Dionysus

This is my entry for the SRAJD May 19th Greek Gods & Goddesses Dionysus challenge...


Dionysus is the god of the grape harvest, wine making, ritual madness & ecstasy. He is the son of Zeus, patron of the arts, also known as Bacchus.


This abstract brooch features a vintage Italian cabochon, Howlite sticks, Czech spikes, cultured freshwater baroque pearls, Swarovski pearls, and Japanese seed beads.



You can find the actual listing HERE.

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EBWC How Unusual

Here is my entry, Entangled, for the Etsy Beadweavers May challenge, How Unusual! You can view the actual listing HERE.



For this challenge we were encouraged to, “use at least one unconventional item”. I have seen plenty of modern jewelry made with nuts & bolts, toothbrushes, straws, coins, etc. so I tried to find something that had never been used before. Looking around my house I saw some old cork coasters and thought hmmm, might work. So off I went to do a search to confirm no one had used one before - nothing came up on Etsy, so I decided to use a cork coaster for my unconventional item. Not to worry - this is an unused one straight from the box. Since it was quite large, I cut off the top for a more visual pleasing shape and to create a pair of matching earrings.



Keeping in line with the “unusual” theme, I chose my least favorite stitch which is unusual for me to use (I find it quite fiddly and tedious and learned bead weaving via other stitches so it just never grew on me), and hard as it may be I did not incorporate any black into this piece. And trust me, this was a struggle! Several times I picked up black beads than put them down, trying to create a more feminine piece but still in my style. I am drawn to the color black and most of my jewelry has some black in it!



This was not my original design. I found that cutting the coaster with a smooth edge was difficult no matter what I cut it with and the shape I wanted was to intricate and the way I wanted to attach some beads just didn’t work out. But it would be perfect for a future bead embroidery project!



This is my very first attempt at freeform. I’ve always been attracted to this style since I am obsessed with asymmetry and hate “rules”. Freeform just seems so rebellious & fun and has been on my beading bucket list for a while now. I will definitely do more freeform soon –but with some black in it! 

Satellite

Here is my latest creation, Satellite. You can view the actual listing HERE.



I decided to create something a little more versatile and unisex. This can be worn on the included neck wire as a necklace, or you can wear it on any choker, rope, chain, necklace of your choice, slip it on a leather wrist band as a bracelet, slide it on a purse or bag strap, slide it on a belt, whatever floats your boat.



This is a substantial piece triple woven for durability. Features rubberized matte black cabochon, ribbed spikes, natural Serpentine beads, Hematite beads, and Japanese seed beads in matte olive green and matte and opaque black. Pendant measures 2 1/4" in diameter and projects outward one inch. Black steel neck wire is 1mm, 18" long, and closes with a secure twist clasp.

EBWC Am I Blue

Here is my entry, Nebulous, for the Etsy Beadweavers March challenge, Am I Blue? You can view the actual listing HERE.


For this challenge we were encouraged to use the March birthstone Aquamarine, a/o Turquoise, a/o Tanzanite, individually or together, the more blue the better. Over 16 different shades, finishes, and sizes of blue beads were used; matte, pearl, metallic, silver lined, bugle, triangles, cubes, turquoise, teal, aquamarine, zircon, navy, royal, sky, etc.




Please visit our team BLOG between the 9th and the 15th to see all the entries from the wonderfully talented artists in this team and vote for your favorite entry!

Coming Soon...a New Necklace!

I have unintentionally taken a year off. Life has been so busy for me. But I am happy to report, although I have tinkered around and started a few smaller projects, I finished my first piece in a year and will be listing it for sale on Monday! I have been struggling to find the time to bead and have been doing half an hour here, an hour there to complete it. I know it has been a long time coming and I hope it is well received. I tend to like things dark, uneven, unusual and this is no different. I would post a sneak peek, but my new browser is not supported by blogger so at the time I cannot post photos unless I link to them elsewhere online. I will post it here once I list it in my store.

~Happy Valentine's Day!~

Bead Sale

Take 20% off any purchase over $14.99 good until midnight tonight at Bello Modo by using code SEPT13

An update

I've been so busy lately and haven't had the time to bead.

I've been feeling the beading bug biting strongly and since we've moved and adopted another (2nd) rescue dog -another adorably bratty Min Pin...

 

I've put off unpacking and organizing my studio. I've been starting to sort through everything and set up, and I found my sketchbook filled with more designs than I will ever have time to make. It is exciting to see how many different things I came up with and makes me laugh because my brain never stops; I get ideas from memories, emotions, shapes, beads, etc and I sketch my ideas as I get them on everything - I have napkins, tissues, receipts, post-its, torn bits of paper, bills with sketches & notes on them and only a few in my actual sketch book! I can't wait to get back to it and just create. I've forgotten how fun it is.

Coupon Code

10off your purchase at Artbeads with coupon code ZZGNA

Bead and Button Show 2013

Free admission to the Bead and Button Show Marketplace tonight between 5-8pm downtown Milwaukee at the Delta Center! The Marketplace is also open Sat. 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-4pm. Admission is $10 or you can print out this coupon for $2 off.

Update

So we have moved, replaced a partial bathroom, painted, and are still unpacking and decorating our new house. The other reason I haven’t been around much is this little guy…



We knew we were going to get a dog and were planning on getting a Miniature Pinscher. We thought we’d wait until we settled in and were finished with everything in the warmer months of Spring/Summer, but nothing ever goes as planned! On one of the rescue sites online, I came across this little guy and fell in love. I can’t believe anyone would abuse an animal, let alone a tiny, adorable dog. He is a 1 ½ yr. old Min Pin, only 4.4 pounds.

He has a bunch of health issues – alopecia, allergies, anemia, hookworm, Lymes disease, anxiety, and was debarked by the breeder. After going through the adoption process with the rescue site; filling out paperwork & having a home inspection, March 2nd we drove 3 hours each way to bring him to his furever home with us. We love him so much and have been trying hard to get him healthy ASAP and give him a happy life full of love, fun, toys, walks, and security.



He is so much fun; loves to play and cuddle. He started his first Obedience class at the Kennel Club last week and has learned a lot – he knows heel, sit, about turn, slow, down, mind your business (well this one we’re still working on), give, come, and other words like food/dinner/breakfast, potty/outside, & drinky. He has brought us so much joy that we have already tried to rescue another, but it unfortunately didn’t work out, we weren’t quick enough.



So if I’m not around much, know that it is because I am dedicated to getting this lil dude better -and enjoying his silly antics!

I’ll get back to bead weaving once my studio is unpacked; it just might take a while.

Moving

We've been busy painting, shopping, and getting ready to move into our new house. I have temporarily closed my shop until we finish moving and all that fun stuff. Thank you for stopping by, I hope you return to see my new creations.

TGIF!

~Happy New Year!~

I will be taking a short break and may temporarily close my store while we paint & remodel our house.

Wishing all a happy & healthy new year filled with love & happiness.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season!

lol

Just ran across this on Facebook and it made me chuckle, so I had to share. Check out more funny captioned photos at Beaded Laughter.