Copper Lace

It was a happy day when I discovered this amazing copper lace. I had not seen it before and I found it profoundly magical! It is a natural element that grows between other rock formations in areas where copper is found. It looks amazingly organic, almost botanical. I chose black wire to best show off it's natural coloring.
I couldn't just pick up one, but bought a fistful. Now I am contemplating how else to show them off.

Little fairy door. This one is the size you might attach to a small tree trunk so the little ones can find it and magic their way into a new home.
I have just made a miniature version to wear like a locket. I love doors, gates, locks with keys...to me indicating new beginnings, secrets, adventure, Safe place, something new to be revealed.

Bird's nest with three little eggs,
ribbon necklace.

Treee of Life, goldtone wire
and light turquoise stone chips.

Digital painting from one of my original watercolor and ink drawing of one of my favorite subjects: Roots!

The Altar Goddess, stitched and beaded. A break from Trees of Life and Bird Nests. But why break they are so fun!!

(Coming soon.)

a verse to remember

"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.

Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."

Tecumseh

Night Owl is my latest bead embroidery. She was great fun to create, surprising me at several turns. The plan was for simple amber gem eyes. Oh no, this one said, big, and red and the way she insisted I couldn't say no.
I attached special swivel links to hold the chain, this means the chain can be removed so the piece can hung from the rings when it's not being worn.
I plan to use this ploy again as it seems like a smart move to me. Tell me what you think!!

Spiritcloth

http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/spirit_cloth/

I get alot of daily newsletter things on various subjects; cretivity, beading, fiberarts, polymerclay, spirituality, befief systems, etc. One of my favorites is Spiritcloth. Jude Hill is consistent in her contributions and I find her an amazing person, one who Ii would like to be when I grow up, only I am sure I am older than she so that isn't likely.
Her work is unique, nothing  else is like it. I find it inspiring consistentlly and bet you will too.
Check it out. Spiritcloth stitching a story could be called Sspiritcloth, Stitching a Life.

Well it was a lot of fun. I am not completely happy with it because I need more practice in making the copper wire beads. I like the polymer clay beads,( barrels, drums, lentils), and the fabric beads came out nice too. But the copper wire beads? For one thing I've had the wire forever and do not know the gauge. I may have had better luck with a slightly smaller gauge. Oh yeah, I am going to try again. The idea came from a design by Cyndi Lavin, Jewelry Crafts Magazine, March/April 2007. I made a slew of changes. the original used hand painted satin cord, I used a simple dark cotton cord. the original beads used were purchased ceramic rather than polymer clay. If Cyndi recognizes it I doubt if she'd want to claim it!! But who knows?

Little old bead maker me!

I've been making beads every chance I get. Polymer clay beads in brown and gold and copper in shapes as varied as drum, lentil and coin. Small round and cube PC beads in pastels and multi-colors. Fabric beads of small cheetah print, paper beads in deep reds, rose, mauve  and varied greens, copper wire beads ( a first, I need more practice). What fun! I'm in the finishing stages, coats of sealer, trimming, filing, shaping.The brown and metallic beads, copper beads, and fabric beads are for a neck piece that is to have an African flavor. (Stay tuned!)

Crystal Spider Necklace

Perfect for the season. Appropriate but still pretty!

Berry Patch Bracelet

Blackberry patch bracelet to go with necklace. It is interwoven brier vines with ripe and partially ripe berries,  and a few berry vine leaves. It attaches with a berry red button and viney loop-. I love this berry stuff. Still have earrings and a ring to work on.
What will I do after berries? Hmm, I've been pulled back again to beachy things. Maybe pearls, seas colored seed beads, shells, polymer sea life? will it be jewelry? Or maybe a wall hanging or table piece .....so many ways to go. Stay tuned.

Magical Monday:

Drove to the coast to the Indian village to take a friend some canning jars and lids etc. It was a great day for the ride. It is only 70 miles but takes over two hours as the roads are narrow winding and precarious. When leaving the village to drive back there is a road sign that reads, slides and washouts the next 35 miles and it isn’t kidding!

I wanted to see the ocean beach and visit some of the inlets on the straits to take pictures and just soak the seasonal changes into my being. I didn’t realize until visiting with Lila briefly that her late daughter Kim would have turned 55 yesterday. We visited her grave on the way back. The graveyard has the usual crosses but also totems and Orca carvings, glass globes and plastic flowers. It feels peaceful there, but still alive as well. An interesting aura.

It was sunny but misty from time to time and a huge rainbow arced over the ocean and ended in the village, visible just as we drove over the ridge into town. Welcoming. I was a northwest native in another life and driving into Neah Bay always reminds me of returning home.

It was a magical day to start out my week.

Blackberry bramble bead necklace

Vines and berries, leaves and stamen....everything but the stickers! I like how this turned out. Be sure to click to enlarge and see the details.