Facebook and Organizing

I finally decided to step into the 21st century and join Facebook.  I made a business page for SPD and then some type of glitch made it inaccessible unless I was logged in to FB.  I used FB help center last night and it appears to be fixed--Hooray!!!!  Now my "Follow me on Facebook" button actually works!

In other news, I did a complete rearrangement/cleaning of my studio area this weekend.  It was very disorganized due to too many creative impulsing all at once--I guess not a bad thing!  One of my cabinets was blocking a window and I wanted more light in the room.  Everything is still not quite put back together, but I really like the arrangement of my work area.

Since I was doing lots of cleaning this weekend, here is a photo I found of a custom jewelry set I made for a friend for a St. Patrick's Day Ball.  Hopefully a pattern will soon follow!

Bead Class: Gossamer Lacework Necklace

I will soon be offering another beadwork class at June Bugs Checkered Cupboard in Picayune, MS, organized by Gerry of Clay Designs by glee. Please contact June Bugs to reserve your place in the class.

Details:
Gossamer Lacework Necklace Beadweaving Class 

Date: September 25, 2010
Location:
June Bugs Checkered Cupboard
120 W Canal St, #B
39466- 4508 Picayune, MS
(601) 798-2226
Time: 9-2 pm
Cost: $35 plus supplies

Gem & Mineral Show

This weekend I went to the Harrison County Gem & Mineral Society show.  It was a smaller show but well worth the trip.  I picked up some freshwater pearls to use in a Capture Pearl Cuff Bracelet, some red velvet Chinese crystal, and type of greenish jasper.

Captured Pearl Cuff Bracelet

Captured Pearl Cuff Bracelet

Instructions available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Jeweled Orb Pendant Workshop

Last Saturday I got to teach another great beading class with the ladies in Picayue, MS.  We made Jeweled Orb Pendants and even managed to finish them during the class time.  I loved seeing all of the different color combination the ladies chose.  The Orbs were beautiful!

Left to right: Gerry, Barbara, Clara, Sidney, Alice, Evelyn, and June

  

June's Orb

Sidney's Orb

Evelyn's Orb

Barbara's Orb

Clara's Orb

Gerry's Orb

Art Deco Style Bracelet

I've finally finished the bracelet that I mentioned back in February!!!  It has an Art Deco flair but I haven't decided what to call it yet.  I really love how the angularity and curves of the components complement each other.

Hermann, Missouri

My husband and I took a trip to Hermann, MO last weekend to visit family.  The small town is located on the Missouri River and is quite lovely.  We love going up there--gorgeous rolling foot hills of the Ozarks.  Not to mention that his family owns the Stone Hill Winery and we absolutely love their wine!

 Hermann, MO

Stone Hill Winery Shop

Winery Vineyards

Leghorn Rooster and neat chicken at my husband's aunt and uncle's place

Spotted chicken -- can't remember the type

 Old Held homestead where my husband's grandmother grew up.

My husband by the Hermann Riverfront

Serpentine Bracelets From Our Class

I wanted to share two bracelets made by ladies in my Serpentine Bracelet Workshop a couple of weeks ago.  They did a fabulous job!

 Barbara's Bracelet

 Gerry's Bracelet

Bead Class: Jeweled Orb Pendant

The first and second bead classes have been successful so I get to teach another one!  This is again organized by Gerry of Clay Designs by glee and she also has beads and supplies for sale in June Bugs Checkered Cupboard in Picayune, MS.  June Bugs has lots of neat antiques.  I got two really pretty teacups and saucers there during our last workshop.

Details:
Jeweled Orb Pendant Workshop  
Date: August 7, 2010 - Saturday
Location:
June Bugs Checkered Cupboard
120 W Canal St, #B
39466- 4508 Picayune, MS
(601) 798-2226
Time: 9-12 pm (with the possibility of an afternoon workshop if the morning class fills up)
Cost: $30 plus supplies*

Chandelier Earrings

Made these great chandelier earrings at a friend's request.  Hope to have the pattern available soon.

Successful Serpentine Bracelet Workshop!

We had a wonderful workshop this weekend on the Serpentine Bracelet.  I again got to teach another great group of ladies!

 Entire group left to right clockwise: Barbara, Sidney, Clara, Gerry, Diane, June, Evelyn

Evelyn and June making good progress.

Gerry zipping up the bracelet body.

Another colorway: Bronze Raspberry

West Virginia in July 2010

Visited my family in Pendleton Co., WV for a week recently.  It was great--I really miss the mountains!

