A Beaded Lei: Part 1

When my daughter returned to Hawaii from her deployment I decided try to come up with a beaded Lei. The first part was designing the flowers which of course takes making up some samples. Here I have a few different types of petals. Now that I have decided which ones I like best I can begin creating the flowers that will make up the actual Lei.

I will also be creating an orchid in purple and yellow similar to this one. While working this one up I came across some changes I would like to make.

I think at this point that I will be doing the leaves in micro-macramé, similar to those on this piece but we’ll see what happens! I never know what will develop at my table!

I will phasing out this blog since I have one on my website...be sure to follow the rest of this story there at Divella Delights

Summer Garden Necklace

Summer in Maine has arrived at long last! The sun is shining and the flowers are in bloom giving me just the inspiration I needed to create this piece.


For this necklace I used vintage and contemporary Lucite flowers, beautiful rich genuine pearls in 3 colors, filigree bead caps, large pieces of high quality Rose Quartz and vintage Lucite leaves. The clasp is by Swarovski and the entire piece measures 18.5 inches but can be made smaller with a sterling lobster claw clasp.

Both the base and the garden were woven by hand by yours truly. The leaves are made with seed beads, also each woven with care.

This is a wonderful summer piece of wearable art and as I do only one you will be the only one at the party wearing this beaded Summer Garden necklace.
Available at Divella Delights

Spring

 Fall gets most of the glory in this part of the country, but living in Maine these past 7 years I have found a new appreciation for Spring. It is time to put away all the sweaters, boots and gloves and move the snow blower and shovels to the back of the garage. In place of the winter tools we now have the BBQ grill, lawn chairs and garden equipment. My mother's favorite, the Daffodils begin to arrive letting me know that my cherished lilies are soon to follow. My design palette changes from deeper hues to those more bight and colorful. Pinks, reds sunny yellows and bright oranges replaces the deeper colors more popular in the fall and winter months. The temperature is much kinder but will give way soon to the hot and humid lazy days of summer. For now though, everything is perfect. I wake up early to the birds singing and the scent of the lilacs coming in my window that I left open the night before. Mmmmm, Spring has arrived in New England.

Wild Over Lupines and Columbines

Although in 1895 the legislature adopted the Maine state flower as the White Pine Cone, if it came up for a vote my selection would have to be the Lupine. Since it grows wild here, there are fields and fields of this exquisite, colorful flower, even along the highways. It ranges in color from deep purple to white and stands up to 4 feet tall. There is no effort in growing these and no propagation needed. You can literally throw the seeds on the ground and soon you’ll see the seedlings appear. To get the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to plant them IN the soil!


They bloom in late Spring, early summer and you can get 2 bloomings by cutting off the flower after the first has died. It likes full to partial sun and damp soil. Because they have long taproots, they are not suppose to transplant well but I have found that it is easily done when the plants are small.

That brings me to the Etsy shop for the day! Maine Simple is the name of the shop and they’ll send you the seeds and all the instructions you need to grow this fabulous plant. Before long you will be attracting butterflies and hummingbirds for your enjoyment. Think of how stunning these would look on either side of your driveway or along the front of your house. My suggestion would be to pick up some Columbine while you are shopping; they have those as well.

The Lupines and Columbines are self-seeding so you don’t have to do anything in the fall to bring them back fuller and thicker each year. One thing though, as with many Perennials don’t look for these long stalks of colors on your Lupines the first year. I promise you though, it will be worth the wait!

Stop by Maine Simple and enjoy a piece of the way life should be.

Winter Garden Necklace

"Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

As I scan the social networks I see the most delightful images testifying to the beauty that only winter brings. One photo in particular was this one by Joan Regal Ahier from the Dalles, Oregon. Although she considers herself to be an amateur photographer, her talent captures the essence of many a moment like no other I have seen. I used this photo as inspiration for my Winter Garden piece.

A nearly monochromatic work, this 18-inch necklace is meant to mimic an ice-covered garden in winter. In it you will find all of the delightful elements a lady loves.
The upper neck of this stunning piece was accomplished with dainty silver pearls and sterling silver beads to rest comfortably on your neck. As the neck transforms into the main body there are shimmering Swarovski crystals peaking out from the weave to catch the light and add flashes of color the way only these lovely Austrian crystals can. Next the weave (and the fun) begins!
I used sparkling crystal AB seed beads to give the effect of sunlight in the ice-covered trees and frosty Magatama beads to capture the look of snow on the ground. The lovely opalescent flowers give the sense that the temperature change came quickly and suddenly thus freezing the flowers in place. It serves to remind us that Spring will return again, the branches will turn green once more and blossom. The slight breaks in the weave not only allow more light to play on the necklace, but also allows for me to incorporate gemstone beads into the piece. As with most of my pieces this one draws to a close with a sterling lobster claw clasp. On the other side is an oval jump ring for added security, also in sterling.

For a piece that is nearly absent of color this necklace shimmers dramatically!

Blog for Beads by Artbeads.com contributed a large part of my materials in exchange for my honest evaluation of their merchandise in my blog. I am not paid to endorse them in any way.

