Blueberry Wine Cabochon Necklace

This necklace is one of my favorites because of the amazing cabochon created in polymer clay by Sharon Solly. I beaded around it and added the spiral chain in number 11 and number 8 seed beads. I used a combo of matte and shiny seed beads in "blueberry wine" with really great results. I may not be able to part with this one.

"I sleep but I am awake. It is the voice of My Beloved !"

Song of Solomon 5:2

Checkerboard Bracelet

OK, this is not my design, but I had fun beading it with this fun pattern from

http://moonkatz.org/checkerboard.html

It is made with bugle beads, I used black twisted ones, and seed beads, I used ones with an aurora borealis finish, to create a basketweave pattern. I want to play with this pattern some more.

"Blessed is the LORD, Who daily loads us with benefits."
Psalm 68:19

Talk to the Hand

 

This is a project for the "Show of Hands" art show which was the brain child of Kim Deneault, a fellow board member at the Lincoln County Arts Council. Kim bought a bunch of antique porcelain glove molds, and  I was fortunate enough to be able to have my way with a couple of them !
I was going to try a mehndi design on this one, but got sidetracked when I decided to get out some fabric squares I had been saving for a watercolor art quilt and wondered how a fabric decoupage would do.
What you see is the result, and I was rather pleased with it.

"My soul follows close behind you. Your right hand upholds me."
Psalm 65:8

Winter Bead Embroidered Cuff

It's winter and last week I enjoyed playing with dark and warm colors. I particularly love the reddish brown cabochon in the middle circle of this bracelet, which is similar in design to the Deco Flora bracelet I created for my daughter-in-law for Christmas. It's fun to see how different colors completely change the look of a design.

"You have set all the borders of the earth. You have made summer and winter."

Psalm 74:17

BIRTH Stories, Panel One

This collection of twelve 3x3 inch beaded motifs is, I hope, the first of many more. The collection started as a way for women to express their feelings or experiences of pregnancy and birth in a time when there is a huge women's health crisis in maternity care. For more information on the, please see my other blog www.birthwhisperer.blogspot.com

The artsists and titles, starting from the upper left corner and working down from left to right are:

Diana Mains Welte "Baby Bump, Cherish the Gift"

Paula Motsinger Meyncke "Placenta Heart"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "My Body Rocks"

Diana Mains Welte "Here We Go"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "Labor Spiral"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "Doulas Know Squat"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "I Can VBAC"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "PUSH"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "A Cruel Cut"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "Episiotomy V-Section WHY?"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "BabyMoon"

Kathryn Lane Berkowitz "Peace on Earth Begins At Birth"

As an artist, a birth activist and conference speaker I plan to use this panel, and the others to follow, to raise awareness about the need for transparency and reform in maternity care. If you would like to contribute a square to this project, please leave a comment and I will give you more information on how you can participate.

Bridal Lace Cuff

This beautiful cuff bracelet started as a remnant of lace from an old bridal gown. I added cabochons and much more bead embroidery to add some pizzaz to the appliqued 4mm pearls and sequins. The result was so pretty ! I have the rest of the gown, so I think more projects will follow including a bib necklace. Stay tuned. 

"Then I saw the holy city, the New jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

Rev 21: 2

January Bead Journal 2010 : The Dove

I decided to start a bead journal this year and plan to complete a motif for every month of the year.

This piece is called "The Dove" because in January 1983, I was rescued by God from a very dark and hopeless life. In the midst of a cold and hopeless winter, despair and depression, He came, by His Holy Spirit ( as represented by the dove in the motif) and gave me new hope and a new life. Because of Jesus Christ and His love, I live a forgiven, redeemed, beautiful, fruitful and creative life. His mercies are new every morning !

"And John bore witness saying, " I have beheld the Spirit, descending as a dove out of heaven."

 John 1:32

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