Mostly Metal Challenge!

Ah, it was such a GOOD idea.  Michelle Mach, former editor of Beading Daily, was having a challenge.  Kits were mailed out for a small price and I could test the waters, dip my toes so to speak, in the world that I see in the beading magazines:  Designer Challenge.  Yes, no credentials required although I notice we have some pretty impressive names participating in the challenge.  It did seem like a good idea at the time and I had a brilliant idea for my piece.  In fact, it was INSPIRED!  I couldn't wait to get started and I found just the right Stuff in the Romance Kit as well as my stash recently received from B'Sue Boutiques. Thank you so much Michelle.

I should have known it was just too easy.....

2 weeks ago, my beloved aunt and constant terror of the Forest Hills Nursing Home, 94 year old sharp-tongued, endless bundle of energy Aunt Irene, became extremely ill with an infected kidney.  My cousin and I are her guardians.  She was not expected to recover.  After all, she is 94 years old and her kidney was so swollen and infected that it blocked her colon and extended her abdomen.  My cousin and I spent hours in the hospital the first and second week and she fooled the doctors and survived. However, the prognosis isn't good long-term and  the illness has taken a toll on her.  I've not had time to do much of anything besides attend her in the hospital.  (And Read.  There is a point of light in every dark cloud! )  We hope to move her to a lovely hospice facility in our area soon.

So, I spent today throwing together my project.  It isn't what I initially imagined but I feel good that I got anything done.  My initial idea was to cover the background painting with seed beads...a nod to the Pointillist artist, George Serault: Beads of light and color instead of brush strokes of light and color.  No time for that, so I leave it to you to use your imagination and think...what if she had the time?

There's a nod to Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine in there somewhere.  I hummed the song "Sunday" the entire time I worked on the project. Love that song.  It is inspiring.  You can take a look at the kits we had to choose from here:

http://www.michellemach.com/blog/index.php?/archives/310-Join-the-Mostly-Metal-Design-Challenge.html

Please visit the other blogs participating in Michelle's great challenge.  They are spectacular.

Antique Brass Romantic

• Donetta (via Michelle's blog)
• Michelle
• Pam (You are HERE)
• Shannon
• Stephanie
• Terry

Filigree Fun

• Andrew
• Cassie
• Cyndi
• Jeannie
• Ruth
• Vina "Jane" (via Michelle's blog)

Gunmetal Love

• Erin
• Heather
• Jean
• Kelli (via Michelle's blog)
• Linda
• Lola

Thanks to B'Sue Boutiques where I find so many of the different elements for my work  In this piece the brass scalloped blank backing, the monkey,and the lovely paper flower as well as the elements in the Romantic Kit are from her online shop.  http://www.bsueboutiques.com/  I bought the painter's palette from her too on her Etsy shop BSue1441. 

And thanks as always to the members of the Oklahoma Bead Society for their constant encouragement.

Thanks again Michelle Mach for allowing me the privilege of participation!
Happy Hopping!

Pam

Satisfaction

There is nothing like the satisfaction of seeing a project start to come together.  This one is complete except for the neck strap.  No, it is not as difficult as it looks.  There is something very therapeutic about beading peyote and watching the picture appear. The pattern is by Amy of I-bead. She makes her patterns in paper graphic patterns which you form into a tube and bead upon.  This means no counting, getting lost, recounting, etc.  Once you get the first few rows onto the form, it is pure relaxation.  If you get a chance tovisit one of her trunk shows, you will be amazed.  Photos do not do justice to her patterns. You must see them in person to fully appreciate the colors and design. 

Visit Amy at http://www.i-bead.com/

Spring is for beautiful girls

Doesn't this just say Spring? Lotsa bling here. I wonder if I know anyone who might wear it?.....hmmmmmm...maybe my beautiful tween sweetie?

My bead table is a disaster...the question, will I get my project done to turn in for the Oklahoma Bead Society Challenge?  It's due Wednesday.  Pics promised if I get it finished.

OBS Beadathon: Eleven hours of fun.

Wonder of wonders, I "almost" made it through the entire first OBS Beadathon.  I planned on staying 4 or 5 hours at the most and ended up being enticed for 11 hours by Mazzio's Supreme Pizza and the incredible productivity of a great workspace and congenial co-workers.  I finished 3 projects which is unheard of productivity for me.  The best part is I really like all of my projects. 

I have very little experience with stringing projects so I decided to concentrate on stringing for the day.  Lots of experienced stringers around to give a little help! Barbara Bellatti helped inspire me with my first project of the day, a simple stone necklace.  She volunteered a few bronzite pebbles from her stash that really made the project come together.  Love the earrings too which I put together from various beads in my stash and a couple of round green stones from our venue, A Memory to Scrap, in Broken Arrow.

I strung a second string of simple black and clear glass beads which although attractive may need to be restrung with bigger spacers so they lay correctly flat across my neck.  I have worn this strand to work and I like it too.  Very light and comfortable.

And lastly, about 10:00 p.m.,  I strung this metallic necklace. Jan Rogers was keeping me awake by talking to me and of course, there was Shane's dancing.   I read somewhere that "metallics are having their moment" and I have to agree.  I see metals everywhere on everyone!  Of course, for me it isn't jewelry without earrings.

Thanks for viewing friends!  Thanks OBS members for helping me !