Green Beaded Star

I think to succeed every artist needs patrons. Those that see the value in what the artist does and don't mind laying down the cash to keep the artist going. Those that understand each piece is one of a kind and made by hand. I've never found those patrons, and most artists I know haven't either. You know, that one person that checks your shop daily and can't wait to see and buy whatever you list next.

More Hearts

I finished two beaded heart pins and got them listed in my Etsy shop called Hypnotic. I'm at the library though and only have access to one of the photos. But at least it will give you an idea. Or you can look to the right and scroll down in the sidebar to see the link to the shop.

Beaded Heart

I really enjoy making beaded felt items.  Right now I'm working on hearts. They can be used as ornaments, pins, brooches, and hat bling.

Slightly larger than actual size.

New beads

I found a cute little bead shop in Apple Valley. The first time we dropped by they had just closed. The next time they were open but she said she was going out of business at the end of the month. Sad face. Business was just too slow so after 7 years she was calling it quits. Stupid economy.

Then this morning I found another shop that carries leather and beading supplies right here in Lucerne Valley, CA. So hope springs eternal.

There is also a Hobby Lobby in Victorville but I haven't gone to that one or any Hobby Lobby for that matter. If I only had a car right now I'd be dangerous.

Pearl Valentine

After some major reorganizing of my work space, I finally have a table I can do beadwork on again, with enough fancy lighting so that I can work even when the sun goes down. I just need to get in the habit of doing a little beadwork each day.

For Valentine's Day I made this valentine with fresh water pearl beads. The holes were so tiny, I could almost never get a needle through them, so I found a project with no needles required. I glued them straight to the card. When I figured out who to give it to, I personalized the front with her name. She liked it so much, she wants to frame it.

Pesky Peyote Stitch

I'm struggling with some new Peyote Stitch beading techniques. It should be a piece of cake. I must have some kind of mental block. I'm going to keep trying though. I did finish one bead on Saturday, but I ad libbed it after losing track of where I was on the chart. I chose a color scheme of purple, pale green and yellow. It's so time consuming that I start feeling guilty that there must be better uses for my time, like making a living. At the rate I'm going, I'd have to charge a million dollars for each necklace.

Peyote Stitch Beadwork

I haven't gotten to work on beading in ages, so I was happy to pull this out of a tin of beads and start working on it again. I did some of the pastel part and all of the gold tonight. Peyote stitch is very time consuming so I consider that progress in the right direction.  See how the gold goes off at an angle? I'm splitting that part into two 'rivers' of beads that will cross later on.

I can't remember if this was meant to be a bracelet or a necklace or a watchband, or if it was just an experimental piece I was toying with.

Working With Delicas

I'm trying out my new Delica beads. Even though these are size 11 and the beads I've been using are size 11, these seem so much tinier and harder to work with. Three rows into the design I spotted a mistake on the first row.  It will be too time consuming to redo it all. I'm just going to start over after resting my neck, shoulders, and eyes for a while. If these come out I'll sell the chart on Etsy.