Peace Seeds Beading Journal 1

Ocean Blues Amulet Bag

2007-05-05T18:11:00.004-04:00

"Ocean Blues"

Finished the amulet bag and put it in the shop. I've been visiting the Hudson River a lot lately, so made this one with watery thoughts in mind. I always love doing branch fringe and giving it a spiral rope strap completely changes the quality of the bag and seems so much more substantial. I really like brick stitch, for not only easily incorporating different sized beads but also for it's strength and durability.

After much hemming and hawing about my beading direction which i wrote about here, it's funny how the direction all of the sudden crystalized, the path illuminated and everything started falling into place. I am going to focus on the things that have a real intrinsic personal meaning to me. So in respect to that, I let go and sold my Mirrix loom and some beading videos. I'm clearing out and selling beading books on Ebay and parring down on all the patterns I have. Now I don't feel indebted to beading and using those things that i have outgrown or drifted away from. I know exactly the what I want to do now. It's so freeing to get those things out of the way that were obstructing my creativity and making me feel guilty and unproductive. I am going to be working on the Flower Power series which I've been wanting to do for a long time .... and in between-- beading amulet bags and a few other things for the store.

I took a quick trip to Michaels for some beading supplies for the Flower Power series. #2 in the series is going to be a yellow Power flower. I still have to draw it on the fabric which i will do tonight. i also took the purple background color off the blog. I like the simple clean look of white. Don't know if i'll keep it this way or put the color back on. For now white is what i'm feeling.

Until next time -- Peace!

Happy 88th Birthday, Pete Seeger

2007-05-03T22:39:00.002-04:00

Pete's River

here listening to the Essential Pete Seeger CD. Today is Pete 88th birthday! yay! We love Pete -- his life long contributions -- his music, his politics, his peace-making, his protesting, his inspiration, his environmentalism, his and our river, the beloved Hudson. Hope he is having a great day!

This is a collection of pete buttons I have which is set aside for a special Peace wall hanging.

happy Birthday pete!

IF I HAD A HAMMER (The Hammer Song)
words and music by Lee Hays and Pete Seeger

If I had a hammer
I'd hammer in the morning
I'd hammer in the evening
All over this land
I'd hammer out danger
I'd hammer out a warning
I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land
If I had a bell
I'd ring it in the morning
I'd ring it in the evening
All over this land
I'd ring out danger
I'd ring out a warning
I'd ring out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land
If I had a song
I'd sing it in the morning
I'd sing it in the evening
All over this land
I'd sing out danger
I'd sing out a warning
I'd sing out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land
Well I've got a hammer
And I've got a bell
And I've got a song to sing
All over this land
It's the hammer of justice
It's the bell of freedom
It's the song about love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land

Amulet Bag

2007-04-19T23:28:00.002-04:00

I'm working on this amulet bag. It's multiple blues and clear and is called "Ocean."

For all the many years of beading... I am forever arriving at a point of anguish and indecision about the direction of my beading. I really want to concentrate on a single "niche", i guess you'd say. I really would like to develop the niche to an art form and produce a body of work. Instead I end up beading things that have no intrinsic connection to that goal. For example: I have a 12" mirrix loom with a shedding device that I have never used. I considered selling it and looked at the loom's video to make sure everything was in proper order. While watching the video, i started to change my mind about selling the loom and started thinking in the lines of "hmm.. maybe I should produce beaded tapestries with this loom." That was not really the idea I had planned to go through with my beading.. so once again.. I am angsting.. "should I.. should I not" same old story. I have tons of other looms. way too many actually. I plan to keep one or two smaller ones anyway without the shedding device. The shedder cuts beading time ---the shedder creates a better fabric. That may be the only real differences.

I did make progress in working toward my niche by getting rid of some beading books that were just hanging around. Nice patterns, but I know I will never get around to beading them.. and don't really want to.

yes, there are tons of directions I can take my beading. There are tons of things I could make. but I think I should stay focused and get back on plan and just go forward. Get rid of all the extenuating obsticles, all the things that take me down side roads and just concentrate on the one or two areas.

Sounds like a good plan. :)

Updated Blog

2007-04-10T16:36:00.002-04:00

I'm connecting all my online beading spaces together in a more streamlined way and under the Vision Quest Beadwork theme. I think it will make things easier that way.

On the beading front -- I beaded this small square stitch bracelet for myself in my earth tone colors. Now I just have to bead the matching amulet bag I've been wanting to do for a long long time.

And a few more for the store hopefully.

Doing some spring cleaning also and listing those things on Ebay. Parring down on my beading books and perhaps some beading supplies.

spring time bracelets

2007-04-04T15:20:00.002-04:00

I took a break from the Free form necklace to make some bracelets. A couple for myself and a few for the store. This is my first time consciously doing square stitch. I say that because I've unwittingly done square stitch a few times when making bails and a few other things. It's really very much like ladder stitch. Square stitch however has the same straight side by side beads and rows as loom work does, without the necessity of warping the loom and dealing with the warp threads afterwards. Yes, square stitch takes a little longer than looming because of adding beads one at a time, though I've seen faster ways of doing it by adding multiple beads at a time or adding every other bead and then back-tracking. I am doing it the conventional one bead at a time way right now to get the hang of it. I like the stitch. I've always liked the way it looks, and I like the easiness of following patterns and designing square stitch patterns. I also like the drapey texture. I'll probably be taking some time exploring the depths of this stitch for awhile while doing the free form and finishing the cabochons. The only other stitch i want to learn is herringbone -- but that my friends, is for another day!

Latest freeform progress

2007-03-28T19:17:00.001-04:00

In the process of doing the surface beading on this necklace. This photo is of one of the straps. I am really liking this piece. It's very textural and has a lot of different beads but is still amazingly light weight. I beaded the toggle clasp and still need to do the loop for the other side. But depending on my beading pace, I should be finished with this one soon. And then have an embroidery piece to do for a birthday and then I plan to start another freeform piece.

Freeform

2007-03-25T02:37:00.002-04:00

Still working on my Freeform piece! Embellishing the straps and doing surface beading and having fun.

St. Patrick's Day Freeform update

2007-03-17T15:53:00.002-04:00

My latest progress on the freeform necklace. I'm beading the straps right now. I will fill in some more of the centerpiece afterwards and add some embellishments.

