Salsa Cuff

This bead embroidered cuff was lots of fun to do. The mocha colored cabochon was surrounded with peyote stitch and then I just went on "improv", as is my usual style. The result was playful and  someone at one of my shows said the piece reminded her of Native American design, except for the color scheme which is more modern. I used lime greens, pinks, chocolate brown, turquoise blue and some peacock finished 3 cuts.

This cuff is fixed to a metal bracelet blank, unlike most of my cuffs, which are soft.

"Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?"
Song of Solomon 6:10

Catch The Wave

This bead embroidered bracelet features an abstract design in white, blue and green  # 11 seed beads and heishi shell rounds, surrounded by chocolate colored vintage 3 cut beads. The design reminds me of waves, or swirling activity, brimming with life.

A pretty shell button and loop form the clasp.

"Deep calls to deep at the sound of Thy waterfalls. All Thy breakers and waves have rolled over me."

Psalm 42 :7

Deco Flora Bracelet

This bead embroidered bracelet was made with three flat clear glass marbles which frame floral paper images, which were the inspiration for the color scheme. I used lots of green iridescent 3 cut beads, green iris seed beads and matte green seed beads, bronze delicas and green freshwater pearls. A pretty gold filigree button and peyote loop hold it secure on the wrist. The bracelet is backed with soft olive green ultrasuede.

This bracelet was created as a Christmas gift for my beautiful daughter-in-law.

"And one will arise at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song will sing softly."

Ecclesiastes 12 : 4

Surf City

One of my favorite places in the world is Surf City, NC. This time of year, I long for the warmth of a sunny beach, although it can get quite cold at the North Carolina coast in December !

The ocean is beautiful any time of year and such was the inspiration for this little necklace.

I used aqua alabaster size #11 seed beads and 4mm round beads to weave it.

"The earth is the LORD's and all it contains. The world and those who dwell in it. He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers."

Psalm 24: 1 & 2

Tigris - Hiddekel

This bead embroidered cuff bracelet features a cabochon that is amber in color with  black wavy stripes that run up and down. I used chocolate brown 3 cut seed beads, some peacock #10 seed beads and some #11s in complimentary colors. A pretty button and loop closure keeps it secure on your wrist. It is backed with black ultrasuede.

"The name of the third river is Hiddekel, it is the one that goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. The the LORD took man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. "

Genesis 2: 14 & 15

Bronze Beauty Earrings

These bronze hued earrings were created by needle-weaving 4mm fire polished beads and size #11 seed beads to create three circular "Hana Ami" motifs, one stacked upon the other. The motif was designed by Deb Roberti at www.aroundthebeadingtable.com, and the pattern ( along with many more fantastic patterns ) are available there.

" If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."

Mark 7:16

Cool Water

 

 

I saw this faceted amazonite oval at a bead show and it "called" to me ! So I bought two. I adore the chalky blue-green color of this stone. It is so pretty against any skin tone. I had some flourite chips that were about the same color, so I paired them with the amazonite. Betwixt  each chip is a seed bead in the same color, giving the illusion of knot spacers. The necklace has a simple toggle clasp. This necklace reminds me of a beautiful cove of cool, still water. 

"He leads me beside sill waters."

Psalm 23 :2

Aztec Pearl

These silver findings reminded me of an Aztec sun design, thus the name. I wired pure white freshwater pearls to them, and let them work their magic.

"To Him, Who made the great lights, the sun to rule by day because His lovingkindness is everlasting"

Psalm 136:8

Golden Rope

 

This slinky rope style necklace was woven in right angle weave and embellished on both sides to form a spiral. I used two colors of #10 seed beads, gold and bronze. I added a bronze toggle with a floral motif.

"Then she let them down by a rope through the window for her house was on the city wall"

Joshua 2:15

Luscious Leaves

These sweet little earrings feature bronze metal leaves and metal round beads which dangle from the top of the leaves. I love the look of mixed metals.

"And he will be like a tree, firmly planted by the streams of water, which yields fruit in it's season, And it's leaf does not wither"

Psalm 1:3

Sparkling Merlot

These earrings serve up some serious elegant bling ! Wine colored glass pearls dangle from a sterling chain upon which many fire polished beads are wired. And the result is intoxicating!

"We will rejoice in you and be glad; We will extol your love more than wine !"

