Antique Steel Cut Beaded Purse

Do you see those tiny little dots to the right of the wording?  Those are the steel cut beads that were used to bead this purse.  Unbelievable workmanship.

The purse has fluidity similar to fabric.

And it still has the sweetest little button closure on it.  I purchased two of these purses; the one above and another that was in pieces.  I made an attempt to bead with these tiny beads.  Major headache.  I will post it tomorrow.  Hope your weekend is headache-free!

Bead Crochet and Polymer Accents

I made some polymer rings to accent this bead crochet bracelet I made.  The honeycomb patten is from Judith Bertoglio-Giffen's new online bead crochet workshop, "Aftrican Stripes".  I will be starting the necklace on July 1.  

Baltic Raw Amber Necklace

The beauty of raw amber.  I love the variations in color, depth, texture and size.  

Coral and Turquoise Necklaces

About ten years ago I went through a period of treasure hunting for coral, amber, turquoise, quartz, etc.  I strung this set of one long all coral necklace and one coral and large turquoise nuggets.  I doubled the stringing material and used sterling closures.  Nice, right?  What I had not included in my equation was the total weight.  I've only worn it three times because of its weight.  The same with a very large raw amber necklace I'll be posting tomorrow.

Stretch Peyote Bracelet

I made this bracelet several years ago while on vacation.  It is a pattern out of one of the beading magazines.  It caught my eye because it stretches over the hand and needs no closure.   I went through all my magazines and checked the net, but for the life of me I cannot find it.   It is peyote stitch, but elastic thread is used instead of beading thread.  I'll find it eventually. 

Button, Button

I love this top.  I lost the top button so I removed the very bottom button and sewed it up at the top.  But the missing button at the bottom kept bothering me.

I was too lazy to shop for new buttons or to shop for a match.  Polymer clay to the rescue.

Sculptural Peyote Dominoes

My "homage" to Dominoes.

Floating Loops Bead Crochet

I crocheted the loops as I went, incorporating them into the design.  I like the way they give movement and whimsey to the rope.

Polymer Coral & Beaded Bracelet

Polymer clay faux coral necklace.  Free form embellished peyote bracelet.

Polymer Necklace

A necklace of black and white polymer clay canes with a detail of a blue skinner blend bull's eye.  Yesterday I went to a couple of second hand stores looking for interesting display pieces.  I purchased the 3 cast iron mice I posted yesterday and the above bust.  The bust has some interesting scratches and chips that I fell in love with.  I also bought a small duck I will be painting.  It may or may not work for jewelry display; if not, it will be re-donated.  Happy first day of summer!

Polymer Clay Rings

There are many molds on the market for use with precious metal clay and resin; commercially manufactured, as well as privately.  For me, they are on the pricey side.  But, I have been wanting to make some "formed" polymer rings so, to cut costs, I ordered one discounted "imperfect" mold (on the right) and one perfect one (on the left) from a private seller.  They are OK.  I would not invest again.  The one on the left is too thin at the "points" of the ring where it stretches the most during release and the 4 on the right are too thick to wear as rings.  I love the triangle ring and will make it work, but probably won't be making more.  But, who knows.

Contemporary Polymer Collar

Polymer clay, chains & vintage beads.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the fatherly, nurturing souls out there that are loving caregivers in one form or another.  The sign is from Stephanie of The Hands On Housewife (click HERE).  She also shares an elegant recipe, fast and easy (click HERE).  I'm giving it a try.  Wishing you a special day.

Neon Polymer Pendant

Inspired by water, more specifically drops of water on water.

Summer Polymer Pendant

The pendant was inspired by watching the sun reflect off of the ripples and spirals in water.  It's pool-time here in Arizona; refreshing, relaxing and inspirational.

Flowered Polymer Pendant

I was going to leave this blank, but then thought I would share the inspiration for the pendant.  We met with a financial planner who was talking about what my husband, as beneficiary, would have upon my death.   He used the phrase "while you're pushing up daisies", your husband will have X amount of dollars.  I really loved the fantasized concept of literally pushing up daisies...... sort of still creating in the after-life (he he).

Polymer and Crocheted Shoulder Piece

I used my magnetic polymer clay brooch as the closure for my free form crocheted shoulder piece.   The front of the free form shoulder piece is shown above worn over one shoulder with the main detail in the back.  Front of above is shown below.

The polymer magnetic brooch shown on the front of the shoulder piece being worn on both shoulders.  This piece is larger than my previous piece (click HERE).   I particularly like the contemporary feel free form gives to a vintage looking piece.

Polymer and Bead Crochet

I finished another color band bead crocheted rope and paired it with a summery polymer pendant strung on a simple turquoise cord.  I've got two other bead crochet ropes in progress and finished another free form crocheted top which I hope to post tomorrow.  The polymer work table is full of pretty summer colors just waiting to be experimented with.  Life is back to normal.

Neon Polymer Pendant

I made a "neon" pendant with a dimensional flower on it and thought, "I wonder if this glows in the dark?"  And, yes it does.

Bead and Button Goodie Bag

My trip to the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was cancelled because I broke my left foot.  The thoughtful Bead and Button staff sent me an email wishing me a speedy recovery and said that they were happy to send my package and refund my Meet the Teachers ticket.  Wow.  I couldn't believe all the treats that were in my gorgeous tote bag!   A great surprise that made my day.

Bead Dreams Finalist

 It is an extraordinary experience to enter a polymer clay piece into an international competition and to be chosen as a Finalist.  I did not win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, but it is a phenomenal feeling to have my piece displayed with the other five polymer clay jewelry pieces at the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  There are 9 categories with a total of 80 pieces that will be viewed by 10,000 people who attend the annual Bead and Button Show.  I am honored to be a 2012 Bead Dreams Finalist.

 The magnetic enhancer feels exactly like leather and has great flexibility.  The faux fibers feel wonderfully supple and drape beautifully.

I worked on the Magnetic Polymer Enhancer and Faux Fibers last January and February and barely made the deadline of March 6.  We had an extremely stressful Christmas that continued through January and February. Bad stress is horrible, but we made it through it all.  Working on this piece was the best therapy.     A sweet victory indeed.

Polymer Hollow Pendant and

Matching Bangles.

I've always wanted to try a hollow pendant so when I found Cate van Alphen's tutorial (click HERE), I went for it.  For a first attempt, I'm pleased.  I went to Goodwill today and found two bangles that had large resin beads on them.  I covered the resin beads with some of the leftover striped polymer clay and baked them.  I liked the way it all turned out, so I made some earrings too.  How do you get inspired? What makes you want to try a new technique?

Sculptural Peyote Bracelets

I started another bright sunny free form peyote bracelet that will sit with the other one while I shop for beads this week and work on some polymer pieces.

Sculptural Free Form Peyote Bracelet

I still need to add a closure to this free form peyote I have been working on, but I still have not found the "right" one.  Not that I have had much time to look for one.  I have been switching from my old PC to my new MAC and I am having quite the struggle.  I'm finding out Microsoft does not play nicely with Mac.  So, bear with me.  I've got another Mac class on Tues. where I hope to get a lot of questions answered and get a little more done.  But, I it is nice to be back posting some creations.  The "spilled milk" is a two part resin tinted white.  I always wanted to make one of those.  Messy, but fun.