The Bead Kitchen

Late Easter Bunnies Bracelet

2011-04-26T14:54:00.000-04:00

I had planned on having these sugary sweet marshmallowy treats ready for Easter publication, but sometimes I just procrastinate. A lot!

I figured better late than never, so I hope you enjoy this bracelet. (The small bunnies worked in free form, would make cute earrings!)

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend, no matter what you celebrate!

Leafy Pendant

2011-04-16T13:25:00.000-04:00

This free form leafy pendant would look lovely suspended from a length of delicate chain. I would either attach a jump ring to a couple of beads on each end (Make sure you reinforce those beads big time with Fireline!) or perhaps start a delicate beaded strand from each side.

I think this piece has a bit of a nouveau feel to it, and would compliment a revealing neckline!

Cardinal Bracelet

2011-04-14T09:52:00.000-04:00

I love Spring!!

All of the different greens are popping out in the woods, the dogwoods are gorgeous, My tulips and jonquils are blooming.... Well you get the picture!

But best of all are the birds! All of the birds are coming back, singing and warbling for a girl friend. ("Pick me! Pick me!, Pick me, me, me! says the chick-a-dee.)

Of course the Cardinal has been a stead fast friend through the winter months flashing his bright red wings, even in the snow. He's a great reminder that Winter isn't forever, and that Spring always comes back around.

I'm Baaack!

2011-04-12T13:47:00.000-04:00

Spring is back and so am I!

I know it's been a long hiatus, but some times real life just takes over. I now have a Mac version of Beadtool and have started back to designing patterns.

I also have some other pieces I have made during my downtime. I plan on photographing them in the next few days and sharing.

Dead computer.

2011-01-11T13:07:00.000-05:00

I have bad news.

My main computer has been infected with some terrible virus or worm. That means my bead pattern software is toast until I can get something done to wipe and reload.

At the moment I couldn't even get the virus software to run on the computer.

A photo I took off the back porch in November.

I had it saved to a flash drive, so at least you have something pretty to look at!

That's out little hen house in the picture. We keep our older hens there.

I have good news - I did save all the patterns to a back up hard drive so none of those have been lost. (Whew!)

I have some lovely birds I designed just before the crash. I'm in the process of working on how to best switch over my files to work with them. I will also have to reload Beadtool 4, before I can design any new patterns.

(If you haven't checked out Beadtool 4, please give it a look see. It's one of the best designer tools ever for bead patterns.)

I hope to be back on line sometime this month.

On holiday break

2010-12-18T13:42:00.000-05:00

KiKi exploring our tree "Jake the Fake." (Yes, our Christmas tree has a moniker!)

Just wanted to let everyone know I've been on an extended holiday break, and plan to get back to blogging in January.

I hope everyone has happy holidays and bright blessings!

skull card holder worked up by Candys

2010-11-14T18:39:00.000-05:00

photo by Candys

Here's a card holder by Candys. The pics show both the front and back view. This pattern is from a skull bracelet I designed a bit ago. I really like the way Candys adapted this as a card holder.

Even though it was meant to be a bracelet, it definitely works well folded in half, and would make a cool amulet as well.

Photo by Candys

four part and nine part hand patterns for bead quilt

2010-11-12T11:29:00.001-05:00

Since getting a hand to show up in any sort of detail within the confines of 1.5 inches is pretty hard, I thought I would experiment with designing squares that would go together like a puzzle.

Here is the first attempt. I think it turned out pretty good.

This one is in nine parts, and shows a baby hand grasping a thumb.

There's just something about a tiny baby's hand holding onto you that is special and sweet and heart touching. I know I am sentimental, but it would have to be a hard heart indeed that wasn't touched by a baby's hand.

Christmas Cherub

2010-11-11T11:24:00.000-05:00

Another angel to add to your tree - this sweet faced cherub is very Victorian.

Bold Black and Red Bracelet

2010-11-10T11:14:00.002-05:00

A quick and quirky bracelet that isn't shy!

Here is something bold and abstract to wear through the winter holidays. This piece would work with just a plain closure, but would really pop with something bold and shiny. This could be the project you have been looking for, to use with that special button.

As promised

2010-11-09T11:08:00.001-05:00

Here is a sweet angel pattern to work up for Christmas. I am going to try and post a couple more angels for Christmas this year.

With a bit of thought, she could be turned into a free form ornament. The only hard part would be to attach the flame. Perhaps a flame coloured crystal, attached with a piece of wire? She would definitely be beautiful worked in translucent beads - especially if her gown was worked in a brilliant jewel tone.

Candys card keeper

2010-11-08T12:14:00.001-05:00

Candys is definitely keeping me hopping, as she just pointed out in an email!

photo by Candys

I got some pics, just a few minutes ago from Candys of a card keeper, created from the raven bracelet pattern. I like the way the holder has the points along the upper edge.

photo by Candys

Brightly Coloured Angel

2010-11-08T11:24:00.000-05:00

Here's a brightly coloured angel that would make a nice light catcher in the window.

This time of year it gets so dark, and every bit of light is precious. Having a pretty light catcher in the window helps make every drop of suns hine count!

Two pins by Candys

2010-11-08T11:05:00.001-05:00

Candys has been busy the last few weeks and worked up two pins from my patterns. She has been patiently waiting for me to post these - she sent them to me last week! I have to confess that I have times when I don't where my days go. I go, go go, and still haven't caught up! I'm pretty sure we all have times like that.

photo by Candys

This lovely fox pin is from this post. I especially like the way Candys edged this piece in the brown and bronze-ish beads. So pretty! It gives a nice dimension to the piece and defines the edges nicely.

She also combined the two patterns to make one piece. This is the sort of thing I like to see people do. When you take a pattern and make changes to it, you make it more personal and participate in all the wonderful variations of art.

photo by Candys

This piece is from one of last years breast cancer awareness patterns I posted. Again, I really like the edging. It gives the piece a nice finished touch.

Anytime, anyone makes up one of my patterns please contact me and share! I would love to post your work here. Beady hugs to everyone! - Ginger

An Angel for Lucy

2010-10-25T12:32:00.000-04:00

One of the followers here, Lucy, mentioned how much she loves angels. Check out her blog - it has gorgeous eye candy!

My Mother-in-law also loves angels - especially on the Christmas tree! So I have made up some more Angel patterns for both Lucy, and my Mother-in-law.

This angel pattern was based on a free clip art. It's a bit large (slightly over 4 or 5 inches.) but would look lovely with the lights shining behind it.

Bead Tool

2010-10-23T20:01:00.000-04:00

I realized it has been a while since I have mentioned the bead pattern editing software I use.

I definitely want to get the word out there to people about Christopher's Bead Tool. It has to be my favorite pattern designing software. (And I have tried others!)

Bead Tool was designed with beaders in mind, not computer programmers. It's very intuitive and easy to use. I especially like that I can over lay the transparent bead graph over one of my pictures, and "trace" over the images.

