Some would call it noodling

So this started out as a simple ruffle, but I just kept thinking "What would happen if I just kept going?".

Well this is what happened. I don't know what I would ever do with this, but it does make for a pretty sweet bead sculpture.

It's actually kind of cool. You can fold it and twist it into different shapes.

And it looks pretty from all sorts of angles.

I also got inspired to whip up a pair of snazzy earrings for my self.

 

Moving Update & I Get To Bead!

Well, It's done.

Or at least I'm calling it done.



The shelves are almost full.



The bead table is ready to go.



One of the benefits of moving, aside from having my own space, was going through my collection of beads and supplies. As I reacquainted myself with my stuff, discovering beads I bought more than 15 years ago, all I wanted to do was stop and make something. I hadn't felt like playing around for awhile and I had a hard time keeping myself focused on moving in.

Officially these earrings are the first thing I made.



Earrings for Spring.



Lately I've become kind of obsessed with the colors of peacock feathers. Usually, I would make a button when I felt inspired by a color combination, but I didn't feel like messing around with fabric. I hadn't done peyote stitch in a really long time and I love that is just needle, thread and beads. So simple and easy to get started.

These are some ruffles I made. I think they would make great embellishment for bead embroidery or a bracelet. 



Experimenting with flat round peyote stitch.



 After awhile, I started thinking about the Czech beads I have and how I have always wanted to try freeform peyote. Why didn't anyone tell me how much fun this is? I don't have a clue what I'm making or what I'm doing. I just know I having a good time.



My first attempt at freeform peyote.



I'm having fun not knowing what I'm doing.



Trying to incorporate the Czech glass has been the most challenging.



Clearing out my head

I guess I would call this a prototype for my bead journal that I start in January. Not sure if I will turn them all into small wall hangings or find some other way to display. But I feel pretty confident I can keep up as the months go by with this size.

I also used this as an opportunity to try out stuff that's been floating around in my head.

Solid color spaces are not really something I do a lot of.

I love these cup like pearls and wanted to try them in bead embroidery

I recently bought these tear drops from work and tried them out as edging and fringe.

I don't know about were you live, but around here it has started to fell like spring. Maybe it's the day light savings time or the tender little buds popping out on the greenery, either way I am so ready for old man winter to go away. It's time for longer, warmer days.

In the mean time I have been fighting the March blahs by keeping myself busy with beads. I have been dying to try this tree trunk technique ever since I saw it in Robin Atkins's book "Heart to Hand Bead Embroidery". I mixed up some brown seed beads and once I figured out what I wanted it went really fast.

This next picture is what I have been able to get done today. Adding leaves and branches has made it look more tree-like. I want to keep the background simple but before I can start that I need to finish with the tree first. Those branches still need a little something.

Well that's all for now, I'll try to get better pictures the next time I update. In the mean time I'll be in my studio waiting for spring.