The Bead Artists against Breast Cancer Bead Quilt that I participated in was put together with my three bead square contibutions. The links to the finished quilts are at Jeanette Shanigan's site. My three beaded contributions are on Bead Quilt #6, blocks 11, 12 & 13. (second row, the last two on the right and third row first one on the left)

I am really pleased to have been able to contribute my beading to such a worthy cause. I hope to do lots more of that in the future! Thanks to Jeanette for such a great project and all the talented beaders who always come through for these collective endeavors every time! I'm glad to be part of the world-wide bead community.

http://shanigansbeadshenanigans.com/BCQuilts07.html

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Freeform BIP

2007-03-13T16:21:00.003-04:00

Latest progress on the freeform. I added a few bridges and some drop beads. I've started to bead one side of the strap. This one is breaking all my symmetricities! Another question is: When is enough enough? With freeform you can just bead off into a wild tangent--- there are no rules, limits or boundaries, it's up to the beader to pull in the reigns. A good eye for aesthetics and balance comes in handy.

Freeform in Progress

2007-03-11T13:18:00.001-04:00

I'm working on this freeform piece. It was a beginning idea for a bracelet, but the curves seem to suit themselves better for a necklace. I haven't done freeform in a while, so this is a really fun piece for me to do. I can't wait to see what shape it takes and how it's gonna turn out!

More Bead Shopping

2007-03-08T19:26:00.002-05:00

I usually don't do a lot of bead shopping. I haven't put in a major order in over a year. A major order for me is over a $100.00 but less than $200.00. That is a lot of beads if you do it right. I don't think I ever put in an order of over $165.00 at one time and that was when buying bulk kilos and also buying everything I needed: thread, findings, books and fancier beads. I don't do that kind of bulk buying often. But I also don't do a ton of small bead purchases either. My bead supply lasts a long time. it doesn't bother me to use the same colors and same type of beads. I actually get a lot of mileage out of them by using them in different designs or using them in different stitches.

The purchase above I made from Ebay from Little House of Beads. I am really happy with the quality of beads and also that they are local, so for me it's a very fast delivery!

Tonight I am finishing up beading a purple Goddess amulet bag to put in the Ebay store while watching American Idol.

Happy Beading! :)

2007-02-28T13:17:00.003-05:00

Started beading the edging around this Amethyst cab last night. I should have finished it but got caught up in the Bob Woodruff special on TV: another good reason to end the war Now!! Will finish this cab today then start on the beaded rope chain which it will suspend from.

The colors of these purples don't photograph well. They are transparent dark purple and soft matte lilac with lustre white accents.

I beaded the edging around these charm pendants also. The edging really polishes them off. I'll probably make a few more. My sister wants a moon & star one. I need to decide what kind of bail they should have.

here are before and afters:

Bead Shopping!!

2007-02-27T19:43:00.002-05:00

I haven't done any major bead shopping in a long long time. The premise was to use what I already have and only buy what I *need*. I truly needed 15/0 and would like to atleast have a small stash of 15's on hand since I've been using a lot more of them. I got these great finds on Ebay!! I am thrilled. I also found a supplier from my own home town!!! Happy Days!!!

Fly away...

2007-02-26T00:25:00.003-05:00

I finished my last square for the Breast Cancer Research Bead Quilt while watching the Academy Awards tonight.

These were really fun to make -- a little on the addicting side. I could really make a lot more of these.

Here are all three of them together. I'm glad I am able to be part of this quilt.

beading habits

2007-02-23T14:48:00.002-05:00

just playing around with the 15's. Thought they would bead up cute embroidered necklace charms.
I was thinking about my beading habits, how undisciplined I am in one way... and how overtly disciplined in another respect. I seem to have gotten into a rut of having specific criteria to bead by, or atleast feeling comfortable having those familiar things. I bead in the same dedicated space -- it is a very small space, but it really is the only space I bead in. I generally always bead at night, during a tv show or with some type of music on. I bead almost every night, including weekends. I don't bead from a graphed pattern, unless it's my own.. and still very rarely. I use mostly Japanese seed beads, rarely Delicas, even though I have a small but nice stash, and sometimes Czech seeds. I tend to use the colors of brown and purple a lot. I'm not big on fringe, though I do use it on amulet bags. I am big on amulet bags!! and have made them more than anything else. I use peyote and brick for amulet bags and jewelry and spiral ropes and I do bead embroidery for wall art. I started out doing loom beading and probably have close to 10 looms of various sizes including a Mirrex with shedding device, all that I rarely use now. One stitch I have no desire to learn is RAW, though some of the things I see made of it are very nice. I would like to learn bead crochet, but don't have the time or incentive right now. I own tons of beading books and lots of patterns mainly to garner inspiration. My bead storage is much to be desired-- everything is crammed into a 5 drawer roll cart that is collapsing. The beads are in zip lock baggies that do not hold up for long. I use Nymo D or B for everything I bead. I've been beading on and off for 15 years, but really started intensely beading the last 6 or 7 years. Did a lot of holiday craft shows in the beginning and have taught 3 classes- beginning to advanced techniques and an amulet bag class for a few years in adult education for the school district.
Basically, that's my beading history as of date. I would like to challenge myself more and mix up my routine and break out of the rut.

Love & Peace Quilt

2007-02-19T12:46:00.002-05:00

This is the first piece for a project I started called "Love & Peace" Healing Quilt.

I've got a lot of ideas in my head of the bigger things I want to bead and I feel the tic-toc-tic-toc of pressure to hurry up and get moving on it. So I shall sketch out the second project today and start on that tonight.

Peace everyone! :)

Another Butterfly

2007-02-16T12:22:00.002-05:00

Another square for the Breast Cancer Research Bead Quilt auction. These are fun to make.

I love butterfly symbolism. It evokes images of renewal, rebirth, change, beginnings, becoming, transformations, transitions, freedom... In many cultures the butterfly symbolizes the human soul also. Nice things to meditate on while beading.

I've had a few surreal and mystical encounters with nature and one cool experience with a butterfly in particular. So, like the fluttering butterfly, at certain times in my life I've adopted the butterfly and it's symbolism as inspiration during some hard transitions.

I think my favorite butterflies are the Monarchs, which are getting rather rare in this area of New York state. And I've always liked butterflys in their furry caterpillar form also. I haven't seen one of those in ages. Maybe if I'd play outside more, I'd see them more often.

More on healing symbolism in a later post.

Princess Caleigh

2007-02-14T20:23:00.002-05:00

Princess Caleigh ---Caleigh for short-- is the newest addition to our family! She is a 4-1/2 month old Calico-Tortoise shell kitten, also known as a Tordi.

She's pretty big for her age, with big paws and feet and a tail she carrys arched over her back like a skunk!