For more about this technique, check out my posts!
colouring book technique, post 1
colouring book technique, post 2

I also can't just have a text only post, especially since I just got my new dish today! (Whoo-hoo! - a day late, but worth the wait! Mega bytes here we come!)

I hope you enjoy this blue geometric floral design. It would make a great winter bracelet design, with it's icy white and chilly blue colour scheme.

Candys work

2010-10-23T19:35:00.001-04:00

I have just been really tickled at what wonderful responses I have been getting from readers lately. I wanted to share another picture that came in this week from Candys. She has created an awesome pendant from the tree pattern I did based on a work by Gustav Klimpt.

I especially like the beaded texture on the bezel and the beaded jump rings used as dangles.

If you would like to look at some of her work, Candys has a series of albums. Just be sure to set aside an entire afternoon! Lots of treasures to be found.

Andi's work

2010-10-23T19:23:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to share some work by Andi that really rocks.

This photo, taken by Andi, shows her beautifully worked version of the Three Frogs Bracelet pattern.

I always love it when readers share their work based on my patterns. It's so much fun to see how talented everyone is!

I just wish I could read Hungarian - Andi has a really nice blog, Sipi, with gorgeous photography and bead work. I especially love her bracelet patterns. She gave me props for the pattern in her latest post.

Angel with harp

2010-10-20T07:35:00.002-04:00

Here's an angel with a harp - this could be used as an amulet, an ornament, or as a sun catcher for the holidays.

Nativity Suncatcher

2010-10-19T07:27:00.003-04:00

This piece is best worked in transparent colours, to allow the sun to stream through. This would make a lovely Christmas ornament to hang in a sunny window.

Cute Foxes!

2010-10-18T07:22:00.001-04:00

These cute little foxes would also be adorable worked in free form, without the back ground.

The letters C, D, E/I, F and G

2010-10-08T16:43:00.000-04:00

As mentioned in an earlier post, I am working on getting the Egyption alphabet graphed.

"C"

Here is the next installment of letters.

"D"

I also want to remind folks, the blue mark and purple background are there as registration marks. They aren't part of the design, just a way to make sure they are lined up right.

"E or I"

"F"

"G"

Internet update:

I've made arrangements to get a new dish out to the farm, so hopefully I will soon have a more reliable acess to the net (and larger cap on down/uploads)!

(Really glad I was able to get some online acess to post some of these!)

Continued Internet troubles!

2010-10-04T19:00:00.001-04:00

Just a note to let folks know I am still having very intermittent Internet.

I live in a remote area where our internet has to be piped in with a satellite dish. Since we have begun homeschooling all three girls online, we have been maxing out our daily download/upload limit (400MB). When we hit our limit our connection is shut down for the next 24 hours. Ouch!

I am probably going to have to rely on the library, until I can find a way to get enough access to at least get the girls their schoolwork uploaded online every day and be able to check the news. Hopefully this won't last for too many more days.

Sending Beady Hugs to Everyone! - G.

Leaping LLamas!

2010-09-28T12:40:00.000-04:00

This Llama was at the local farm fair a couple of weeks ago, and I couldn't resist getting some pics to play with.

I've been so busy with homeschooling the girls and trying to get in all the fall things that need doing around the house, I have missed some posting I had planned.

Never fear! I have more hieroglyphs worked up, and more patterns to enjoy. Hopefully, I will get caught up soon, long enough to schedule more posts.

Hope everyone's Fall is gorgeous!

This post is brought to you today by the letters "A" and "B" in Hieroglyphs

2010-09-20T09:12:00.001-04:00

"A"

"B"

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am working on getting the hieroglyphs charted for use in your own patterns.

The blue and purple you see in the graphs are only there as registration marks. I needed a way to keep the distance between 'glyphs to stay constant and to keep them in proportion.

Look forward to more hieroglyphs in the upcoming days.

Angel ornament and bracelet

2010-09-18T01:11:00.003-04:00

Since it's not too early to get started on ornaments and gifts for Christmas, here is an angel ornament to work in free form brick stitch.

I would recommend stiffening this piece and attaching a piece of mono filament to each wing tip. Knot the two pieces of filament to a hook to hang it by. Trim the ends and cover them with a tiny red ribbon bow.

There are lots of ways to stiffen a piece of beadwork. Since I have heard both pros and cons for each of them I will give you a list to read up on them and decide what is best for you.

Future® floor finish (wax) method
Restitch the piece until it is stiffened (This is not always an option on brick or peyote pieces.).

Fingernail polish

AIleene's Stiffener products.

Apply the work to a piece of fabric with plastic, wire, or pellon sandwiched inside.

Personally, I usually try to work a bit snugger on work I know needs to be firm, and use as large a weight of Fireline as I can to give the worked piece body and firmness. Often this is enough.
Here is the same design in a chart for a bracelet. It would make a nice piece to wear around the holidays. There is space underneath the angel to add the year.

Santa ornament

2010-09-17T12:11:00.001-04:00

It's not too early to be thinking about making ornaments for Christmas. This is a free form Santa with a very long beard to work up. He should come together quite quickly in brick stitch.

"Garden" in Kanji

2010-09-16T11:38:00.002-04:00

This is the word "garden" in kanji. It is getting close to the time when I will be putting my garden beds to rest for the winter. This will give me something to work on that is garden related during the dark and cold months.

I have to admit I am already dreading winter! Winter is when there is never enough light and I tend to shut down mentally. I know I have SADS and try to keep moving, as well as use a light (It does help.) but I really don't awake and emerge from my own darkness until the tulips, crocus, and dwarf iris do. I think that is why I love them so much.

Crocus from early April, 2010

Wadjet Bracelet

2010-09-15T11:32:00.002-04:00

This is Wadjet.

"She was said to be the patron and protector of Lower Egypt and upon unification with Upper Egypt, the joint protector and patron of all of Egypt with the "goddess" of Upper Egypt. The image of Wadjet with the sun disk is called the uraeus, and it was the emblem on the crown of the rulers of Lower Egypt." (Wikipedia)

Scarab Beetle Bracelet

2010-09-14T11:26:00.002-04:00

Here is a scarab beetle with outstretched wings. To make the bracelet longer or shorter just add to the length in black. I think black matte Delicas, with the beetle in done in a iridescent or metallic finish would be very striking.

small, free form beetle scarab

2010-09-13T11:19:00.009-04:00

I've been doing a lot of looking at Egyptian jewelry lately for inspiration. This is based on a large pendant of gold, lapis lazuli, and enamels. The colours are every bit as rich today as they were 1000's of years ago.

This is a small piece that would make a very nice pendant or pen. It would also look very pretty in your hair, attached to a small hair clip or bobby pin.

Fairy Silhouette

2010-09-11T09:00:00.001-04:00

This pattern is based on a paper cut image. I used the colouring book technique to roughly sketch her out in black and white.

