Use the Muse III revealed

Finally I can show my piece from the Use the Muse III competition run by Scarlett Larson.

Autumnal Muse

This Muse - the gorgeous copper butterfly - conjured up memories of flowers, gardens, romanticism and Autumnal colours. Using bead embroidery, some newly acquired lace flowers, and learning how to make peyote leaves, I set about creating a romantic Autumnal garden for this “musing” butterfly.

A butterfly lights beside us, like a sunbeam ... and for a brief moment it's glory and beauty belong to our world ... but then it flies on again, and although we wish it could have stayed, we are so thankful to have seen it at all.
Anon

You can check out all the entries and the winners here.

Beading goals for 2010

As we near the end of 2009 - (and believe me I am personally glad to see this year bite the dust) - and we round the corner to 2010, I get to thinking where I'd like my beading, and wearable art, to go next year.

There are so many techniques out there that I just don't know about, so my main objective is to learn lots of new techniques .... things like a spiral rope (can't believe I haven't done this one yet). Ndebele is another technique I'd like to take up. I'd like to take my wire-work to another level - get out of this rut that I seem to have found myself in with wire, and explore and create more satisfying pieces out of this great medium. As far as Bead Embroidery goes ... I'd like to explore and make the designs that have been swimming around in my head for ages ... and incorporate the new techniques I want to learn. It seems that seed beads have taken over my beading desk LOL ... I know I have "normal" beads on there somewhere, but these pesky little things just get in the way. :)

2010 sees my first major Exhibition as well - set down for the month of May. I am both scared and excited all at the same time at the prospect of doing this. Now, I'm sure everything will turn out OK, and if I can sell some of my pieces, that would be a major bonus.

Competitions seem to be a major part of my beading life now ... I love the challenge of entering competitions. The 2010 Swarovski comp is one that I've already got a piece made for - and I hope to explore wire and crystals again next year for the same comp. I also hope to be entering more shows - Brisbane and Sydney just for starters. The "Muse" competition (a US based comp) - run by Scarlett Lanson, is one that I just love entering as it inspires me to go that little bit further ... and who doesn't love a mystery with the "Muse".

So, 2010 ... I'm hoping that it's a better year, and it brings lots of new and exciting ventures. :)

Burlesque Nights

I can't believe I made this in one day!!!

Created for a themed challenge - "Burlesque". After a bit of research about Burlesque, I knew I had to use some of the black lace motifs I got down in Brisbane last month. I pulled off the beads that were on them and replaced them with my own ... black and red AB seedies, Czech FPs and Czech flowers ... all on red ultrasuede. The centrepiece is Black Onyx with a window bezel, surrounded by red Czech FPs.

It all came together so well, and I'm so in love with it ... I love this style. Now I know what to do with the rest of the lace I got :).


Burlesque Nights

Free shipping

Yep, you read right .... you're NOT going crazy ... for this weekend ONLY on my Etsy store ... I'm offering FREE world-wide shipping on all items. From Friday 27/11 to Monday 30/11

This is your chance to get that special Christmas pressie for someone, or maybe yourself!!!

New etsy items & photos

Just a tiny one today :)

Finally got around to uploading a couple of pieces this morning that I haven't had on Etsy before. I've also replaced some rather cruddy looking photos that I had on there for other products. Hopefully they look OK now.

New piece and a Treasury or two

Wine Under Blue Skies

This one is for me .... made for my partners work xmas party tonight (matches my new shirt). Featuring beads from a very talented clay/ceramic artist - Natalie @ Peruzi, some spacer lampies from Lampwork artist Jan Cahill, Czech FPs, seedies, Fluorite and Swarovski Crystals in the new gorgeous colour - Cyclamen Opal.


