So here is Freckles's official portrait. Those beads really make him stiff! I was surprised when he would balance on his tail long enough for a snap. I did not like white whiskers on him, but looking at this I am thinking that maybe yellow would work. Hm. . . It would not be easy to cut him up again, but still those black whiskers bother me. Also I wonder why the gold beads look so pinkish here. . . I was awfully close with the macro lens.

Am wondering whether to put these animals all in CHAC or if I should put some in Etsy. I put the chicken up there and got 185 views the first day. Hard to run that many people through Point Arena in one day.

I stopped long enough while there was still sunshine to get this snap of Freckles the Leopard before I finished the tummy and the ears last night. Today we have a marvelous sun without fog clouds so I hope I can get the official portrait done in the afternoon. Already last night I started on the frog. I am going back to 11s. It took me a week to do this in 15s and with 11s I can get an animal done in five days. Also I do not have enough good colors in 15s. Maybe when the order from FM comes I will be happy with what I have and will go back to 15s. I must say that as I work with these teeny beanie babies I have great admiration for the designers of these little animals. See how perfectly the body slopes to the back feet? It feels as if it is ready to leap. I feel that adding beads adds to the perfection. Now the animal stands and feels solid. True it is not a cuddly toy, but there are enough left in the world for the person who wants that. As far as I know, I am the only one beading beanie babies. Maybe that will change and others can add their rainbows!

I have learned a lot by doing "Freckles the Leopard." One is that 15s are so much better than size 11 beads. You probably cannot see it, but here I have combined dark brown 11s with two shades of 15 (as on the tail). This looks so much better. Already sent off an order for more 15s and more beanie babies so I can redo the cat. Also on this tail I beaded the length instead of circling around as I did on the cat. I did not like the exposed holes revealed on the edges. I am eager to redo the chicken also, but will not get the new shipment and have time to make it by June 5th so I posted the photo of this one in the Etsy contest.
Have enjoyed (too much) being back on Ebay and am now climbing back on the Ebay Verboten wagon.

Still darting between clouds of fog I did manage to get this photo of the chicken. In a moment of sheer inspiration, I ran out to gather the grass. I was amazed how much life it added to the photo. Today the sun is really shining so I plan to see if I can make this photo any better.

I won an auction at Ebay so more animals are already on their way.
I am almost finished doing another entry for Fire Mountain. Again adding all the info from the catalog is driving me nuts. I can only do that mindless work so long. I have until Friday to get the entry in by email so I am hoping this cold / cough misery lets up before.

I started on the leopard last night and feel that perhaps I am showing this to you too soon. I am using 15s so it goes even slower but I feel this is the best size for these smaller animals. I am fascinated how the pattern changes. When you look at it up close one sees different colored beads laid next to each other. Looking from a distance the pattern will jump into being and then disappear if your eyes linger on any spot. I hope I can stick with this one doing the same three colors over and over.

The first snapshot of the chicken taken before the sun even gets to the photo set-up. I was gratified that he sits fairly securely. That tail as balance works better than I am sure the designers ever imagined. I had originally planned to stiffen the legs with wire but I doubt I could have ever gotten him to stand on his own two fat duck-like feet. So much for that idea.

Speaking of ideas. Had such a grand idea for November show at GAC -Memento Mori. "A pillar of Tears." Now need to see if I can show in a place without carpeting. There will be weeping and therefore water. Never got to sleep until after 3 a.m. but am still jazzed by the concept.

After finishing the chicken, but before digging out a new beanie baby, I decided to finish up one of the embroidered necklaces. I had been waiting on my FM order for crystals but now that I have it, I found everything I needed in my brass stash. I am comforting me with the thought that some times it takes a while for a piece to figure out what it wants to be and the kindest action I can take is to be patient.

Okay, so the chicken is shy when it gets squashed into the scanner. At least you can see now all the colors and how they are working. I am pleased that when the wings are beaded they stand up more. Will have to finish beading the back end of the body to see if that tail will stand up. Have thought of adding a fall of fringe beading to make the tail look more realistic and to give it support so it doesn't lean to the left or right. By beading the legs vertically they already seem to get a lot more support. Had always envisioned the chicken straddling an egg to give it enough stability to stand. When I told the bead group about my idea to enter the chicken into the "Mystery" Challenge at Etsy, Judy said, "Which came first? the chicken or the egg?" which is a more of a mystery than "Why did the Chicken Cross the Road? which is actually a riddle. Are riddles mysteries? How much more will I get beaded today? I have a sore throat and feel a cold coming on. . .