Art Bead Scene-April Challenge

Today is the deadline for the April Art Bead Scene Challenge. The inspiration for this challenge is:

"The Birth of Venus"

Sandro Botticelli, c. 1482–1486

The wings of the dragonfly mimic the wings of the Angels. Design elements include a Humblebead Focal bead with bronznite and chrysocolla on a copper chain.

Return of the Dragonfly

The original Russian Dragonfly pattern is available at Bead-Patterns.com

Sea Things by Summer Studio

My package arrived this weekend wrapped so beautifully in this lovely tissue and tied with a ribbon. I anticipated the seeing these lovely Sea Things cabochons in person. I knew they would be spectacular. One night I was surfing blog lists. (you can see the blogs I visit on the right side bar) I found Summer Studio. LeAnn was having a Sea Things give away. As soon as I saw these I knew I had to have one. I started to imagine how I would use this Art Bead in a design. You can see more of LeAnn's beautiful pendants and buttons in her etsy store SummerStudioEtc

Bead Therapy

This weekend the AKS Gem Show was in town. Friday I went with my friend Carol. We had a nice time walking slowing through the show and looking at everything. We found ourselves at the "Beading House" asking is this right? 50% off when you buy 10 tubes of beads. They were Toho seed beads. A few are the new permanent galvanized colors. I saw an orange I couldn't resist along with a few of the new marble colors. The pyrite beads that Heather picks up the shows had me looking for a few of my own. I couldn't resist the dye purple coin purles and the stitck pearls. It will be interesting to see what other treasures I will find tomorrow when I go back to the show with Sally. The best part of the show on Friday was seeing, Iris, Evelyn, Diane, Debbie, Leona, Terry and mingling with the bead girls.

Are you sure that is a Pod Pendant?

It looks a little to be on the skinny side of being a pod. Sally came over today and showed me the correct way to wrap the wire. I really have to loosen up and give the next enough room to nestle those beads in the pod. Being my first it isn't really that bad... just thin. It must be the inner me wishing for skinny. The last two weeks have been really bad with my thyroid acting up. My bones ache and I've gain 8 lbs. It is a very uncomfortable feeling. I have seven days to go before my next appointment to see the Endocrinologist. I am going to call it a night. Tomorrow is the AKS Gem Show. I really looking forward to fondling some beads!! Our favorite vendor Graywolf will be there. I love the one cut seed beads they bring.

Creative People Are Adventurous!

Creative people are adventurous! So, if you would like to participate,please leave me a comment and your e-mail. The first five people will receive something from me in the mail. Here are the rules, and happy posting! This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully: 1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. This is an adventure! 2. What I create will be just for you with love and good wishes. It will be made of actual materials,not of cyberspace. 3. It will be done this year (2009). 4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be! 5. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your Blog and create five things for the first 5 people to respond to your post. 6. Send your mailing address after I contact you. IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if you do not post on your own blog to pay this forward. This text was used from fabfibers.blogspot.com Thank you and spread the love!

Pod Pendants

Saturday we learned how wire wrap Pod Pendants. These are the examples for the class created by Carol Nastasi. I got the basic's down but I have not completed the pod pendant yet. I find the wire is too hard on my hands. It could be the weather or it could be part of getting old. I am not sure which but it sure caused my fingers to ache. I am not giving up. I will try again in a few days.

Pick A Thread, Any Thread

Do you have a favorite thread? Nymo thread has been my all time favorite for beading. It was the first thread I ever used and the one I keep coming back too. I've tried Salimide, Fireline, One-G and C-lon. The newest thread on the market is Wildfire by Beadalon. It claims the following:

• Does not fray
• Cannot be pierced by a needle
• Ideal for stringing seed beads
• Near Zero stretch
• 100% Water Proof
• Abrasion Resistant

I used my 40% coupon from Michael's Friday and bought a spool of Wildfire. It was a little pricey at $9.99 for 50 ft. I used it to make a peyote square using delicas. My results were not good. The thread broke. I am guessing the tension plays a part in the durability. The type of needle used for bead weaving also is a factor. Jame John needles are sturdier than Pony needles. My conclusion is not all threads are for all projects. The pieces I have made over the years with Nymo thread are still in tact. Those made with Fireline have not fared as well. I'm keeping my giant spool of Nymo

Strawberry Festival

Saturday we decided we need to get out of the house and have some fun. Art is not big on crowds but decided to humor me with a trip to Ponchatula for the Strawberry Festival. The Strawberry Festival is the 2nd largest free event in Louisiana next to Mardi Gras. We had to park outside of town and take a bus. It was crazy how many people were packed in a small area. Frito Fries. No we didn't try those but I did have coconut shrimp on a stick. We bought strawberry bread. There was a line to see the two headed snake! We checked out the crafts and I was truly taken with the horse made of rubber. Actually it was the man sitting on the rubber horse. He was a happy old guy trying to draw people to his booth. It's been a very long time since I went to an event with carnival atmosphere. We set out to have fun and we did. Thanks for stopping.

Quiet Time

This week has been a time of quiet reflection. Spending a week in San Antonio with my family was great. I got to hear the tales Hannah and Evangeline shared after school. My favorite part was sharing an evening meal together with the family. These are things that feed my soul and fill it with the good things in life. Heather and I found a moment to experiment with Diamond Glaze. We stopped at a Stamp Store. A new discovery for me. Those stores can be dangerous with gadgets, tools, papers and ideas for alter art projects. The clerk at the store showed us how to hammer bottle caps to use as a bezel. We also bought resin to try but after reading the directions we decided to hold off on that experiment. The fumes can cause asthma attacks if not done in a very well ventilated area. I arrived back home April 1st to the phone ringing with news of my dear friend passing away. Dona Anderson lost her struggle with Fibrosing Mediastinitis on March 31st. I will miss her courage, strength and laughter. Dona was my mentor as I started my journey into the bead world. She called me a Bead Artist before I realized I was an Bead Artist. I am blessed to have so many wonderful memories of the time we shared in this life.