Weekend Special

This is my special this weekend...50% off at Divella Delights

I want real flowers, perennials which not only grow and change and die, but also rise again and astonish me. A garden shouldn't just bloom and look pretty; it should develop like the rest of life. Otherwise it, and we, live only to be spaded under.- Emma L. Roth-Schwartz
I had such joy creating this necklace although it took me a month to complete. Each leaf, each petal, each delicate wing of the butterflies were stitched one bead at a time with great care. The pearls you see here are genuine. There are also macramé beaded leaves for some added texture. The entire piece measures about 20 inches but do keep in mind that the center rises quite a bit. On me the top of the center arrangement falls just below my collarbone.Despite the size of the piece it is very comfortable to wear as it lies flat on your chest.The flowers were sewn on Ultrasuede and the backing is felt and is colorfast; I tested a swatch prior to use.The clasp is appropriately a copper flower and stem toggle. I guarantee there will not be another like this one!

See more photos at Divella Delights.

Just the bag for those Holiday parties or shopping trips! This bag was hand knit and felted to 8X6.5 inches and has a 15" to center felted strap (30" total). The flower is beaded one petal a time and is attached to a pin so it can be removed to wear. In the center of the flower are genuine pearls. The pin back also has a necklace loop on the back if you want to slide onto a chain to wear as a necklace. I will be adding new Holiday jewelry and gift items to my shop so come by Divella Delights and see what's new!

Field of Fantasy

I had such joy creating this necklace although it took me a month to complete. Each leaf, each petal, each delicate wing of the butterflies were stitched one bead at a time with great care. The pearls you see here are genuine. There are also macramé beaded leaves for some added texture. The entire piece measures about 20 inches but do keep in mind that the center rises quite a bit. On me the top of the center arrangement falls just below my collarbone.
Despite the size of the piece it is very comfortable to wear as it lies flat on your chest.
The flowers were sewn on ultrasuede and the backing is felt and is colorfast; I tested a swatch prior to use.
The clasp is appropriately a copper flower and stem toggle.

LL Bean, Beaded Gardens and Meteor Showers

Ok so now it is official; I am going back to do the seasonal gig at LL Bean on October 19th. I had my interview today, which really just meant doing all the tax paperwork come to find out. In the meantime I am doing some home shows for the jewelry and I have tons of hats I have to make so I had better get busy!
There is only 1 more day to the sale so get it while you can as Janis used to say! I know. I am dating myself aren’t I?
I am heading down to the Boston area again on Sunday for an overnight with my granddaughters before they start school. They are 6 now, my they have grown so fast! I was right there holding their mommy’s hand when they were born and it does not seem like all that long ago.
After that I guess things will return to normal, whatever that is!
I have a few design knocking around in my head…not safe in there, so watch for some new designs coming right up.
I will also be unveiling the flower garden necklace with over 20 hours of work in it, look for that in the next couple of days.
Now, it is late and I am off to watch the meteor show! Rest well!

New Beaded Flowers

Beaded Flowers
As usual I am on to something new. This is a photo of what I think will be the center of a necklace. I plan to do a combination beaded and micro-macramé neck for this one with a total length of around 18 inches.
Each petal, rose and each leaf was individually beaded then fastened to a piece of felt. I have since attached the C-Lon cord to the ultra suede and fastened that to the felt to begin the macramé portion.
It will be free form and I am thinking asymmetrical so balancing will be a bit tricky, as I do not want it sliding around once it is on the neck.
Although I enjoy doing these quite a bit, I can’t seem many being made as they are very time consuming.
Let me know your thoughts!

Hand Beaded Flapper Hat

Although this went pretty slow I think this is going to be my new feature hat this year. I am hoping to get faster at the beaded flowers because as it is now it took me an entire day to get this one done.
I crocheted the hat in my usual style this time around but I think I am going to try a felted design cloche style. I am also thinking about making the flowers a bit larger, more dramatic although I so the like the subtle style this one has. Not too much but striking all the same.
I am getting ahead of myself. This hat was hand crocheted using a lambswool blend and acrylic. I made the beaded flowers and leaves using high quality seed beads, each petal done individually then assembled. I sewed the arrangement onto a piece of felt then sewed that to the hat to give it more stability. More information and photos are available at www.divelladelights.com

Beaded Flowers, Leaves and Bugs

Remember in my last blog I mentioned that I am learning some new techniques? Well, here is my first flower. Now my brain is really racing. I am doing some bugs next; they look like fun too. So I am thinking I should do a bunch of white ones perhaps in a couple different sizes and incorporate it into a free form peyote necklace along with a couple of beetles or butterflies. I also want to put some of those wonderful micro-macramé leaves in there as well. I am going to try to draw out something rough but I want to keep it free form so I can bead as I go.

