CC7A :: National Gallery of Canada

Just before Christmas Alicia of All the Pretty Things asked a group of us if we'd be interested in coming together to share beads and create as a team: The Creative Continuum of Seven Artists (CC7A).

First up in our group of seven is Monique of A Half Baked Notion who gave us the theme of a current exhibit at the National Gallery of Canada. She was inspired by this exhibit to create a polymer focal blending the look of wood with an artistic flower in the center. 

This particular exhibit features a unique mix of artists, architects and artisans, or more specifically how their work and styles blended together from 1890-1918 in Canada. Quite a unique collection. During this time of Canada's history they were moving from agricultural colonies to an industrial nation which included a demand for new buildings both civic and domestic. The building boom created a growth period where artists and architects worked together to design and decorate their towns and their homes which introduced the idea of combining painting with architecture in design. It is a beautiful example of Canadian Arts & Craft period, a style of architecture that is my absolute favorite and which I use for my own home. You can read more in an article by the National Gallery of Canada Magazine.

I pulled a few examples from the exhibit to give you a flavor of the works (numbered left). (1) 1904 Oak Sideboard by Jeremy Adamson a piece that as William Morris, founder of the Arts & Craft movement, said is “characterized by a return to simplicity of design.” (2) 1897 book binding (book of Ruth & Esther) for Will Bradley which is tooled, gilded and colored cow skin from Nova Scotia. (3) 1906 mural painting by Gustav Hahn; many of the artists were commissioned to paint for the new Toronto City Hall and Parliament Buildings. (4) 1912 sideboard from the main dining room of the Legislative & Executive Building at Regina, Saskatchewan built by Edward & W.S Maxwell. (5) my favorite ... a 1900 Arts & Craft piano! Built by Reid Brothers Manufacturing in Toronto. The piano is stained oak with three oil paintings. I would love to own this one for sure.

I used Monique's wood & flower focal with a design I recently saw from Erin Seigel's in Stringing called Glistening Garland. While I used Erin's technique of tying beads in clusters, I did put my spin on it (because I can never seem to follow directions!) I changed it up with beaded fringe around the focal. I thought the hemp used for the stringing and the sway of the fringe reminded me of the old book binding above (#2 picture from the exhibit). For anyone else that would like to try Erin's design, you'll find it in the Winter issue of Stringing and is quite easy to follow.

As a bonus, Monique included a second polymer focal with a mosaic heart. I took the opportunity to practice my chenille stitch for Christine & Therese's A Time To Stitch #4 Challenge. Chenille has become my favorite new stitch and I seem to be using it non-stop. I've already made several necklaces, and a bracelet (you'll see the other pieces posted on my ATTS post).

Once I finished this chenille chain for the heart necklace I went in search of a very loving home for it. And I found it with Christine's youngest daughter; just look at that sweet smile. She was wearing it for her recent piano recital where I hear she did an amazing job wowing the audience. Rock on Lanie! 

And now to see what the rest of the seven artist's created please visit: Alicia (our host), Christine, Emma, Monique, Sally and Therese.

Giving Spikes a Try

Before Christmas I saw some interesting spike beads at my local bead store. Now spikes really are not my usual 'style' but I have been wanting to at least give them a try. I was hoping for something a little less .... metal-dog collar-ish. So, when I saw these howlite ones I thought, well alrighty then these could work.

The thing with these spikes (or any spike) is that they are a 'one way only' kind of bead. So what you do with them is somewhat limited. I decided to start off a bit predictable. I know, I know. That isn't really like me. But at least 2 early attempts were disastrous 'fails' that were ripped out. Surprisingly (at least to me) the feel of this bracelet is so comfortable around the wrist. Totally wasn't expecting that!

The beading here is an organic ladder stitch (aka, freeform to work around those ginormous spikes). I wanted an earthy feel to it, so I grabbed some mud-colored seed beads that are a bit irregular. They really pulled out the light veining in the howlite. I still have a stash of these, so I will go back to trying something a little more adventurous and let you know if I hit on anything worthy of showing you all. 

A Time to Stitch #4

This round of bead weaving hosted by Christine and Therese has us using patterns with a choice of chenille, netting, spiral ropes or chevron stitch.  I decided to try all of them because, well I'm just enjoying learning new bead weaving techniques. And these two ladies are wonderful encouragement for my repertoire!

