Back to my Jewelry Passion

For me this year has been all about trying to combine 

my love of fiber, polymer clay and jewelry into art to wear. 

I am so excited 

because I entered 3 pieces into the Cloth Paper Scissors Artisan 2012 competition 

in the mixed media jewelry category 

and then forgot all about it. 

Well, Wednesday morning when I checked my email 

I had a message from the editor Jenn, 
that I have been chosen as one of the 25 finalists!!! 

This means I have to ship my pieces off to them 

and they will have them until Nov of 2012.  

Fortunately one of them did not sell on Ebay last week.  

So here are the pieces I entered:

My Peacock Feather inspired necklace

My "Ophelia" Cuff

My Woodland Fairy Bib Necklace

  

Please give them a kiss goodbye and wish me luck. 

There are only 5 challengers in each of the five categories 

so I figure I have a 20% chance of winning!  

Pretty good odds. 

And my humblest thanks to Cloth Paper Scissors 

for hosting this contest 

and choosing my art jewelry.

And to Heather Powers at Humble Beads 

and the Art Bead Scene Blog 

for providing the inspirational challenges that led to me making these pieces. 

This made my week! 

I have been battling a bad bout of diverticulitus.

There is a limited time in which broth and coconut water taste delicious

and I think it is half past that time. 
We are having a thunderstorm so I am going to go watch the show!! 
Have a great weekend everyone! 

My Fiber Art Accesories, gearing up for fall and winter

Did I mention my addiction to fiber?

As I secretly work on my Bead Soup I also have been very busy with fiber 

so today it's all about Fiber!!

I am creating more patterns and classes for my crochet students at Gail Knits here in town.

In the last week I completed a crocheted pillow,

Made with Cascade "Duo" which is an undyed yarn 70% Baby Alpaca and 30% Merino Wool
It is so soft you just can't resist putting your face down on it for a little nap. 
The pillow overlaps and is closed with my handmade polymer clay buttons. 

Another Hairpin Lace Scarf, 

Hairpin Lace Scarf made with Trendsetter "Segue"
a hand dyed polyamide ribbon yarn. 

A Felted Purse

Felted Purse made with Cascade "Pastaza"- 50% Llama and 50% wool
and a novelty yarn by Trendsetter called "Joy"
All it needs now is a wonderful polymer clay button closure and 
a lining with lots of pockets. 

Here is the bottom where you start with an oval shape and increase to the width you want the purse to be.
The purse is crocheted with a size N crochet hook, 
when felted it shrinks about 30% and all
the lacy holes mesh to form a boucle-like texture.
Last of all I made a recycled leather cuff from an old purse, 

My thank you gift to my daughter Jessie for her help at my last craft show.

She wears her white cowboy boots to Stoney's
(She is an avid Country Western fan; line and swing dancer)
This cuff matches her boots perfectly!!

Yesterday Jessie had a day off and  graciously modeled some of my accesories

for a photo shoot in our front yard. 
I think she even had fun doing it! 

These pictures are now on my first IDVD Slideshow -

"Aquariart Portfolio" 

completed late last night (yawn).  

Thanks are due to my wonderful friend Barbara too

for her help teaching me the IDVD program.  

 Here are a few of the pictures we took:

It makes such a difference to see your items on an actual person. 

 I am so fortunate to have two gorgeous daughters,

one of which is right here and available to photograph.  

For all my jewelry fans we took a couple of jewelry shots:
then we were both tired so more another day. 

My Kokopeli Set made with an enamel focal (the kokopeli figure) 

from EB Bead and Metal Works.

Yes that is a tiny handmade native american flute hanging from the pendant.
I made all the beads out of polymer clay. 

and My "Fairy Garden" Bib Necklace

This one has lots of my hand made flowers, lucite flower beads, seed beads and organza leaves.
Th-th-th-that's all folks,
now you know what I mean when I say:
"I have been busy this week!" 
Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend Everyone!! 

Another Bead Soup Party Coming Up!!

I just have to say that Lori Anderson at  Pretty Things 

has had a huge positive influence in my growth 

as a blogger and jewelry designer.