Song of Solomon 1:4

Serene Green Pendant Bag

 

This little light olive green pendant bag was cut from buttery soft ultrasuede and embellished with #10 seed beads in a peacock aurora  borealis finish. I added a couple of buttons and some pretty pressed glass leaves in many colors that dangle playfully from the fringes. 

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Matthew 6:20 & 21

Sweet Scarab

 

My mother was my first teacher in art. She was always fascinated with Egyptian jewelry and artwork. On one of her trips to Egypt, she acquired some beautiful components that I have been able to use in my creations. This little necklace features a light blue scarab focal bead that finishes off this simple strung necklace. I love the way that the robin's egg blue plays off of the pure white freshwater pearls and the richness of the coral.

"Indeed I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and ransomed you from the house of slavery."

Micah 6:4

Lovely Lapis

I love lapis lazuli! There's nothing like it, cool, smooth, blue with flecks of gold, black and white.

I inherited this beautiful pendant, a lapis wand with an opal bail, and then I contructed a simple necklace with more lapis chips and size 11 seed beads in as close to a lapis blue that I could find.

I was very pleased with the results.

"Now above the expanse over their heads there was something like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up was a figure with the appearance of a man"

Ezekiel 1:26

Spectacular Swags

These earrings are so romantic ! I received these beautiful findings from a friend's "de-stash', and had to do something out of the ordinary. I created these chandelier style swag earrings by individually wiring emerald colored 4 mm faceted fire polished beads to a sterling chain that attached to both ends of the finding. These sold quickly, so I think I will have to recreate them, this time in red !

"You are altogether beautiful my darling, and there is no blemish in you."

Song of Solomon 4:7

My Heart On My Sleeve....or wherever

This little blue heart brooch featured my first attempt at making a polymer clay face from a mold. I altered the features, ever so slightly before baking the clay and painting it.

The bead embroidery was done on buckram, in my usual way, after gluing the face cabochon on.

Hearts are one of my favorite symbols and I find them showing up more and more in my art and accessories. I love blues and greens, and used lots of fun beads on this piece to give it texture.

"A joyful heart is good, like a medicine"

Proverbs 17:22

Ladybug Garden

This "button" brooch was created with bead embroidery on a button form from the fabric shop. I love the little ladybug beads and have used them on a few pieces. I decided to built the piece around the ladybug, and fancied her exploring treasures in her garden. Button forms can be used to make brooches, or pendants if you add a bail for a chain or beaded necklace. I hope to try some other pieces with them.

"Then God said 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind, cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind' and it was so"

Genesis 1: 24

Southwest Diva

This chevron style necklace was woven, in right angle weave, with a needle in turquoise and coral colored beads and has a southwest feel. This was my first attempt at this style and it has become a favorite, because it can be embellished to look so many different ways. This one has a magnetic closure for ease in putting on and taking off. 

"Keep sound wisdom and discretion, so they will be life to your soul and adornment around your neck"

Proverbs 3: 21 & 22

Hot Tamale Wrist Ruffle

 

This bracelet was inspired by the focal bead, which is a multicolored art glass bead with splashes of orange/red, green, baby blue and  black. I have so much fun making this style of bracelet. The same technique can be used to make something whimsical or elegant, just depending on the ingredients I use. In this case, I felt that the results had a "southwest meets art deco" feel, thus the name. 

I used a lot of jet black seed beads to construct the ruffles and lots of pretty red beads, pressed glass flowers and leaves as the "doodle" beads on the ends of the ruffles. A pretty button and seed bead loop make up the clasp. 

"And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along."

Song of Solomon 2:13

 

 

The Red Tent Necklace

This is a chevron style necklace I created as a prize for a raffle to raise funds for The North Carolina Friends of Midwives. It is called The Red Tent because we held an event in which a room was decorated in red and a diverse group of women came to tell their birth stories. It was an incredible experience to listen to stories that were triumphant, and others that were heartbreaking. Each woman was allowed to share, and tell her story in her own words, through her own perspective.
One of my other passions and callings, besides art, is doing everything I can to improve the quality of maternity care in my community. One of the ways that I do that is to support midwifery. And if I can do that through my art, then all the better.
The necklace was woven with a needle in right angle weave with blood red size 11 seed beads and embellished with 4mm faceted crystals. A peyote toggle and loop make up the clasp.

