New Works

It's been a long time since I've posted anything, but I have been beading. The Art & Elegance in Beads show went well, better than I could have anticipated, so now I am in restocking mode.



This necklace started with a raku focal piece I picked up at the 2009 A & E show from the vendor Jim Stocker, aka Essence of Fire (it seems his website is "under construction"). By chance I laid a faceted glass cabochon on top of it, and liked the look so I decided to affix it to the raku piece. The rocky, asymmetrical shape begged to be surrounded with some free form beadwork. I used brick stitch and colors that mimicked the gorgeous hues of the raku. I did have one problem with this necklace. After I completed it and tried it on, I found the the beadwork would not lie flat, so I had to create a little support with some copper wire affixed to the back. It wasn't the most elegant solution, but it did the trick. Means I'll have to keep this one for myself though!



Feeling a bit flush after selling some jewelry at the show and my recent return to full time work, I ordered some new chirimen fabrics from Japan. They were so pretty, I just had to make something right away. This necklace and earrings are the result.