Bead Crochet Rope With Enhancer.

Bead crochet rope with a peyote slide enhancer.  About 4 years ago, at the Tucson Bead Show I purchased a pendant slider kit from Nanette Young-Greiner (Scorpio Beads) and Shirley Cook (Jumping Jack Glass), who collaborate on glass flower and leaf designs to create their kits.  Their lampwork beads and color combinations are phenomenal.  I first saw the peyote/slider technique in Bead and Button's October, 2007 issue where Veronique Landis used silver crimp tube beads to peyote stitch a background for her wirework, flowers and leaves.  After reading Veronique's instructions, I did make one using my polymer clay leaves and Czech glass beads, but this one; this one is my all time favorite.

Sketchbook Page

 Colored Pencils, pen & ink, Sharpie markers and Golden Fluid acrylic paint.

Dutch Spiral

 Long enough to double, but I think I'm not done with it yet.

Yarn Bangles

A Bit of Bead Crochet

Wearing Bead Crochet - It adds another layer of color, pattern and texture.

"Hey Scooter"

So I get the foot frozen and the 4 pins out today. Yay.  Haven't been doing too much.  Thank goodness for the scooter.  It sure helps getting around and is perfect for keeping it elevated.  I've been on the computer drafting beading projects so I will be either ordering the beads soon or picking them up at the Tucson Bead Show in February.  I'm thinking I will be out of the boot by then and walking a ridiculous distance among thousands of shoppers is such a good idea.

Book of Beadwork

 Through Groupon (click HERE), I paid $15 (that's including Shipping) to create a 21 page hard cover book from Shutterfly (click HERE).  I used the photos of my beadwork and tried to fit as many photos as I could on each page, plus there are 4 more on the back cover.  I love it.

 Shutterfly provides a front and back buffer page that adds an elegant touch.  It was a great way to start off my new year.

Happy New Year

Dance, sing, make some noise 
and 
Ring in the new year!!   

Wishing you the best of 2014!!!

Fontanini Nativity

I have collected Fontanini nativity pieces for many, many years.  They are made in Italy by Roman, Inc. (click HERE).  They come in various sizes from 5" to life-size and are beautifully painted and detailed.  When our grown children were small, they enjoyed playing with them for hours on end.

Setting up the Nativity was one of the highlights of our holidays.

 The below basic nativity of Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus in the stable with the 3 angels music box was a gift from my grandmother in 1970.  It isn't Fontanini, but it started my collection.  It still plays Silent Night perfectly and brings back many warm memories.

We're past Christmas and are getting ready to bring in the new year, but the Nativity will stay up for a little while longer.  I hope your holiday was happy and filled with warm memories.

Heart Felt

I had a little fun needle felting a small tree, wrapping some presents and making a few stocking stuffers.       I'm feeling grateful for the blessings in my life.  I'm really looking forward to this week of celebration and beauty.