Monday, November 13, 2017

ABS November Challenge

 the Bourchardon Mill
by Armand Guillaumin
1906 oil on Canvas.
For more details click here.
For the soft sky..I used a Gaea bead as my art 
bead for this piece.
I also used some Unicorn beads to represent the 
reflections on the water.
Went with a coin shaped focal gem stone bead
 that had the soft violet shades from the painting.
Various Czech glass beads, a geode bead
and antique copper findings 
were also used to pull it all together.

Monday, October 23, 2017

ABS October Challenge

Madame De Pompador
by Francios Boucher
1756
served as this months inspiration.
For more information please click here.

I had been hoarding a bracelet bar from 
Earthenwood Studios.
I added plenty of delicate charms to contrast the 
 bold shape of the bracelet bar.
So happy to use up so many of my beads on this.
I went with various styles and colors of
Czech glass beads.
Green aventurine and goldtone bugle beads.
and a little silk bow.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

ABS July Challenge

Tiger in tropical storm 
By Henri Rousseau
 1891 oil painting
Served as this month Art Bead Scene Challenge.
For more information click 
My art beads is this terrific link by SuzieQ beads 
and these yummy green lampwork beads 
that I won from Kerry of Celtic Craft Designs.
Additional beads are Unicorn lampwork beads 
Green jade beads, Misc. bead with Copper findings 
and Vintaj charms.




Friday, June 30, 2017

ABS June Challenge

 Profile on Red Meanders
formerly Jeanne d'Arc
Odelin  Redon
1900 Pastel
For more information about this months 
challenge and the artist.
please click Here.
working with what I had ...I
went with the patina and rustiness 
that I saw in this piece of art work.
along with the softer shade of the purples.
Artist beads - Gaea Beads, along with 
Czech beads, Lampwork beads, 
and some Nikos Greek findings. 


Tuesday, May 30, 2017

ABS May Challenge

Bowl of fruit, Violin and Bottle
Pablo Picasso
1914 oil on canvas
For more information on this months 
ABS challenge click here
Art Beads used: 
PC Pendant and PC Blue bird by Katherine Thompson,
Gemstone beads, Gunmetal chain and spacer.
Recycled Script Charm.

Sunday, May 14, 2017

ABS Winnings from T-Beads

I got some Happy Mail this week.
My winnings from April's ABS Challenge.
 I was randomly selected and
 this is what Tammy sent.
 I really love lampwork beads and
 I so admire Tammy's talent!
Having taken a lampwork bead class I have an
appreciation for the skills it takes to make these 
beautiful little works of Art!

Thank You ABS
and A big Thank You to 
Tammy of T-beads 
for the generous gift!

Monday, April 24, 2017

ABS ~ April Challenge

Landscape with Peacocks
by Paul Gauguin 
Oil on canvas 1892
For mare details click here
This is what I created with ...
Golem Design Studio Beads,
Nunn design toggle, 
Multi color square lampwork bead,
Tibetan coin bead with coral and turquoise, 
Turquoise (dyed) Riverstone 6mm beads.

I pulled out the Coral, Yellow and Mossy green
 from the painting.
The beads dictated the additional Teal color.
I like the mix metal of the antique brass 
and the bright silver.

If it wasn't for this Challenge I may have
never thought to use the Tibetan beads 
with the Golem beads.
I will call this a Happy accident.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Bead Soup Blog Hop ~ Hoarders Edition!


Welcome to Lori Anderson's
Bead Soup Blog party ~ Hoarders Edition.
My partner Carrie Stalcup sent me 
this lovely carved mermaid
 out of peach Aventurine.
She had been hoarding it for 15 years.
Wow!
Her true age is unknown.
I say, "Keep'em guessing."
Designing how I wanted to feature the focal 
was great fun.
In the end I went with a wire wrapped bail 
and carried 
the copper wire wrapping
 throughout the necklace.
Carrie also sent a lovely 
array of pearls to kept her company
on her journey to me.
Alas they parted and went their separate ways.  
But don't be sad, 
she made new friends with my
Czech glass beads, Greek copper patina 
beads and Greek fish hook link.
My peach jade beads seemed 
to play well with others and 
nicely complimented the focal.
As did the Amazonite beads
which reminded me of water.
I'm hoping her new friends make 
her happy.
Then this bracelet and earrings
 appeared with some of the pearls
Carrie sent.
Ocean Jasper, Czech Crystal,
silver plated findings.
Why not check out the other designers creations
Click HERE 
for the full list and links.