Continuing with the Egyptian Theme...

2010-09-10T08:51:00.001-04:00

Proclaim your love of beads with this bracelet!

"Beads" is spelled phonetically in hieroglyphics on this bracelet.

I hope to do an entire alphabet in Hieroglyphs soon, so different things can be spelled out and personalized.

Ra

2010-09-09T08:40:00.005-04:00

This is based on an Egyptian amulet of Ra.

It still needs more work, but I hit a wall with the design. I orginally had planned on having the image symmetrical, but found myself messing it up every time I tried to work on it more.

Lesson learned: Sometimes I just have to walk away from it.

mouse peeking out of a pocket

2010-09-08T08:37:00.002-04:00

It's tiny and cute and would make a sweet pendant or pin.

09-12-2010 update: I looked at this and realized there are two beads missing along the upper edge of the left ear! I will go edit this and try to get an updated chart posted. - G.

Cute mouse with flower

2010-09-07T20:36:00.000-04:00

I have to admit that recently I have been bitten with the "cutsey bug!" I have always loved cute, sweet things like sentimental mice, bunnies, and frogs. I try to not let it get me carried away all the time. Sometimes, I just have to give in!

Ronit's beautiful version of the clown fish bracelet pattern

2010-08-01T20:10:00.001-04:00

Once again Ronit Florence has taken a pattern and made it into more than just a basic bracelet. She definitely knows how to tweak a design to get the most from it. Most readers will recognize the Clown Fish Bracelet I posted in July.

Bead work and photo by Ronit

Here's what she had to share about the beautiful set she made:

    " As usual, your clown fish pattern wrecked havoc with my todo list - I just had to drop everything and bead it up :) I saw real clown fish in their "natural" habitat in a museum recently and learned about the symbiotic relationship they have with sea anemones, so I added the anemones to the pattern - that happened to have made beading a bit more interesting because it meant that there wasn't a large area of solid color to bead up :)

     Of course, I had to make a set, so I rearranged the fish slightly so the pendant didn't turn out too wide and I made matching earrings. I used clear beads with AB finish (Delica #51) to do the bubbles and, while in retrospect I think it would have been better to use white, it allowed me to use the clear "water" drops or bubbles in the fringe and strap. For the strap I used this free pattern: http://storage.canalblog.com/26/09/392679/26506221.jpg from this site: http://centperles.canalblog.com/archives/schemas_a_a_d_/index.html

     Hope you like it and thanks again for all your wonderful and very inspiring patterns!!!

Hugs, Ronit"

Bead work and photo by Ronit

Truly gorgeous!! I am always amazed at how awesome (and fast! - she had this done early last week!) Ronit's work is.

Trouble with my internet connection.

2010-07-28T12:27:00.000-04:00

Sigh.

Life in the country has so many perks, it's hard to complain about the one or two things I really miss about the city. But there are times when I yearn for the super fast internet connections that never froze up.

Along with sunshine, we also have to pipe in the internet on a satellite dish. It often freezes up, especially if we try to download the news.

I have been wanting to upload some awesome pics for the last couple of days - Ronit recently did an awesome set based on the clown fish pattern, I have some patterns to upload, and share some cool beach pictures.

Unfortunately, the connection freezes up every time I have tried to load a picture to anything. At worst, I may have to go to the library and use their wi-fi. Just don't despair, I hope to get some things up soon.

Purple and red cranesbill

2010-07-23T11:04:00.001-04:00

This is based on a flower I have in the garden called a cranesbill. It is in the geranium family, and perennial. I love how they are very hardy and spread over time.

"Life is change" in kanji, bracelet

2010-07-22T10:48:00.001-04:00

Click on the image to view a larger image.

primitive style bee skep

2010-07-21T10:33:00.003-04:00

traditional image of a beehive

Bees have been kept by humans for thousands of years. The traditional image of a bee hive is actually a woven basket called a "skep."

pattern based on medieval tapestry image of a skep

Historically the skeps were used as bee hives by bee keepers until time to harvest honey. The skeps were broken open, destroying the colony, in order to harvest honey.

One of Steve's bee hives

photo by Becca A.

Now-a-days bees are usually kept in boxes with frames that can be removed without harming the bees or the colony as a whole. The boxes and frames also allows the bee keeper to remove only what he needs and leave enough honey for the bees to continue through the winter.

I'm looking forward to our first honey harvest this year!

Simple skull motif

2010-07-20T10:21:00.003-04:00

Here's a teensy skull motif. This would combine well with the cute skull posted earlier this week.

NOTE: Please fill in the square labeled "0" with "1" (black) - that was a typo on my part!

Canoptic Jar bracelet

2010-07-19T10:18:00.002-04:00

Happy Mouse with Berries.

2010-07-18T10:12:00.001-04:00

Here's a happy little fellow to use an amulet pattern or just for fun. I have to confess I had an attack of cuteness and sweetness when I was designing the other day, and this is what happened.

I'd love to hear what sort of designs folks are interested in. Designing for other folks give me a sense of challenge.

Cute skull motif

2010-07-17T10:08:00.001-04:00

This would be a fun pattern to repeat for a bracelet or to use for the front of a teensy amulet bag.

"Garden" in kanji

2010-07-16T17:50:00.003-04:00

Mid summer is the time for your garden to being full swing. By now the squash and zuchini have become bountiful. The salad greens, onions, and spinach have all been picked (and maybe even reseeded if you are industrious!) The tomatoes are swaying on the vine, blushing more each day.

This is the Kanji symbol for "garden." I would work the pattern until it is long enough to wear as a bracelet.

Third Installment in the Bead Quilt patterns.

2010-07-16T09:56:00.002-04:00

Holding hands

Shadow puppets

Psychedelic hand

These are the third batch of Bead Quilt patterns. I will post more when I get back from the beach towards the end of July. I plan on spending some time with my feet in the sand and water!

Sea Turtle bracelet

2010-07-15T17:56:00.003-04:00

second set of Bead Quilt hand patterns

2010-07-15T15:32:00.001-04:00

Manatee Bracelet

2010-07-14T17:46:00.003-04:00

One of my coolest memories is swimming with the manatee. They are HUGE, and quiet, and gentle and one of the good things in this world.

Clown Fish Bracelet

2010-07-13T16:54:00.003-04:00

I'm going to Beach in a week and all I can think about is water sun, seashells and fish in the surf, tickling my toes! Here's a tropical fish kiss bracelet to help share beachy thoughts.

Three Frogs Bracelet

2010-07-12T17:38:00.002-04:00

Three frogs being sociable on a muggy summer evening.

When I lived in South Carolina these little green guys would be so loud sometimes they would keep me up.

Right after I first moved to S.C., I had one of these fellows hop up onto my bare leg as I was walking up the stairs with a load of groceries! I didn't drop the groceries, but I definitely screamed a bit! (the dropping the groceries was a close thing though, let me tell you.)

