Challenge Check In

     This week has been crazy.  Mom and I have been busy every night except for Monday.  Opps, I forgot Monday was Weight Watchers for me and I lost another 2.6 lbs.  I have a long road to go but every little step counts. Tuesday and Thursday, I had to work which totally destroyed any hope of beading. Wednesday was the pot-luck dinner at our center.  It was a lot of fun and lots of good food was available and I was very careful not to over eat.  We had a good friend over on Friday night, Marlene and the three of us played around with clay to make cabs for bead embroidery.  I would love to learn how to fire and glaze my own cabs so I really need to see about a clay class.  Marlene had the new Best of Bead Style mag. and  I borrowed it for a bracelet idea- 'Hip to Be Square' by Marilu Morency.  The bracelet pattern is a square stitched design using two needles, cubes #8 seed beads, and montees (which I did not have) So I adapted the pattern using the cubes, pearls, and #11 seed beads (only because I didn't have #8 to match the pearls).  I also stabbed myself too many times so I made the cubed squares using a single needle.  Once the bracelet was done,  I played with the idea of a matching necklace.  I am pleased with the results.  Tell me what you think, please.

     The cubes are frosted amber, almost a rootbeer color, copper pearls, and copper seed beads.  I finished it off with a magnetic copper clasp on the bracelet and copper chain and lobster claw for necklace.

     If you get a chance, stop by and check out Lori Anderson 's blog.  Her  book cover design is posted and it is awesome!  I can't wait until the book is here!

    My New Year challenges are coming along.  I am taking more pictures with my camera and learning different techniques with it.  I have met several wonderful people on the net and am learning so much from them.   I am also doing something that I thought I would never have the chance to do.  On Feb. 11th ,I leave for a seven day cruise to  the Bahamas.  I am traveling with my Mother and brother, Tom and hopefully we will have wonderful cruising weather.

   I am off to bed.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week

Sunday Challenge night

Good Evening!  I have thought a lot about the challenge with Skye this week.  I didn't finish my black shell necklace but I did complete a cotton candy quartz necklace and sold it. Yippee!

It is a simple stringing design but the customer loved it.   

I also made a beaded bead following directions in March,2013 issue of Beadwork.  It turned out alright, but I haven't taken picture of it. 

   Mom and I went to Rehoboth Beach, DE today.  It was cold and windy so we didn't go on the boardwalk but I checked out a pottery studio hoping that she sold cabs that were not glazed.  No such luck.  The owner tried to convince me that I could make them myself since we have a kiln and wanted to sell me  clay 25 lbs. of it.  Now I just wanted to try to do three or four cabs- just for the fun of it-  not 25 lbs. worth. I think that I shall see if I can find a local teacher and just take a class.  I am sure that the Art League in Rehoboth might have some suggestions. We also went to Micheal's and found some interesting things on clearance.  They have a 70% off clearance merchandise sale and when I got home I found some mistakes so I get to go back tomorrow.

   Overall, it was a quiet and relaxing day.

One of my Passions

   On April 8, 2011, Mom and I attended a three day workshop in Rehoboth Beach, DE on Bead Embroidery taught by Meg Fillmore and Moggie Moyer of Bead My Love (www.beadmylove.com) Check out their web page for more information.

We spent three wonderful days immersed in beading. Mom created the beautiful pendant in orange and I did one in sage green.

Mom's Work station

Mom's work in progress

Mom's complete necklace with a Dutch spiral rope. 

My work station

My pedant in progress.

My pendant completed.

As you can tell, we had a great time.  Since then I have done several pieces for family, friends and for sell.

I am really hooked on bead embroidery.  I really think that this was my AH moment when I realized that I can create something totally unique and beautiful.

Now if I could figure out how to change the font on this blog I would be even happier. Thanks for reading my rambling. See you tomorrow.