Monday, September 22, 2014

Leaf Litter

Oh well, it seems that fall is truly here, sigh.
I'm trying to make the best of the chilly weather with an new autumn inspired bracelet.
 
It's got it all, my glass beads, amber, jade, antler, rock crystal, citrine, pearls, real  seeds, tiny antique bells, bronze and a big sterling silver clasp.

It's available at Shop One 2 at RIT's Global Village.

I was inspired by all the little bits of stuff that is falling off of trees & weeds and capturing the colors that are this season's palette.



It's time for a hot cuppa tea.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Tweet Treats
































O yeah, I am still making wee glass birds.
I can't help myself.































They've evolved a bit. They now have fatter, happier bellies and hand hammered bails.































With all the Val Cox frit I now have their speckles are more colorful and fun.
































A wonderful bird mural behind the Rochester public market.
Silly bird girl.


Friday, September 19, 2014

Acorns

































It's that time of year again, summer just got kicked in the nuts by the first cold nights.
Fall is here.































There are acorns all over the sidewalk a few houses away on my street.
Which means it's time to make glass ones again.

The caps are made from old brass, copper and pewter buttons that I hammered into domes.


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Shop One 2

Big news here in Beadsville.






My glass jewelry work is now at the 'Shop One 2' fine craft gallery at RIT.

"Shop One² is a fine art and craft gallery representing RIT affiliated artists including alumni, faculty and students. Located on the RIT campus in the spectacular Global Village, Shop One² is a unique destination to find original art including paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, blown glass, textiles, jewelry, furniture, sculpture, music, and literary publications."


I am so happy about this. 
Please visit the gallery, it is absolutely beautiful and the work is amazing.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Bead Bangles

I had a request for simple leather bracelets.
Ones that could have a sweet cheap-o price.

I dithered and lolled about - not sure what I wanted them to be - floundering.

And then, w h a m.
The ideas started flowing.
A nice hammered clasp, a driblet of two part epoxy and a pretty bead...

A little bird told me there are charm bangles out there in the big world that are all the current rage.
The say nice things and have a warm fuzzy vibe.
So I made one with a charming dangle.

Not everyone wants a 'positive affirmation' charm.
Some ladies need a lone wolf charm, right?

Monday, September 15, 2014

The First Day of Earring Season

Just how many pairs of earrings will I make from now until the holidays?

I don't know but it will be stupid.


Thursday, September 11, 2014

Poppycock

A new style of glass poppy bead.

A big pendant with a hammered bronze bail.
It's about 1 3/4" long.


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Flower Buds & Seed Pods
































Messing around, experimenting... first attempts.
New seed pod and flower bud pendants.

Made on the end of mandrels with sterling silver and bronze hand-hammered bails epoxied in.

The longest one is about 2 1/2" long.

































This long flower bud with the twisted tip of iridescent pink glass is the winner.

































I love the little India copper bells that I added to the bronze bail.

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

Ancient Love Beads

A new necklace.


































Big glass beads and lots of sterling silver.


Monday, September 08, 2014

Seedy Sweet

A very simple necklace.
Round beads linked together with 18 gauge sterling silver wire 'rosary chain' style.

The glass is 'opalino yellow' with some random bit's of Double Helix frit.
There is more about these beads here.


Even the clasp is simple wire work.
Most times, simple is indeed better.

































The toasty yellow color is perfect for fall.
I can't believe it's almost fall, sigh.

Saturday, September 06, 2014

Button It Up


































Art Quilter extraordinaire Jeanne Simpson stopped by my studio for a visit.

She shared with me this pic of a bag that she made that has one of my glass heart buttons on it.

p.s. she made the fabrics too, check out her website - she's amazing.

Thursday, September 04, 2014

"Unicorn Lover"































"Unicorn Lover" a new love charm necklace.
































The focal bead is one of my big art glass hearts.
It's 'carrot' red with bumpy white glass polka dots.

A curly, old heart charm from a garage sale and a prancing unicorn.
The fake pearl chain was scavenged from a vintage necklace.

A little more love added in - a nice 'raked' heart bead as part of the clasp.

"Lucky in Love"
































"Lucky in Love" a Love Charm necklace.
































The focal bead is one of my big art glass hearts.
It's grass green and transparent teal glass that's been smothered in fine silver foil.

































A tiny, old heart charm and a four leaf clover stamping from a garage sale.
































The chain is also scavenged and I added the three little bells charms.
I love this vintage chain and wish I had miles of it.