Even with the froggie adventures, I still can't help but love these little guys!

crow bracelet

2010-07-11T16:59:00.001-04:00

Lately, we have had a murder of crows hanging out in our front field. (I just love being able to say "a murder of crows!")

Mother Earth Bracelet and links on how to help with the oil disaster.

2010-07-11T05:05:00.012-04:00

Over the last several weeks I have been heart sick over the B.P. Oil disaster. Our ocean is being poisoned, and all of the animals, the marshes, the beaches, and the estuaries are being poisoned with it.

It's such a helpless feeling to see news everyday of the dying birds, fish and turtles. Entire Towns are being decimated by the economic impact of the oil spill. I truly fear this is the death knell of a dying planet.

I usually try to keep this blog upbeat and to focus on positive things in this world. So I am listing below several ways you can help out, and please say a prayer for Mother Earth.

Info on how to help:

National Wildlife Federation has a very helpful site on how to help your kids cope with the disaster and how to talk with them about it. It also has donation and volunteer information. The NWF is a trusted organization that has a history of helping save animals and habitat.

Fox News has an excellent article listing a dozen organizations to that are asking for help in the clean up and rescue effort. These groups mostly have direct involvement in the areas being affected.

The United Way has set up a special fund for recovery of the gulf from the oil spill.
"The United Way Gulf Recovery Fund will provide emergency assistance, such as help with food, rent and utilities, and support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives devastated by the disaster by addressing educational, financial and health-related challenges."

The Nature Conservancy has an option where you can direct your funds to help with the clean up.

This article by William Graff lists some great links as well, including Audubon.

Bead Quilt 2011

2010-07-10T16:53:00.000-04:00

Jeanette Shanigan has announced the new theme for the 2011 Beaders Against Cancer Bead Quilt on her Yahoo group, BeadyShanigans.

Jeanette wrote:

"Yes, the theme for 2011 will be hand or hands, so those of you who are eager to
get started, may do so. Remember that the guidelines for 2011 will not be
posted on my web site until late September, though."

So it's time to get busy with our hands and do some beady hand work depicting hands.

I jumped the gun a little bit and did a few patterns already. Hopefully over the next few weeks I will be able to add several more.

Happy Solstice!

2010-06-21T19:37:00.000-04:00

Happy Solstice!! Hope you enjoy this Green Man, and do something summery today. We are making our first blackberry cobbler of the year - "Whoo-Hoo!"

Since several of the shades of green are pretty invisible in this graph, I have a PDF version of the chart that is easier to read, and includes a legend.

Playing and having fun

2010-06-21T13:14:00.000-04:00

Here's a cutsy and fun lamb to play with. He just makes me smile with his purple fleece!

Berry Beautiful

2010-06-03T19:04:00.001-04:00

Everyone here at the house loves strawberries and the berry season is up and running for our area.

Here is a "twofer" of berry bracelet patterns

star fish pattern

2010-06-02T07:52:00.001-04:00

School is almost out (just two more days!) and my thoughts are already turning to the beach. We always go in July and stay at a small quiet beach where we rent the same house, year after year.

Often, when there is a storm we can find tidal pools with starfish and sea cucumbers. (I can't help but think the sea cucumbers often look more like shriveled up potatoes.) I have also found sea dollars, hermet crabs, sand crabs and once, even a dead sting ray about a foot long. Of course I tried to use it in a craft project, but just ended up with a bit of smelly mess. My husband still won't let me forget that one!

Simple Black and White Daisy Pattern

2010-06-01T19:46:00.000-04:00

I've always loved Daisies. It's such a simple flower, but bright and cheerful. Daisies stand for innocence and childhood, and summer days filled with sunshine and green grass. A daisy is all about "No Worries!"

Antique Pattern Library

2010-06-01T12:36:00.002-04:00

One of the great things about the internet is the wonder resources you can find there, especially for those of us who live in remote areas.

I recently came across the Antique Pattern Library, a treasure trove of older publications that are no longer under copy right protection. Because I also make lace, this site was especially valuable, however it has patterns for all types of hand work, including bead work.

There are many patterns from DMC and Pricilla (as well as others) for embroidery, as well tatting, knitting, crochet, cluny crochet, and battenburg, just to name a few.

White Columbine

2010-05-31T10:24:00.001-04:00

Columbines were in the very first garden of our very first house. Wow! Where does the time go? It really doesn't seem so long ago Steve and I were getting married and still in under-grad school. Since we just had our 21st wedding anniversary this last week, I've been indulging in nostalgia.

Doodle design

2010-05-30T10:02:00.000-04:00

One of the things I have been doing to get out of a creative rut is doodling. At night I spend 15 or 20 minutes with pen and paper before setting in for the night and it has helped revive my creativity.

In part, doodling take the pressure of performance away. It's okay to accept imperfection. After all, you're just doodling.

I had also started to disconnect from the tangible aspects of art. I work mostly in digital mediums to the point where I had forgotten the joy of putting pen to paper.

One of the best things to help stir up creativity is to let go and experiment. To try things that aren't your style. To try your style in new ways and mediums.

For anyone who is interested in doodling as an art form, there are some great web sites and blogs. There is even a kit you can buy from Zentangle, with all of the supplies and how to's. For me, doodling was a flash back to middle school and filling in the time (as well as the page) while teachers droned on and on.

Crocus Swirl

2010-05-29T15:12:00.001-04:00

Some how, living on a farm is supposed be all slow and lazy days, with a laid back life style. Tell the truth, the only laid back I get is when I get laid up from over doing!

Whoever perpetuated the myth of farm life being slow paced probably had very little to do with actual farming, planting, critters or anything remotely resembling dirt. I stay busy as a bee, especially in the early spring when I'm gearing back and recovering from lack of light. I love it and I wouldn't want to live back in the 'burbs ever again, but it does mean I sometimes neglect other things like this blog and designing pattern.

Of course when you have to choose between feeding hungry chickens and picking out just the right color for a bead, there's really no contest. The chickens depend on us; the beads won't go bad, don't depend on the growing season, and aren't cackling for food.

Above: Hardening off the Teenager chickens, who are busy working on growing and establishing pecking order. Rt: The most recent batch, our baby Buckeyes. This is just hours after hatching.

All of which is why I am only now getting around to working on some patterns of my Spring blooms.

Last Fall, I planted around 500 bulbs (about half of which went in the greedy gullets of MOLES - my sworn enemy!) of various kinds. It was such a delight to see the colours popping up everywhere, after all of the ice and snow we had this past winter. Crocus are one of the very first to bloom and one of my all time favorites. (And Moles don't seem to think they are as yummy!)

Crocus Swirl is an amulet bag pattern to play with.

Pink Lady Slipper

2010-05-23T14:06:00.000-04:00

Here on our farm, we are very fortunate to have Pink Lady Slippers growing in one area of our woods. At the end of April, first of May, I always go out to take pictures and marvel at them.