I am so grateful for all the opportunities she has provided. 

These are pictures from my last two Bead Soup Parties. 

My soup ingredients, my partners's ( Emanda Johnson  and Angela Rae) soup ingredients
 and all of our our resulting creations. 

Lori's picks 2010 

and my "A Leap of Faith Necklace"  published in Bead Work Magazine!! 

 So here is your chance to take a leap of faith and participate too!! 

For more info go to http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/ and check out the fun!! 

TA DAH!!

I am so excited to show you my finished "Green Challenge" pieces 

for my local circle- Art Quilts Ect monthly challenge.  

I had my ingredients laid out for Bead Table Wednesday and here are my finished pieces. 

Right now I am in love with this set.  

Not only are the bib necklace and cuff comfortable to wear; light weight and lined with flannel.  

They drape perfectly for a stunning look. 

Here are closer looks at the necklace, 

and the cuff.

You can find out more about my process on Flickr .

I am extremely happy with the color combinations and design.  

This has inspired me to do a collection based on inspiration from nature, 

thanks to Heather Powers at Humble Beads and my art quilt group.  

I have been striving all year long for ways to incorporate my love of fiber with my love of jewelry 

and I think this will be my most unique series.  

I plan on doing seasonal pieces that will all include fiber, my handmade polymer clay components 

and beads ect. from my jewelry stash. 

I am madly working on my "feather" challenge piece too 

and hope to post it tomorrow just in time for the deadline. 

I made two sets of peacock feather beads, here they are:

My first attempt are a little subtle.

I am happiest with this second attempt because the color is more intense. 

This is the back side of the beads,  textured and painted too.
Come back tomorrow to see my Inspired by Nature: Feathers entry.
Swing by Heather Powers Blog to join in the fun.
Have a great day- I am headed for the pool!! 

  

Hey I am still here during the week... just busy

I stopped in to say: "Psst-

I am listing my New Spring Cuffs starting today on Etsy !!"

(click the giant sentence to go directly there)

I may put a couple in the Aquariart shop too as they qualify as Fiber Art. 

I hope to gather my audience around this concept of creating fiber art to wear. 

I know it is not just my idea.

It really is very comfortable to wear perhaps due to the fact that most of us 

(nudists and neanderthals excluded)- * read the fine print

 (no harm intended just a joke)

have already worn fabric most of our lives

beginning with the dreaded diaper. 

(Hopefully I won't have to revert to that style in old age!!) LOL

Also

I just happened upon a wonderful giveaway this morning over at

Marcie's - La Bella Joya
 She is celebrating her 300th sale on Etsy!!

 Wow! 

You can see why when you look at her shop 

She not only makes meticulously amazing beaded items 
but sells tutorials for her beautiful designs 

she has lovely fingernails-
I am guessing she doesn't work in clay! LOL
AND

she is having a sale too!! 
(click here to get a coupon)

Click HERE to find out how to enter the giveaway. 
DISCLAIMER: This post is purposely remedial for beginner clickers.  
Anything large and colorful will take you somewhere. 
Hopefully to the places I am talking about. 
I reserve the right to make mistakes though as I am menopausal... LOL
Have a great week- Back to work - it's a polymer clay play day!! 

Spring Fever Cuff Series

The scent of plum trees blooming,
pink petal rain on the bright green grass,
birds singing joyfully as the temperature rises,
warm sunshine on my face.
Spring is here!! 

Yesterday I spent quality time with My Muse. 

She takes me to really special places. 

 I have been sewing, inspired by our local quilt show.

 I am still determined to combine all my passions and make wearable art.  

So here goes.  

My new quilted cuff series in progress. 

There are four more!! 

I started with my husband's old jeans - I save them all in a plastic tub.  

I clipped, tore and frayed one leg into 3" X 8" pieces. 

Thinking I would make a comfortable quilted lining,

I practiced my free-motion skills on batiks and fun colorful fabrics lined with cotton batting.

 I liked the quilted fabric so much the lining became the new front side. 

