Ombre :: Hombre

So when did ombre become such a big thing? I hadn't realized it was until my daughters were asking for clothes that were 'ombre.' I wasn't sure what it was exactly that they were asking until they explained "you know mom, it's graduated colors." As if everyone knows that. And yes, my 12-year-old used 'graduated colors' in her definition. 

But see that's the thing. I never thought of ombre having to do with color. The word always reminded me of those old Westerns. The ones with a poncho-wearing Clint Eastwood that would talk through his cigar; saying just a handful of words as he squinted at the sun.

I figured that I just must have had the definition mixed up. But when I went looking for the meaning of ombre, I found several. The classic Spanish (hombre) for 'man.'  Ok, there's my Clint Eastwood reference. But there is also another that dates back to Spain (16th Century) for a card game like the game of Whist.

So how did this definition become known in the fashion world for the graduation of color tones? Apparently that definition comes from the French for 'shade' ... which was then applied to clothes, hair or even art when using graduated colors.

I didn't even think of it as something people do to their hair until the last season of The Voice. When I saw Gwen Stefani's hair I realized that this was a style I was seeing at the office. I had noticed girls were darkening their roots leaving highlights on the ends. At first I thought it was just a messed up dye job, but then saw too many people with the same style to think it was a mistake. A quick google told me that I was simply out of date and not up on my fashion jargon for the ever popular 'ombre hair.'

So I'm not ready to be doing any 'ombre' to my hair, but I kinda like the look for beading. So I did a bit of simple peyote and just changed up the colors as I went. Then I beaded it into a strip of old jeans. I did a straight cut and wore it for a couple of days as I wanted it to fray just like we used to do in high school when we thought it was cool to have that worn in look. Yeah, I might be out of style, but if I wait long enough it comes back.

The Cellini-Bernini Debate

Cellini is a stitch that I've struggled with. It just seems so wonky when I'm beading it that I'm constantly questioning if I've got the right bead size and whether I'm on to the next row? 

Recently my beady friend Linda was using a pattern that seemed more my speed ... well at least it is flat and somewhat less wonky. So it has that going for it. This actually is just straight up peyote, but you are switching the bead sizes from 6s, to 8s, to 11s, to 15s. So pretty wide range which is what makes this pattern look like Cellini. The original Cellini spiral stitch is a sculptural peyote beaded into a self-supporting tube. Kind of like a carved column, or how the stitch was named.

Benvenuto Cellini is who the stitch is named after. He is a 16th century Italian artist best known for his sculpture of Perseus holding the head of Medusa (left). Apparently the beaders who created this stitch thought the pattern looked like spiral columns they thought were in the Sistine Chapel. Virginia Blakelock and Carol Perenoud of Beadcats are said to be the beaders who named the stitch.

But here is the fun part. I then found a second post on BeadingDaily by a beader, who also studied art. She noticed that the pillars were actually the work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini who created the columns in question for the alter in Saint Peter's Basilica (right). So does that mean that we should be calling it the Bernini Spiral? I don't know about you all, but I'm going with Bernini Spiral.

Explorations in Freeform Peyote Beading

Many months ago I saw a post from Karen Williams over on her blog Baublicious. She was looking for beaders to work on freeform projects, including taking pictures through the process so she could featuring them in her new book Explorations in Freeform Peyote Beading.

I am pretty new to freeform beading, having only created a handful of designs. I thought, "sure I could work on a bracelet."  But then after talking to Karen she asked if I would be willing to create a necklace since so many people submit bracelets for freeform designs. 

I had never done a necklace, and I was just so unsure of how I would design something with such a large canvas in a freeform style. 

But then inspiration hit. I had been home visiting family in Oregon and stopped into a local glass blowing studio called Fern Hill Studio that I've mentioned a few times now on the blog. The pieces of glass I bought were cast offs from large glass pieces made at the studio like vases and bowls. But the little snips of glass I thought were perfect for cabochons. The owner let me buy a bag full of them! 

What I wanted to do with my little pieces of glass was to create a piece inspired by the bubbles that form in the surf along the Oregon coast. The waves there are rough and crashing creates a bit of foam along the shore. I love how the water swirls in the surf around the bubbles floating right next to the water's edge.

I did share a lot of photos with Karen as this design was very organic to say the least. I had an entirely different final piece in my head. I thought I'd create a short collar necklace, but it just didn't hang the way I wanted and I ripped it out. I switched to beading around brass rings, which also overwhelmed the pattern. In the end I went with a simple braiding of sari silk in a fishtail pattern. It felt more like the sea to me.