She's keeping us very busy with her mischievous and inquisitive ways!! But, we're pretty smitten this valentine's day!

Beading for a Good Cause! Beading for Breast Cancer Research

2007-02-13T19:54:00.002-05:00

I beaded this butterfly panel for the Bead Artist's Against Breast Cancer Bead Quilt Auction. As a recent cancer survivor myself, this event is a great honor for me to be able to participate in and is probably the most important beading I've ever done. I will be beading a couple more butterfly contributions to this great project.

If you would like to participate:

Bead-It-Forward Bead Artist's Against Breast Cancer Bead Quilt Auction. The bead quilts will be auctioned off at the Bead & Button Show, June 8-10. All proceeds will be going for Breast Cancer Research.

http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com/bnbshow/default.aspx?c=ps&id=32

The theme of this Bead Quilt Project is "Metamorphosed Like the Butterfly."

The beaded size is 1.5" square with a 1.4" border

Material is white pellon, Peltex 70 ultra firm stabilizer

The Due Date is April 1, 2007

Contact person: Jeanette Shanigan,

Details of Auction, Rules & Guidelines: http://shanigansbeadshenanigans.com/GroundRulesBreastCancerDonationProject07.pdf

To see quilt squre donations and finished quilts visit:

http://shanigansbeadshenanigans.com/BCQuilt.html

The concept of Bead-it-Forward is to pass along the details of this event and three pellon squares to three beady friends, and they in turn bead-it-forward to three of their beady friends and so on...

Thanks for participating in this invaluable cause!

Another Weekend Ahead

2007-02-09T21:10:00.002-05:00

I didn't get too much beading done this week. I managed to bead a ruffle around the cab and redid the spiral rope necklace to pink and white spiral with a gray core, instead of the pink spiral with a white core. I hope to finish this cab this weekend. I want to put a bead and loop extention on the necklace for an option of 16" to 22" length. I am not too sure which is the best way for it to be done with a spiral rope. I've seen various methods. I want to put a 10 mm round rose quartz on one end and then beaded loop extenders on the other end with RAW. This this will be a first time attempt, but hopefully it will go pretty smooth. (fingers crossed) I am really hestitant about trying things for a first time. I like to fall back on the tried and true method, but I really think an extender on this will give it a lot more wearing potential.

So, that's my beady agenda for this weekend. :)

Weekend Beading

2007-02-02T19:57:00.002-05:00

My beady agenda for the weekend consists of finishing up these few projects, while watching a bunch of dvd classic romance movies ---Love Affair, Algiers, Of Human Bondage, Anna Karenina and a few others i have on a bargain dvd disk. I also have a dvd of Anne Frank i want to watch.. so maybe I'll watch and bead a few more cabs. I have a nice hematine and a snowflake obsidian glued to fabric and ready to go. Hopefully a productive weekend as far as beading. :)

Rose Quartz Cab

2007-01-29T17:20:00.001-05:00

Hopefully tonight & tomorrow I will bead the spiral rope necklace to go with this cabochon, put a backing on it and do the edge beading. This one might a keeper for me. For the Tiger Eye's cab, I am going to have to take apart a few things to get some bronze beads because I won't be doing bead shopping any time soon. Uggh!! I hate to have to do that.. but I really want to get that one done and put up in the store. I also have a big project I want to start working on, and don't want the smaller ones hanging around unfinished. Perhaps I'm not totally finished with the Rose Quartz yet after looking at this picture. I had an idea of hanging a small rose quartz heart bead to this, but I was looking in my Cab stash and I found a smaller square-ish rose quartz cab, that may look really good attached to the bottom of this one.

I was sent an application to do a 2-day antique car and hot rod show craft fair. I have to decide if I want to do it and if I want to start doing craft fairs again. It's been a couple years since I've done craft fairs and I've let my resale certificate expire and would have to reapply for that. I've done this show before, and while it's not the best of shows as far as sales goes, it's always been a fun event. And I get to see those really cool cars for free-- a couple fields full of the most coolest, classiest, restored classic cars in the Northeast all lined up side by side!!!! Quite a few Model T's and A's and a few Edsels too! I think I might like to get back into the craft show arena.

Ranka's Art

2007-01-27T17:54:00.002-05:00

I bought this great piece of original art called "Gossip" from British Colombia artist, Ranka. I came upon it when I was browsing through Folk Art on Ebay and the painting reminded me of my late cat George, who left us on Jan. 4. Also my sister's black cat, Rasta, is in the painting too! I like to think they are indeed hanging out in a place like that gossiping away with the roosters in the grass on a nice sunny day. My cat use to sit like that too every so often!

Ranka's bio: http://www.rankasart.com/id22.htm

Check out Ranka's art at: www.Rankasart.com

Rose Quartz

2007-01-26T18:47:00.002-05:00

Another instant gratification project. These don't take long to start and finish.

And after a few more rows.....

I'll bead a few more rows and then bead a necklace strap for it.

Instant Gratification

2007-01-25T00:20:00.002-05:00

I love the big intricate time consuming beading projects that i get to really sink into.. but I also love the small quick ones-- the ones that can be done in a night. Nothing beats the instant gratification of starting something and finishing it a couple hours later--- nothing that is, except finally completing those intense months long project.

This is the instant gratification I finished last night.

Tonight's Beading

2007-01-24T18:09:00.003-05:00

My evening beading tonight will feature finishing beading around this Cabochon and watching something on t.v. -- Last night I did get to watch the 1931 James Cagney gangster movie "The Public Enemy" -- the one with the notorious grapefruit scene that was Cagney's first starring role. I'm a big big fan of James Cagney and old movies in particular. The movie also starred Jean Harlow and Joan Blondell as flapper era girls. Very entertaining movie.

Amulets

2007-01-23T16:04:00.002-05:00

I sold a few amulet bag necklaces out of the store, so I'm making a few new ones to replace those.

Amulet bags are always my best sellers and I love to make them still. I've never made the same one twice. There is such a variety of beads out there that it's fairly easy to come up with new designs to make the bags look completely different just by changing a few of the basic elements -- either the shape, stitch, color, size, details or design of the bag, or the shape, colors and components of the embellishment beads.

They are always fun to make. And I like the purpose of amulet bags -- to carry something meaningful & special that is tucked closely away that only you know about!

So, I'll be working on a few amulet bags with beaded cabochons this week. And hopefully get them listed in the store.

Beading Block

2007-01-20T14:25:00.002-05:00

I've made some progress on the "Welcome" folk art picture over the last week. I filled in the landscape and sky. I'm having some trouble with the block lettering. It's calling for smaller beads, which I don't have enough of in dark blue.