Teter Gap, Pendleton Co., WV

Queen Ann's Lace

Sugar Maple by our driveway -- my favorite tree!

Our barn that my Dad and brother built from white pine harvested from our property.

Bead Class: Serpentine Bracelet

The first bead class that I taught seemed to go over very well and I've been invited back to teach a couple more!  Yippee!  This is again organized by Gerry of ClayDesignsbyglee and she also has beads and supplies for sale in June Bugs Checkered Cupboard in Picayune, MS.  June Bugs has lots of neat antiques and yummy artisan made dips and sauces.  We got to taste some of June's delicious treats during our last workshop.

Details:
Serpentine Bracelet Workshop Date: July 17, 2010 - Saturday
Location:
June Bugs Checkered Cupboard
120 W Canal St, #B
39466- 4508 Picayune, MS
(601) 798-2226
Time: 10-2pm
Cost: $30 plus supplies*

Serpentine Bracelet in Coral and Golden Seashell:

Barbara's Jeweled Honeycomb Bracelet

This is Barbara's finished bracelet from our Jeweled Honeycomb bracelet workshop.  It looks great! 

I must have done something right as a teacher or most likely I just had really great students!! : )

Pattern - Jeweled Honeycomb Bracelet

This is the pattern I just taught at my workshop and is now available for purchase in my etsy shop.  This is a great bracelet to make because you get to create a bunch of smaller components that are like potato chips--you can't have just one!  This pattern also includes a beadwoven toggle clasp that can be adapted to a variety of different projects.  I've used it in at least 4 different pieces of jewelery.

The patterns includes more than 40 different photograph and illustrations along with a very detailed narrative. I am more than willing to give help to those who need it, if any problems arise when the piece is being made!  Just drop me a line through email.

Successful Workshop!

Yesterday, I got to teach my first beading workshop since 2005 and it went great! The workshop was held at June Bugs Checkered Cupboard in Picayune, MS and was organized by 2 wonderful ladies: Gerry of Clay Designs by Glee and June of June Bugs.  Gerry has her work and beading supplies for sale in June's shop.  I got to meet and teach a great group of women; we worked all day on the Jeweled Honeycomb Bracelet.  A couple of the ladies figured out how to make the bracelet reversible with a different color on each side.  Another of my beaders had an interesting variation on the round part of the toggle clasp that I want to incorporate into a design.

A few of the ladies hard at work. Clockwise from left: Estelle, Barbara, Evelyn, Gerry.  

Missing from the photo: Sidney, Laura, June, Alice

I hope to post photos of some of their finished bracelets for show and tell in the near future! 

Cliantha Necklace

In this necklace I wanted to incorporate beaded beads with a mandala and decided sections of silver chain and wire wrapping would be the perfect way to connect everything.  This was also an exercise with color and bead finishes to unite the piece. The AB finish on the blue drop beads helps to do this.  Margie Deeb's books are excellent references on how to use color in your designs.  She also offer's online classes at CraftEdu.

Salvaging Garish Beads

I have beads in my stash that I've acquired over the years that have garish finishes or colors.  I read an article (can't remember where...) about salvaging some of those gaudy beads.  It suggested using fingernail polish remover to change a color or finish and then giving them a good rinse under running water.  For this to work, the finish/color has to be non-permanent.  You can test the permanence just by dropping a few beads into the remover; the color or finish should begin to come off with in a few minutes.  I decided to try this with some peach bugle beads of which I wasn't too fond.  I soaked them in the remover for a couple of hours and they went from being a pastel peach to a beautiful pearly, satin white.  I'm very happy with the results and will try this on other beads that could use a color/finish boost!

Native Orchids

Some of our native orchids, not to mention pitcher plants, are blooming right now in south Mississippi. I love this time of year!

Rose Pogonia Orchid

Grass Pink Orchid

Purple and Yellow Trumpet Pitcher Plants

Some beaded flowers I did a couple of years ago of Grass Pink, Rose Pogonia, and Upland Spreading Pogonia Orchids.  I really need to write patterns for these! They are made with a combination of French and Victorian beaded flower techniques.

Pattern - Victorian Filigree Bracelet

I've been working on a bunch of patterns for various pieces of jewelery lately and I just finished the pattern for the Victorian Filigree Bracelet.  It is available for purchase in my etsy shop.  I hope to have more patterns finished very soon.

The patterns includes both illustrations and photographs along with a very detailed narrative. I am more than willing to give help to those who need it, if any problems arise when the piece is being made!  Just drop me a line through email.