~ And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand, and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying "This one came out first." ~
Genesis 38:28

Honey Gold

Today I am featuring another ribbon style lariat, this time in champagne, or butterscotch colored beads with peach, gold and white freshwater pearls. The "ribbon" of the lariat was stitched in ndebele or "herringbone" with Chinese seed beads. They have a beautiful lustre, kind of an AB finish, but more understated.

"The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous all together. They are more desirable than gold. Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb."

Psalm 19: 9 & 10

Blueberry Wine

I have always been fascinated with lariat style necklaces. There is just something about the drape, the "slinkiness" of them that is so elegant and unique. I decided to do this "ribbon" style lariat with some yummy beads I found at Ding's Design in Winston-Salem, NC. my hometown, where my dear friend Paula Meyncke teaches seed beading classes.

These size 11 matte beads are called "Blueberry Wine," thus the name of the lariat.

I used peyote stitch to create sections and then attached the sections with seed beads and freshwater pearls in various hues of wine and light purple. On the ends of the lariat, I added a crystal or two.

"May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth. For your love is better than wine."

Song of Solomon 1:2

Spring Bouquet

The inspiration for this free form peyote stitch bracelet was a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers that I brought to a friend who was battling cancer last March. The flowers were all shades of purples, blues and bright yellows. They were incredibly beautiful, and I was intrigued by the colors. So, naturally, I had to make something to remind me of them. I love free form peyote, because I never know exactly how the peice will turn out. I allow it to be a completely intuitive process, and I am never disappointed with the results.

I used seed beads of various sizes and added some pearls and large faceted beads for texture. The clasp is a peyote toggle and loop.

My friend went home to be with the LORD,  and I know he is enjoying flowers that far exceed the beauty of the ones I brought him that day. He is now perfected, healed and whole and experiencing the glory of the heavenly realm.

"and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will be no longer any death, or mourning, or sorrow or pain, for the old order of things shall pass away"

Revelation 21:4

Purity

This cuff bracelet was inspired by my love of turn of the century period piece movies.

I attached organza ribbon, in a pleated fashion, to buckram and began embroidering away. I used hex beads, 4mm pearls, size 11 seed beads and pressed glass leaves. I attached it all to a bracelet blank and backed it with royal purple ultrasuede.

I imagine this cuff on the wrist of a virtuous young woman, like Elizabeth Bennett as she is elegantly dressed for the ball at which she is, perchance, introduced to Mr. Darcy.

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." I Timothy 4:12

Little Bag Blue

This blue bag was lots of fun to crochet. The design is by Lydia Borin at

Bead Wrangler

Lydia crochets her gorgeous bags on Jean Stitch thread, which is not for the faint of heart... or the weak of eye !

I have great bifocals, but being somewhat faint of heart,  I chose to do the bag with #10 crochet cotton and #10 seed beads. I was very pleased with the result. I love all of the fun loops and the netted design of the middle part of the bag. I may have to try another one soon. 

I am fond of the color of these beads. They are a light sapphire with an AB finish.

I love to make bead crochet bags and have sold quite a few of them to people who want to use them to hold a special treasure. A lady bought one of my white bags to put her father's photo in on her wedding day. He had recently passed away, but she felt that his photo in the bag was a beautiful way to hold his memory as she walked down the aisle to meet her groom. I was so touched by the thought of that.

 These little bags make a spectacular presentation of a gift, or could be used to hold a written prayer, rosary or favorite piece of jewelry. The bags also remind me that while earthly treasures are fun, they don't last forever. Spiritual treasures are eternal.

"Sell what you have and give alms; provide for yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches or moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12: 33 & 34

Baroque Brooch

I love brooches. I hope to create many more of them !

This one was constructed in my usual way of embroidering with beads onto buckram. The componets in this brooch are very similar to my Genesis collar, minus the lavender colors. I added some white freshwater pearls for contrast.  

"His truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Psalm 91:4

           

Rainbow

I call this bracelet Rainbow because of the way the colors fade into one another in a prismatic fashion.

It was needlewoven with size 11 seed beads and has a peyote stitch base. Then I embellished the top with little wavy loops to give it a sense of motion.

A pearl button and loop form the clasp.

The rainbow is a sign of God's covenant and promises. 

"The rainbow shall be in the cloud and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." Genesis 9:16

Genesis

I call this bead embroidered collar, Genesis, because it was my first collar creation and it was definitely a work in progress. I have added one feature to it since this photo was taken, by adding some delicas to tighten up the peyote around the turquoise stone, which set it off rather nicely !

