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.

Pins Worn as Pendants

 Bettina Welker's fabulous tutorial (click HERE) for her polymer clay pin converter is wonderful.

 

Pin converters have been around for a while, but new designs such as Bettina's and Lorenzo Mele's vertical adapter (above left) and Sean Brown's (above right) are so refreshing.

In 2012, I did a post on using a straw as a pin converter (click HERE).  Something quick and easy.  For something stronger than a straw, you can use various sizes of brass tubing in whatever size that would accommodate your cable or chain.  Just slip it over the pin, close, lock and slide it on a chain.

My polymer clay Chameleon Pin (below) converted to a necklace (above) using a straw.

Spinning Yarns

 Some of the talented ladies who belong to the Weavers Club here in Sun City West, Arizona were enjoying the beautiful weather and camaraderie while spinning yarn together.

Colorful socks and a red spinning wheel speak to this artist's personality.