Leaf Hoppers?

This summer a 13-year brood of Cicadas will emerge in the same year as a 17-year brood. For the first time since 1998 13-and 17-year broods will co-emerge in the same year. Perhaps this news has subconsciously influenced my proclivity toward the color green of late. I’m sure there are many people cringing at the thought of all the cicadas that will emerge this summer, but I actually look forward to this event. The songs of cicadas remind me of carefree summers spent on my grandma’s farm and the adventures I had with my cousins. We would pluck snap peas and carrots from the garden, catch fireflies in jars at dusk, swing on the drooping branches of a huge weeping willow in the yard, and we’d go swimming every afternoon. And all of our activities were accompanied by the buzzing of cicadas…that constant rhythmical cadence of summer song! I just had to title this necklace “Leaf Hoppers”! The components of this long necklace are made of shrink plastic, polymer clay, and 1″ felt balls embellished with novelty and seed beads. The long black “cord” is actually a length of knit fabric-covered elastic. It measures 36″ in length.

Green…

Mossy, forest, jungle, so lush and verdant…green is one of my favorite colors and my go-to palette at the moment. This collection of beads composed of shrink plastic, polymer clay, and beaded felt are what I’ve been creating over the past two weeks. I started with a necklace idea in mind, but decided to just listen to the voice of my muse and see where she’d take me…she’s telling me to create more green beads as she finds the color so calm and restful. She’ll let me know when I should start assemblage and I’ll listen to her because she’s always spot on!

Play Time…

I’ve been having such a good time playing with Shrink Plastic and Polymer clay. I’m starting work on another necklace, but in the meantime I’ve put together these Creative Component Collections and listed them in my Etsy shop so you can have creating too!

I Remember April…

In the midst of a snowstorm with a blizzard on the way I am presently living in a world of pristine snow. Our view is composed of white and gray and as beautiful as the outdoor winter wonderland is, I am craving color! Working in shades of green, blue, and lavender I can’t help but think of the rhyme “April showers bring May flowers” and that’s what this necklace is all about. With the exception of one oblong turquoise-colored magnesite and several accent glass beads, this mixed-media piece is entirely composed of handwoven beaded beads, hand-formed and colored shrink plastic, embellished felt, and polymer clay round and tube beads accented with a handmade bronze metal clay clasp. It measures 24″ in length. You’ll find this one-of-a-kind Art Jewelry necklace in my Etsy Shop.

Back in Stock!

I love my little stainless steel spoon and all the possibilities for embellishing it…just unscrew the ball at the top and add beads or weave a tube bead using seed beads! I’ve recently begun working with polymer clay and Shrinkets shrink plastic once again and I just couldn’t resist dolling up another spoon to use for sorting and scooping up errant beads from my bead board. I’d run out of these little spoons but have finally been able to replenish my stock. I have just fourteen on hand now so get one before they sell out again!

Resolutions Anyone?

I seldom make New Year’s resolutions because they are so hard to keep. But for 2024 I resolve to have a lot more fun and play time in my studios! I want to create more mixed-media pieces using metal, polymer clay, and lots of other mediums. Santa brought me wonderful art materials and jewelry-making components, which have jumped-started my creative juices and I can’t wait to get started again! Above are just a few of the goodies I received…paint markers, felt balls to embellish, sequins, Julie Haymaker’s Shrinkets molds and cutouts, beads, thread, and more! It’s been several years since I’ve made Shrinkets components, but they are such fun and I’m more than ready to dive back in! I feel this is going to be a very productive year! Stay tuned and I hope your New Year is filled with creativity as well!

Deck the Halls!

I so love this time of year! With Xmas just five days away I have all my shopping finished and just a few more presents to wrap. Catnip presents for Georgie, Jackson, and Cooper will stay hidden until Xmas Eve. I think watching the kitties go ballistic unwrapping and playing with their new toys is the most fun! Steven and I usually open our presents on Xmas Eve, but last year we just couldn’t wait and opened them Xmas Eve morning…I guess we’re just big kids! I’m sending good wishes to you and yours for warm and wonderful Holidays!

It’s Ready!

My “Puffy Pillowed Beaded Beads” Necklace limited edition beading kit and tutorial are now listed in my Etsy shop. The kit contains 36 grams of Delica Beads in seventeen colors, 4mm vinyl disk beads, and a slew of colorful Premo! tube beads that I’ve made especially for this kit. This is such a happy piece and such fun to create! Only twelve of these kits are available so get one before they are gone!

I’m Gettin’ There!

The tutorial is still in need of editing and proofreading, but it’s looking like I’ll be finished early next week. I should have some kits ready to list by then too! Stay tuned!

I Love This Necklace!

I started this necklace project a while back and would have finished it far sooner had life not gotten in the way, which has wont to do. Part of the reason this project took longer than expected was that I was unsure of what shape of beads to use for joining the beaded bead components since I intended the necklace length to be 48”. I wanted to be able to wear it long (like a flapper!) or doubled for a shorter version. Miyuki #2 6mm tube beads were a consideration as were bugle beads. However, I decided to create my own tube beads using Premo! polymer clay and I love the results! The polymer clay tubes are lightweight and I was able to vary the length of each bead by slicing with a craft knife…some are 1/2”, others are 3/4”, and a few are 1” long. And making the tube beads allowed me to mix various shades of clay that perfectly coordinate with the beaded bead components. I used 4mm vinyl disk beads between each tube bead…I could have made those in polymer clay too, but as I had the vinyl disk beads on hand it made perfect sense to use those. I am now in the process of editing the step-by-step tutorial and photos and hope to have both tutorial and beading kits listed in my Etsy shop very soon. Stay tuned!