I'm also chuffed that I've been featured in another Etsy Treasury. "A Hint of Gold in a Cerulean Sky" by Windyriver features some very gorgeous jewellery pieces, including my Blue Swirls necklace. Thankyou WR :)

This one is by AngelqueCreations titled "Here Comes the Sun", full of gorgeous summery pieces and my humble Sun Man brooch. Thanks once again Angelque

Treasury features

I'm stoked again to be featured in another Etsy Treasury ... "Wintery Days" by AngelqueCreations ... with my wired Dragonfly Brooch. Thankyou Angelque :)


and this one by MaryTDesigns, who has featured my "Dark Faerie" necklace. I loved making this one, so I'm chuffed to have this one featured so soon after listing it. Thanks Mary.

And again, this time with my "Ouro Preto" pendant in a gorgoeus earthy treasury by enchantedbeas, thanks darl :)

Muse teaser

OK .... so we're not allowed to reveal the Muse until Scarlett has, so I'll just give you a little teaser ... hope you like it. :)

See ... little teaser!!!!!

The Butterfly's Ball

I started making this piece about three weeks ago for the YOJ challenge on the Beading Forum - "Masquerade". However, what seems to be a common thing for me lately, I didn't get it finished in time LOL. Have been plodding along since then "attempting" to get it finished. Well, yesterday it finally happened ... I FINISHED IT!!!!

Now the colours .... I've not used these colours together before, and now I'm left wondering why I never have. They compliment eachother so well and just so much at home next to eachother. I can see more teal/turquoise/purple being used in the future.

This piece is going to be a christmas present for my eight year old daughter .... I'm going to get it framed in one of those box frames, and that way she can either have it on the wall, or have it sitting on her chest of drawers. I'm sure she's going to love it.

I'm going to try and make a dragon or two for the boys ... but we'll have to see whether I can pull my finger out and get them done. So many beady things going around in my head at the moment LOL.

I got featured ....

in Etsy Treasury West ... twice

My first one!!! I'm so happy someone likes my little Sun Man brooch to feature him ... and of course there's some absolutely gorgeous pieces from other Etsy sellers that have been featured in "Orange" as well ... I love the lillies. Thankyou njema :)

Updated 3 November 2009

Found this one today in my wanderings around the site ... my sun man brooch again!! Thankyou SmadarsTreasure :)

Lace motifs

I've been thinking about using lace in my designs for ages, and in my Etsy wanderings last week I came across Jennie's Heirlooms. She's an Aussie seller, and her hand dyed lace pieces are absolutely gorgeous .... I just had to buy some.

Well the order arrived today, and oh my are they even more gorgeous IRL. I even got some complimentary lace motifs ... so thankyou very much Jennie.

If you're interested in lace motifs, then you have to check Jennie's site out.

New items added

Well, it's been a while, but I've finally added some new items to my Etsy store ... and all going well, I'll add some more this week.

I've also started replacing my photos on my items. My previous photos were ... shall we say ... crap!!! So yesterday I sat down and took over 100 photos (new items included) and forced myself last night to sit on here and change the photos over. I think they look alot better - still have some to take and replace, but it's a start. Let me know what you think of the new photos, I'd like to get some feedback ... good or bad. :)

Isis - Mother of the Gods

This piece was made for a beading challenge on the Beading Forum, with the theme "Jewel of the Nile".

I drew my inspiration from two sources ...

1. Crescent Moon ... Among the most powerful of all lucky symbols, the crescent is especially lucky for young children and their mothers.In ancient Egypt, the crescent moon was the symbol of Isis, the Mother of the Gods. As the Queen of Egypt, Isis was the protector of motherhood, women, and healer of the sick. She also rules magic.

2. The Menat ... This symbol represents a heavy beaded necklace with a crescent shaped front and a counter piece at the rear. It was a symbol associated with the goddess, Hathor and her son, Ihy. In fact, Hathor was known as the "Great Menat". Hathor used the Menat as a conduit, through which she passes her power. It was representative of joy, life, potency, fertility, birth, and rebirth

I made my piece in the crescent shape, but instead of having the counterweight at the back, I brought it to the front. Love my Egyptian brass components :). Anyway, I used size 11 Slate Blue and size 15 24ct gold seedies .... I never want to see another size 15 seedie again - LOL!!!! I'm going to add in a fringe at some stage - but as I was working to a deadline I unfortunately ran out of time before this could be done.

