Chihuly Glass Sculptures

 Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, Arizona.  Chihuly Exhibit.

Light Show at Desert Botanical Gardens

I went with some friends to the Desert Botanical Gardens at sunset to see the stunning light show.  I was so excited to get some good photos.

The Chihuly Exhibit was spectacular as the sun set behind the glass sculptures.  When the sun was completely down and the flood lights came on……WOW.

I mean wow.  The Chihuly Garden and Glass is located in Seattle Washington on 305 Harrison Street.  I went to my first Chihuly Exhibit many years ago in Chicago and now have been fortunate enough to see two (over a few years) at the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens.  This was my first night viewing and by far my favorite.  The drama of the sun setting and the flood lights was just beyond words.

A Bead Outing

A little bead crochet on the go.  A lovely trip to Bead World in Phoenix, Arizona where the owner, Lezli Goodwin was warm and welcoming.  I follow her blog "Beading the "Bead World" Way" where she generously shares many "how to's" for jewelry making.

 Several members of our local bead club car pooled to Bead World where we shopped for things we couldn't do without.  I needed some end caps to finish several of my bead crochet ropes and dutch spiral pieces.

When we were done shopping, we walked over to Lucy's Gluten Free Restaurant and on the way, we spotted this sign.  It was really a fun day.

Beaded Head Dress

 Above and below photos show the inside of the beaded head dress.  I beaded a webbed substructure for the layers of beaded strands; much the same as the inside of a wig.

 It has held up well over all these years.

Beaded Wig

 I made this beaded wig a very long time ago, well over 15 years.  It reminds me of a tribal head dress.

 It usually sits atop a sculpture I made called "Tribal Woman", but it's found a new spot for awhile.

Bead Loom Hatband

 I've always wanted a loomed hatband.  For my first one, mistakes and all, I love it.  The pattern is from Craftspeople.info (click HERE).  Craftspeople.info website has many beautiful free loom patterns.

Beading Loom

A good friend lent me her beading loom.  Oh, it is so much fun… thank you Miss Dara.  Above was a practice piece before I started the hatband.  I'm halfway through with the hatband and am really enjoying this.  This loom is called Ricks Beading Loom.  The advantage of this loom is you only have 2 threads to weave in when you are finished.  You can Google "Ricks Beading Loom" for various places to purchase it.  The above free pattern is from Craftspeople (click HERE). You can find many loom patterns on my Pinterest site for loom patterns (click HERE).

Polymer Crosses

More polymer clay crosses.  After photographing these, I realized the colors are too similar.  I did use different shades of red, but after applying the turquoise, they all looked the same.  I even used some bronze Rub & Buff on a couple to change it up, but I'm not liking it.  So, I will probably sand some and try a different color.

Polymer Pendant

I used a mold from Krafty Lady to create this pendant.  When I use a purchased mold, I always try to rework parts of it so it is not an exact duplicate coming out of a mold.  I loved how it turned out.

Polymer Pendants

 Above is a mica-shift technique I learned from Misha Barbee and below is a pendant with a cane pattern I learned from Sarah Shriver.

Polymer Pendants

 Some of the polymer clay cane pendants I made for the art fair.

Polymer Cross

 I used a mold for the cross and then applied the hand sculpted rose and leaves.

 After baking, I highlighted the raised design with acrylic paint and sealed it with PYMII.

Ms Maddies Flowers

 This was my Bead & Button Bead Dreams submission.  I received a rejection by email yesterday.  I basically knew it was not going to make it, but I swear, there is always this little kid inside that has that thinks "just maybe".  I entered it in the new "Ms Maddies" category.  The piece had to feature some of her flower beads (click HERE).  I really did love how it turned out and am going to wear it (carefully).  It consists of right angle weave, bead embroidery and fringing.

I really enjoyed making this piece.  I learned a great deal (mostly patience).  But, seriously, with any new adventure starting from scratch, there is much to be learned.  So, I did gain a lot and am thankful.