Rivoli Glam Madness

I can't stop playing with sparkly Swarovski Rivolis

Autumn Rivoli Pendant

Glam Slam Ring

I am having a great time with the sparkle, shine, and color in these pieces. I was not a sparkle-facet kinda lady, but I am hooked. I have been wearing the ring since it was nearly finished. I thought it would be for sale, but I was wrong. I MUST keep it.

FUN!!!

Gotta run, I have a few more projects with which I must tinker.

Changes, Opportunities, Beginnings

This past week has been a challenge for each role I perform daily; I grew as a mother, wife, and artist. I am glad to take a moment to reflect on that, and acknowledge the stress life can sometimes bring. This week brought a new school schedule for my oldest daughter, a change in work schedule for my husband, and I found out I have three classes booked for the month, which is a VERY good thing, particularly in the artist budget arena.

My family needs me so much, but they inspire me every minute. For example, the Mermaid necklace is inspired by my little water babies, who swam this whole long weekend! We had a blast swimming in the beautiful Gulf, at the Treasure Island Public Beach. We saw so many fish! I'll have to do a necklace with all of those magic fish as inspiration.




This necklace was made with Glass seed beads and little bits of Labradorite and moonstone. The center piece is a magical mermaid from Green Girl Studios, a favorite of mine for many years. The back has an inscription that reads "even lovers drown".




I've also included pictures of a necklace I call "Montana Blue Bird", with a more modern birdie motif and lots of freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, and Iolite beads woven throughout the seed bead base.





I wanted to include both of these necklaces in one post because they were made with the same basic technique, which is a (very) modified Zulu stitch. Zulu is fun and easy. It is also great for those times when you need to just go with the flow and design as you go along, making the beadwork more or less full, as desired.

Lattice Variations

This bracelet has the most amazing feel and drape, literally a beaded fabric.



The stitch is called Lattice Weave, I think. I know it is a variation of right angle weave, and it is done with one needle, making it simple to do, but the progress is slow. It feels heavenly... ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.




I stitched 10/o triangles (toho's I think) with 15/0 seeds that seemed smaller then a 15/o, tiny tiny bead holes... shudder. I used a size 12 needle and black c-lon thread, which always works up better then most of the other colors, though I do not know why that is true.




I added a pewter button closure, which is my current favorite way to end bracelets if I don't have any art glass beads that match. Must get more from Zen Art.




I went back to my old routine and used the scanner for the pics, and experimented with positioning and backgrounds. The backgrounds are scrapbooking papers that I had laying around. I am happy that the different background colors show how versatile the bead colors are, I would wear this bracelet with, hmmmmm... EVERYTHING!




This aqua version is my surprise favorite... I thought it would be too much. Nope, just right :)

Hard at work on Photography

I have been trying to photograph some pieces to start selling online, trying trying trying. But... life keeps making other priorities for me. Had to run to the property assessors office to file for tax stuff, picked up forms from the pediatrician so the big girl can go to school, had a power outage, and the two year old wouldn't sleep last night until 2 a.m. Whew, how do I find time for my jewelry? Here are some of my efforts. I am not sure I like the results, but I am learning!



I really like the earthy jasper with the pine cone from my front yard. I am having a hard time with lighting... not sure where to put the lights!
















The pine cone wearing a bracelet and then some pearl and sterling earrings.





I think this calcite pendant has an old fashioned feel to it, but I'm not sure how to make the picture feel more old fashioned. Maybe I should shoot it with a piece of my grandmother's crocheted lace.

I'll keep trying, and post my next batch of results. I'm beginning to think I need a new camera, and new camera skills. I have a digital photography book around here somewhere.