One of many pairs....

It has been wonderful to have a model for my wearable fiber items.

Have to say everything looks better on a person. 

I am so fortunate to have found Riana, 

a bubbly young woman who enjoys being photographed 

and playing dress up with all my creations.

Here is one more design and I have a brand new one I will add later. 

I am waiting for the sun to come up so I can photograph my new

Crocodile Stitch Fingerless Gloves.  

This Purple and Green Variegated Pair is made with 

Soy yarn, very soft to the touch. 

I am completely baffled by the problem I had last week 

uploading pictures and the error message from google.  

Seems like everything is back to normal today.  

Perhaps my little fairy, Nadine has been playing with my Blog at night?@!

I was so focused on my Artist's Boutique that Christmas has snuck up on me again this year. 

 I think I missed the deadline for shipping things in time for the holiday

BUT

I am going to keep listing new items as I edit my photos.

Do you have a friend who loves handmade items 

but you are not sure what to choose for them?

Let them choose their own gift!

I am having a special on Gift Certificates in my etsy shops this week. 

Buy a $10 gift certificate for a gift and get $5 off any item you purchase.

Buy a $25 gift certificate and get $10 off any item you purchase. 

Buy a $50 gift certificate and get $20 off any item you purchase. 

OR

you can convo me with special orders and choose your favorite colors. 

I have lots of gloves I haven't photographed yet- ask me about those- 

hopefully they will get done tomorrow morning.  

The elves had to watch the Patriots Game today!! 

Yay Pats! 

Have a wonderful week - Heather

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!! 

A little Fiber Fun

I have a whole part of my life wrapped around fiber that I don't always share here 

due to all the art bead and polymer clay challenges I have been participating in lately. 

I teach crochet classes at Gail Knits here in town. 

She has a fabulous selection of gorgeous yarns and 

I love to see all the ones Gail gets in that are new to the market.   

This morning I finished a scarf  using two brand new yarns from Trendsetter Yarns:  

Flamenco (the ruffly green) and Minestrone(the gold, brown beige multi textured one).  

Here is my lovely daughter Jessie modeling it. 

This is an extra long crocheted scarf.  

I will be listing patterns in my Etsy Shop- Aquariart this fall 

for all the designs I have created for my classes. 

If you would like to be notified leave a comment below-

I will contact you when they are listed. 

Here is this month's challenge piece for my Art Quilt ect. Circle.

We had to use a shoebox to create something. 

The first thing you see is the top which is a small quilt 

I free motion stitched and then painted

of water dripping and rippling. 

This one inspired my to do a larger water quilt which I have started using the same technique.

I love how the paints bring out the liines in the quilting. 

Next you notice there is a quote around the side and front of the box:

"If there is magic on this planet then it is contained in water."

It's all about water.
Zentangled waves, bubbles... 

The bottom and back of the box - Zentangles all over! 

My very relaxed bathing lady.  Her legs flip out of the box and hang over .

She is free motion stitched and then painted with Shiva Oil Sticks.

Don't ask me where I get these ideas, I really don't know sometimes.
I apologize for the photos- I didn't take them early enough in the day so there are lots of shadows.

Okay now back to Bead Stuff-
I have to go raid my stash and put together a wonderful set of beads for my Bead Soup Partner -Beth Bricker.
You can find out more about her on her blog here.
This is a wonderful party for jewelry designers hosted by Lori Anderson at Pretty Things.
Check back for more about that and
the Big Bead Soup Blog Hop Reveal which will be Sept 17th!

Forests.....

Before I moved to Nevada I always pictured the desert as miles of empty dunes, 

with cactus, snakes, lizards, spiders (eeeooowah) and not much else.  

Much to my surprise Las Vegas is surrounded by mountains 

of which my favorite is Mount Charleston. 

There is a wonderful oasis up there 

where the temperatures average about 20 degrees cooler than the city.  

