Art Bead Scene~ January Challenge

Black Peacocks with Japanese Persimmons

Jessie Arms Botke, 1940

I've been thinking about the beautiful image for the 

January 2013 Art Bead Scene Challenge

since the beginning of the month and finally decided,

at the very last minute, to take the challenge!

I had a few pieces of skateboard scrap left over from making bangles that had peacock written all over them.

handmade beads from broken skateboard decks

 

I cut teardrop shaped beads, then sanded them to expose the different colored layers and give them a faceted gem-like feel. They were coated with wax and then strung along with copper rounds on a piece of 18g copper wire that was shaped and hammered into a teardrop, it's very peacock!

 

Peacocks and Persimmons

The focal is hung from gunmetal chain that's been embellished with rough cut apatite rondells, a handmade gunmetal steel clasp and copper jump rings.

 close-up of handmade steel clasp

Find Peacocks and Persimmons in my Etsy Shop.
Click here to see the other entries!

Images & Text © re-maker

All rights reserved.



Bead Soup Blog Party 7

It's almost time for the next

Bead Soup Blog Party®!

Join in the fun!

It's a time to be creative!

Here's how it works...

Beaders of all levels from all over the world will sign on to join the party.  Lori Anderson will then pair you up with a partner. You will send your partner ingredients to create a bead soup and they will do the same...

This is the soup mix I received for BSBP No. 6

The Bead Soup Mix you send must include a focal bead, coordinating beads and a special clasp. 

The idea is to use the focal and the clasp, and if you wish, some of the coordinating beads plus beads from your own stash. It's a time to think outside of the box and to work
with materials you wouldn't necessarily choose for yourself!

Once you receive your Bead Soup Mix,

simply take a quick pic and then post it on your blog. 

Then, you make something, take a picture, and post it to your blog on your reveal day. Everyone hops around to as many blogs as possible to see what other people have made.

Finished piece from BSBP No. 6

Hope to see you at the hop!

Click here for details

Images & Text © re-maker

Memories & Thanks Blog Hop

Razorback

Welcome to my little slice of Lori Andersons

Memories & Thanks Blog Hop 

inspired by Lori's friend Marianna.

My piece is inspired by my grandmother, Mary.

My son called her, Great-mother. Don't you love that?

Handmade brass bead, culturde freshwater pearl, 14k gold, steel

When we were young we would always spend time with my mothers family at my aunt's summer cottage on Cape Cod. We were packed as tight as sardines, but always had a great time. My uncle George, a delightful Italian import into our Celtic family, was an amazing cook and would make abundant and delicious meals for us all.

After dinner my grandmother, who always encouraged my craftiness, would walk with me along the beach to collect lots of beautiful shells. I have very fond memories of my grandmother who instilled in me the importance of being a strong and independent woman.

Detail of handmade steel clasp

The razorback bead is handmade from brass and was formed using a hydraulic press. Although the back of the bead has a brushed brass finish, I chose to leave the copper layer deposited after soldering on top. A cultured baroque freshwater pearl is hung from 14kt gold wire. The entire piece hangs from a 24" gunmetal steel chain with a handmade steel and 14kt gold hook clasp.

Click here to find a complete list of participants!



Images & Text © re-maker
All rights reserved.