Beaded Forest

Beaded cuff

Here's a cuff I made recently, my first time attempting to use an aluminum bracelet blank (I got them from Dick Blick, if you're looking for them).  I had a few stumbles, but I learned a lot!  It's always fun working with seed beads...the variety of colors and sizes gives you so many options.  I'll do another soon, I think, if I can ever stop sewing!  I've got several sewing projects going on simultaneously, and feel the need to get them done before moving on to a different creative outlet. 

Unfortunately, I don't have the space to keep different types of projects going on at the same time.  If I've got my sewing machine and related supplies out on the table, there's no room for beading stuff.  My fantasy was to win DIY's recent contest for $100,000 towards a workroom, but I think they've already selected the winner and I haven't gotten a phone call yet.  Darn.  Maybe they're just waiting for the right moment to surprise me...

RoCA faculty show

Last weekend was the opening gala for Rockland Center for the Art's Faculty Show.  I submitted a couple of charm bracelets:

They take a lot of time to make, but they're fun, too.  The first one has lots of hand charms, which had dual significance for me: I like to create things with my hands, and I also use Sign Language in my work with Deaf people.  The second one was just pure fun.  It has several turtle charms, and a few frogs, and assorted other creatures thrown in, along with some old African glass beads, a strange carved seed pod, bone carvings, and more.  I imagine the wearer constantly discovering new "goodies" throughout the day. 

The pieces are up for sale at the show...I have no idea if they'll sell, but if they don't, I can use them for class samples (and wear them too!).  Of course wearing them to work probably isn't the best idea...I can imagine all those extra hands flying around while I'm trying to sign to my clients!  But as class samples, they'll be great.  Last year my co-teacher Kathy and I ran a charm bracelet workshop, and everyone had so much fun.  And each person came up with their own really unique piece, totally different from everyone else's.  I'd really like to run that class again, maybe in the Spring.  Ah, so many ideas for new classes, so little time!