Isis - Mother of the Gods

Golden Ivy

My one and only entry to the 2009 Create Your Style Swarovski Competition. I wasn't going to enter anything as this year has been sooooo busy and I didn't feel I could contribute something worthy, but I changed my mind (a girls perogative to do). Started it yesterday and finally finished it about 4.00 this afternoon. Ugh my aching back!!!! Nothing like leaving it until the last minute!!!!

This piece is dedicated to my beautiful Nana who, even though she passed away many years ago, left a mark on my life that has made me the person I am today. Her name ... Ivy May. She was a very proud, old fashioned woman, who had a wicked sense of humour, and a great sense of family values.

So ... down to the nitty gritty!!! I love Golden Shadow and it goes so well with Bronze Swaro pearls that I just had to team them together ... and added a smidge of cream rose in there just to break it up a bit ... and a whole heap of 2mm crystal rounds that I don't want to see again in a big hurry ... LOL. Believe it or not ... there's close to 1000 crystals/pearls on this cuff.

Here she is .....

Used 2mm crystal rounds, 3mm, 4mm, & 5mm Golden Shadow bicones, AND 3mm, 4mm Bronze Swaro pearls AND 4mm Cream Rose pearls.

I've since found out that this piece didn't make it through to the final 30 ... bit of a shame as I'm so in love with this piece, but at least I get to keep it now for the Exhibition I'm trying to organise. :)

Muse revealed

The long awaited reveal of the Muse has happened ... and what a reveal. Not only was the beautiful pendant revealed, but the multitude of entries and winners as well. I had so much fun today going through all the entries and gazing longingly at the array of designs from people all over the world.

Congratulations to all that entered and hearty congratulations to the finalists .... which I am happy to say, I am part of. You could have blown me over when I logged on this morning to find that I was one of two Australian finalists. My fellow finalist - Amanda Katz - with her amazing design and winner of the "Handmade Component" section ... congratulations Amanda. Finalists can be found here. There's also two galleries that have been set up with every single entry showcased - these can be accessed here.

Sooooo ... finally I can reveal my piece with the secret Muse - a gorgeous pendant from Lillypilly. I had so much fun making this piece, my first using this sort of design and stitching. Can't wait to see what secrets the "Use the Muse III" kit will reveal to me when I receive it. Thankyou Scarlett for such a great competition and beautiful Muse.

"Under a Moroccan Sky"

Ekka results

Well I guess I better put these up :)

I entered two pieces into this years Brisbane Show (Ekka as it's fondly known) - and this is the first year for me at the Ekka. Lady of the Lake and The Deep Blue are the two pieces that made it down there and I'm very happy to say that I got ..........

1st Place - The Deep Blue
3rd Place - Lady of the Lake

My mother went to the opening day last week and took some rather dodgy photos - not her fault, they are behind glass afterall. So here are the photos - except that you can't see the card for the 1st place, they hid it around the side apparently, and had the card and piece for the 2nd place winner in front of my piece *rolling eyes*.

Dragonfly Garden

Every now and then on the Beading Forum they have a Designer Quest (DQ). You buy the kit of beadies from the sponsor and from there make your creation. This time around the sponsor was Beadglass, and what a gorgeous lot of beadies it was.

When I saw the pack, and it's colours, I saw lush green gardens, and I had this idea of doing something wired. I set about finding a focal to go with the colours and just happened to have an Agate slice of the same colour. Using the Czech glass and seedies in the pack I wired around the slice and then set about making a frame to wire around for the main part of the necklace. I added in some little dragonflies here and there ... hence the name!!! I really love this and i'm so glad that I wired instead of stitched with the seedies. Just as a little something extra I made a dragonfly brooch ... really, really happy with how this turned out - so I may make more. :) Dragonfly Garden

woohooo I got cabs

Just got my delivery of a beautiful bulk package of cabs from Nomad Craft ... an Etsy seller based in the US. Oh my, some of them are stunners!!!!