As the elevation increases on the ride up the cactus grow, 

then there are larger bushes, short trees 

and finally full grown ponderosa pines with bright red orange bark.  

The scent of lemon balsam is everywhere 

and I feel at home, at peace and full of wonder. 

Here is a collage with some of the pictures I took Thursday 

on a hike with my daughter Jessie and the two dogs; Durango and Harley.  

The pictures in my header are all taken at the top of the Mary Jane Falls Trail. 

 You have to see my macro shots of the wild delphinium and thistle up close. 

Wild Delphinium- this tiny flower looks like a fairy queen's crown!

Thistle- unfortunately not flowering yet.

I couldn't have conjurred up of a better lead into my work in progress 

for Heather Power's Challenge: at Humblebeads 

"Inspired by Nature": 

this week's theme is "the Forest Floor".

These photos were actually taken on a rock in my backyard, 

in the garden wall above the pool

and in a couple of my potted plants.  

I am addicted to color so flowers and greenery are a must in my yard, 

even if most of them die every year from the heat. 

Every year I try to add more of the plants that do survive

and my gardens are growing. 

I  will be finishing up tonight 

and take more pictures of this bib necklace completed tomorrow morning. 

For now it is off to do some outdoor chores and jump in the pool. 

Someone is waiting for me to play with him-

My little Big Boy- Durango

Come back tomorrow for links to the Challenge and see everyone's Forest Floor Creations! 

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!! 

  

Bead Table Wednesday

I had two sessions today, one with fiber art and one with polymer clay.
I started by laying out ingredients for a bib necklace and cuff set I am making for my Art Quilt Ect Circles monthly challenge- "Green" being the inspiration.

I bought a huge size 16 wool coat a while back at the local Salvation army store for $6.  I felted it in my washing machine and dryer and have been cutting it up into leaves for many items.  I decided to make leaves by hand needle felting some roving onto these wool leaves and then free motion stitching them with a variegated thread that pops just a little.

As I gathered my materials I remembered I had purchased some felted round beads awhile back and got those out. I also pulled out some polyester satin material and made yo you flowers and beaded the felted balls for centers.
I will be posting the finished necklace and cuff on Saturday so come on back to see it.

My second creative adventure is the beginnings of a piece I have to finish by Sunday for Heather Powers challenge: inspired by nature- this week: feathers.

I decided to make some peacock feather pendants.
I conditioned lots of pearl white polymer clay, laid it on a texture sheet, impressed the front with a peacock feather stamp I have and then painted the feathers with alcohol inks.

I googled peacock feathers and used a photo as a reference for the colors.  I ended up using, pitch black, purple twilight, meadow, citrus, lettuce, stream and copper alcohol inks.

After they were spritzed to blend and dried I added little touches of mica powders in blue, green and copper.  This made them look irridescent.  I cut them with my oval cutter and turned them over to paint the backs.

 After they dried again three were pressed gently onto light bulbs so they would dome and curve and the other five were baked flat.  Come back this weekend to see what I do with them.  I am not sure yet what the next step will be.  All in all it was a very fun and productive day!!

Bead Table Wednesday and Art Bead Scene Blog Challenge June 2011

I finally finished my cuff for the Art Bead Scene Blog June Challenge 

inspired by painting "Ophelia" by Redon. 

Above is the cuff laid out so you can see all of it at once 

and here are some photos of it being worn by me. 

  

Have you ever tried to photograph your own arm.  

I felt a bit like a circus contortionist. 

But since I am home alone all day without any gorgeous models hanging out 

and my husband's arms are too hairy you will have to settle for this. 

This is what I have been working on all week -

so it is also my Bead Table Wednesday post. 

I made all the yellow beads from polymer clay for this cuff,

my bead stash has only 2 tubes of yellow seed beads.

Not one of my favorite colors, 

although I do like the way it plays so nicely with the blue in this piece. 

I hand dyed the lace with coffee to give it an old feel 

and the portrait of Ophelia is hand needle felted wool roving and then wet felted.  

