It's been a while

Time seems to have a way of getting away from me. Every time I think of something to post here, I can't seem to find the time. Where to begin...We adopted a pup. His name is Lucky and he's a rescue. He's a Cockapoo, 7 months old, and an absolute sweetie. I'm the lucky one, I think.
I have been working in my studio, but mostly on some larger pieces that aren't getting done as quickly as I'd like, so last night I took a little time for some instant gratification. The pieces in the picture are my first of each technique. The lion pin is fron Christi Freisen's book, and the cab is my attempt at a technique used beautifully by Jennifer Morris. Her work is amazing, and you should really check it out!

Well, that's it for me today, there's a thunder storm rolling in. I'll say so long for now, and hope I can find the time to post again soon. Maybe even with more pictures.
Be well.

Strange Obsessions

Sometimes I get obsessive over the strangest things! I never looked at polymer clay as much of a beading supply until I bought Christi Friesen's first book...I have since bought all of them. The thing is, I'm a dragon person, so I make more dragons than anything else. So here's where the obsession comes in. I kept thinking that my dragons were just too big. They're not, really, but I kept worrying at it, and finally couldn't stand myself anymore. So I made this little gal. Now, kindly remember that I'm an indifferent photographer at best. She's only a little bigger than a quarter, and I'm almost sure that I think she's small enough for me. The "dust" that's all over her is gold(it looks silver in the picture) and I haven't done the varnish coat, yet, but I was so happy with her that I had to take a picture. I hope you enjoy seeing her.

Be well.

WooHoo It's done!

BFAC was a bear this year! I had a dozen ideas and not one worked the way it was supposed to. This is what I'm sending. I wasn't thrilled with it as I was working on it, but overall, I can't say I'm displeased...It could have gone smoother, but I think I took on too much all at the same time. I started a new job, committed to the Mask Challenge, and to BFAC. If you look at them individually, it doesn't seem like much, but taken all within the space of a few months, it was a tad overwhelming.

However, I'm officially off the hook. All my promises are kept, and now I can work on my pet projects...whatever they might be.

Be well.

Well, Finally!

I'm done with my mask. For a while I thought it would never be done. I didn't cover it with beads...mostly because I didn't have time, but also because it didn't seem to need it.

I've called it "Agea". My plan was to have a piece that looked like it could have been found under the sea, but I think the colors were just too bright for that, so I just went with what I had, and I'm actually pretty happy with it.

Just Some Misc. Stuff

I'm making good progress on my mask, but I'm having some trouble getting a good photo. I toned down the blue with some metallic copper paint, and the flash turns it really red, and it looks awful. If we get a good overcast day, I'll try it again.

I did get a pretty cool picture this week, though. Actually, my boss got the picture, but I'm posting it. I work near town, but not "in" town in a small office complex, and we're seeing a resurgence of wildlife lately, raccoons, foxes, and a lot of hawks and geese, but I haven't seen a wild turkey in 15 or more years, yet there he is, strutting across the parking lot! He scared the heck out of the lady who works next door. I really wanted a better look, but he wasn't having any of that!

So, maybe mask pictures next time, but this time it's just a turkey.

Be well.

Pay it Forward

My friend Beki is Paying it Forward. I posted, and am now doing it, too. So here's the deal, the first three people to comment on this post, and to promise to post a Pay it Forward on their own blogs, will receive a beady gift from me.
It seems like a pretty cool idea to me. The world could definitely benefit from a few random acts of kindness, and the beading community has a long standing tradition of generosity. It follows that this would fit right in.
So here are the rules: I will send a handmade beaded gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange (and email me their mailing address and favorite color), and who make the same pledge on their own blogs. I don't know what the gift will be, but it will be beaded, and you will receive it within 1 year, I promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward, by posting a pay it forward on your own blog.

Behind the Mask Challenge

I was having fits with this project. It seemed to me that everyone was covering the mask and doing bead embroidery...something I'm not really good at. I knew what I wanted, but it wasn't coming together for me. I'm not used to doing pieces like this and felt like maybe it was a mistake to try.

Then it hit me. I do not have to embroider this piece. I scrapped the felt and painted the mask blue. The ridges are rope I covered in beads, and I wrapped the outer edge like a cabochon. I'll add the "petals" to the outer edge. I haven't decided on placement, yet, but I'm getting there. There will be more paint... this blue is a little too intense for me. After that, who knows? I have until May.

The challenge is sponsored by The Beadin Path. http://www.beadinpath.com/