I'm going to have so much fun with these ... oh and I got the most gorgeous starfish pendant from them as well. Definately worth a look!!!!

My gorgeous starfish pendant ... isn't it beautiful? :)

Japanese Blooms

Another Beading Forum Challenge - this week the theme was "Chiyogami". Chiyogami is a beautiful Handmade Japanese paper and the designs are just gorgeous ... AND I just happened to have some in my house. :)

For this piece I set some Chiyogami paper in resin and then based my cuff around the design on the paper. I used these gorgeous Czech cup flowers and mini flowers for the blooms on the branches. I really love the way this turned out - of course with all firsts I made mistakes and slightly miscalculated a bit on the size, but that was easily sorted. Would really, really love to do another one ... perhaps even a collar with these beautiful Japanese designs in mind. I'm also going to practice more with the resin ... love making my own focals :)

Japanese Blooms

Ouro Preto

This piece was done for a weekly challenge on the Beading Forum - the theme "Subterranean". So I did some research on the net last night on subterranean areas and found some truly inspirational pics - but one caught my eye and I thought I could do something with it. It's an underground Gold mine in Ouro Preto, Brazil - and for a small fee you can take the rickety old mining cart deep down into the mine and take the short walk to a glistening subterranean pool.

This is the inspiration piccie ...

and here is my piece - stayed up late last night to start it, got about half way through it before I started to literally fall asleep LOL ... and I finished the rest off this morning. A gorgeous piece of brown/gold Agate slice and in the middle is a hint of blue, this represents the pool deep down inside the mine. Tiger's Eye chips are the boulders and rocks surrounding it, and the gold/bronze seedies represent the veins of gold found within the mine.

Ouro Preto

and a closeup

Tidal Pools

This piece was made for a Seed Bead Challenge on the Beading Forum. The theme - "Rockpool", and it had to be all one colour .... not an easy feat I tell you. Anyway, this is my entry. I knew one day I would have a use for all these Agate Slices I have in my collection LOL.

The piece is made up of Blue Agate Slices, lots of different coloured blue seedies, freshwater pearls, Czech fp's, and Swarovskis. I loved making this one - I seem to be drawn to blue alot when I do "bigger" pieces .... I find it a very calming colour to work with ... AND of course, doing pieces that relate to water are right up my alley as I find water, the ocean, rivers/streams very calming as well.

Sarina Beach

It was the Queen's Birthday holiday here yesterday (Monday) ... and also mummy's choice day as to where we were going to have a picnic and for her to relax. LOL yeah right "mummy's day" ... mummy still had to go out and buy the food, prepare the food and drinks, pack said food and drinks, and make sure the kids were dressed appropriately and with hats ... where is the relaxation in all that? LOL

Anyway I made the executive decision - against all the kids wishes as to where they wanted to go *inserting evil laugh* - that we go to Sarina Beach. I love Sarina Beach.

I find the ocean, listening to it, watching it, very relaxing and soon find myself de-stressing (which I think was hubby's idea all the time) - it generally centres me, iykwim. While hubby and the three munchkins played footy on the beach - and yes my beautiful daughter joined in on that one - I walked along the beach, towards the rocks. I'd taken my you beaut digital SLR along meaning to take some wonderful photos - LOL don't think I took wonderful photos, but they'll do. The tide was going out, so alot of the rocks were left with interesting little rock pools. The idea struck me then to get slightly arty farty and take photos of the pools - and also to get inspiration for a current challenge themed "Rock Pool". So these are my attempt at arty farty.

The first one here is of the beach, the rocks and the headland - those rocks there are where I was walking around and taking photos ... and generally enjoying the peace and serenity of the whole place.

With this one below, I wish I could have captured the trickle or flow of the water. The water was racing down from the rocks towards the beach and water - and making this gorgeous meander across the beach.

I won't bore you with anymore - I took heaps, but these are the ones that really caught my eye while I was de-stressing. Hope you like my trip to the beach as much as I did.