Learning a new technique

So I went to North Carolina with the intention of teaching some classes and seeing some good friends, but I came back with so much more than that! Right now I'm perfecting the art of creating tile coasters which I am SO in love with. I love learning a new technique that allows you to utilize skills you already have (not to mention supplies that you bought 4 years ago for something completely different that you never kept up with;), but still lets you express a new idea. So here they are in all their glory: Retro Flower Coasters!

New Kit Available

I sold my first PDF pattern in The Peacock Shop this morning, and I was so ecstatic that I went ahead and listed a Kit! The Cabochon Goddess Kit list is just like the one pictured, but with an Onyx Cabochon and Green Crystals and Beads :) I'll be listing other patterns and kits soon, so keep an eye out.

Don't you just LOVE Copper?

Well, I came back from North Carolina with a raging flu complete with Laryngitis (I kid you not). Right now I'm trying to focus on making some jewelry with the great beads I picked up at Beadlush and beyond. I learned some great new techniques while playing with my friend Michelle, and she even gave me some of the resin cabs she made (hey, what are crafty friends for?). My Copper Magma earrings are made with the newest Swarovski Crystal Color, and you can get them in my Gypsybeads Etsy Shop. Check them out and let me know what you think!

All good things must come to an end...

My Saturday classes at Beadlush went well regardless of the fact that I caught some version of the flu on Thursday night. Sunday I spent at the Beadlush hanging out with old friends, looking at Lois Oster's Beads, and watching Dichro-Master Audra Goetz perform her craft....Me?....I was shopping most of the time in Lydia's wonderful shop. Sunday night Michelle Link fired up her kiln for the first time and made the wonderful little squares you see here. Today I spent doing practically nothing until Michelle and I decided to try to take pictures of her never-before-photographed creations. I've included one of my favorites which was made at the 2008 Bead&Button Show.

My time here in Charlotte is coming to a close. Only one full day left until I must be whisked back to Aurora,CO where I will rest for one day and then off to the mountains I go for the weekend. I'll be listing some more kits in The Peacock Shop soon, so keep an eye out for that!

Back in Charlotte

When I had the opportunity to come back to Charlotte,NC to see friends and teach a little, I took it! My flight was reasonable, and I was greeted by Lydia of Beadlush who quickly whisked me from the airport and into her bead shop, a sumptuous array of delectable shiny things: everything a bead girl could want. There I met ladies from the Charlotte Area Jewelry Artists Meetup Group, who were making a beautiful Right Angle Weave bracelet. Seeing the group of them together made me realize how much I miss being part of a bead group, so I may just show up at the Rocky Mountain Bead Society next month. I'm staying with one of my best bead buddies, Michelle while I'm in town, and she assures me that bead ladies will show up at her house tonight for a little informal bead session to tide me over. Perhaps if any beading actually gets done, I'll post a pic!

A Little Progress...

As you can see, I've gotten at least somewhere in the last few weeks with my Bead Embroidery project. This section of the bag will be the flap. I've added a Swarovski Crystal Pearl in Copper, Natural Dyed Pearl in Teal, and some Vintage Bermuda Blue Rivolis, as well as contemporary Swarovski Bicones. I can't tell you how much I LOVE this Gold-Bronze Toho. I was before just considering it as an accent color, but am now more likely to make it the main color. So, what do you think?

Now Open- The Peacock Shop

After much debate, and hoarding of beads, I have opened a second Etsy Shop to sell extra suplies as well as patterns and kits. You'll find everything from Vintage Swarovski to Cabochons to clasps personally made by the Gypsy herself!

Check it out at http://www.thepeacockshop.etsy.com/

Bead Embroidered Evening Bag

Alright, you've talked me into it! I am now working (slowly) on a Bead Embroidered Evening Bag. I decided on a Dichroic Glass Cabochon by Audra Goetz of Pane in the Glass as the centerpiece; the rest will hopefully go from there. I will post my progress (if I make any) here. Drop me a line and let me know what you think!