This pattern is based on one of my photos.

fast felted fun and bright colours!

2010-05-19T14:37:00.000-04:00

I just recently went to the Fiber Festival nearby, and had to step out in style while I was there. This easy and fast Bracelet was just the thing! I used Needle felted beads; glass, matte finish, black beads; Fireline, and a magnetic clasp.

Glasclay

2010-05-19T14:24:00.000-04:00

I'm excited!! I just put in an order for Glasclay and hopefully will get a chance to play with it by the weekend! (All depends on how fast the mail is.) I'm hoping for an up date soon, with pics!

quilted inchie pendant

2010-04-20T22:17:00.005-04:00

Here is the finished piece on my computer desk, being admired by a small desk gnome my youngest daughter made for me. The pendant is 1 1/16 inches x 1 3/8 inches. The fabric square (minus embroidery stitches) is one square inch.

Recently I discovered A.T.C.'s, and along the way came across a reference to "inchies," on the blog "Small World of Inchies and Twinchies." This is a fun blog with open challenges on a regular basis. I had to learn more, and came across an article about art quilt inchies.

Art and quilting and inchies? All at once? I had to try it! And it is fun!

front view, close up

This piece came together so quickly and was spontaneous every step of the way. And colour! I got to work with some of my favorite colours.

Back view, close up

I started with a one inch square piece of fabric for the top and for the bottom, as well as a piece of batting, some scraps of fabric, thread, and a glue stick.

The wire frame was a piece I had made ages ago, then decided it didn't work for what I had in mind. I had set it aside on my work table where it had languished. Suddenly, I knew the frame was the perfect thing for my first inchie. I added the embroidery at the bottom in yellow to give the piece a better fit, and button holed the piece to the wire.

I dug through my stash and came up with this nice coppery chain and a clasp to finish the piece up.

I hope others give this a try.

Just an aside - a great reference for getting started in A.T.C.'s is "Art in your Pocket"

Glasclay

2010-04-19T15:47:00.005-04:00

I was reading Beading Daily, "What Rocked Tuscon," and came across a mention of Glasclay today, and I can tell this is something I will have to find out more about.

image from Beading Daily article, "What rocked Tucson"

original photo caption:

"Glasclay(TM) from Claymania Art Clay, Inc. wins my Invention of the Show award; their malleable glass in a binder needs no torch to form, just a kiln to fire. Hot stuff!" (Leslie Rogalski)

I had hoped to enjoy working with the Bronzclay that came out last year, but found that I was bothered by the metallic smell. Nothing wrong with the product - it was just me.

The final pieces had a nice weight, pretty color and held detail really well. I just couldn't get past the metallic smell that seemed to caught in my mouth and nose for the rest of the day - no matter how many times I washed my hands.

I have wanted to try the copper clay, but just haven't quite gotten a round "tuit." But with the idea of glass -one of my favorite things!) I am definitely excited enough to get on the waiting list to try some.

I did notice that a digital programmable kiln is necessary to work with Glasclay. I'm fortunate enough to have really nice Skutt table top model.

Hopefully I will be able to find out more about this product soon. If anyone out there has had a chance to work with this product, I'd love to hear in the comments.

a warm egg

2010-04-04T14:36:00.003-04:00

DSC_0009 Originally uploaded by yardchicken2

One of Little Red's eggs.

There is something wonderful about cupping a fresh, warm egg in your hand on a chilly morning.

It feels like holding a small piece of hope.

Tree of Life Pendant

2009-12-13T13:45:00.002-05:00

modish tree

2009-12-09T21:19:00.004-05:00

I love bright colours and I have always liked tree imagery. And here I have both! This is meant to be a pendant, but would make a lovely bracelet as well.

Banner for this year or next

2009-12-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a holiday banner for both 2009 and 2010. For those of you who work quickly, you can whip out 2009 in no time! And for those who would rather have a bit of head start you can get started now for 2010. Holiday hugs to all!

Christmas Angel

2009-12-05T11:35:00.005-05:00

Here's one of the very first patterns I ever designed on Bead Tool (about four years ago at least!) and I realized I had never shared it, really. So here's a little something to say "Happy Holidays!"

Silly Sunshine

2009-12-01T09:25:00.003-05:00

The days are too short and I'm wanting some serious sunshine!

Vintage Image of Mars Pendant

2009-11-30T11:07:00.005-05:00

Pattern without colour numbers

Pattern with colour numbers

The two patterns above are identical, except the bottom one has numbers included to help differentiate between all the shades of blue.

For some reason, the idea of having The Red Planet depicted in monotone blues just appealed to me. Plus, Blue is one of my favorite clolours.

I based this pendant on a vintage image of Mars from Vintage Printables.

The series of pendants I have been working on lately can also be modified to be a bracelet, just extend the ends to make it long enough.

Pendant based on Gustav Klimpt's Tree of Life

2009-11-22T09:22:00.004-05:00

I really like Klimpt's Tree of Life painting. I love all the swirls, and the way it is laid out almost like a triptych.

I included three color ways, because I thought it was very illustrative of just a few minor changes of colour can affect positive and negative space, as well as change the feel of a pattern. I think it's very important to be willing to play colours - especially in areas of the pattern you normally would leave solid and think of as background.

I especially like the colour version below:

I think the best way to wear this would be to extend the top just enough to create a self-bail.

Panda pattern and Vintage Printable

2009-11-20T09:42:00.004-05:00

This piece was based on a vintage poster created just after the depression. The Federal work program provided paying projects for artists, including this poster advertisement for a zoo.

I want to share a neat site that has a lot of vintage images that are copyright free.

Vintage Printable is an entire blog dedicated to images that are in the public domain. I know I spent several hours just cruising through all of the images. I think a lot of these would be fun to play with, not only as inspiration for beads, for use in scrap booking, A.T.C.'s, and other collage work.

easy earrings with a bit of sparkle

2009-11-19T09:58:00.006-05:00

I'm trying to get geared up with some pieces for holiday pressies. -- It's definitely that time of year!

This easy set of earrings uses two pieces of silver wire, a pair of earring wires, two dangle charms (mine have the messages "hope" and "dream"), 12 (size 11) siver seed beeds, 4 (6mm) bi-cut crystals, 2 (6mm) turquoise fossil beads, 4 (4mm) turquoise fossil beads, and 8 (6mm)jump rings.

A couple pairs of needle nose pliers, and a pair of wire snips were used to assemble the pieces.

A long absence and lots of good stuff to follow

2009-11-18T12:53:00.005-05:00

Here's Miss Mess looking mean, but she's a real sweetie.

So what has been going on my life? It seems as though I have been so busy and yet never get anything done.

I'm sure many can identify with that feeling.

I also have to confess that I sometimes feel so guilty about missing a posting, I put it off even more. Which leads to more guilt!