I used chocolate brown 3 cuts that I cut off of one of my mom's old cocktail dresses, some amazing vintage lavendar 3 cuts that I cut off of an old bead crocheted bad that my dog partially destroyed, some turquoise colored size 11 seed beads, some blue coin pearls, dusty lavendar size 11 seed beads and lime green size 11 seed beads.

I rather like the paisley motif  and hope to use it again in future works. I think it gives an illusion of motion and life in a similar way that a spiral does.I like themes that celebrate life ! And I thank God for creating all of the beauty I see every day. I thank Him that I am able to celebrate life and beauty in my artwork. It is an act of  worship to Him, and I hope it brings Him pleasure.

"The God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together in one place, and let the dry land appear; and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters, He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.'" Genesis 1:9

Gray Dove

Gray is a beautiful color, in my opinion. Some may think it drab, but it reminds me of lovely things like doves, dapple gray mares, stormclouds, and the color of the ocean at dusk, just to name a few.

I created this bracelet with right angle weave in soft gray size 11 seed beads, gunmetal colored 3 cuts and 4mm blue gray pearls. I love right angle weave because it can be embellished in so many ways.

The clasp is a vintage metal art deco button and seed bead loop.

This bracelet belongs to a beautiful lady.

"Though you lie down among the sheep folds, you will be like the wings of a dove, covered with silver..."

Psalm 68: 13a

Scarlet

I love RED ! And The scripture verse below was my inspiration for this necklace.

I am a Christian. In my opinion, Christianity is not about being religious. It is about having a relationship with the Living God, who is LOVE.

I wove this necklace with deep red size 11 seed beads and 4 mm faceted beads and 4 mm round white pearl beads. A pearl and seed bead loop make up the clasp.

"Come, let us reason together" says the LORD. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Though they are crimson, they shall be as wool."

Isaiah 2:18

Cleo's Cuff

 

This bracelet was inspired by a Bead Dreams challenge that I entered a few years ago.

The challenge was to create a free form peyote stitch bracelet.

I had been doing a color study on ancient Egyptian jewelry and so I decided to use those colors for my piece, which were blood red, lapis blue, emerald green, turquoise and, of course, gold !

I added a few extra elements, such as scarabs and a lotus button to complete the look.

I wonder if Cleopatra would have liked it. I enjoyed creating it !

"Now, when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying,"Arise and take the young Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word....."
Matthew 2:13

Inspired by Monet

One of my favorite painters is Monet. This "wrist ruffle" was inspired by his use of color and impressionism.

I fancied a field of wildflowers in a rolling meadow on a temperate spring day and used it as my inspiration in choosing the beads. There are are size 11 seed beads in varying shades green, pink, red, white and blue, with an eclectic mix of other beads in the same colors, including Swarovski bicones, cats eye, and pressed glass leaves. A beaded loop and a  lilac colored button, embossed with a floral motif, serves as a clasp.

"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come. And the voice of the turtledove is heard in the land. "  Song of Solomon 2:12

Angel

I believe in angels. I found this coin and liked the image of the angel on it, so I decided to make it the focal point on this bead embroidered cuff bracelet. The beads used are 3 cuts peacock AB finish, size 11 seed beads in dark root beer, and transparent gold. The embroidery was then attached to an old pewter cuff bracelet and backed with black ultrasuede.

This bracelet has been sold.

Last Christmas there was a story in the news about a litle girl who was dying, and the staff at the hospital saw a figure of light in the hallway as they were praying for her.

And a miracle happened. The little girl, did not die, but lived and went home to spend the holidays with her family. I believe that whether we live or die, we are in the company of angels and secure within the love of God.

"Then the angel said to them "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be for all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord."

Tuscan Sun

Dreaming of visiting a Tuscan vineyard and winery was my inspiration for this piece, which was created with bead embroidery over a piece of pretty ribbon that I inherited from my mother's stash. The colors were so beautiful, I and I just had to enhance the design with beads.

I stitched the ribbon atop my trusty buckram, and proceeded to embellish it with seed beads in vintage chocolate brown 3 cuts that I salvaged from a 1960's cocktail gown, and  number 11 lilac, emerald, gold and blue seed beads. The effect upon the sunset colored background was gorgeous.

The clasp of the bracelet consists of a button with an emerald green center and a seed bead loop.

This bracelet was sold two years ago.