I yanked out part of the "W" and rebeaded it. And still not liking it much.

before

after

I also beaded the "E" and completey pulled that out beacause there was not enough defintion, making it look like a blue blob basically. So, this piece is going on the back burner again for awhile until I can figure something out-- like ordering some smaller beads!

Pink Swap

2007-01-17T16:34:00.002-05:00

I received my ATC's in the mail today from the Pink Swap I participated in! All the cards came nicely stored in cellophane sleeves for safe keeping. I traded 3 and got back 4!! Whoo! I love them all! Our creative minds were converging and some of us were having the same crafty thoughts -- as I also beaded one with a pink ribbon, one with a butterfly and one with flowers! Great fun. I think I will participate in another one soon!

This mixed media card was made by piglet570, who had the idea for and hosted the Pink Swap. Love the 1950's stamp & pink ribbon! very sweet! Thanks, Piglet!

This mixed media fabric collage was made by T. Miers. Has a postage stamp, crocheted lace and a pink ribbon! very cool! love it! Thanks, T.

This paper collage was made by TamTam. This also has a postage stamp and cool pink swirl paper! Thanks TamTam.

This paper collage was made by Crafter412. Love the pink butterfly,pink paper & the pink crystal! Thanks, Crafter.

splendor in the grass

2007-01-13T01:09:00.002-05:00

Progress made over the last few days: I filled in most of the grass area, added three tulips to the left, & added my initials and date in the right corner. I'll work on the rest of the sky this weekend. I'm very anxious to get it finished now.

Tiger eye

2007-01-10T18:37:00.002-05:00

This tiger's eye cab is most likely going to be soon embellishing a bronze brick amulet bag which I am planning to put up on Ebay. This tiger's eye is a beauty with just the right amounts of gold flecks and brown veining. The bag is nice too, with a generous size, a flap closure trimmed in netted lace, and a spiral rope necklace strap. It's beaded in one, two and three drop brick and peyote! Pictures to follow soon.

UFO's & other close encounters

2007-01-07T19:06:00.002-05:00

My new year celebrating, always low-key, got a little side-railed with my cat suddenly falling

ill. Miss my cat. Guess it takes a while to get out of the habit of looking for him and calling to him before realizing he's not there.

A few goals for '07:

Get into some real intensive beading.

Finishing those UFO's & working on some big personal projects I've wanted to do for ever. I'm a big procrastinator and spend hour and hours reading other blogs and posting on political forums and just basically f-ing off. I bead every day, but I generally don't start until night, around 8 pm. If I started a little earlier -- all the beading I could get done! So, the goal is to start a little earlier, try to finish a bigger project per week, and learn herringbone and dutch spiral. And try to find some project that's doing charity type beading.

the other important goal is to get healthy and stay on top of my health. I need to fit in time to just unwind and stop feeling the need to be a productionista and perfectionist. It's self defeating and unhealthy!

The last thing that comes to mind for the year is to do more reading & studying. I have a big book list and a stack of books here ready for reading.

So, for now I will just work on the current piece I am doing which is being documented over at my other blog, (ha! how's that for some laid back chilling? something I obviously need to work on. )and also in-between work on this UFO for my mother -- a folk art beaded welcome sign.

Anyhow, I am glad to get '06 behind me. It was enlightening, even the worst parts; but I'm looking forward to a new and healthy year.

Happy New Year everyone!

George

2007-01-04T22:57:00.002-05:00

RIP to my bud, who always took an interest in my beading and everything else in life and brought me much happiness. Goodbye, Friend, You will always be remembered. And now some words from your favorite singer/songwriters --- Pete, Woody and the Weavers.
So long, it's been good to know you. So long, it's been good to know you. So long, it's been good to know you There's a mighty big war that's got to be won, And we'll get back together again.
George, 1994-2007

Sweet Dreams are made of this...

2006-12-28T20:27:00.002-05:00

I'm currently working on this "Dream" box. I need to add a few finishing touches --- a kinky fringe coming out between the charm and the amethyst stones. Pathetic, but I'm still doing some christmas gifts I've still gotta give!!

I've been thinking about beading resolutions. I want to clear out some old beading patterns that I know I will never get around to making that's taking up a lot of room. It's a complicated situation, because I'm a minimalist for the most part, but I'm a big time pattern pack-rat, so it's kinda hard to part with them-- but it will make life easier if I do. Now, that that's decided.. it's just a matter of which patterns to get rid of and which to keep. Torture!

While going through the patterns, and looking for one in particular, I found out in a round about way that I've seemingly lost my Auto Bead software! Acckkkk! .. It's bumming me out!!!

So, now occurs a dilemma-- Do I want to spend the $100 to get another one.. when I never really used it in the first place? or do I dispense with the notion of ever making photo realistic beadwork? Hmmmmm.... Something to seriously think about. I thought I knew the direction I was heading with my beadwork, but this has forced me to rethink where I'm going and what I should invest in. All and all it's causing major existential angst. And worse, it all needs to be decided by 12:00 am Jan 1.

More images of Christmas

2006-12-23T22:27:00.003-05:00

Beaded Oraments

2006-12-23T22:12:00.002-05:00

I made these last year, and here they are hanging on this year's tree. These glass ball ornaments made without pattern are done in traditional netting stitch with random increases. This stitch is versatile and the ornaments can be made as simple or as elaborate as you wish!

Christmas Tree 2006

2006-12-23T22:07:00.001-05:00

Finally decorated the tree. Unwrapping boxes of ornaments is as fun as unwrapping presents. Remembering all the special ornaments that have been forgotten in between Christmases, thinking about the people who gave them and the events they represent.

Some special, unique and childhood ornaments from this year's tree: the rocking horse with my favorite kind of Tartan plaid!, the gold praying angel, the first of a series of childhood oraments that I was given by my now passed on great aunt with my name engraved on it, And the Nutcracker solidier ornaments. I love both the Nutcracker symphony, which has been in heavy rotation in my cd player,and the beautiful timeless ballet which I've been lucky to have seen at the Bardavon Opera House. There are a bunch of nutcracker soldiers within this tree!

First Day of Winter

2006-12-21T17:16:00.002-05:00

My cousin gave me a gift of candle tins.

I lit one to celebrate the official opening of

the winter season. It's also winter solstice, the shortest day of the year as the sun is furthest away from the equator -- about 9-1/2 hours from the sun rising and setting, and thus the longest night of the year. Suits me well as a night person. All the recent astronomy events, make me want to get out the telescopes and check out all the astral happenings. Would be a good time to do it with all the house demolitions going on and finally a clear view of the sky out the back yard. Maybe something to consider after we put up the tree and I get some more beading done.