And to be quite honest, I've been in a bit of a beading funk. For a while I felt as if there were no new patterns for me to try, and no new creative vibes were coming my way.

I have several ways I deal with the creative doldrums (I'll share them below.), but sometimes - you just have to trust in time. And ultimately, that's what I needed: time. Lately, I have been feeling "like a busy beady bee" and have some patterns to share.

But what was I doing during all that time, if I wasn't beading???

I find that it helps to do something else creative, to keep my mind working. It also will often inspire me to try something new with my beading. I have been doing some felting, quilting, embroidery, and artist trading cards. I definitely want to do some beaded ATC's. I will be sharing some pics of everything, even though they are not beady.

(For those who don't know what ATC's are, here's a great link that explains the what and how, with examples.)

In the area where I currently live, there is a strong interest in quilting. In part, this is an area where quilting never died out, and I remember as a child accompanying my Granny to church quilting bees. Some of my best memories as a child were playing with her fabric scraps,(she was always generous with them) needle, and thread, and playing house under the quilt frame. Granny's knees were always nearby, as she worked her needle and thread from top to bottom, thimble flashing.

So going back to sewing and quilting is very much a going back to my crafting roots. For me quilting is a comfort thing, imbued with warm fuzzy memories of Granny.

It amuses me to read folk lore books about "the old ways" and see references to things folks around here have always done and still do. Yes, many things have faded, but there are still folks in "them thar hills" doing things the old timey way.

I have also been spending quite a bit of time working in the flower beds, the veggie garden (which I murdered - the drought was just the mercy stroke), and taking care of the chickens. I never knew how much personality chickens have, until we got ours. My daughter, Becca, says they have individual "chickenalities!" I have gotten a good laugh every day from their antics and love to just watch them peck, flap, and run about the front field. (You should see them go after May-flies!)

Last week we had a strange dog come through and attack one of our hens - Miss Mess -who is a sweet White Rock. The girls (my daughters, although the chicken girls hollered too!) hollered immediately (It happened just feet from the house), and the dog dropped her and ran. When I first exited the house, I saw an enormous pile of feathers and feared the worst. But Miss Mess must be a very lucky girl! She was hiding in the flower bed under some stalks, being very still.

Her poor tail looks a bit like a small powder puff with all of her big tail feathers gone, and she has a small lesion on her back that is healing well. Otherwise she is doing well. I have noticed she is the first one to head for the coop when we put them up or if she gets startled, but that is a good thing.

So in honour of Miss Mess, and her good fortune to survive the dog attack, I'm posting these two patterns based on photos I took of her just before the attack happened. As you can see in the bracelet, she still has her nice shape.

Summer Green

2009-09-01T08:59:00.003-04:00

Now that The nights have started to cool down just a touch and Fall is just around the corner, I thought it would be nice to have a bit of Summer Green to help keep warm thoughts through the cold months to come. I love all of the seasons, but I admit I am a bit of a sissy when it comes to being cold.

Bitsy Bee bracelet

2009-08-31T08:26:00.008-04:00

I have always had a thing for cutesy.

I've also always loved bees.

So when you combine cutesy and bees: I'm tickled pink!

This pattern will work up very quickly and is a great beginner project.

An aside:

My husband, Steve, has started bee keeping since March and our busy bees have been working hard to get ready for the winter. We won't be able to harvest any honey until next year, but I have already been making plans for both the honey and bees wax! (I love to do batik!)

My youngest daughter, Virginia, has joined Steve in the hobby as well, and has the cutest little bee keeper suit ever. She is ten, but already helps Steve with checking the hive and working with the bees.

The most amazing thing to me: Bees are sold by the pound! and come in a buzzing box! It was a small box, made of wood and screen. The Queen came in her own little box about the size of a match box. There was a plug made of wax, that would let the worker bees "chew her out!" Since it would take a couple of days for the queen to get free, it would give the hive and queen time to settle down and get used to each other.

more bead quilt patterns

2009-08-19T14:59:00.004-04:00

I just wanted to let everyone know I added a few more patterns to the 2010 bead quilt patterns album.

Bead quilt patterns finally uploaded!

2009-08-08T18:30:00.006-04:00

I have to tell everyone right now, that trying to get an image that looks anything like a turtle is hard! I got more amorphous junk every time I tried to do anything with detail. I finally sighed, and decided to "let go."

So most of the turtle images will be very simple. I usually can work in the small, 1.5 inch format, without too much agony. I have found that using the "colouring book method" works pretty well. But I will have to confess that this time I just couldn't get the image to cooperate.

I have decided to endeavor to persevere; I will not give up! So hopefully I will have more in the next week.

I finally added a bunch of turtle patterns for using in the bead quilt. The link for the entire album is below.

album of bead quilt patterns for 2010

2010 Bead Quilt

2009-07-26T15:56:00.003-04:00

Okay folks! - It's that time again! - Time for the new patterns for the Bead it Forward Bead Quilt project. This is a project to raise monies for breast cancer research.

The theme this year is Turtles!

I promise I will be posting many more in the next few days, but here's my first one.

If you'd like to learn more about this project you need to go to Jeanette Shanigan's site, or the Beady Shanigans yahoo group. (A great bunch of folks!)

Bossy Boy

2009-07-16T11:08:00.005-04:00

Okay - I have to admit I am loving the chickens! -- They have been funny and entertaining WAY more than I ever expected. At one point, when they were still peeps, my youngest looked over and said, "You know mom, they're better than T.V.!" So here is a portrait of Bossy Boy, our rooster. (He was supposed to be a girl! But who can tell when they are that young? I certainly can't!) I also decided to make this in a 2.5 by 3.5, because those are the dimensions of Artist Trading Cards. I decided to try and get myself out of a designing rut to try and make one a day of something. And even though they are mostly fabric, pen and pencil, and other media - I had to do something beady. I hope I can get this worked up soon. On a different note: I have been really slack lately about posting, checking my mail and being on line in general. Mostly, the summer has been so nice and I have been outdoors a lot. While it is bad for my blogging habits, it is good for me to get fresh air. So hang in there -- I haven't given up or gone away. As soon as it starts to get cool again, I will be on the computer way too much and will be back to posting more. I am also going to spend some much needed time at the beach, where my online access is very limited. So lots of beady hugs to everyone - I'm going to go fishing and play in the sand! Final note: I would love to hear from everyone what sort of things you would like to see here - It would be awesome to come back from the beach to find some suggestions waiting in the comments section. I also know I work better when I know there is someone waiting to see the final product. So give me any and all suggestions, requests, or ideas you want to see here.

Ronit's jewelry set, based on "Doodles" pattern

2009-06-14T13:38:00.005-04:00

I few entries ago, I posted a note about taking time out to enjoy doodling and what it can do for your pattern design. I also posted three faces I had doodled and played around with, after being inspired by the online program Scribbler.

Ronit Florence went into a whirlwind of inspiration with the pattern and came up with an awesome set. She sent the pictures posted here.