There are lots of other artists in Karen's book, and full of ideas, designs and instruction on freeform beading. It is a beautiful book that does not disappoint; including some of Karen's signature beaded sculpture pieces that are truly stunning. Be sure to check it out!

Bingo, Anyone?

You gotta love when you find the Bead Girl sitting in your studio playing with beads and turns around saying, "hey mom look at this ... it's a bingo ball!"

I mean, what's not to love? It's rustic, antique looking, spins and makes noise with the beads flipping around inside. It looks kinda like the old metal bingo cage with the side crank. Those manual ones were great for getting a good turn to mix up the balls.  Oh yes, the Bead Girl would love a go with that old-style bingo cage.

But there was just one thing we were struggled with ... how exactly to cap off the ends so the letter beads didn't spill out? We tried a number of options; bead caps, large heshi beads, perhaps some messy wire wrapping? In the end we went with the knotted, weathered leather, which really seemed to suit the era.

We added some hand-made chain using silver connectors, a bit of my mom's old basting for ribbon around the back ... and there you have it. Bingo Ball fashion; Bead Girl style. I'm noticing that it might just be time for the Bead Girl to get her own logo since she's starting to create some serious designs. She has a at least two more I need to post. What do you guys think? Any suggestions as she establishes her signature labeling?

Whoops Hop

Several weeks back I was part of a design team for ZnetShows to create designs around Fall and adding upcycled elements to our pieces. 

But the thing is that when I went to select my beads from ZnetShows I got my sizing all mixed up. I ordered beads that I thought were a fairly good size (jasper stones) that turned out to be on the 'micro' side. And the pearls I ordered I thought would be petite .... and they turned out to be anything but! What's a girl to do, but roll with it. 

I did create a holiday necklace with my pearls (you can see my first design here), but since I originally thought I'd ordered small pearls ... the 2 strands of extra large pearls that arrived were way more than I needed for my project. 

And so I decided to share with a few of my beady friends to see what everyone else might do with these beads. It made for a wonderful challenge and I can't wait to see what everyone did with their pearls.

So my second piece with these pearls is another necklace, but this time a collar length double strand. I really wanted to try black leather with these pearls and pulled out some gorgeous deer leather I recently picked up from Melinda Orr at her ORRTEC shop. Love this stuff, and it was soft enough for me to stitch right into the leather so I could secure it as a loop around the large glass pearls. 

As a little extra, I decided to include some matching earrings ... but only with the smaller pearls I bought. These have a really nice swing to them and are very light and comfortable. I think I'll have some fun wearing these!  Please be sure to check out everyone else's creations: Bobbie, Christine, Hope, Linda, Therese and Val.

Wedding Rings

Today is my 21st wedding anniversary, and what better way to celebrate then to show you a bracelet I just finished with a pattern that looks like the wedding ring quilt pattern. 

I love this pattern. The bracelet is rhythmic to make, and lately I've been needing that to relax. I made another version of this pattern back in August, but this one is purple ... my hubby's favorite color. Not that he's going to wear it; this one will be available over on my Etsy site.

It always amazes me to think how long my husband and I have been together as it feels like yesterday that I met him. But then I can't remember my life much before I met him. Funny how life works that way...how someone becomes such a part of your life.  And if you're lucky enough to have kids, what a wonderful experience it is to see them grow. Not just physically, but becoming people. And people that are part you, and part your husband. Such a blend of us both. No one tells you life will be this way, or what deep, mixed emotions that brings on. Something I wouldn't change for anything.

Stones and Leather

I haven't had a lot of time for blogging in the last few weeks with my pesky day job getting in the way. I have, however, continued to make a few things at night to unwind. Nothing complicated. Usually just something rhythmic in my hands that helps me relax at the end of long, long days.

I felt like making something earthy, and a bit raw like what I was seeing outside these days. I grabbed some gorgeous veined stones I bought back in August at Beadfest. I was at one of the vendors, can't remember the name of it, and I saw strands, and strands of stones for 50% off. I just could not walk away. I'm pretty sure these are jasper, but what type? I lost track in the frenzy that ensues with 'beads' and '50% off' in the same sentence. These greenish-grey-black stones were perfect to pair up with a set of tooled leather ends I got from Melinda Orr. Aren't they amazing? I love the green, earthy leaf pattern. I punched a few holes and strung the stones straight into the leather. This one feels substantial around the wrist and stacks in a lovely multi-layer of stone strands.

