My second red & white ornament started out with red rings that I tacked down using a size 8 and then came back up through the 8 and added some size 11s to go over the edges. Well, once I did that I said "that reminds me of a peppermint candy." And it grew from there. It's hard to see in the pic (try clicking for an extreme close up, sometimes it works sometimes not), but I used two different shades of pearl white and red. I varied the edge too, the red is worked in a two bead edge and the white just a single edge.
The smallest of the ornaments gave me the most difficulty. I did a star pattern that I use (alot!) in my coin purses and wallets that I normally love. But this time I used the wrong colors (clear and pearl white) and it turned out to be pretty much invisible. And then when I went to fill in around the center pattern, it was all uneven and just yucky. So I ignored it for a few days and worked on some knitting.
After I got over pouting about it, I decided to take red thread and go through the clear beads. Hmm, although still not great, it was an improvement. Now, how to camoflauge (gee, I should know how to spell that word, considering my husband is a hunter, but I guess I don't because it doesn't look right to me). Anyway, I finished the edge in a sort of a lacey way and I think the overall effect takes your eye away from the uneven edge. All three ornaments have a different edge, which again, really wasn't planned, the beads just showed me the way.. (I just love how that happens!)
A Family Photo:
All are backed in red ultrasuede. I tacked a folded ribbon for the hanger out the top before putting on the ultrasuede.
I sometimes feel a bit sad and anxious too when a project is finished and I clear off my table to get ready for something new. I don't know why. It's almost like I'm clueless as to what to do. My hairdresser wants me to make her a wallet in earth tones (my fav), so I should be all excited and ready to go since I know what I'm going to do, and yet, I have this weird nervousness. Perhaps its the empty beading mat that freaks me out - I guess I work better with the beads all scattered about!
6 comments:
These are beautiful and they all remind me of peppermint sticks. I get that same 'anxious' feeling but mine comes as I'm completing the work -- perhaps I'm worried that I'll mess it up at the end or that I won't like it after its done. Once its done I'm okay but hate that 'last minute' anxiety!
Good idea to use colored thread through the clear beads. They all look nice together as a group, and I agree with Penny that they "remind me of peppermint sticks".
Lynn - these are candy-cane-licious!! What a great idea and they'll look great hanging on your tree! You are SO creative, girl!
Thanks Ladies! Penny I also share that end of project anxiety too - In the beading classes I take, I'm always the one who has the motto "hang it high", meaning everything looks good from a distance :)
Wow Lynn... again just beautiful.. Your work is always stunning...
Deb
These are beautiful Lynn, but I would expect no less than that from you! How big are they? I probably missed that somewhere. I have been MIA for a few days. I am trying to help my oldest daughter do her first Thanksgiving dinner for a crowd of 14! I have had no time at all for looking at blogs or doing any beadwork at all. Hopefully that will change tomorrow! Hugs to you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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