I love the way the little face beads pick up the same colours in the pattern. I also LOVE the stitch used for the necklace portion - it adds lots of texture, movement, and a sense of fun to balance out the serious expression on the face. And as with all of her work, Ronit is great about taking the basic pattern and turning it into something more. Kudos!

In a Whisper: When I grow up, I want to be a beader like Ronit! (grin!)

Gypsy Jingles

2009-06-14T13:31:00.003-04:00

I love "OOOh Shiny!"

The only thing I love more is when the shiny jingles!

This charm bracelet was quick and easy. A handful of jingles, some jump rings, and a purchased charm bracelet is all you need to recreate this look. Make sure you have a couple of pair of either chain nose pliers or needle nose pliers for opening and closing your jump rings.

In thirty minutes or so, you will be ready to flash and shine!

NOTE:

The key to success with this project is to not rush, and just make sure you take your time. Otherwise you will end up with one jingle hanging all by it's lonesome on the wrong side of the bracelet.

Lemon and Lime time!

2009-06-14T13:20:00.004-04:00

A great necklace for a hot summer day at the beach. Don't forget the to accessorize with ice cold lemonade!

I used one strand of graduated chalk turquoise, and dyed mother of pearl 6mm rounds. A simple toggle clasp finishes this one off. The beads are stung with 12 lb Beadalon, and secured using tube crimp beads

When it comes to the chalk turquoise in green, fuschia, and purple, I have to adnit, at first, I had my doubts. It just looked kind of "off" in the catalogue pics and on-line. BUT! Once I saw it in person, I was hooked.

Yes I know it has been dyed and stabilized, and it really isn't "natural." But how could I resist all that eye popping colour in three of my favorite shades?

With that note, I hope everyone is starting off their summer healthy, happy, and surrounded by family and friends. Wearing this summer bright necklace, you can be queen of the B-B-Q! (Just make sure it is Eastern North Carolina vinegar style Bar-B-Que!!)

stitch markers

2009-05-23T18:09:00.009-04:00

I have to confess I am a fiber nut.

I got into beads the round-about way from bobbin lace. Seriously.

I found that I was much more fascinated by the beaded anchors on the English Bobbins, than I was in making the bobbin lace. Finally I admitted to myself that I was truly hooked and had crossed over to the beady side!

Even though I never really got into bobbin lacing, I still love to crochet, knit, felt, tat, needle lace, embroider, hand sew, machine sew, quilt, hand dye fabrics, yarns and threads ... pretty much you name it, and I probably have tried and love it -- if it involves fibers. (Let's face it: My first born teethed on a Tatsy!)

To that end, I went to a fiber show last weekend, and picked up some glorious stuff. I also had one of the wool suppliers (Puff the Magic Rabbit) suggest that I make some beaded stitch holders.

So, without further ado I want to share some of the ones I made over the week in little minutes here and there.

These are pretty quick and easy to make:

I used fossil beads in 4mm and 6mm, glass pearls 6mm, and black enameled glass beads 4mm for the first set.

I used some of my torch worked beads for the next two sets. I purchased the cat bead at a local store: Stones and Bones.

For the jump rings I used 6mm split rings. The larger stitch markers are 10mm jewelry links with decorative work on the face. (The jewelry links are normally used as elements in necklaces or bracelets, but work great for this.)

I also used a couple of sizes wire - mostly 20, 22. (The exception: size 18 for the projects worked in blue wire. Be sure to check if it will fit through your beads, if you use this grade wire.)

NOTE: The awesome buttons are from Wild Hare Fiber Studio. I love these!!

Be sure to check out some of the scrumptious fibers and yarns supplied at Wild Hare Fiber Studio and Puff the Magic Rabbit: Both ladies have awesome products, fleece, yarn and colours to dye for!!!

simple and sweet for spring.

2009-05-12T19:25:00.003-04:00

This simple little cuff came about as an experiment: I wanted to try an alternative to the purchased cuff blanks normally used to make this type of bracelet.

The purchased blanks are great, but they are one size fits all. They are also a bit wider than I prefer. And even more importantly - now that I live in the wilderness, it's pretty hard to find the cuff blanks, unless I special order them.

I love to poke about in the hardware section, and came across some metal "ribbon" used by plumbers to hang pipes. It is perforated with holes and about one inch in width. It's pretty heavy duty, and has to be cut with extra-heavy tin snips or metal shears.

I cut two pieces the same size. I bent one to fit my wrist, then bent the other one to nestle just inside the original one. I wanted two pieces for extra weight and reinforcement. Then I covered the metal with a piece of heavy pellon. I used a needle and thread to secure the pellon in place.

From that point on, I was making a cuff as usual. I went for something quick and easy and bright. The butterflies are each made from four pressed glass "crystals" and delicas, (size 11). They were stitched on using size D nymo. The printed fabric was a scrap from my daughter's latest skirt, and the inside lined with white handkerchief linen.

If anyone is interested in a more detailed tutorial on how I made the cuff blank, please let me know.

Circles in a Pinstripe World

2009-05-07T12:50:00.006-04:00

While doodling this bracelet, I was thinking about one of my husband's old ties he used to wear while he was a medical student years ago. It was bright yellow, matched nothing he owned, and had diagonal pinstripes in blues marching sedately down it.

I think the tie went the way of the world many, many moves ago, but the thought of that tie and its colours made me want to play with something that evoked a similar feeling of colour, with a bit more dynamic feeling in the design.

It's good to try and change things up when designing. You want to give yourself challenges.

Try to make a design with lines (as above), and yet have a sense of movement to the image. Rather than have the eyes follow the same path over and over again, as it did in the original tie, aim for ways to make the eye move up and down, back and forth.

Try to get the eye to be arrested on one particular element, using bold blocks of colour (see the big yellow triangle?) or by introducing something unique to the design, that is unexpected (little circle dudes!).

Look for ordinary items in your home that have patterns and ask yourself how you might use them in your designs. Look for ways to change the ordinary into something new and different.

Twisted Apples and a Couple of Squares

2009-05-07T12:42:00.004-04:00

Some days I'm just in one of those abstract kind of moods. A couple of days ago - while the rain was finally pouring down I got a chance to sit down by the computer and indulge in some abstract designs for fun.

For some reason, as soon as I took a good look at this design I doodled, the title for this piece (see above) popped into my head. I think it's the apple leaf and all the swirls, juxapositioned with the two squares just hanging out, that appealed to me from an artsy point of view.

sitting on the moon

2009-04-27T21:17:00.006-04:00

A few minutes ago I went out on the porch and the moon was a bright silver crescent. I love living in the back woods; where I can see the sky and stars, crisp and clear lights nestled in the milky way. Being in the city causes so much light pollution, very few stars can shine through.