Ok, let's start with netting. I pulled out an older bracelet I'd done a while back (in a brown/ tan color) that I had trouble with the closure. I ripped it out and added a slide which I like so much better. Then I made a second bracelet (in blue) with a vertical netting. It beads up much more tightly as a pattern for some reason, but has a nice feel once on the wrist.

I still wasn't quite done with netting, and decided to try a necklace. I had this really cool multi-piece fish bead I bought from Firefly Design Studio that I love. And I thought it would be such a great design to do a 'fisherman' design, or 'fisherwoman' as the case may be! I decided to gift this piece to Christine's oldest daughter who is quite the fisherwoman catching more than 100+ fish last summer! As you can see, the design really seems to suit her (just look at that beautiful smile), and I'm so please that she likes it.

Next up I decided on spiral rope. I made two versions of a bracelet. The first is a true, simple spiral, but the second is a bit of a twist - literally! I used the silver zig zag chain (I featured in my zig-zag tutorial) and added hematite rounds between the chain. For some reason the difference in the size of the hematite made the pattern twist in a way that resembles a spiral. Huh? who knew that would happen? And a complete bonus discovering a lazy way to bead a spiral rope - ha!

On to chenille. I believe this may be my new favorite rope; I'm completely in love with the rhythm of stitching this. I started with a bracelet. I used a variance in size to create a 'bead-bar' focal. It is actually a 'double pattern' as I stitched up over the first round to fill in with more beads. Kinda love this one and may end up in my stash of bracelets that I actually wear. Next I wanted to make a necklace and matched it with a beautiful jasper drop stone. I love the cut and shape of this stone, and look how wonderful it is in its simplicity with just a beaded bail to finish it. Small tip on this piece. I simply glued the ends of the spiral into the copper caps with E-6000. Easy peasy and holds perfectly!

Ok .... are you all still with me? Just one more stitch: chevron. For this last piece I did a bracelet and made two matching bands that I stitched into a braid of reclaimed sari silk. I added a leather button which really brings this one to life for me. Christine gifted me this button last Fall and I was waiting for just the right project to use it. I think I found it here. 

Now to see what all the hoppers, and our hosts created: 
Therese Frank (host), Christine Altmiller (host), and all the hoppers: Amy Severino, Janet Bocciardi, Cynthia Machata (you are here), Alicia Marinache, Paula Kramer, Kim Hora, Dee Alcalde, Dagi (Kokopelli), Maryanne Gross, LizE, Sally Russick, Becky Pancake, Jasvanti Patel, Karin Slaton, Alenka, Sarah Sequins, Tanya Goodwin, Debbie Rasmussen, Shirley Moore, Crystie Willard, Nelly May, Ana Cravidao

Featured :: Janet :: Honey From The Bee

While I was away a lovely Christmas package came from a friend of mine, Janet. 

Some of you may know her blog Honey From the Bee where she shows you some of her talents like photography, travel writing, painting, knitting, crocheting, and even hooking rugs. Seriously ... is there anything that Janet can't do? 

But of course my favorite is to see her jewelry. Deep colors, romantic style ... just simply gorgeous jewelry. You can check out her Etsy shop to see her work.

I was totally surprised when I got the package from Janet and opened it to find these beautiful, red lampwork glass earrings inside! Aren't they stunning! And so festive for the holidays! I've been sport'n these babies for days now.

There is a series that Janet created last year that is one of my top favorites from 2013: bullet casing earrings. Yep, I said bullet casings. I can't think of a better way to use bullets than to make these pretty etched earrings! She calls the series Flower Child, which she used the image of a protest in the 1960s with a man putting flowers into the barrels of a soldiers' guns. The soldiers were protecting the Pentagon during an anti-war demonstration.

This series also introduced me to a new favorite fiber bead (middle right earrings), which I am now the proud owner of an array of these beads from Jimena's Treasures. I used these copper & fiber coil beads in one of my designs for Christine's Vintage Wooden Spool Challenge back in November. Thank you Janet for my new earrings, introducing me to a new artist, and for your continuing friendship.

Ireland :: The Doors of Dublin

I've seen lots of images of the doors of Dublin over the years, but I admit that I was still surprised to find that the colored doors really are all over town. The color, knocker and their 'fan window' give each door its own distinction from its neighbor.