Last night I put a ribbon of beads around the lamp. The transparent red looks great against the black wrought iron and I like the "Brothel" look to it. I oculd probably get into some intricate beading around lampshades. I may bead something red for the wrought iron wall candle now. Although i have predominately blue decor accents, maybe a shot of red here and there will give it the blast of color it needs. Add those to my beading list. I'm ready for some big time beading come the new year!

Christmas Eve 2006

2006-12-21T02:23:00.001-05:00

Just lounged around today, listened to some classical music and handmade the 2006 ornament for the tree. Purple and gold netting. Hope everyone has a Joyous Christmas!

Christmas Decorating Family Heirlooms

2006-12-21T02:14:00.002-05:00

These Noel candle holders are family heirlooms, a little over 45 years old, --- older than me! and with candle sizes that are hard to find these days. The Christmas Tree in the center is a handpainted ceramic my aunt made many years ago

Last Scenes from a village

2006-12-21T02:10:00.001-05:00

More Scenes from a Village

2006-12-21T02:04:00.001-05:00

Scenes from a village

2006-12-21T01:06:00.001-05:00

A Dicken-esque Bargain Village

2006-12-21T00:08:00.002-05:00

This is my "Dicken's" Christmas Village. Since I couldn't afford the real thing, I created my own from dollar store ceramic buildings and built it up from there. Each christmas season I try to add a new piece when I find them on sale --- trees, people, street lamps. I have a few luxury items-- a gazebo, a brick and stone bridge, a horse and carriage, and an entry gate. The village now consists of 13 buildings -- including 2 post offices,(one p.o., the biggest piece is the foundation of the village,) and 2 churches. Also, there is a general store, a bakery, a doctor and lawyers office, a firehouse, a schoolhouse, a hardware shop and a nativity sculpture. The village is pretty much completed now, 16 years later. It can't grow much bigger because it needs to fit atop of the entertainment center!

In the Making

2006-12-20T23:56:00.002-05:00

I finally figured out the features of the new blogger! I spent the night changing colors and adding elements to the sidebar. The colors correspond to my store and gallery now.

Finishing up these UFO's -- netted lace bracelets, nice traditional stitch-- to put in the store.

Still on the agenda.. some tree ornaments, an amulet necklace that needs finishing.. and hopefully those projects for myself that I never got around to starting We'll see.....

I'd like to have some new jewelry for myself to start 2007 with! Have all the supplies, just need the time.

Bead & Fabric Boxes

2006-12-18T17:17:00.002-05:00

Finishing up the bead & fabric Trinket boxes. Made a couple "Beaded Peace" boxes and working on a Purple "Dream" box with a butterfly.

I'm starting to feel really anxious with the amount of things I need to get done in the next few days. I feel really unproductive today. Maybe need to start working off a list I think, now. I'm a very unstructured type of person, at the same time the list-thing seems very attractive to me, yet when I work off a schedule and block off time, I always end up veering off schedule and off the list. I guess I need an unstructured list-- a basic "To-Do" list without scheduling in dates or times. I really would like to be more disciplined in the coming year and stick to some kind of time schedule.

Though I'm feeling terribly disorganized. I'm managing to relax with classical music cd's and green tea. Good stuff!

Flower Power

2006-12-10T02:44:00.002-05:00

As part of my artistic angst.. I'm not always happy with the way my beading turns out. Choices such as colors, stich, design concept, whether I take a chance and go outside my safety zones --all play into it. I can be pretty critical of my beadwork! A few things have surprised me though. "Flower Power, one of my first completed bead embroidery -- a bead picture that I made for my sister a few years ago and use as my logo is one of those things. I am not much of an artist by way of drawing. I really can't draw at all. "Flower Power" is drawn free hand and really fast -- all in one shot.. no editing or erasing. Most all my flowers end up looking like this, ala the hippy 70's flowers I grew up with.

I have "Flower Power" back in my possession for a time for re-photographing. I am really taking a liking to it that I am inspired to make more. Maybe in the Warhol sense -- the same flower in different colors. The leaves on this one are pretty funny though. I will try harder on the leaves next time.

Painted Wood Framed Bead Embroidery: 6-1/2" x 8-1/2".

handbeaded ornaments

2006-12-04T22:24:00.002-05:00

I've been working on holiday gifts and adding some updates to the store, as well as having a mad dash of clearing out the house before the new year. I have a theory--- or superstition rather--- that how you spend your New Year's Eve and the atmosphere surrounding it, will be how the rest of the whole year goes. So, In the spirit of that, I like to get all organized and have my plans and resolutions for the year all set to go.

I've been making ornaments for my "support circle" all the people who cheered me on during my recent illness and recovery.

Things are going good, so this will be a really sweet holiday season!

More heart fabrics

2006-11-25T19:36:00.002-05:00

Here are some more cool heart and heart & star fabrics. Not sure what I'm going to do with them. Maybe use them as fabric for the patchwork heart wall hanging I am going to make.

Thanksgiving & Birthday Celebration

2006-11-25T18:54:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving was very nice and peaceful. Good food and wine. We celebrated my sister's birthday which is the following day. She and I sort of have a tradition in basing gifts around specific themes. This one was based on Peace. We are both into peace, (who isn't? ) so I beaded her a peace sign amulet bag with garnets and also crafted a small peace dove trinket box. She is also big on stars, so I made a Shooting Star key ring.

Now marks the season to clear out supplies and personal items that are ready for a new home. Clearing out to get ready for the new year. And also updating the store with new items for the season. More of the trinket boxes and amulet bags in my Ebay store in the coming week.

Hearts

2006-11-22T02:19:00.002-05:00

I have plenty of heart fabric swatches from the bundles that came the other day. I can see some pin cushions and stuffed heart satchets in the making! I really could use a new pin cushion. I think I like the pink and purple heart and flowers swatch best!

Dad's Birthday.

