SITCKS AND STONES
Bottom's gift to Titania, made from things he found in the woods, and assembled by Cobweb in Shakespeare's "A MidSummer Night's Dream." When I found these bronzy stick pearls, looking so much like actual sticks, I immediately imagined a piece that would be organic, primitive and spiky. Winner of a First Place ribbon in the Beaded Necklace category in the Creative Activities building, and the Bead Monkey Sweepstakes prize for the Best Beaded Necklace at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair.
Completed March 2009. In a private collection.
CHAPEAU DE PECHE
I do not like to wear hats. So when a bead-embellished hat was required wear for the Upper Midwest Bead Society 20th Anniversary event, I decided to create one I would not have to wear. You can read about the creation process in the post "IT IS!" here on my blog. Happily, my hat won "Best in Show," and I only had to put it on for a moment! Finished in September 2009. For Sale in my Etsy shop.
CHAMPAGNE DREAMS
Designed for a bride or debutante, and inspired by the very rare teardrop botrydal drusy cabochon focal piece, which for me calls to mind Georgia O'Keeke flower paintings, soft and suggestive. Featuring keshi pearls, a culturing "accident," created entirely of nacre and displaying amazing lustre. In this application, I think they resemble Lily of the Valley blossoms. Accented with 24k gold seed beads and faceted Charlottes. Subtle and complex color ranging from snow white to creams and golds to blush pinks. A first place winner in the 2009 Minnesota State Fair in the Creative Activities Building. Completed in July 2009. In a private collection.
INK
INK is the first place winner of the "Carpe Beadum" contest, jointly sponsored by 1 Stop Bead Shop and Good River Gallery. Entrants purchased a kit of supplies, which included the lovely lampworked focal bead by Hannah Rosner and were allowed freedom to do as they liked with the beads. I enjoyed featuring Hannahs lovely work. Completed in November 2009. For Sale in my Etsy shop.
AMAZON JABOT
A fringed peyote wrap of a beautiful piece of peruvian opal, embellished pearls and Swarovski crystal, and strung with bronze findings and amazonite rounds.
Created in May, 2009. In a private collection.
NYMPH'S NUPTIAL
Conceived as a wedding necklace for a garden fairy. Triangle woven freshwater pearls with Swarovski baroque focal and Czeck flower bead accents. August 2009. In a private collection.
VERA SIMILITUDE WALKS THE RED CARPET
Verisimilitude is one of my favorite words. It means "the appearance of truth." I have always thought it would make a great stage name for an actress. April 2009. For Sale in my Etsy shop.
REMEMBERED ELM
This necklace was inspired by the Chinese Elm trees that bordered the back of our yard when I was young. In the fall they turned a luscious pale gold, similar to the color of this mustard jasper cabochon. I added a few other leaves and some twigs (bronze stick pearls) and believe you can build a childhood bonfire memory of your own with this piece. This bonfire sparkles with Ceylon Topaz and Crystal Copper Swarovski bicones. September 2009. In a private collection.
DANDELION NECKLACE
I know flowers are a beadweaving tradition that goes WAY back, but I wonder if, in all that time, anyone else has ever immortalized a WEED? May 2009. In a private collection.
FUCHSIA PROFUSION
My garden always begins to feel lush and a little wild by September. I tried to capture that feeling of bounty and fullness in this necklace for the Etsy Beadweavers Team September Challenge, "Indian Summer Dream." August 2009. In a private collection.
PEPPER PROFUSION
A multitude of bright red peppers peek out from their hiding places behind a profusion of leaves in my salsa garden. When I found these amazing little carved coral peppers I knew what the second piece in my "Profusion" series should be! August 2009. In a private collecton.
DRAGONFLY ON JASPER
A vintaj brass dragonfly is captured on a bronzy jasper leaf. The color in this japser is widely varied, looking like polished burl oak to me, or maybe a crushed mat of autumn's last leaves. The cabochon is encased in a simple, subtly ombred peyote stitch, strung with faceted carnelian rounds, bronze stick and potato pearls and Swarovski crystals in Indian Red, Sapphire Satin, Topaz and Crystal Copper. October 2009. For Sale in my Etsy shop, along with a pair of co-ordinating earrings.
RAKU LARIAT NECKLACE
This lush 24 inch Celini spiral is designed to be worn several different ways. October 2009. Please visit my Etsy shop to see it For Sale, in it's many configurations.
RAKU HOOPS
Designed to be worn with Raku Lariat Necklace. Antique copper lever back findings. October 2009. In a private collection.
EMERALD ENIGMA
A magical set, created for the October Etsy Beadweavers Team Challenge, "Super Power Jewelry." The design is inspired by the life of comic book hero Clark Kent (aka Superman) in the Marvel comic, as well as the television series, "Smallville," and his relationship with Kryptonite. This pendant has two personalities, just like Clark. October 2009. In a private collection.
PUMPKIN PIE AND CRANBERRIES
Representing all things November, this set features a beautiful Mexican crazy lace agate cabochon, frilled with a lacy beadwoven edge that calls to mind the crust on a pumpkin pie. Cranberry colored rounds and iridescent leaf beads finish the woven strap, which closes with a beaded loop and toggle. November 2009. For Sale in my Etsy shop.
INK
INK is the first place winner of the "Carpe Beadum" contest, jointly sponsored by 1 Stop Bead Shop and Good River Gallery. Entrants purchased a kit of supplies, which included the lovely lampworked focal bead by Hannah Rosner and were allowed freedom to do as they liked with the beads. November 2009. For Sale in my Etsy shop.
OLYMPIC PEACE MEDALLION
This necklace was created for the December 2009 Etsy Beadweavers Challenge "Peace and the Winter Olympics." I featured two Russian charoite oval cabochons and a Swarovski light vitrail rivoli csystal, with a serpentine accent in various shapes and colors of Swarovski crystals and tanzanite chips. December 2009. For Sale in my Etsy Shop.
PURPLE MAJESTY
This necklace was inspired by the beautiful matte metallic finish on the Toho triangle beads that make up the neckstrap and bezel. The focal is a faceted vintage oval Swarovski cabochon, color shirting from magenta through gold to teal. The clasp is a beadwoven toggle and loop. December 2009. In a private collection.
