Sunday, May 11, 2014

bjp0414 - greyed down but still delicious

April was a strange month! Grey and dreary, as it took it's sweet time deciding, if it wanted to be part of winter or spring. A few bright days, made it easier to bear, and I kept busy enough, to chase those doldrums away! I'm sharpening my skill set, and filling my artistic toolbox with even more techniques to share. Like I really needed to do this? Well, yes I do, if I want to keep up with trends, and improve my jewellery making skills. I'll continue to focus on fibre, mixed media and intuitive bead embroidery, but I suspect that jewellery making, will eventually be called upon, to help pay the bills. LOL! Now back to my bead journal. Evening and weekend workshops at BeadFX, with both Stephanie Dixon and Gio Paz, allowed me to ignore the weather outside! Beaded wire crochet, Basic Wirework skills (I needed remedial help, as I've forgotten so much) and a wire bead pendant are some of the new/old learned projects and techniques. I promise details. and more than a few photos, in future posts. The focal, on my BJP, is a resin piece I made, early in my explorations with that medium. Also included is a small wire bead, and a very teeny bit of beaded wire crochet. I started exploring the world of EBay in April, and have included a few vintage jewellery bits, from my first purchase (lots more in future BJP's). Ohhh.....I'm thinking that I'd better watch myself, because EBay could be very addicting! Not to mention the exchange and shipping rates!!
Peyote, back, stacked, bocce/boucle and flower stitches, all shine in this little leaf. I was also, happy to use my new Czech O and Triangle beads, purchased earlier in the month. They make an interesting addition to my stash and you'll definitely be seeing more of them in the future! The triangle beads are shown, standing to attention, on the outside of my bezel. They were originally lying down, but they 'clicked their heels' and stood up straight, when I decided to bead underneath them. Not quite what I had originally intended, but an interesting texture, just the same. Isn't serendipity wonderful? Also, do you notice the droplet of water at the bottom of the leaf? That was a last minute addition, and I must confess to loving it to bits!

11 comments:

janene said...

Gorgeous. I love these colors and the way you combined the elements. Janene

Ildiko said...

Beautiful! Rich in colour and texture! :-)

Beth@IHaveANotion.com said...

Great color combo... and it does represent April.... but May has been lovely so far!

Anne Marie - Toronto said...

Thanks, Janene, Ildiko and Beth!

Yes, Beth, my May journal will be much brighter!

kaiteM said...

Interesting colour choice for you, working outside of the comfort zone again? It looks lovely and i'm pleased you pointed out the water droplet, too good to miss.

Anne Marie - Toronto said...

Thanks, Kaite, and of course! I'm trying hard to stretch myself, by working outside of my normal colour choices. I'm liking it so far!

Sue said...

Before I even read your commentary, I was in love with the crystalline aspect with the drop at the tip of the leaf. I understand loving it to bits! Beautiful piece.

Rachel Murphree said...

SO lovely! really like the triangle beads in the bezel standing to attention. I love serendipity...and you've gotten May's prompt done too you clever girl!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

A lovely little dewdrop perhaps? Ebay is a place I don't allow myself to go because I find myself coveting all sorts of things, only to come back to earth with a resounding thump when I factor in the shipping costs.

Robin said...

Very full and wonderful, as usual! The bits of wire work from your class reminds me of how I got started with "intuitive bead embroidery," by stitching samples of beadweaving from a Virginia Blakelock class onto a Crown Royal bag, and then filling in the spaces around them with bead stitches. That was 30 years ago! You're right about eBay being addictive. I rarely go on it anymore because too many things I bought were disappointing.

Anne Marie - Toronto said...

Rache, MA and Robin, thanks!

Rachel, no May prompt in there, unless it's totally unconcious.

MA, not dew, but a delicate little rain droplet! My first EBay purchase came fast, but I'm still waiting for the second. I doubt that I'll be purchasing from them, all that often.

Robin, that's an interesting story. The only thing I ever saw Crown Royal bags used for, was my brother's marbles. He had a nice fat bag, full of them!!! Do they still sell them with those bags?