2006-11-21T04:10:00.002-05:00

I made this key chain for my father's birthday. He's a big Hudson River fanatic and has owned a few small boats in his life time. On one side is a lighthouse on a hill. On the other side is a sail boat on the river. This particular boat is my rendition of the Hudson River Sloop "Clearwater" that sails the Hudson River valley educating the public on riverways and drawing attention to the importance of keeping waterways clean & pollution free. We love our Hudson River, Clearwater and also the Clearwater's founder/builder and local resident --- the great singer/songwriter, peace & environmental activist, Pete Seeger. Yay!!!

http://www.clearwater.org
http://www.peteseeger.net/

Vincent Van Gogh

2006-11-21T04:03:00.002-05:00

I bought several large Van Gogh posters: Starry Night and Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum. The same images as the little decoupage tiles I bought in the city, only on a much larger scale! :)

I would have to say that Vincent Van Gogh is my favorite artist by far. Tailing behind, though not far, is Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, and Gustave Klimt's villages and landscape paintings. But, Van Gogh, I'm completely fascinated with as an artist and person. His painting style --the swirly textured skies and short distinct brush strokes are awesome!! Real artistic genius. I like his social commentaries on class consciousness, see his paintings "The Potato Eaters." I find it ironic and amazing that he couldn't sell any of his paintings during his lifetime and died thinking he was a failure as an artist. He only sold one painting during his life. Now his paintings go for 50+ million and are the highest purchased paintings to date (83 million.) So sad that he never lived to see the appreciation for his work.

If I could and had the space, I would decorate ALL my walls in Van Gogh!

Van Gogh fans can check out the 1957 film "Lust for Life" starring Kirk Douglas. An excellent accurate historical account of his artistic life filmed in Holland.

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/V/vangogh.html

http://www.vangoghgallery.com/

"And my aim in my life is to make pictures and drawings, as many and as well as I can; then, at the end of my life, I hope to pass away, looking back with love and tender regret, and thinking, 'Oh, the pictures I might have made!'" ~ V. Van Gogh

Fabric Fun!

2006-11-18T14:41:00.002-05:00

I've started to envision how I could incorporate more fabrics into my beadwork. I'm starting to create a stash of fabrics. Got some 4 x 4 swatches to use for small pathwork and block purses and bags. Two of the batches are assorted florals. The other two are more retro-ish fabrics. Also picked up some fat quarters at Michael's. They don't have a big selection of fabrics, but they carry the quarters, which I really like. I am making smaller fabric projects-- So, smaller is better in that respect. I love the small floral calico fabrics, which i haven't found too much of. And love the 30's -40's and civil war reproduction materials. Really cool!

Breast Cancer Awareness Art

2006-11-18T13:02:00.002-05:00

I made these for a "Pink" breast cancer awareness art swap. As a recent cancer survivor myself, I know how important it is to get the message out of early detection, awareness and having hope in spite of disease. Because it was an art swap, I should be getting three very cool artworks back soon!!! Exciting!! I'll post them when they arrive.

Besides doing the ATC's for the cause of breast cancer, I discovered as well that I like working in the smaller size medium and really would like to incorporate more fabric and fiber into my beadwork. More importantly I like trading and giving away my work to unknown recipients and fellow artisans . It makes a nice balance between selling and sharing. Making ATC's is something I want to do more of in the future, --hopefully if time will permit.

But above all, Breast Cancer Awareness and activism should be for every month, not just October.

for breast cancer information:
http://www.komen.org/

The urge for other arts & crafts

2006-10-16T19:03:00.002-04:00

I bought this today. It was in my earth tone colors---- so i had to have it. Oh, No matter that I can't knit, crochet or do anything with it really. I plan to someday...

Many times I get the itch to learn other arts and crafts. I think about taking classes in knitting, crocheting, sewing, consider learning altered art and bookbinding, or any other intricate hand craft. I come close, but never actually do. Although, I own both knitting and crochet needles, some yarn and instructional cd's of both, I've never really caught on to it. And I know if I did, I would probably completely abandon the beads and totally absorb myself into the yarn for a time. May be forever. Which would not be good, considering all the time I've invested in beads and beading.

but, again, today, I found myself with a knitters book in hand, with ALL the projects I've ever wanted to make.. the skinny scarves, the cute little cell phone cozies, the knitted square purses! I rationalized that with a $2.00 ball of yarn tons of wonders could be made!!! And the only supplies ever needed are some yarn and needles. How simplified and portable! Not to mention practical! Knitting is a practical hobby. I was Sooooo close to purchasing that book, but Alas! what saved me was... No Money!!!!

Standing there, a little annoyed at myself for wanting a book I could not have, my beads started to beckon me. And a guilty twinge befell me for having flirted with another craft. So then and there I vowed to recommit myself once again to my beadwork--- learning all there is to know.. starting those big projects I was always going to make, but never did, finishing those UFO's and delving into those precious hoarded beads I've never been able to bring myself to use yet. And thus promising never to think of straying again....

though maybe a short little fling with some yarn some day or some fabric from time to time... What my beads don't know will never hurt them! :)

Bead Shopping

2006-10-14T12:02:00.002-04:00

I picked up these beads and supplies yesterday -- aventurine and tiger's eye stones, seedbeads, a pack of silver-plated cross charms and material remnants to hopefully make a small beaded bag.

Bead shopping is a real trial in restraint for me! It goes something like this" grab everything I want and put it in the basket --- always way out of budget of the cash I have with me -- then having to throw back and eliminate down to the objectives of what I need to finish or to make a project. The whole process usually takes a couple hours of deciding and angsting over what to keep, what to throw back.. then of course, when I get home, regretting of having left some beads at the store, and more than likely going back the next day or as soon as possible to bring them home. Poor homeless beads. But the real problem I have is with beading books... They are generally the first thing I grab up and the hardest to put back. Oh, if only things were free or less costly. :)

Basically, I have been trying to use only the myriad of beads I already own. Some beads I've forgotten that I have. Refinding those in itself can feel like a shopping spree!, But, not much is more fun than standing in a store full of beads and picking out stuff for projects. If it is, I don't know about it!!! :):) The whole picking and choosing of each bead is a big part of the creative endeavor.
This shopping trip was to pick beads for myself to make some much needed personal jewelry. Out of all the things I've made in the last 16 years, I have incredibly made nothing for myself. So, what I have planned is a healing amulet bag and a rope of some sort to hang those circular message charms on. My colors are browns and earth tones. I found this nice vibrant green seedbead, a nice healing color, But, I'm not sure what color would compliment staying within the subdued earth tones... So, I'm going through my bead stash to see what clicks. Right now, I am looking at a transparent lilac, not an earth tone, but still a nature tone, if you include grass and flowers! I would really like to find an ideal brown.. but we'll see what I come up with.
Off to make some jewelry for resale, right now. :):)

Freeform Bracelets

2006-10-08T15:39:00.002-04:00

Two freeforms-- "the twins" both beaded in a blue & white color scheme and embellished with hematine accents with Quartz crystal focal beads.

