Peacock Pin

Artbeads.com sent me a lovely gift as a thank you for being part of their blogging partners program - a $20 gift card and a beautiful wall calendar. I was thrilled! I knew top on my list would be putting that gift card toward another Russian Art Bead. Lucky for me, one was on sale!! Yippee! So I was able to not only get the bead, but also some Swarovski crystals! Double Yippee!!

The Peacock bead is exquisite - and definitely hand painted. Each one must be unique--my bird looks entirely different than the one shown on the ArtBeads site. Neat.

I made the pin to wear on my black wool winter coat, so I used a pretty hefty safety pin that I peyote tube stitched to the ultrasuede. Measured at the widest point, the pin is just about 4 inches - which would be a bit loud on a sweater, but perfect for my coat!

Here's some links to the products used:

Swarovski Side Aquiline

Swarovski flat back

Russian Art Bead

Thanks ArtBeads!!

She likes it!

My sister Lisa's birthday was last week and I had just gotten a kit called "Sticks & Stones" from School of Beadwork designed by Carol Wilcox Wells that I thought she might like (after it was made that is-- she's not a beader).

As I worked my way through the project, I had second thoughts, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it and if I didn't like it, would she? Cloudy didn't have an opinion, he was just hoping to get away with perching on my shoulders for as long as I would allow it.

But after the whole bracelet was completed, my fears were unfounded. I loved it! And I knew she would too. It has this awesome feel to it and those sweet little tiny chains just give it some sass that you wouldn't expect.

It was perfect timing that she just happened to be wearing black on the day I gave it to her!

With the weight of that project (and the cat) off my shoulders, it was back to the Pentagram Box. I couldn't be happier with this little cutie.

Here's the under side of the lid. It's very heavy.

I embroidered my initials and the year on the liner before sewing it into the box.

Now, I'm off blog-hopping to check out what everyone else is up to these days! Cheers!!

A Selfish Splurge

While drooling through the latest issue of Bead & Button magazine, I happened upon an advertisement for this super-cute box offered by Ann Benson of Beads East. It was love at first sight, a definite "must have."

Once I got my kit and saw the components I knew it was going to be more fab than I expected. And it included an instructional DVD, which, along with the ultra-detailed instruction booklet, was like having Ann in the room with me (yeah, don't I wish).

Just by coincidence the stones for the lid match the stone of my pincushion I had made a bit ago. Doesn't it resemble a turtle shell? Love it!!

With the lid complete, it was now time to work up the base - soft blue leather. Scrumptious. Just a wee bit more to complete.

Now, if I can just get Cloudy to leave me alone, I might be able to bead a little faster. He's soooo needy. Drives me nuts until I pick him up. I've had cats my whole life, and none of them have ever behaved like this guy. Don't get me wrong, I love it.

I had ordered a kit once before from Beads East called Papillion, so I was certain this kit would be well worth the time, money, and effort. And I wasn't wrong.

A little bit of this and that

Hello Friends! Gosh it has been way too long. With 3 daughters all needing computer time for school work, its becoming apparent we may need to get a second one. Crazy.

Anyhooo, I gave up on the Central Terminal credit card holder. I got this far. . . .

. . . .and then lost interest. Don't know why.

I switched gears and made myself a long necklace to wear with a few sweaters I have; black and grey.

Although my loop making still leaves much to be desired, it looks great on (and from a distance, while walking very quickly.....)

And then I've made another little treasure box as a gift.

And my little Rainy kitten is growing by leaps and bounds. But he still insists on being on my beading table. Silly boy.

Hugs!