Winter Frost and The Last Rose of Summer

If you take a peek at the June 2011 issue of Bead and Button magazine you will find my necklace Winter Frost on page 17. After that came out I began receiving requests for the tutorial which; of course I had not made while I was creating the piece. I decided to do another using the same technique but change things up. The new one, my statement piece of 2011 is The Last Rose of Summer. While I was working on that piece I did create the tutorial which is now for sale on my website.

This magnificent piece was created with a large Hill Tribe fine silver rose as the centerpiece. Along the lower neck Argentium Silver, gold and garnets are interlaced placing the Last Rose of Summer in a breathtaking resplendent garden just before the gold, silver and cranberry garnets come to rest comfortably on your neck. The clasp is a Bali Silver toggle making it very easy to put on and take off yet keeps your treasure safe and secure.

Creating this necklace in gold and silver makes this necklace very versatile. An astounding and striking woven necklace to add to your collection of designer jewelry.

Home for Orphans

I have had so many wonderful comments on my free form peyote bracelets, which I have not made in quite a while but rest assured fans, more will be coming soon.




I often buy "Orphan Beads" from Amanda at Rufus and Roxy who makes stunning lampwork beads. She will occasionally have a sale on a group of beads that do not go together so I buy them. This allows me to buy more lampwork (I love that part) and make a piece of original jewelry that always gets rave reviews!



If you have some beads laying around that need a home other than that tray you have them in, why not give them a home they can boast about? If you don't have any orphans of your own check out Amanda and adopt some!



Freeform peyote is so much fun and because you can use beads of any size and shape it is a great way to de-stash! With no set pattern, just a few simple rules you can make a one of a kind piece of wearable art. Give it a try. If you need some help getting started, just let me know.

Here are a few I have made in the past.

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.

Felted Oven Mitts

Although one normally thinks of wool as being used in winter designs such as hats, scarves and mittens this wonderful fiber has summertime uses as well. Because wool is naturally heat resistant, it knits up into a great hot mitt for taking things out of the oven or holding onto a hat pan.


For this one I used Lamb’s Pride Bulky yarn. I love the way Lamb’s Pride felts up, perfect for this project!