These are fun and expressive to do, though it's hard to want to stop embellishing!

Beaded Peace Amulets

2006-09-30T17:57:00.002-04:00

Peace is always beautiful.
~Walt Whitman

Peace is every step.
~Thich Nhat Hahn

I made these Peace amulet bag necklaces as part of the Beaded Peace series. Each bag is embellished with different beads, charms, and gemstones, some with crystal points some without, making them all unique and individual but having a universal theme --- a beaded peace sign motif--

Peace is something we can use a lot more of in the world Right Now. The Beaded Peace series is my small way of contributing to spreading the message of peace.

If you would like a beaded peace, visit my VisionQuest Beadwork Ebay store for amulets, magnets and more!

To reach peace, teach peace.
~ Pope John Paul II

Van Gogh & Monet tiles

2006-09-29T19:54:00.002-04:00

There is no blue without yellow and without orange.~ Vincent Van Gogh

i grabbed these from a vendor in NYC outside Mt. Sinai Hospital. They are photos decoupaged on tiles--- atleast I think that is the method! We spotted the Monets first.. then I went looking in a stack for Starry Night, my favorite painting. Saw the Cafe... and a little further down... Starry Night -- YES!!!! 2 for $5 -- Not bad and each came with an easel. I Put them up near my work space for a small shot of creative inspiration! A find like this makes the doctors visits a little more tolerable!

"Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination; do not become the slave of your model."
~V. Van Gogh

Spiral rope gemstone necklaces

2006-09-18T22:34:00.002-04:00

Besides amulet bags, I make a lot of spiral rope necklaces . They look spectacular combined Gemstones and matching spiral colors, but look just as great without any and on their own. I like them. They are classic, versatile, can be made in any style and made to have a certain look. Dressed up or Dressed Down, they can be personalized to suit each individual person.

Available in my Etsy store Peace Seeds Beading.

Vintage Beaded Butterfly

2006-09-18T12:01:00.002-04:00

Also picked up this beaded butterfly hanging tea light holder which is now hanging above my work space. Looks vintage 70's. As a beader, I couldn't resist!

Vintage material

2006-09-18T11:47:00.002-04:00

i picked up these thrifted vintage materials to make some bags, purses and wall hangings. They are really lovely and the prices were good! Also got a new sewing machine. Can't wait to start using it and see what cool handmade items i can whip up. Lots of ideas! The multi-prints will give me a lot of different looks from the same piece--- Fabulous!

More bead stash

2006-09-17T20:04:00.002-04:00

These are some more beads I've been hoarding away. Reluctant to use as i can't seem to make that "awesome" project that is worthy of their use. The generous amethyst pebble are my favorites. Quite the nice size and probably hard to find again. The carnelian and moonstone have also been cut from the strand and ready to be made into a spectacular creation.

Trade Beads

2006-09-17T19:44:00.002-04:00

I bought these Trade beads a few years ago. They've been sitting in the bottom of my bead drawer waiting to be used in a special project that both celebrates their history and ethnicity. The blue Padre beads have large holes and are tricky to work with because of that. The two strands of seedbeads will probably be incorporated into amulet bags.

A litte history about Padre beads: Said to have been brought to the North American continent by Spanish missionaries in hopes of trading with and converting the native population to Christianity, hence the name "padre" which means "father" in Spanish.

I like the top beads. They are red, white and blue chevrons, and would look really cool in a rope necklace with their organic shapes.

Beaded Magnets

2006-09-14T11:50:00.002-04:00

I've been making some freeform bead embroidered magnets. This is a variation on the beaded buttons that are out there. I thought magnets are also very utilitarian and everyone magnets on their fridges,

Beaded Peace Signs

2006-09-14T11:42:00.002-04:00

A few bead embroidered peace signs accessories I'm working on for a peace/anti-war collections theme.

new directions

2006-09-04T11:26:00.002-04:00

Currently working on this piece of improvisational bead embroidery. I didn't have anything in mind when I started. Shortly after, the sea started to take form. A clear picture came into view, an often visited place for me on the Hudson River with the Catskill Mountains backdropped. I sketched in some mountains-- debating whether they should have peaks or be more round-topped as they are in real life. I have a gold paua shell cab for a sun disc as well as being the color guide for the background sunset.

Mutli-color spiral rope bracelets

2006-02-19T17:47:00.002-05:00

A selection of some of my spiral rope bracelets. These are fun and pretty quick to make and I've made them in just about every color combination. They are really versatile, and the great thing about the bracelets is that they can be stacked and mixed and matched!

The colors are, from front to back: Light blue spiral with black core, Navy with lustre white core, grey with lustre white core, Black with Lustre white core, Black with red core, Transparent brown with lemon yellow core, Beige with Brown core.

These are available for purchase in bracelet and necklace length and also can be custom made, size and color.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 14

2006-02-19T17:33:00.002-05:00

The first bag is from the Flower Garden series. Beaded in Brick stitch with a Rose motif and accented with red pressed glass flowers in the loopy fringe. The bag is embellished with 4mm garnet druk beads beaded into the front bottom of the bag.

The Purple bag is from the "Monochromatics" series. Made with 2-Drop Peyote stitch and embellished with transparent purple and matte beads.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 13

2006-02-19T17:00:00.002-05:00

The Tiger Eye Cabochon bag is from the "Earth Elements" series. Embellished with stone, rondells, druk and copper beads. It has a two strand neckstrap with various stone beads and chips. The cab is enclosed in a beaded bezel. The Purple Bag is from the "Monochromatics" series. Deep Purple with amethyst & crystal trim and a Swarovski crystal heart charm dangling from the flap.

Gallery of past Amulet Bags 12

2006-02-19T06:40:00.002-05:00

The first bag is another from the "Geo" series, made in Peyote stitch with Delica beads, embellisheed with red g AB leaf drop beads. The second bag is from the"Contrast" series. Trimmed with hot pink gold glinted seedbeads and pink Czech flower beads in the loopy fringe, flap and strap.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 11

2006-02-18T15:39:00.002-05:00

The first bag is from the "Geo" series. Beaded in peyote stitch with delica beads in a simple geometric design. This is a mini-petite bag. The second Bag is "Desert Sand" and is from the "Nature" series. Embellished with lots of beads in the fringe and lots of faceted glass rondells. A nice generous sized bag!