"Now let me sing of my Well-Beloved, a song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard : my Well-Beloved has a vineyard on a very fruitful hill."

Isaiah 5:1

Floral Fantasy Pendant

This pendant was created by bead embroidery around a floral picture cabochon that I made myself.

I used a decorative marble "blob" that was flat on one side, and attached a snippet of pretty paper with glue.

I then attached the cabochon to buckram and proceeded to embroider around it with size 11 jonquil aurora borealis finished seed beads and peach alabaster finished seed beads, which complimented my little cabochon very nicely.

I backed the cabochon with black ultrasuede and stitched a bale for the chain, which is right angle weave.

A peach colored faceted bead and loop make up the clasp.

I am very inspired by the beauty of flowers and a floral theme flows consistently through my work.

"The grass withers, and the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever".

Isaiah 40 : 8

Tiger Lily

I call this bracelet "Tiger Lily" because of the flower motif on the focal bead, and the colors, which reminded me of a tiger. This bracelet was contructed with a "bead soup" containing number 11 seed beads, pressed glass leaves, tiny wooden discs and spheres, and various size 8 seed beads. I inherited the bead from my mother's bead stash, and I have no idea where she got it, which added to the fun and mystery of the experience of creating it.

"So why do you worry about clothing ? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not clothe you, O you of little faith?"

Pearls in the Sand

I love the beach....about as much as I love the mountains. But the bracelet I feature today was inspired by the the seaside.

This cuff bracelet was created with bead embroidery, using size 11 seed beads and hex beads and freshwater pearls, applied to buckram and backed with soft ultrasuede. The colors I chose are pinks, peaches, browns and bronzes that remind me not only of the sand, but also hues often observed at dusk and dawn when the sun is rising or setting for the day. The clasp is a pearl button and loop.

My family has spent many Septembers at Topsail Island, and I remember my children's laughter, having fun as they looked for treasures along the shore. The treasures of memories of those days will warm my heart forever.

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. Revelation 21:21

Blue Ridge

I love the Blue Ridge Mountains anytime, but especially in the spring and fall.

Springtime on the Blue Ridge was my inspiration here. 

This cuff bracelet was created with bead embroidery, which was applied to buckram and backed with buttery soft ultrasuede. The beads are size 11 myukis of blues, lavenders, greens and pinks.

The little "mountain" motifs are dotted with a 4mm fire polished crystal, and the pink "mountain laurel"flower in the foreground of the bracelet is created with the same. There are a few bugle beads scattered about, added for textural interest.
The claps is a button and loop closure. I liked the button's antique feel, and the deep pink center, which complimented the pinks in the design.

I love to visit our family vacation home in the Blue Ridge and watch the colors of the mountains change as the mist creeps in over their soft rolling peaks. There's something about the majesty of the mountains that speaks peace to my soul.

"The voice of my Beloved ! Behold, He comes leaping upon the mountains, and skipping upon the hills"

Song of Solomon 2:8

Victoria

I love beads. It is a selfish, dominating love. But I think they love me back, because they always do what pleases me. Well, most of the time anyway.

Today I begin my blog about beads, crochet and other art mediums that have captured my fancy.

This blog is most lovingly dedicated to the honor of my dear mother,

Jayne Claire Jones Ware, who nurtured my love for all things beautiful, especially beads.

She passed away a few years ago yet, when I am creating or designing, I feel her somehow near.

She was a great artist, and so I thank her for the inheritance and legacy of art.

The piece I am featuring today is a needle woven net collar. It was woven with Berkley's Fireline, in 8 lb strength and the color "Crystal" with size 11 czec seed beads in white and jonquil with an AB, or aurora borealis finish. The necklace was woven in two layers, with the bottom netted layer being the first.

The top was embellished with 3 cut crystal seed beads and some other oddly shaped crystal beads that I bought when I was visiting my brother in Rockwall, TX last year. They are transparent and very beautiful, though the photo doesn't show them off very well.

The embellishment also features white and light peach colored freshwater pearls.

The clasp is a pearl button and loop. 

I call this piece "Victoria" because I felt a sense of victory in completing it !

I imagine this adorning the neck of a beautiful bride as she delights her groom upon his first sight of her as she walks the aisle to meet him. The luminous pearls and crystals encircling her neck flicker in the light of the moon  as she dances joyfully at her reception, surrounded by beloved family and friends.

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world ~ our faith." I John 5:4