to be cut down. Will have to take it to someone . . .

Monday, May 23, 2011



I wanted to send one of my sun-catchers to Mariko as a house-warming gift and found that all had sold at Christmas time. So I could not make just one but had to try out several colors. I still think the one on the right is the best for her colors. Somehow I visualize her in a patterned beige kimono with touches of green.

Sunday, May 22, 2011



Rhoda took me and the bracelets and necklaces to the bead meeting. Debbe was there, after selling beads at the local Farmers' Market. She had many silver beads and findings. She bought one of the bracelets with a lizard (with cash) but when I saw her beads I started shopping. Two more bracelets later we were both happy and I have new encouragement to go on with the lizard bracelets and a lot of interesting silver beads.

Saturday, May 21, 2011



As you see, I solved the problems in turning this design on its side. We have a bead meeting today and I plan to go. Maybe someone can tell me what this needs. I am open to suggestions but feel this project is coming to its end.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011



Oops, I see I forgot to show you the red one! Aren't you glad I caught that error? This one is smaller. I got tired of the squareness of the other focal points and cut the wires down for this. Thinking it might be good for a shorter person, I also made the 'chains' shorter. Maybe I should experiment with a longer, more narrow shape?
Now the blue one. Since I have the process well in mind, it takes only about nine hours to make one of these. The green one is on the tray and I am wondering what I will do next.

Sunday, May 15, 2011



So today! turquoise! - just about the color of the ocean after a night of rain. Started on the crocheted rope for the red one last night.

Have to get an order off to Fire Mountain for some crystal whites in order to do the blue and the black one. Tried to find some silver-lined crystal 8s but they had already begun to tarnish and had black rims. Why can't the manufacturers put a layer of clear glass over the silver to seal it against tarnishing? I love silver lined beads but am boycotting all of them at Fire Mountain. Sigh.

Saturday, May 14, 2011





I was thinking that finally I have something to show you that is not a crocheted piece and then realized that the 'chain' for this new necklace IS crocheted. However, I am still excited about this. A week ago Vicki came by to show me the demonstration on wire-wrapping that I missed at the last meeting and she left me a couple of books. One was beads buttons and bijoux by Nathalie Delhaye. You can see above her necklace and what I made of it below. I tried to follow her instructions but felt the whole thing was too flimsy so I cranked it up to this. Thanks Vicki for the loan of the book! Will bring my necklace to the bead meeting so you can see it in the real, along with a couple of cousins in red, turquoise, blue and black with white.

Monday, May 2, 2011




Though my entries were scarce in April I have been beading. Mostly doing the same thing over and over as I have steadied myself through my usual April nerves.

I feel my nervous system must look like this mess in a jewelry tray! Lizards of panic and stripes and bands of disquiet. I am hoping that May, with its longer days and warmer sun, will stabilize me while beading also. Having two bead contests reject all my work, not even allowing me finalist status anywhere was not helpful.