Quilted Fabric "New" front side painted

After quilting and sewing these together they went downstairs 

to my dining room table for some paint applications.  

Using a brush, a brayer and my favorite Lumiere paints this is what happened.   

Denim back painted with brayer highlights the quilting stitches-
maybe they should be reversable?

Somewhere last week I stumbled upon a tutorial on making fabric flower petals.
I couldn't wait any longer to try that out.  

When suffering from Spring Spring fever 
(not really suffering just enjoying great weather- it was 80 degrees here yesterday!!)
One has oodles of colorful flowers on the brain. 

My husband actually remained calm last night 
while I played with the fire in the house using a tea candle.  
After melting, puckering and hand stitching with a sprinkle of beads 

this is what you get. 

Cheap Walmart red dazzly faux silk

Specialty Organza

I love them!! Aren't they gorgeous? 
Fortunately over the years I have collected tons 
of faux silk and organza fabrics I can make these with.  
I am so glad I did! 

The next step after they are all beaded and flowered up
is to make polymer clay buttons 
and braided elastic cord loops for closures.

The cuffs are almost ready for their journey.

They will first travel to 

The Aveda Institute Art Walk and Fashion Show 
on Sunday, March 27th from 3-5pm (for locals) where I will have a booth.

Then on to my Etsy shop in April if there are any left. 

Don't worry- I don't think I will get tired of making these for a long time.

Each one comes out so totally unique. 


While I have your attention I am also working on two challenges 
from my ArtQuilt Circle using the same technique.
Free motion quilting that is painted.

"Free motion Wood grain"

Here are the parts for the  "Shelter" Challenge. Can you guess what this will be?

additional parts

and
Here is the door for my "Favorite Place" Challenge in progress

Yes I have to hide all those threads between the fabrics, this is two sided; this side is painted with Shiva Oil Sticks using make up applicators and a stencil brush to blend the other side acrylic paints.

Did I make you want to sew, bead, burn fabric (carefully)? ... I hope so! 
I also hope your weekend is fabulous- 
I am off to go outside and enjoy the great spring weather here!! 

Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads

I happened to come across the traveling box of beads over at Lorelei's Blog.

I wondered how Heather Power's inspirational give-away was progressing.  

If you love beads and love give-aways you need to check it out. 

Just like the jeans in the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" movie, 

one of my all-time favorite movies, 

this box of beads is chock full of fabulous stuff and 

will be passes on by each winner  

after you  take what you like and add some of your own stash.

I love this idea. 

You can enter until Friday November 5th on Lorelei's Blog.

Check it out Check-it-outers!! 

A Squirrel gathers her nuts...

Beaders gather their beads sometimes not knowing what they may become.  

I picked up this beautiful wood tree pendant at (head dipped in shame because I missed Lorelei' Challenge- I was out of town and not reading blogs for a couple weeks) Michaels. 

I just love it and when I came across these spiral carved nuts at my local bead shop 

I knew I had a fine duet in the making. 

These components are not expensive and 

I love how they look together and to me they represent Fall in all it's glory. 

The beads are extremely light weight and so comfortable to wear.  

The necklace and earring set will be listed today in my Etsy Shop!! 

I just have to share photos of my Purple Passion Vine.

It went crazy this year and I have had hundreds of blossoms to ooh and ah over.

I just can't get over how intricate and strange the stamen and pistols are.

While I am waxing "Purple" 

a close up of the illusive dragonfly on 

my art quilt titled: "On Purple Pond" ( also listed in my etsy shop)

This is my artistic parody of the movie "On Golden Pond "

where like me and my family 

Life is seen through violet colored glasses 

and never ceases to be unique and inspirational. 

The center is a beautiful leaf print I did with geranium leaves and Lumiere metallic paints.

They glow on the black cotton.

 I am continually inspired to create aquatic creatures.

More later about my first artist's gallery reception!! 

It has been in the 80's all week and cooler at night here in Las Vegas.

We walk around our neighborhood at night and look at the stars and moon.

I LOVE this time of year!! 

Enjoy your weekend.