But why exactly did Dubliners start painting their doors? Apparently sometime around 1715 anti-catholic laws were relaxed and Dublin became a place where middle-class Catholics could establish themselves in trade. As the city grew, homes were built outside the original medieval town in new elegant Georgian style, in continuous rows around the many squares. To distinguish one house from the next; owners painted their doors. 

One of the better folk stories (likely not true - but fun anyway) was that two famous writers lived next door to each other; George Moore and Oliver St John Gogarty. Moore is said to have painted his door so the drunken Gogarty would not mistake his door for his own and wake him late at night with his knocking. Gogarty was said to then reciprocate by painting his door so the drunken Moore would not do the same.

What is always amazing to me when I visit the cities of Europe is their age. 


The Dublin Castle (c. 1204; above) has stood since the days of King John, the first lord of Ireland. And this gorgeous church (Christ Church Cathedral; upper right) dates further back to 1028, that's roughly 5x times older than the country I live in! 

I loved the covered walkway from the church to the rectory; it has such a medieval feel to it. The craftsmanship of the building, the stones, the doors ... are exquisite. Look at the old wood doors from the church. Total love for these doors!

Well that concludes my travel pictures from Ireland. I have some ideas for Irish-inspired jewelry, but those will come later. We loved Ireland and definitely recommend making the trip if you're so inclined.

Ireland :: Exploring Castles

What's a trip to Ireland without seeing a castle? You'll have to put up with my dark photography for this post as it was a bit tough to get the right lighting this time of year even with a few momentary spots of blue sky. The castle here is Bunratty (c. 1250), one of the better preserved examples of what it was like to live in a castle. The link will give you a little tour (if you're thinking about a trip to Ireland this was one to see).

We wondered around the grounds first. Through what was the local village surrounding the castle including a beautiful little church. I was surprised when we got to the castle and saw that the drawbridge was not what I was expecting. I thought it would be wider ... for horses, carts and the like. But we found this one to be the size of a normal door. Right above the door (within the castle) was a hole called the "murder hole" where enemies who ventured in during a raid would be doused with boiling hot oil. Ouch!

Once inside the castle we were amazed that the way to move around were tight spiral stairways that would open up to large rooms. I was even more lighting challenged inside! But managed to get a few pics of armor, carvings, tapestries and stain glass windows. Just for a bit of fun I was looking for history behind the castles and ran across an episode of haunted ones. It actually has some beautiful scenery across Ireland if you can get past all the silly ghost stories!

I didn't take pictures of the village. Apparently the castle is turned into Santa's Grotto during the holidays. So weird to see fake, felt snow on the thatch roofs with Snow White and her dwarfs out in the yard? I just have to ask ... what is it with people and their Christmas sweaters? We saw them everywhere, in their ridiculous glory. And what says Christmas better than a gigantic blow up sweater (the size of a house!)? Yes, right in the middle of Santa's Grotto.

Ireland :: Gathering Moss

While they say a rolling stone gathers no moss, I would say that in Ireland the wind blows too hard to stand still. I took a short video (at the end of this blog post) standing along the coast of the Dingle Peninsula, and as you can see I had quite a bit of difficulty trying to stand still (with 60-70 mph winds) for any length of time. We did find an abandoned bike seat walking around Dublin covered in moss. Given the rain, it probably didn't take that long to grow.

We started our trip to Ireland by renting a car and driving down to Dingle. I think driving in Ireland rates as one of the more adventurous things we've done. But we didn't realize it until we were there. Before our trip we checked with our car insurance, to see if we had coverage in Ireland. Nope. Huh, really? We've never had any issue before, so we were very curious as to why. We discovered why driving in Dingle. 

The road narrows like I've never seen before. There is no shoulder, and the gnarled shrubs are trimmed back just to the painted edge lines of the road. No joke. At one point they seem to have given up on a center line, so that on-coming traffic buzzed past you on the one-lane road, including around blind corners. Add to that the speed limit was 100 kilometers (that translates to roughly 60 mph). A 'white-knuckle' experience! When we returned our car I noticed a smashed rental that had exploded from a crash, and only the burnt shell of the car remained. Ok, now I understand why insurance is outrageous in Ireland. One of the Dublin cab drivers asked us where we had been so far in Ireland and when we said we'd been to the Dingle Peninsula and had driven ourselves, his only response to my husband was "brave man."