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Lavender Equinox Bracelet Focal by The Beading Yogini

Lavender Equinox Bracelet Focal by The Beading Yogini, a photo by beadingyogini on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I invite you to read more about the design process for this bracelet : www.thebeadingyogini.com/2011/09/25/what-is-an-original-d...

Art Bead Scene Blog: September Monthly Challenge

Art Bead Scene Blog: September Monthly Challenge

SEP ABS Cavandoli Knotting by The Beading Yogini

SEP ABS Cavandoli Knotting by The Beading Yogini, a photo by beadingyogini on Flickr.

Read about the September Art Bead Scene Challenge at my new home: www.thebeadingyogini.com/

Shadow Box Challenge

Looking for the Shadow Box Challenge?

Please visit our new home here The Beading Yogini

Copper Canyon Micro-Macrame Bracelet

What's with all the micro-macrame? Well, two reasons. I'm waiting for a new torch set-up to arrive and it's also still fairly warm here in the desert. In the upper 90's, maybe even close to 100 yesterday. Even so, I can see how all this knotting activity could be addicting. The endless play with colors, patterns and combinations. Plus, I have to do something with all those beads I've been making and collecting.

Tonopah Dreams Micro-Macrame Bracelet

Another try at micro-macrame knotting. Inspired by the book : Micro-Macrame 30 Beaded Designs For Jewelry Using Crystals and Cords by Annika deGroot. I modified the closures, but basically followed the pattern for the Baroque Bracelet. I must say that working with the small size 11 seed beads was a humbling exercise.

Cottonwood Canyon Micro-Macrame Bracelet

Another attempt at knotting cavandoli micro-macrame style. This bracelet pattern and directions are from Bead and Button book : Beaded Macrame Jewelry, embellished bracelet by Linnea Lockwood Gambino. It took a bit of reading and re-reading the directions, but the final outcome is worth the effort.

Micro Macrame Bracelet

This is my first attempt at micro-macrame jewelry, also known as cavandoli knotting. The pattern and design are from the book: Beaded Macrame Jewelry by Sherri Haab. I used materials that I had on hand; Irish waxed linen thread, small beads and a shank button. The book is a handy guidepost with clear illustrations, design patterns, photographs and detailed instructions. I'd recommend taking a look at it if you are interested in trying your hand at this type of knot work.

Bird Nest Necklaces and Etched Metal

Etched, stamped and cold connected metal pieces with a bit of lampworked glass beads and wire wrap.

i WisH...

I wish I had more time to play...

What type of stone is this?

Made this one a while ago. My first attempt at seed beading. It's an etched lampwork bead, but looks very stone like. The necklace is kumihimo hand braided cotton.

Boro Implosion Glass Pendants

Santa delivered some borosilicate glass. This is my first attempt at melting borosilicate and using an off mandrel pendant technique. It could rapidly become a new obsession for me.

Turquoise Key Focal Bead

Turquoise Rain Lampwork Focal Bead

Raven Lampwork Bead Necklace and Earrings

 

I found this ceramic pendant at Bead Haven (great selection of beads in this store) in Las Vegas. I had this necklace designed in my mind for some time and it finally manifested this week. I added a polymer clay backing to the ceramic and filled the back of the pendant in with some copper coil wire wrapping. The lampwork glass beads were made using a classic four graphite bead roller tool from CGBeads. 

The raven is considered a bird of creation,  without the raven, humans would forever live in darkness. Native North American tribes saw the raven as the bringer of light. The southwestern tribes (Hopi, Navajo, Zuni) believe that the raven flew out from the dark womb of the cosmos, and with it brought the light of the sun. 

Fibula Pins and Lampwork Beads

The cooler temperatures have inspired the creation of some "fibula" pins using copper and lampwork beads. The center heart design courtesy of a wire wrap tutorial by "Jewlie Beads" (Julie Sigmund). I'm not much for following exact directions, so the heart has my own spin on the pin. 

Devardi Glass- It's stiff, but sweet colors!

I had the opportunity to play with some new glass stash this past week. The top photo features focal beads made entirely with Devardi Glass. It's a glass that was introduced to the lampwork community this past year. It is a stiff glass and requires a little bit cooler flame than the glass from Italy. The colors are great, especially the tranparent pinks, purples and the medium opaque brown looks just like milk chocolate. The middle and lower photos show a mix of Devardi medium opaque brown and Moretti Sky Blue. If you have a challenge with stringer control, this glass is stiff and easier to work than the softer glasses. It's a little less spendy than some glass, so great to practice with for beginners or those trying to experiment with

Painted Desert Lampwork Beads

It's been hot this summer, but I did manage to get in a few hours of torch time last week. I call this batch "Painted Desert" I like the black and white combined with color. Watch for these in the future in additional hues. 

Garden Inspired Paper Doll

I've been on a paper doll fairy kick for the last month or so. Something so fun about making these little ladies. The inspiration for this one came from planting ocotillo seedlings in the garden. It's a late evening affair these past few  weeks. Too hot during the daylight hours for me to even think about working outside or torching lampwork beads. Enjoy.