I free motion stitched it to the upcycled denim and then

began the embellishing with beads.  

My original plan was to make a bib necklace 

but the shape of the felted piece was just not right for that.  

It works much better as a cuff. 

That's all for today. 

My First Bead Table Wednesday

My Bead Table, Wednesday June 22nd, 2011

I have been so busy teaching crochet on Wednesdays 

that I have been unable to take pictures for this event until today.  

I have two weeks off so I am working on my June ABS Challenge piece today 

after spending the whole morning taking pictures, editing them, uploading them to flicker, 

and adding them to the Bead Table Wednesday Flicker Pool.  

I am not sure where I need to send my blog link 

so I may not make the blog hop but at least I got my table photographed.

These are my chosen ingredients for the Art Bead Scene June Challenge.

The inspiration painting, Ophelia, by Odilon Redon, 

is under all the mess of beads and findings I hope to include.

I wet felted the wool portrait just below my pasta machine,

my plan is to make it into a collar type of necklace 

and dangle the other beads and findings from that. 

I love these colors so I have been very inspired 

and hope to make a really unique entry. 

My stash has a serious shortage of yellow 

so I will be making polymer clay art beads in that missing color.  

Hope you can make it back to see the outcome. 

Have a great week!! 

Heather

Spring, Glorious Spring!!

I had a fabulously productive week inspite of two meetings I had to attend 

and some home service repairs going on, 

a sample beaded flower and two crochet patterns I needed to write up  chart and deliver, 

a belated birthday lunch with Barb and Teresa and 

I can't remember what else. 

Monday night was the Las Vegas Polymer Clay Guild meeting 

 I shared my knowledge and information about selling on Etsy with the group. 

 We meet at a private school in the art teacher's classroom. 

She had a Mac (oh happy me!!) with the big screen in the room 

so everyone could see what I pulled up on the desktop.  

I quit teaching in the public schools 7 years ago

so I missed the boat on this fabulous technology that is available today for teachers. 

 Anyhow I think it went well, 

 perhaps more people in the guild will start up shops and sell their wonderful items online.

We also have a demo each month.

Here is one of the little boxes we learned how to make.

I only had a dollar and still won one in the raffle.  

My lucky streak is still going. 

Wednesday was our first "Art Quilt ect.."meeting at one of our local libraries 

that just happens to be only 10 mins from my house.  

With the escalating price of gas this is going to be wonderful for me and my mustang. 

We have a monthly challenge.

 I am behind one month but working furiously to complete them all.

 Be sure to check my new post on the Fiber Art page. (click on that word at the top of this post) Spring is here and the birds are singing. 

I have one little birdy who has a new home. 

Thursday while waiting for the air conditioning company to come 

and prep our unit for the summer 

I pulled out my silk paints, my metallic guttas, seta fabric paints, 

the wonderful adjustable stretching frame I bought from Dharma 2 years ago 

 and some great items to practice on. Here's what happened- 

First I set up outside in the back yard with the seta colors and some macrame purses 

my friend Margaret from " Art quilts ect" gave me 

because in her words "I knew you would do something fabulous with them."

They were part of the stash of former member who passed away.

She had donated her things to people in our group.  

I hope she is up there smiling down at me because I made them so colorful. 

When it got too windy and cold to be outside I moved in to the dining room table and set up the silk supplies.  

Here is my first scarf in awhile.  

First I created the flowers and leaves with antique gold gutta.

After it is all dry

this is my favorite part!!! 

 you fill in with the silk paints and play with water spots ect which adds texture. 

Oh the unusual colors you can create.  

I used only 4 colors of silk paint: magenta, yellow, citrus and  turquoise

to create all these different colors.  

So Fun!!!

Next - the tricky part- heat setting and steam setting the paints. 

Happy Weekend!!

PS for all the Bead Soup People - I am still hopping- I WILL GET TO YOU!