Little Leather Bracelet Belts

I've been playing with leather a lot lately, and kinda loving it. My friend Melinda got me hooked on leather. I don't know whether to thank her or curse her because all I want to do is include leather in all my projects now! I love the softness, and worn in comfort that leather adds to my work.

The last time we got together she brought a sampling of her treasures (on wheels because it is too much to carry). She had so much variety that I went to town picking out findings and clasps that work beautifully with leather like these belt buckle clasps; aren't they the coolest? 

I can't believe how easy it is to include these findings. I just put a little dab of strong glue on the leather ends and insert into the metal ends. I used e6000 ... which I use on pretty much everything. Seriously. 

In the first bracelet I simply cut a strip of leather to match the width. And in the second bracelet you see I used both a wide strip of leather and two thin cords on either side. The variation in the leather colors brings out the copper tones.  Both of these are fun to stack, mix and match!

Rocks :: Beads :: Leather

Rocks, beads and leather. What more could I ask for? I love the simplicity of this pattern, and the comfort of this one around the wrist. It is soft and fits like my old, worn in baseball mitt from childhood. 

I found a great video that walked through how to create this stacked, beaded bracelet that was very simple to follow. There is also this tutorial if you want to try larger size beads. They are both just an easy, soft weave that feels great on. 

My inspiration started with a rock that Christine gifted me. A beautiful, flat skipping stone that she drilled. I knew that I wanted to use it as a bracelet toggle, but I waited to find a pattern both fitting in style and substance. You can see it is not a petite rock, but it does make for a wonderful earthy, boho feel. I love this look.

I got to work with the tutorial using some very soft suede that slipped right through the drill holes and provided the edging to my bracelet. And then I just grabbed some cording and started stringing some size 6 seed beads. It reminds me of the field corn my mom always loved to put out with the Thanksgiving decorations. Something that reminded her of her childhood on a Nebraska farm.

Beadweaving :: Simple Peyote

I picked up quite a few sets of seed beads at Beadfest this year (you can see the loot to the right here); including a few strings of wonderful earthy beige and a hank of Picasso seed beads. The Picasso beads have been all the rage lately, as I hear everyone talking about them. But they are quite a bit more expensive for some reason. Frankly they look like all those beads I spill on my bead table and don't get around to sorting. I do really love the mixture of color, and I might just need to do my own mix!

This simple peyote pattern actually started with the beautiful center carnelian piece. I have a few of them sitting on my bead table that I've definitely been hoarding for some time. My friend Christine gifted them to me, and I love them. I think Carnelian ranks right up there as one of my absolutely favorite stones. I absolutely love it's rich, honey tone. I could not resist showcasing the photos of the bracelet draped over a rock. Anyone who knows Christine knows that she'd approve of this maneuver.

I wanted to do something different. Unique. But wasn't exactly sure what, and it took me quite a while to come up with the pattern. Sometimes the simple patterns take the longest to figure out as the understated can be quite dramatic. It makes me think of my hairdresser. I know .. I'm down a rabbit hole. But stay with me for a minute, and I'll explain. So I always thought ... how hard can it be? I have stick straight hair ... all you need to do is cut it in a straight line. But I've heard people cut my hair over the years and mumble under their breathe because every snip shows up. And in fact I have seen people struggle to cut my hair as it is harder to have it look like a clean cut, or not have a few pieces hang down if I part my hair slightly off from center (as I typically do).  I guess simple patterns are the same. Any small stitch out of place, or slightly different color of a bead, or even slightly irregular shape or size ... shows up. Can anyone see the spirit beads in this piece?

I ended up with a 2 row chevron pattern of Picasso beads alternating with the earthy beige. I did a drop stitch at the ends creating a triangle so it would roll around the center piece. I kinda love the softness of that look. I'm going to have to do that again, for sure. I also grabbed a set of Melinda Orr's leather snap ends (man I love these) and punched a couple of holes to bead right into. I had to laugh as I explained to my bead buddy Linda Younkman that I had left the string exposed when I attached the beading to the leather. I think she asked me twice, maybe it was 3 times if I really left it exposed. LOL, yes. I like the rustic, boho (aka 'didn't tuck in my shirt) look.

The piece fits like an old worn in baseball mitt. Truly. I was afraid the carnelian hoop would feel uncomfortable, but the beading around it gives it some swing in the pattern. I still have 2 more of these carnelian pieces to play with. But this one; it must return to Christine. I channeled her through the entire pattern. In the end is was earthy, had a touch of native flare, and just a bit of Colorado. 