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 10

2006-02-18T15:10:00.003-05:00

The first bag is from the "Flower Garden" series, beaded in brick stitch and embellished with tons of crystal and glass beads in the fringe. The second bag is from the "Contrast" series and done in 2 drop peyote with branchy fringe.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 9

2006-02-18T15:05:00.002-05:00

These are from the"Earth Element" series and are made in Brickstitch, embellished with gemstones and crystal points.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 8

2006-02-18T15:01:00.002-05:00

Both of these bags are from the "Flower Garden" series and made in Peyote stitch. The first bag is very minimalistic. The second bag is an elaboration with freeform surface beading and 2 layers of fringe.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 7

2006-02-18T14:55:00.002-05:00

These two bags are part of the "Flower Garden" series. The first bag is made with 2-drop Peyote stitch and has a quartz crystal point with beaded bezel and glass Czech pressed flower beads. The second bag is made in Basket weave and is my favorite amulet bag to date.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 6

2006-02-18T14:49:00.002-05:00

Both of these bags were made with Peyote stitch. The first bag is part of the "Flower Garden" series and is embellished with 2 floral lampwork beads. The second bag is part of the "Primitives" Collection and is made out of old black and white Trade seed beads and black onyx barrel beads.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 5

2006-02-18T14:24:00.002-05:00

These two bags are done in Peyote stitch. The first one is part of the
"Flower Garden" series and is embellished with glass Czech flower and amethyst stone beads with a nice touch of twisted fringe. The Dragon Fly bag is part of the "Nature" series. The Dragon Fly is bead embroidered onto the surface of the bag giving it a 3-D look and embellished with Swarovski crystals in the fringe and strap.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 4

2006-02-18T14:14:00.002-05:00

These two bags are from the "Nature" series. "Sea & Sand Scape" is done in 2-drop peyote and is embellished with branchy fringe with drop beads throughout. "Rain" is done in Brickstitch, peyote and netting stitch.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 3

2006-02-18T14:09:00.002-05:00

The Black & White bag is from the "Contrast" series. Beaded in 2-drop Peyote and embellished with faceted fire polished beads and twisted fringe. The Quartz Crystal Bag is from the "Earth Elements" series. Beaded in Brickstitch and embellished with drapes of quartz crystal beads and chips, with a netted lace flap closure.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 2

2006-02-18T13:55:00.003-05:00

These two bags are done in Peyote stitch and both are part of the "Flower Garden" series. The "three flower" bag has freeform foliage and garden beading on the suface. The cabochon bag features a light purple amethyst cab in a beaded flower bezel and freeform surface beading.

Gallery of Past Amulet Bags 1

2006-02-18T13:50:00.002-05:00

I LOVE the amulet bag! And I love making them even more! Generally most beaders find their way to them, Make tons and then move on. Not me! I still make them and can think of thousands of designs and ways to interpret them. I think they are the most clever little bag and have so much meaning to the wearer when a personalized charm or token is carried inside.
I am posting a Gallery of some of the past amulet bags I've made. ( All of these have been sold and aren't available. )

These two amulet bags are both from the "Outer Limits" series. Both are beaded in 2-Drop Peyote. The black hematine bag is embellished with Hematine stars in the fringe and the flap. The blue one is embellished with Quartz crystal stars, a pewter Goddess charm, beautiful blue crystal rondells, and a quartz crystal point encased in a beaded bezel.

Bead shopping spree

2005-12-28T22:07:00.002-05:00

Went on a bead shopping spree today and bought some of these glorious Citrine gemstone cubes and rondells which I am planning to add to an amulet bag. These citrine cubes are spectacular and I can't wait to use them.

In researching Citrine, i found that most Citrine comes from Brazil and the Ural mountains. Citrine can be traced to the Hellenistic period, but made it's way as a modern fashion statement in jewelry during the Romantic period, 1837-1860. Citrine is part of the Quartz family of gemstones.

Beautiful, sunny and translucent and one of my favorite stones!

UFO

2005-12-26T21:09:00.002-05:00

Started working again on this UFO. Beaded the gold peyote band around the crystal candle taper and then wasn't sure where to go with it and left it hanging for months. Today I added the Czech glass flower beads that i had left over from a class and beaded the seed bead foliage.

2 christmas ornaments

2005-12-25T22:17:00.001-05:00

Here are the two I've been working on. They bead up quick. I really like the way the red one turned out -- my favorite thus far. I would love to have a tree with just beaded christmas balls. I think that would be really cool. -- Slightly vain and gratuitous! especially if I made them all myself!! But cool nonetheless!

And the X-mas tree!

2005-12-24T20:00:00.002-05:00

Here it is--- the tree!.... and another ornament made last year. A clear glass ball encased in gold netting. This ornament was a little trickier to do in trying to get a perfect fit.

Some more ornaments

2005-12-24T19:54:00.002-05:00

A couple more ornaments made last year. The red dagger ornament was experimental and didn't turn out half bad actually! The white and red is a simple netted drape.

Christmas Eve. 2005

2005-12-24T19:24:00.004-05:00

I am making a few quick ornament covers for the tree. A green and gold netting, and a transparent red & clear. (Photos to follow). These make great gifts and stocking stuffers. Here is a photo of this years tree with a few past years ornaments.

Flower vine bracelet

2005-12-19T23:33:00.002-05:00

I finished this simple flower vine bracelet made in brickstitch. I really like brickstitch for it's durability & strength --absolutely Great for bracelets and anything that is going to have a lot of wear or movement. Brickstitch has a nice firm texture & good tactile feel. I beaded a contrasting black border and finished it off with a beaded toggle & loop clasp.

beaded bookmarks

2005-12-15T19:41:00.002-05:00

I am currently working on beaded birthstone bookmarks commissioned by my sister to give as Christmas gifts for her friends. Each bookmark represents the birthstone color of the friend with a personalized charm tassel on the end, symbolizing something special about that person.

These are done in simple netting stitch. Quick and fun to work up!

Hello!

2005-12-15T01:56:00.004-05:00

I opened this blog to share my work creating bead and fiber art.

I live in the beautiful Hudson River Valley region of New York, surrounded by the Catskill and Shawangunk mountains. It's a nice place to live and visit. Lots of art and creativity and inspiration here! Check out my side bar for hiking trails and art galleries in the Hudson Valley.

I've been doing beadwork since 1991 and am continually honing my skills and expanding my technique. For a time, I taught beading classes in adult education.

My work is currently available online at Peace Seeds Beading Ebay store and at seasonal Art & Craft shows throughout the Hudson Valley.

My Ebay Store is http://stores.ebay.com/Peaceseedsbeading

If you see anything you like here or there, contact me at Katerih@verizon.net

Thanks for visiting!

~Karen