Makin' Stuff

 

I guess you could call this my month of August round up.

 

 



Rainbow button set

Harvest magnet set

Purple impression Jasper cuff

Sunset cuff

Here is another project that has been sitting on my bead table, just waiting for me to make it a pair.

Blue Kyanite & Freshwater pearls

I haven't spent a lot of time in my studio this past week or so, it's been nice not being under a deadline. Making Christmas gifts this year was a fun challenge and believe me when I tell you I was working up to the last minute. So if I decide to do it again next year I need to start earlier than June.





Happy New Year!

I wanted to get one last project finished before the end of the year.

 This cuff has been sitting half finished for weeks and now that Christmas is over I finally found the time to finish it. Making it my last piece for the year.

I've spent the last week getting the last of my Christmas gifts ready.

One last set of magnets and a few pairs of earrings.

I also had time to just play around and finish some projects that have been kicking around my studio for a while.

A beaded cuff that just needed the backing attached.

  

Making crazy big rings may become my new obsession for 2012.

Autumn Cuff

I made this cuff bracelet for my mom for Christmas this year.

We had one of the most beautiful and mild autumns this year. Very little wind and rain meant the changing leaves stayed on the trees longer. I couldn't not be inspired by them.

These also happen to be some of my mom's favorite colors, so I know it's going to a good home.

I'm trying to make most of my Christmas gifts this year. So far it's going pretty well and I hope to be able to post a few more things I've made in the next couple of days.

Well it's been a long cold wet May here in the great Pacific Northwest, perfect weather for sitting inside and beading. With my trusty DVD player and a thermos of hot tea I've been keeping myself busy and making a mess at my table.



For the most part I've been making buttons, to either turn into pin or magnets. I like to keep a few on hand for last minuet gifts, but after all the birthdays this month and last I found my stock was running a little low. So I've challenged myself to make enough to fill this tray with, 50 to be exact.

  Here is a shot of one of my favorites, orange & green is such a springy color combo. If you want to see them all so far you can go to my Flickr page.

Gold and Teal Cuff

I had such a good time making the first cuff, I went ahead and made another.

This time I chose teal and gold for my color palette, I love how the warmth of gold is tempered by the coolness of teal. I also used some of my gold charlottes for a some sparkle.



Moon Light Cuff

I can't tell you how long I've wanted to make a beaded cuff. After coming across the bracelet blanks I must have bought years ago, I figured, why not?  

 I wanted to work with a simple color palette, so I went with silver, grey and black.

This was so much fun to make and it really didn't take that long to make. Now I can't wait to wear it!

This is a gift for my good friend Connie in Tulsa. She is a fellow Gemini and a true kindred spirit. Unfortunately I don't get to see her as often as I would like, being so far away and all.

I used size 11 seed beads and some beige pearls that have a nice luster, the cab is a ceramic piece I picked up at The Bead & Button Show last year. After all the bright colors I've been using it was nice to work with a more subtle color pallet.

The chain is spiral rope chain with my first peyote stitch toggle clasp. This chain is great to use for so many reasons. It's very strong for one thing, your needle passes through the center so many times that even if there is a break some were the whole thing won't fall apart. But even with all the thread running through it, it still feels light and supple. Stronger than it appears is a good way to describe it.

In other news, "The Hand" has officially been handed over to Jen. We talked a little about what to do with it, but I'm leaving it up to Jen to work her magic for the most part. I'm sure we'll see what wonderful thing she comes up with in the near future