Triton's Daughter

I have been in a beading frenzy for the last couple of weeks. I had deadlines to meet and class projects to complete. TRITON The fish-tailed son of Poseidon. He was a god of the sea who could calm the waves with a blow of his conch-shell horn. Triton's Daughter Necklace was designed especially for Bead Cruise 2008. The mermaid beads and shells are by Earthenwoodstudio. The collection of Goddess Beads. These original carvings are a celebration of the feminine, and an inspired love of the Earth. It was pleasure meeting Melaine at Bead & Button this year where I picked up the beads she had ready for me. Class Description: Bead embroider a pendant that features a ceramic mermaid from Earthenwood Studio. Embellish and add coraling fringe to accent the seashell art beads. Technique: Bead Embroidery with surface embellishments and coraling fringe. This a full view of the necklace completed with heart and oval pearls. Tropical Delight Bracelet Class Description: Catch the carefree island spirit with this twisted ndebele bangle. This week I felt like Rodney Dangerfield. "I laugh in the face of danger," As I look at the mess my creating has left in my beadroom! I borrowed this line from Heather. "Deadlines Amuse Me" As I dropped two projects off in the mail to the publisher. I realized....I no longer had an example for the class I am teaching on Sunday. Today I will work on making another!

A New Size in Delicas

One of my favorite places that we shopped at during the show (Bead & Button) was Foxden Designs. It was great to see Terri Ann and "my" oh "my" she had a great selection of Miyuki's newest addition of Size 10 Delica seed beads. I wanted one of every color. Instead I settle for just a few to get me started. I have already placed an order for more. I love them!! They are just the right size for the Bead Cruise 2008 project I am working on. Wirelace from Alacarteclasps. This next product was new to me but I heard it has been around for awhile. There are several articles published in the bead magazines with projects using the wirelace. Alacarteclasps has a gallery of designs on their website Heather Powers at Humblebeads created this design using the wiremesh. The last booth we stopped at was Earthenwood Studios. Melaine makes some awesome ceramic beads and pendants. To see other Ceramic Bead Makers visit the Art Bead Scene blog.

The Bead and Button Show

I haven't been to the Bead & Button show for several years. I remember the first year I went and how inspired I was when I got home. This year was no different. The beadwork on display was humbling. My favorite part of the show is the Bead Dreams Competition. This year I watched the progress of the Lone Beader's 1943 Chevy Fire Truck. What a thrill to see this displayed at the show with a red ribbon. Congratulations Diane! Sherry Serafini "Million Dollar Baby" Be still my heart! This piece took my breath away. Watch for "The Art of Bead Embroidery" Techniques, Designs, & Inspiration by Heidi Kummli and Sherry Serafini to be released September 2007 by Kalmbach. Beki from Out at Whim has some great pictures on her blog. We had one day at the show and my sister had an agenda. She made a list of vendors and items she wanted to find at the show. With limited time this cut down on the time spent looking for things. We went to the booths on the list and found the Treauses we sought. After 5,000 miles on the road in the last two months. I am glad to be back home. Watch for the next post with the names of the vendors we saw and the things I bought.