Thank You Carrie
for being a fantastic swap partner
and for all of the wonderful hoarded 
beads that you shared with me!

Thank You Lori for another amazing BSBH event!
And a Thank You
to your helpers,
Arlene Dean and Ann Sherwood!
You Did It!

One more piece got assembled today, March 21st.
Hand knotted with
Irish waxed linen thread.
White Shell items were also a gift from
 my Mom's friend in Florida, Kay.
Carrie, can  you see this as a fun 
Summer piece
with a classic white shirt or tank top?



Thursday, March 23, 2017

ABS - March Challenge

Armed Bird's Nest in Acacia Chile
Marianne North
1870
Oil on paper
Served as this Months Inspiration.
 Artist Bead - Gaea, Faceted Czech glass, 
Yellow Calcite, Yellow Jade,
Beads, with Copper finding accents.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

What I Sent My Swap Partner

I sent Carrie Stalcup
this  Earthenwood Studios 
Heart pendant.
I had been saving this pendant 
for some time. 
I selected beads that went with 
the colors as a supporting cast.
Red Maylay Jade, Czech Beads 
and a few Charms.
I also sent some bonus items. I hope she'll like.
Some of which she can put to good use 
with seed bead flora and fauna she makes.

At the last minute, I added a
 Earthenwood Studio Key Link. 
Now I look forward to the reveal date!

Carrei's photo of her goodies

Beads Received for the Swap

I received my beads that Carrie sent in
yesterday's mail,
for the BSBP Hoarders edition.
Packaged up so sweetly.
and with a cleverly written note 
which I will echo here...
 A little story of the focal bead is that it has
 been in her collection for 15 years.
Yep, that is some definite hoarding.
Treasured all those years and she chose to part 
with it for this bead hoarders swap.
It is a beautifully
carved peach aventurine mermaid.
She sent her along with some pearls 
to keep her company.
But feels this shy little lady will make 
friends with my beads 
in no time at all.
I did pull out some peach jade 6mm beads
 that seem to 
compliment her quite nicely.
We'll see.

She should be getting what I sent today 
and I will do another post 
about what I sent soon.

Thank You So Much Carrie!


Tuesday, February 14, 2017

BSBP ~ Hoarders Edition~ Sneak Peak

Announcement of the Bead Soup Blog Party -- Bead Hoarders Edition 2017:
This is a pixelated image of the pendant 
I have been hoarding along with the
 beads I am sending to my swap partner.
Hoarded pendant and some of the beads I am sending Carrie S. my swap partner. Edited at http://lunapic.com:
Enjoy your sneak peak Carrie Stalcup.
You can check her bead work out on
 Pinterest.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

MFT Color Challenge #62




BB Penguins in Paradise stamp, Friend die,
Triple peek a boo and edge die set, 
Martha Stewart Snow glitter, 
rhinestone embellishments.
Copic Marker coloring.

Saturday, January 21, 2017

ABS Monthly Challenge ~ January

Fields of Flower
Egon Shiele
1910
Chalk on paper
For more  information about his months
Challenge click the link here.
I chose to do a bracelet for this Challenge
using one of
 Suzi Q Beads...Leaf link.
I also fashioned my own copper S hook for the clasp
pairing it with a pre-made closed double jump-ring .
I also used various
Czech glass beads, Copper chain and findings,
Carved bone beads and Gemstones.
And just a touch of green silk ribbon.


Wednesday, January 18, 2017

MFT Sketch Challenge 316

Some Bunny Loves you.
I just love this Stamp set!

I cut the top layer a bit to reveal the Teal
strip of paper on the inside of the card
for this Sketch lay out.

Since I don't have the die to match this set,
I did loosely fussy cut around the images.
I popped them up.
Used one of the MFT banner dies.