Lotus Necklace

Tags

Allegory Gallery, Ceramic Art Bead Market, Famous Bead Hoard Liquidation Destash, Jill MacKay, Joan Miller, Sarah Kandell, Slate Studios Supply, Suzanne Branca

I love the work of Sarah Kandell from Slate Studios Supply. I see her work mostly on the Facebook group Ceramic Art Bead Market. I got a wonderful lotus pendant from her. I really like the matte nature of this pendant along with the colors that look like she’s sketched it with artist pastels.

Whenever I get an order from Suzanne Branca’s Famous Bead Hoard Liquidation Destash, she includes little extras. It can be a real thrill because sometimes it is a small amount of something I wanted, but I didn’t want to buy a full lot. That was the case with these amazing cobalt vintage sequins, the perfect color to complement that middle color in the pendant. I got the metal spacers at the front from a Joan Miller destash, the salmon beads are vintage glass from Allegory Gallery, the (Czech?) glass rondelles and fire polished spacers are from a Jill MacKay destash box that she was selling as she packed up her studio preparing to move. The copper toggle clasp is also from Suzanne Branca. I’ve had the chalcedony that I used for a drop in front for a long time. Not sure where I got that.

I’m pleased I was able to include a lot of interest but still have the pendant pop.

Of Birds and V-Necks

Tags

Art Bead Scene Art Journey, Artists for Animals Auction, Madison Cat Project, Slate Studios Supply

I am back to making some simple necklaces with chain. Today I went looking for some items for the current Art Bead Scene Art Journey and got distracted by a wonderful bird connector by Sarah of Slate Studios Supply.

Back in February, I visited my sister and sister-in-love. My sister sent me home with a wonderful supply of v-neck cotton t-shirts (the holy grail for my sensitive skin). This has opened my thinking to what designs will look great framed by this neckline. This is the one I made today.

I just added some relatively delicate textured gunmetal chain, a few silver jump rings and a lobster clasp. In keeping with the simplicity of the necklace, I decided to put the clasp in the front to make it ultra easy to get on and off. It also adds a little shine to this fabulous muted bird. The texture, wingspan and touch of color gives me the feeling of a bird soaring in the sky on an early spring day. Ah, freedom!

Update to my previous few blog posts: I am happy to say I was able to put together a $230 donation for Madison Cat Project from my sales at the Artists for Animals Auction. Thanks to everyone who bid, commented, shared and purchased from me and the other artists. I’m so happy about being able to support this wonderful organization and help the cats. There will be another auction May 27 – June 2, 2019. I’m not sure if I will have things made for that one (you know I will show them here if I do) but I will for sure be visiting to see the wonderful things other artists have made.

Evolution

Tags

BubbyMcGurk Beads, Ragged Robyn, SagaHus Components, Slate Studios Supply, Uglibeads, Vintaj

I tried Vintaj patina the other day, and colored some chain I really like.  

I had an idea for it, but when I tried it, I didn’t think it came together that well despite using wonderful components.

While I love these beads by Ragged Robyn and wire and fabric component by SagaHus Components, the necklace didn’t work the way I thought it would.  So I tried something else.

I liked this version with dagger beads by Slate Studios Supply better, but it still wasn’t quite right.

As I pondered what the issue was, I realized that most of my beads are more rustic and this chain is more refined in style, even with the patina.  So I thought about what I had in my stash that would be a bit smoother for it.  I have pictures of many of my beads, so I looked through those which is a way of going through my stash (at least part of it) without making a big mess.  I envy people with things like printer cabinets where they can open a drawer and see lots of things. I have to paw through baggies and small boxes in bigger boxes I then can’t close properly to stack.

Anywho, I thought a lampwork bead with lovely colors from Uglibeads would be just the thing, but really, it was a bit rustic as well. So I looked at some other lampwork beads and found this set of orphans by Dean Abner of BubbyMcGurk Beads. 

I decided these go best with the chain. Each part lets the other shine, and there is plenty of interest with the different colors, sizes and patterns. They have relatively large holes, so I used some thicker 7-ply waxed linen to attach the beads to the chain. The knots are a bit bigger due to the ply, so I’ll have to decide if that bothers me.  But I’m pleased I found a way to use the lampwork orphans and the chain that I think works and will gives me a necklace a bit different than things I often make.

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