Crochet, Macrame and Beaded Flowers

Now that all my kids and relatives have come and gone for the summer it is time to get back to work in earnest. I have 24 of my crochet Flapper hats to make for Bonnet Boutique and of course the ones for my website and I am going back to LL Bean again this fall. The hats were such a huge hit last year so I am giving it another go. I should have quite a bundle of new ones finished in August.
As far as jewelry goes, I am learning some new techniques and will be working on perfecting those in time for the gift-giving season coming up fast and furious. I am learning peyote-beaded flowers and leaves as well as micro-macramé and have some wonderful designs rolling around in my head.
I had a lot of fun this summer with my Garden Collection and I will do a few of those for Autumn and perhaps a Poinsettia bracelet.
It is just about time for my monthly give-away where I select an item from my shop and give it someone drawn from a hat of names from my e-mail list. If you are not on it yet, you can go to http://www.divelladelights.com/ and sign up on the bottom of the front page.
My crochet beaded bracelets continue to be 60% off, as I will not be doing those anymore so if you are looking for a nice gift at a very good price you can check them out at http://www.divelladelights.com/
I have ordered new gift boxes so will be using them again this year at no extra charge as soon as they come in.
I guess that about wraps up this month ramble. I hope you are all having a great summer!

Wrist Corsage

A bouquet for your wrist and a smile for your heart…
In this garden created in sunny yellows, scrumptious purples and lively greens you will find treasures such as genuine faceted Amethyst, Artisan created Lampwork, Vintage and Contemporary Lucite leaves, Czech glass, Golden Opalite, and Swarovski carefully woven together with the bright yellow button to a length of 7 inches.
Each bead and gem is individually knotted in a core of waxed Irish linen with coordinated threads for a lifetime of wear making this series perfect for every day or any day when you just need a smile.

Carousal Series, a banquet for your wrist
I have a new design to show you and one in the works. This was inspired by Stephanie Sersich from her book ‘ Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads’ although I have made a few changes in that I use different stringing material and I use a lot of gemstone rather than making it all lampwork. I am calling it the Carousal Series. I am working on some fulled beads and discs for a fiber version. I hope you will come by and check it out in a few days.
The beads I make with the wool are fulled by hand and they take a few days to dry completely so I am hold with those but in the meantime I ham having a lot of fun making the gemstone variety.
I have spent this spring learning some new techniques and mixing up with my old ones and am having lots of fun doing it. I like using all the leaves and flowers, it reminds me of a beautiful English garden
As always if you see a design and would prefer it in a different color, just ask!

Peyote Stitch Beaded Vase Trials

My daughter asked me for one of my free form peyote stitch bracelets in green for her birthday. I wanted to learn how to do leaves anyway so it was a great project. I bought Peyote stitch Beading Projects by Bead and Button to learn the leaves. This was a very good book with detailed instructions that are very, very good. Anyway, it also had a beaded vase project in it also done in free form peyote stitch. the one in the book is stunning done in earthy colors which I love. I do not have a surplus of those colors but long ago I bought a couple of kilos of beads when I was shopping with Fire Mountain for my beads. I have since switched to a local supplier for several reasons. Back to the vase. I had this old glass vase and a bunch of beads that I did not want to use for jewelry as I prefer uniform size which these are not. It would be easier I think to do it in my new beads but I don't buy those by the kilo yet so I don't have enough on hand for the entire project.
The same daughter mentioned above has been after me to do beaded flowers. Perhaps if this turns out well I will try my hand at those next.
Funny how things progress and attitudes change. I swore when I began making jewelry that I would never do the stitch work or work on a loom...now I am thinking about the loom and have definitely found a love for the stitch work although it does take a lot of time!
Wish me luck!! Anyone with any tips...tip away!

PHOTOGRAPHY

I could not resist! These photos were taken of my lilies by my daughter. So now onto the ETSY folks...

Crown of Storms is the one to look at today. You can find them at http://www.crownofstorms.etsy.com and you should stroll by and take a peek.

I love the toad he reminds me of Monday morning! And can you tell my fave flower is the Lily? The winter scene is what I am looking forward to. This shop has great diversity in subject matter as you can see. They also have a huge clearance section starting at $2.50. Yes you read that right, 2 dollars and 50 cents! With Christmas so soon and oil prices so high here is your chance to get some great one of kind gifts. Be sure and check out all the other FAB Maine artisans on my blog...Happy Shopping!

French beading beginings

My daughter wanted my to bead some flowers for her so I began small and just did some leaves for this necklace. It's kind of fun. I think I will enjoy it in between my "real work". I did find some very useful tips and instructions, here are a couple of links : http://kimberlychapman.com/crafts/bfbasic.html
http://www.crafts4everyone.com/crafts/needlecrafts/french_beaded_flowers/.
And of course because I love the folks on Etsy, here is a link to a shop I found that specializes in this technique http://www.foreverflowers.etsy.com/. She does gorgeous work, check it out!
I think this little center made this necklace really cute. When I put the clasp on it just looked to plain in the front so I added another flower and the leaves, just a little touch of something...what do you think? Does it work? I am off now to a new design, new adventure...I sure do love this work! I have a great set on sale in my Etsy shop at http://www.divelladelights.etsy.com/
Have a GREAT day!