I will be working on some polymer pieces for the next 5 days so I am going to pre-post some photos of some new bead crochet and some really old ones.
I struggled so hard with this pattern, I wanted to get a good photo of it because I doubt I am ever going to do another.
I ended up adding 4" to the Native American rope so I could wear it with the Tribal Stripe rope.
It's about 1:00 in the morning and I am so tired, but could I put this bead crochet down? Nope. I struggled with this pattern all weekend long. Crocheting it, ripping it out, counting, re-counting, re-stringing, crocheting and finally, I'm done.
I will think about the final details of finishing it while I fall asleep. To fringe or not to fringe?
The front of the ring (above) and the back (below). The ring is sitting on...........
old, dried out air dry polymer clay.
I put a simple vintage button closure on this "waterfall" sculptural peyote necklace. My work table is full of polymer at the moment. Hope to post them tomorrow.
Polymer clay applied over a magnetic closure, textured, painted and baked.
I originally made this bracelet with a beaded magnetic closure and loved it until I wore it. The beads kept getting in the way of the magnets causing the the loops to tangle, so it had to go. It took a good photo though (if I do say so myself).
One of my Sculptural Bead Crocheted ropes that circles around a beaded nest filled with small fresh water pearls imitating bird eggs. A suggestion of a vine loops around the flower, which is the closure, then extends down to a single accent leaf.
I am part of a group who have been bead crocheting with Judith Bertoglio-Giffin in an on-line string along called "Native Stripes". I was about half way through the project and realized I needed to order more beads. So, while I am waiting for delivery, I decided to do Judith's "Tribal Stripes" rope.
I first saw this rope years ago and have always wanted to make one. I'm now on my second one in classic black and white. I'm also going to make her "Urban Stripes" rope, but am having a hard time deciding on my colors for that one. You can check out Judith's blog (click HERE) and read more about her bead crochet books and e-books. You can also see much of her work on my Pinterest board under "Bead Crochet" (the chef pointing to "Free tutorials...").
Four of my polymer clay characters from "The Tribe" on a photo bracelet from Pickture that! (click HERE).
The quality of the laminated strip is excellent. The bracelet is comfortable and the cost was $24. The bracelet comes complete as you see it. Can't beat that!
A great way to advertise your art.
After seeing Annie Pennington's beautiful brooch on Polymer Clay Daily (click HERE), I dug out my experiment with colored pencils I'd done a while ago. I took a photo of one of my paintings and downloaded it to my computer.
I conditioned and rolled out my clay, picked the photo to print, loaded the transfer paper and printed a copy of my painting.
I immediately transferred it to the polymer clay (below).
I used the colored pencils to color the polymer. I scratched on it a little here and there to highlight some areas.
I use a reverse magnifier to see my values, whether I'm painting, beading or sculpting with polymer clay. It's a handy little tool to have.
The finished experiment (above). What I learned was not to use any enhanced clay (pearl, glitter, metallic, etc.); they don't like transfers. I had a mix of white and pearl leftover from a previous project and thought it might make an unusual transfer, but no, it didn't. I loved Annie Pennington's brooch and will give this another try using a strong white.
I used lead free soldering wire inside my bead crochet wrap bracelet so it would keep its shape when wrapped around the wrist or upper arm. The bead crochet is 8 around to accommodate the wire. The bead size is 8.
Inspired by Rona Loomis (click HERE).
I finished another bead crochet rope which can be worn as a single rope or doubled around the neck. When the rope is doubled around the neck, it can be worn with or without the focal. It just "loops" through the center. I spent a morning searching the internet for bead crocheted ropes to put together my Pinterest "Bead Crochet" board and I'm still adding to it. One of the pieces was Rona Loomis' piece which graced the cover of Bead & Button in 2006. Her piece is called "Change a Fringe" where the fringe can be worn on different single bead crocheted ropes. Cool huh?
I wanted to create a magnetic polymer clay pin that had an organic quality to it, but also gave a feeling of "life" growing from it.
"One who defames another's character, also defames their own." --African Proverb
Years ago I found a broken piece of what looked like a small tribal mask. I made a polymer sculpt of it and worked on it until it looked like what I thought it once did.
I really liked the "Two Faced" design. I made it a magnetic pin so I can wear it on silk scarves.
I wonder how two faced people look in the mirror at the end of the day. Which of their faces do they see or do they remain anonymous even to themselves? The pin has me deep thinking.
Sue Horine's bead embroidered neck piece “Dolphin Island” was stolen last week from her shop. Contact Sue if you see her piece anywhere. Help pass the word.
Sue Horine, 88 W. Hwy 4, Suite 5, Murphys, California, Phone: 209 728-8803
email: sue@beadartbysue dot com
I like switching out a couple of my spiral pieces on a cable neck piece, or doubling them up for a dramatic statement.
Yes, I know it's February, but I got a coupon to get a free hard cover book from Shutterfly (click HERE). All I paid for was $8 for shipping. I LOVE it. It was so much fun to put together and so easy.
It's a kick to have a book of my polymer Halloween art. Yes, I know, I need to get back to February and work on some hearts, but lately, my heart's just not in it.