Arabic motif bracelet

Apparently I didn't manage to write a blog in April.  I don't know what happened to the month.  It was here, I blinked, and it was gone.  Only the bills remain.

from a La Bella Joya pattern: Arabic Motifs

I loved the colors in Marcie's piece and had to make one myself.  Actually this is the second one I made.  The first I completed a few years ago, but I used thread that was a little too light weight and had problems with the aventurine beads breaking the thread.  For this piece I used 4 mm aquamarine and 6 lb. Fireline.  No problems.

I hoarded this aquamarine for years - it is much prettier in person

Gwen Fisher commented that she saw a similarity to the Archimedes Star in this design.  I see it too.  All the little triads and groupings of six.  I have been reading Gwen's article "Using tiling theory to generate angle weaves with beads" and am excited about thinking through angle weaves (RAW, CRAW, MRAW) in a new way.  I am a very big picture person - I like to understand how everything fits together before I start exploring details - and this article helps me wrap my mind around the weave and imagine possibilities.

Handpicked and freshly churned

The strawberry season is going to be winding down here.  I've got to get out to one of the farms and get some homemade strawberry ice cream.  Next month we will be in peach season and that ice cream is great if you head to the right orchard to get a cone.  I like the Burton Brooks Orchard with their giant hand-lettered sign reading "Old Fashion Ice Cream."  Maybe it is all the fruit coming into season that lead me to this rather uncharacteristic colorway when I put together this necklace from directions in La Bella Joya's newsletter (if you aren't signed up click over to Marcie's site and do yourself the favor).

strawberries & cream

I know it has a few tension problems, but I ignored very clear directions.  You cannot see thread unless you view the world through a macro lens at all times.

a little lotus

Above is my happy accident.  I followed the wrong thread path and instead of a starflower, I got what looks like a lotus.  I'm going to play with this shape a little more.

11/0's & 15/0's

time for ice cream!

the ice cream shack at the orchard

La Bella Joya Celebration Giveaway

Run to Marcie's blog and enter her nesting bracelet giveaway.  This piece is such a stunning and feminine combination of the matte seed beads and beautiful stones that she uses.  She is drawing a winner on Sunday.

Little Lavender Nests

Take the time to check out her Etsy store and tutorials.  She is offering a discount to celebrate her 300th sale! 

La Bella Joya Bead Soup Mix

In my haste to get started making something  from the fabulous bead soup Marcie from La Bella Joya sent to me, I completely forgot to take a picture of it.  Today I backtracked and took apart some pieces in order to take a picture. Right now there are some copper pieces I made hardening in the tumbler, so in a few hours I should get back to work on my piece.  I have some beads all wired up, but this should give you an idea of the fun package I received. 

Marcie handmade the beautiful copper, paper, and resin pendant.  She also sent along some seed beads because she knew that I would take them and create some components (indeed, I have, but I will save the reveal for the 20th).  You can find more pendants at Marcie's Etsy shop; I think my favorite is the pretty round Home is Where the Heart Is.  She is having a sale right now.

Home is Where the Heart Is