And another one of my beady friends, Linda, was off doing her thing with peyote. Check out these stunning variations where she simply played with the size of the bead. She also included a tutorial for those of you that would like to try your hand at a simple, and classic peyote beadweaving stitch. Sometimes the simple can create the dramatic. You definitely rock Linda! You can see this article (include my simple peyote bracelet) in this month's issue of Bead Chat Magazine.

Freeform :: Leather

This year at Bead Fest I was hanging out with Melinda Orr and Linda Younkman and as we were going through some of Melinda's rather large stash (she needs wheels to carry it around by the way) ... she pulled out some leather. 

What she had done was to take a piece of leather, cut strips within it, and then harden the leather with water so that it stood as a cuff (you can see it on my bead table below left). How cool is that? I couldn't get over how great this was and my mind instantly was designing what I'd do with this piece. Melinda is always game to see what people can make with her leather, and said to take it home and play. Well you don't have to tell me that more than once! 

I started to work in some freeform peyote --- weaving it in and around the strips of leather. These are 15s (aka ... REALLY small for freeform) but who says I'm not up for a challenge. Even if I realized part way through I was nuts to do it in this size. I just didn't want it to take away from the leather.

I decided to stay with just one color, which I think gives this just a bit more drama ... and doesn't distract as much from the leather itself. I added a great stone in the middle that I beaded around. Which, I have no idea what it is? Anyone who knows - please do tell!

This felt like it had a whole Medieval thing going on, so I decided the button should look like an old shield. It does feel like a cuff when you wear it as it holds it's shape. What fun to play and bead with friends, and to try new things!

Dia de los Muertos :: Day of the Dead

Halloween has always been a fun holiday in our house, one that the girls enjoy celebrating. Not just the treats (but let's be honest ... those do matter) ... but really they enjoy the chance to dress up and have a little fun scaring each other.

My youngest (aka, the bead girl) was very interested this year in the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muetos, or Day of the Dead. A tradition of remembering those loved ones who have died. It is a custom that dates back hundreds of years to the Aztecs. 

When we were in Mexico earlier in the year she helped me paint a sugar skull (with Luis), which my husband has since claimed as his own souvenir from the trip? Not sure how that happened exactly, but it did. Anne and I had a lot of fun just scouring the local village for other variations and colors of skulls and paintings. 

So for Halloween 'trick or treating' this year (which might be her last time? .... so sad for me) she decide to dress in the Mexican custom. She got very in to it with face paint and skeleton attire. Check out her finger-less skeleton gloves and socks! She set her alarm early this morning so she could get up and apply all that face paint before heading off to school today. So glad I got pics before she left tonight as the rain set in and the paint is now running down her face. No worries ... we're all sorting out the candy and claiming a few. Sugar comma is imminent.

Oktoberfest :: Fall Earring Series

A few weeks back I was inspired by the stash of artisan beads piling up on my bead table. Yes, I admit it. I am a hoarder; at least when it comes to beads. But I decided that I needed to put these beautiful beads to work. 

I started with my embarrassing large stash of Michelle McCarthy's ceramic discs from her shop Firefly Design Studio in both circles and squares. I started mixing and matching them up with a number of other artists.

Those artists include Jana Bližňáková from HappyFishThings. I love her rustic ceramic charms and focals she been making. They are earthy and bohemian, and perfectly my style! I also used a few of her polymer charms like the owls; how sweet are those?

I also had to include one of my favorite artists Lesley Watt from THEAElements. I never get tired of her brass charms she makes. And once I posted these sweet ammonite ones over on Facebook Lesley was getting requests to make more. Can you blame people for asking for more? 

Another one of my favorites is Sue Kennedy from Sue Beads. Oh how I love her lampwork beads, and I picked up several of her lampwork headpins. So fun and whimsical! 

I also made a pair from Genea that I'm in love with. Look at the rich colors of these beads! I couldn't get myself to list this pair I made with Genea's beads and have been wearing them for about 2 weeks straight.

You'll also see some Marsha Neal ceramics in there, which I love. She always uses greens and rich reds, which are my favorite colors to work with. I have a few more on the bead table I'm working on now from Marsha. I just need to finish up the next batch and get those posted. I made roughly 15 pair in the first batch, and another 10 in this current batch. So look for all of them over on my Facebook or my Etsy. 

For more Fall inspired designs check out Rita's Oktoberfest blog hop going on today over on Jewel School Friends. Looks like everyone just about is joining in today to celebrate with Rita and her annual hop to celebrate her favorite season.