Sunday, January 9, 2011

Magatama Beads - Russian Spiral Bracelet



After the first inch or so, I thought I wouldn't like this bracelet. But then it started to look familiar to me. The matte black and the silver - what was it? Then it dawned on me. Motorcycle leathers! This would have looked so great with my riding leathers. We sold our bike two years ago due
to my husbands health issues, but I still have my jacket. So, I thought I'd remind those of you who
sell at shows, be sure to make some things that aren't so girly girl. Think about what might appeal to other people.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Magatama Beads




These are really cool beads. 4 x 7 mm beads by Miyuki
http://www.miyuki-beads.co.jp/english/seed/LongMagatama.html

And I found them in Florida at
http://sparklespot.com/catalog/long-magatamas-c-127_129_146_157.html
She is now a member of the Hive and she also ships.

I've started a russian spiral piece here with size 8 seed as the core bead.

Mona Lisa


This chart is 2.35" x 6.60". Again, work in delica's for the best finish.
Pattern is created on BeadCreatorPro program. Shown here in Peyote
stitch. If you'd like to see it in Brick or Herringbone, let me know.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Wolf - Peyote -


This also can be worked in Peyote. If you work on a loom and would like the chart for the loom, let me know. This piece measures 2.5" wide and just under 7" long. This pattern is created on the BeadCreatorPro Program. It looks best worked in Delica's since they 'tile' so beautifully for a pattern like this.

Sunflower Chart


This is worked in peyote and measures 3" wide by just under 6". If you want to use it as a cuff bracelet and extend it just a bit, start and end with a few more rows of background. Pattern was created on BeadCreatorPro

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Shells - Part 2





And here is the last of the types of seashells we collected this year. We did end up with a nice bag of them.
And what I did with them. Last year, I bought a nice shadow box from Michaels and hubby stained the box. I filled the shadow box with different varieties of shells and it's all ready to hang. I have quite a bit leftover and will probably fill a nice decorative glass jar, bowl or vase with those.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

12 Random Things about Me

Joni Nickrent, here at the Hive, shared 12 random things about herself and asked us to do the same so here are mine.


1. My dad lost his right arm when he was a young man. It never stopped him from doing anything. I always figured if he could try anything, so could I.
2. I loved stenography in high school. The teacher couldn't talk fast enough. I could do
240 words per minute.
3. My mom died when I was 19, I had a brand new baby and a husband in Vietnam, and my older sister has learning disabilities.
4. My first job was at Ft Monmouth NJ -
5. I met my second husband there when he returned from Vietnam. He became a police
officer in north jersey and I took a job as a health claims adjuster for union members.
6. I became a union shop steward when I found out that this same office would not allow the women
working there to join a union. We not only joined a union, but our salaries were almost doubled and we acquired paid sick days.
7. At one time I had over 1,000 african violets growing under lights, and shipped leaf cuttings all over the world. Now, I grow over 1,000 different varieties of Hosta.
8. I run co-ops every year to buy plants and bulbs at wholesale prices.
9. I collect tea pots, Rowe pottery and blue willow china
10. We live in the woods in a small log cabin. My sister has lived with us for over 20 years.
11. I wouldn't be here if my Grandmother hadn't missed the boat - Titanic!
12. At one time, I made all my clothes and even suits for my husband.