Flowers Redux

Recently I was invited to play with some product from Auntie’s Beads. Don’t you love it when you get to play in someone else’s playbox?

 

 

My shopping list:

Spacers, 5mm Flat Bali, 4 Gram Bag

Artistic Wire Spool, 20 Gauge, Natural Colored Copper Wire

Chinese Crystal Barrel Bead Strand, 10x13mm, Dark Vintage Rose.

Designer Lampwork Rondelle Strand, Multi Stripe, 9 x 15mm

15-Sterling "S" Shaped Tubing

The results?

 

In this arrangement I used the Designer Lampwork Rondelle strand and the Artistic Wire. The rondelles come in a strand of 10, the colors lovely. The Artistic Wire is in packaging that is new for me. Comes in a wonderful and easy to use dispenser. The rest? Polymer clay and Estée Lauder blush!

I’ve had this idea to use “S” shaped sterling tube beads, here all the parts work nicely. The 20 gauge wire is the exact size for these “S” tubes, and the 5mm bali spacer keeps it all in place. The Chinese Crystal are excellent quality. Great refraction, crystal clear and sharp lines.

Auntie’s Beads is a pleasure to shop. And I thank them for the opportunity to see these items…up close and in my hands!!

Valerie

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Blogger fans!!!

Just now digging around in my Blogger account I found a gem. Static, linked pages can now be added. How fantastic is that?!?
I have been toying with changing over to Wordpress simply for the feature of additional pages. Tutorials have been waiting in the wings. Now I have no excuse.
Congrats Blogger…playing with the bigboys….

Valerie (who must update both website and blog sooner rather than later. Any volunteers?)

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fiber journey

 

                                   click thru for a brief slide show

In my determined quest to learn all there is re knitting, I found these small projects quite fun. Following a pattern is a bit of a chore. I have gathered yarns with no thought to what their final use is to be…in other words, I have a ‘stash’! Now, most (no, ALL) patterns state not only the fiber/yarn/specific brand to use, gauge and needle size are also written into a pattern. OH Dear. So rigid and confining.

I have found what I most enjoy are the ‘top-down’ patterns. Needles are selected based on the the desired resulting fabric with the yarn used. Then knitting is easy. With the opportunity to try on as the piece progresses. Quite enjoyable.

This shawl is mohair and just plain wonderful. Delightful for this transitional weather. So soft.  

Valerie

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all a’ bloom

Flowers. I’ve been on a flower spree. The flower canes I’ve seen over the years are stunning. As much as I admire the process (I have made a few), others have perfected the art. I shy away from areas others do so very well.

These are made using polymer clay for the sepals and stems. The blooms? Tshirts!

The pebbles are also polymer clay. The stone effect comes from reducing canes to a tiny repeat.

 

Jacks-in-the-pulpit also hit my fancy. These are all clay!

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The copper leafs are from Artbeads. They are Copper Ivy Leafy Prickly Pendants and are just lovely. I put groups of 3 on a length of 20g copper wire with a few twists for tendril effects.
I received the copper leafs as a promotional item from Artbeads and am quite pleased with the quality. I have a few additional leafs. Leave a comment and I’ll choose a reader to receive a small gift!!!

Valerie (who was not paid to review the products mentioned)

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pebbles

Ahh, it is spring. It is also Pesach (Passover). I have been cleaning and polishing. My studio got an overhaul and I found some canes of indeterminate age (10+ yrs). Between coats of polyurethane finish to the bath and kitchen floors I made pebbles.

Why rocks? They are mindless. Fun. And a versatile design element. Over the years I have seen many techniques for pebbles/stones. I decided to simply reduce old canes and the bars of mixed waste clay I have. And you see the results.

Don’t think I did not have myself in mind for the holiday season! Thinking spring I decided on a cotton lace beret and sweater. It is 50 and heavy rain!!!  The beret is finished and I am very happy with it. Won’t be wearing it and am not finishing the sweater just yet. I’m working on a very white, very warm mohair shawl!

Wishing all an enjoyable holiday.

Valerie

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Headers at Google

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Someone at Google enjoys Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Have you noticed the occasional ‘art’ at Google? Pleasant little surprises are tucked about the web (Google is not the only practitioner). Twitter is doing some fun stuff (no, I don’t “twit”). Kitsch in my day was a pink telephone, or pompoms off a lamp. Today it seems to be the fluff found around the web. Good for a smile, sometimes a chuckle.

Valerie

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I’m Back

The recent silence in this corner of the blogosphere (yep, I looked it up. That’s a legitimate word.) is officially over.

At the end of some twists and turns I do believe I have emerged in fantastic liberation! I am having quite a time in understanding and relishing the relief and new-found freedom.

What, you ask, is she babbling about? Special needs children are time consuming, emotionally draining  and wreck havoc. Mine is no longer my anchor.

 

I am free to create. I am back in my studio!
With my new found knitting skills my goal is to blend my knitting with beadwork and polymerclay work…I have some ideas.

I leave you with a question…has anyone sighted a crocus?

 

Valerie

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