I Lied

I didn't get back to my beading project like I said I was going to do.  I couldn't stay away from the clay last night and this morning.  I didn't do anything earth shattering, but I had lots of fun.  I played around with Sculpey Bake n Bond, some shell pieces, wire, two colors of clay and 2 colors of Pearl Ex pigment powders.  I also messed around with some alcohol inks, but wasn't successful with it.  I am making a brooch.  I have the main part of the clay done, but I need to embellish it somehow so I'm not going to show you that yet.  What I am going to show you today are the 13 leaf headpins I made.  I took 3 parts of a green green color with 1 part chocolate and got a more subdued green.  I shaped them into leaves, put a little dab of Bake n Bond on the end of a piece of wire and stuck it in the clay.  Then I brushed a green Pearl Ex powder all over, but it was pretty bright.  So I brought it down a few notches by going over it with copper powder.  After baking I coated it in some kind of gloss I got on clearance.  I'd tell you what it is, but it's all put away now and I just don't want to dig it out again.  I almost had a heart attack when I tipped over my little jar of green powder and half of it came spilling out!  Luckily I got most of it back in, and I used what was on the table to cover the leaves with.  Only a little ended up being wasted, thankfully!  That stuff is pricey!  So here's my experiment for the weekend...Leaf Headpins on 22 gauge non-tarnish copper wire.  The leaves are not all the same but they roughly measure 15x8mm on the big end to 10x5mm on the small side.

I need to find some, what's it called? Gum Arabic? to make paint with my powders.  And I need to get a better paint brush.  Anyone know where to get that stuff?  I'm wondering if I can get it at JoAnn's or Michael's or if I have to go to a good art supply store.  Or maybe I can find it somewhere online.

My exciting news (for me) is that this month I sold over $60 in patterns on The Bead Coop!  Woohoo for me!  Can't wait to get the deposit in my paypal account...more shopping is in  my future!  :)

Please Visit

Solar Flare, Wall Art by Jan

I just wanted everyone to know that there are a couple new shops in town!  First of all, I want to tell you about my good friend, Jan, over at Laughing Dog Arts on Etsy.  Her shop is newly re-opened, and I really encourage you to go take a look at the vibrant, colorful works of art she has to offer.  Jan does amazing things with fibers and beads.  Please go take a look, and keep checking back because I'm sure she'll be adding more wonderful pieces.  This is just one example.  Look at those colors, shapes and textures!  She also has a blog that I'm sure you will want to see, also Laughing Dog Arts, right here on blogspot. 

Next up is a teaser.  You know how I'm always talking about the fantabulous work done by my super friend Beth over at Bellesanbeaus Crafts?  Well, guess what!!!  She is finally going to be opening an Etsy shop!  I'm so excited about that!  I don't have the URL yet, but you can be sure that as soon as I have it, you will get it!  Isn't the banner for her Etsy shop really cute?  lol...I can say that because I made it for her.  :)

I opened an Artfire shop!  I actually opened an account months ago, but I just started putting things in it.  If you've visited my Etsy shop, thank you very much!  But I want to tell you that each of my shops carries a few different things.  So if you're not looking at all of them, you may be missing something.  Please stop in!  I would be ever so grateful for whispers in the ears of even just one of your friends that I exist.  Word of mouth is the best way to grow, and I'm just asking for that little seed.  Also, did you know that I design patterns for peyote and loom/square stitch?  If you do these stitches, come see my 174 patterns for both tapestries (large and small) and bracelets.  You can find me at The Bead Coop.  Links for my Shop Handmade and Etsy stores are in the right side bar.

I want to thank you all for being a part of my little corner of the world.  It gives me so much pleasure to share with you and hear from you!