No matter where you are, though, you can be sitting on the moon with this bracelet.

doodling along

2009-04-27T20:17:00.007-04:00

Sometimes you can have the best fun just doodling around on your bead designing software. I played around with some modish faces and came up with three bracelets. For those of you who like to doodle on line, there's an awesome program you can play with: The Scribbler Thanks and heads up to The Little Bead Shop who mentioned this site in a recent post.

maple wings in silhouette

2009-04-24T09:02:00.002-04:00

Silhouetted maple wings on a bracelet, evokes a Spring evening.

experimenting with alcohol based inks

2009-04-21T10:06:00.004-04:00

I have been wanting to play with the alcohol based inks for some time. These inks are quick drying, and easily adhered to non porous materials, and make a great option for custom coloring metals, glass, and plastics.

For just a few minutes of effort (about 30 minutes all told), I was able to make this bright and summery bracelet, using the colours cranberry, lettuce, and eggplant. The scan above, doesn't give the bright colours justice.

I decided to start with something inexpensive - the reasoning that if I messed it up, I wasn't out too much of an investment. I also love cheap plastic buttons of any kind. I decided to use a package of mixed, white, plastic buttons.

I reused an yogurt lid as my palette, and placed very small puddles of ink, one colour at a time. It's important to use small amounts at a time, because this stuff dries incredibly fast. Small amounts helps prevent wastage.

I then dipped an edge of each button in a colour and strung them on a piece of wire to dry. You can also lay them carefully on a piece of newspaper as well.

One or two wanted to stick together, but were easily pried apart. Since only the edges would show, the stuck together areas didn't bother this project. But if the flat areas were to show, I would have redone them - the colour was patchy where it stuck.

If a nice even colour were needed, I think placing the button on a tooth pick first, then dipping, would be a better approach. Then the tooth pick could be seated in a block of foam while the button dried.

This bracelet was quickly strung using several passes of Fire Line. However, were I to make another one, I would definitely use beading wire and crimps. I also strongly recommend building in a bit of slack in the tension to allow the bracelet some movement and curve. Sometimes you have to make mistakes to learn!

Hope this inspires you to experiment!

More amazing work from Ronit

2009-04-16T12:19:00.006-04:00

I love Ronit's work! I know everyone has heard before, but it always amazes me what she can do with the most basic of patterns. Here is an awesome set Ronit made up (at the speed of light I might add.) from the pattern I recently posted for Autism Awareness Month. Wow.

I decided to share Ronits description of the set in her own words, below. I also included the date, because I was blown away. She was able to create this set in under 9 days!

Don't forget that Ronit has a link to her own patterns:

http://www.readytobead.com/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=93

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2009, 12:01 PM

Hi Ginger, I really loved your design and since, in addition to you, I have one other friend with an autistic child, I decide to bead it up (and, of course, the rest of the set) and wear it to my monthly bead society meeting, which was yesterday. I finished it in the nick of time, with minutes to spare! I was able to tell a few people who complimented me on the set what it stood for, and was also surprised to find out that a few people who approached me immediately knew what this ribbon stood for.

Because I prefer my bracelets slightly narrower, I made it such that some of the edges of the ribbon "spill over the edges" of the bracelet. On the other hand, I wanted the pendant to be wider than the bracelet so I added the little truncated diamonds on the edges, and carried that over to the strap. I really liked the two tone background (I thought of the pink and blue as girls and boys :)) so I carried that over to the pendant but went for a chevron shape because I try to avoid the rectangular shape when I can. I don't often use peyote straps because they can't be make rounded, but this strap is narrow enough to curve nicely around the neck. The earrings and ring are based on Shala Kerrigan's awareness ribbon pattern - I just carried over the "pieces" and two-tone ideas over.

I've attached the photos for you - thanks again for your lovely and inspiring patterns!

Take care and sending you Big Hugs, Ronit

NOTE:

Ronit mention's Shala Kerrigan's earring pattern. Shala is one of my beading hero's. When I first started out beading, I went to the web for more info and patterns, and came across her website.

Since then, she has also become the editor for Beadwork with Bella.com. I love her stuff - It has the right sense of fun and balance I like in patterns. If you haven't checked out her stuff - go now!

Shala Kerrigan at Bella.com:

http://www.bellaonline.org/site.asp?name=Beadwork

I love jonquils in the spring time!

2009-04-08T14:38:00.002-04:00

Jonquils are so yellow and bright! It's a welcome splash of colour after a long, cold, grey winter. I designed the longer first, then realized that for anyone who needed a shorter band, I would have to redo the swirls a bit. The longer band is just over seven inches and the shorter one is just under six and a half. I hope you enjoy, regardless.

This is the shorter version

This is the longer version.

Arrow head pendant

2009-04-06T08:50:00.011-04:00

I have always wanted to find an arrow head. I always tend to keep my eyes trained to the ground whenever I'm walking in the woods, looking for wildflowers, cool rocks, and natural plunder as part of my nature. So, I have to confess to having been a bit envious of those who have found arrowheads right in the same places where I have walked hundreds of times.

Saturday, I was finally rewarded with this beautiful example of a quartz arrowhead, in very pristine shape. It's unusual to find quartz arrow heads, just because they were harder to make. Quartz is very brittle and shatters easily - usually in straight, square pieces, due to it's crystalline nature. However, Native Americans in this part of Virginia did use quartz at times, just because it was so plentiful. and it is very hard (6.5 - 7.5 on the MOH scale).

In truthfulness, I had my eyes trained for ferns. I was looking for ferns from my in laws creek to dig up and transplant to my flower bed back home. As I leaned over to check out some fiddle heads, a flash of a gleaming white triangle caught my eye. I stopped, scooped, and to my wonder, held this beauty pictured.

Anyone who knows me by now, knows I would have to do something "beady" with it. Since I didn't want to do anything to the arrowhead to damage it, I chose wire work. Wire work allowed me to create a simple cage that shows off the simplicity of this pendant. The wire work also allows a way to create a pendant, without gluing or drilling the arrowhead.

The web site below gives some information about the Native Americans of Pittslyvania County VA. I found this arrowhead in Halifax County, not far from the Bannister River and the Pittslyvania County line.

http://www.victorianvilla.com/sims-mitchell/local/native/index.htm

I'd also like to add that Bill Hathaway, who is referenced at this web site was a huge influence on me in the 1990's, when I took a class with him and Dr. Fisher at Averett. The class, "Local Flora" was an advanced identification course on the native and introduced plants in Pittslyvania County and nearby areas. Mr. Hathaway was a self taught man, who had a love of learning and enthusiasm. Pretty much everything I know about wild flowers, I learned from him. I know that my photography, bead work patterns, and art in general has been heavily influenced by his infectious love of learning and nature.

I find myself thinking about about how long ago this arrow was last fired (300 years ago?), what was it fired at (deer?), and what sort of person made it or carried it? Did the hunter fire and miss, losing this arrow in the woods, and go home hungry that night? Things to ponder and wonder about as I wear this small piece of history.