Sometimes, I like to play with resin

So, I got to make a resin necklace on commission for a coworker. It was a fun piece to make, slightly steampunky, always fun. It was made by doing several layers of resin in a bottlecap bezel. The first layer was tinted black. The next layer was clear and I added some gears and a partial watch face. This was followed by another clear layer. Then I used a drop of resin to attach the cross. This was, of course, done over the course of several days to allow each layer to set. Once the final layer was cured, I drilled a hole and then attached my bail with a rivet. I really love rivets, not sure why.

Anyway, here is the finished product. In a box even!



Quote: To some, ‘steampunk’ is a catchall term, a concept in search of a visual identity. To me, it’s essentially the intersection of technology and romance. – Jake von Slatt

New Ring Pattern: Turkey in the Fall

I did say I would be posting more seasonal patterns right? Right.



Quote: Dear Lord, I've been asked, nay commanded, to thank Thee for the Christmas turkey before us... a turkey which was no doubt a lively, intelligent bird... a social being... capable of actual affection... nuzzling its young with almost human- like compassion. Anyway, it's dead and we're gonna eat it. Please give our respects to its family...
Berke Breathed, Bloom County Babylon

Etsy Beadweavers October Challenge voting is open!

Can't believe I almost forgot to announce that the voting for the October Challenge - Inspired by Picasso - is open. You can go to the Team Blog to view the entries and cast your vote. If you click on an entry on the mosaic, it will take you to the Etsy listing for that item.

You have until October 15th to vote for your favorite!

Thanks.

New Ring Pattern: Witch's Hat

So, busy weekend. We had a minor flood in the basement, always fun. I also got to spend lots of time taking apart and rebeading on my November challenge project. I am hoping to make one item that works for the Kansas Etsy team theme of Science and for the Etsy Beadweavers team theme of Totally Twisted. We shall see if I ever actually get it done...

Below you will find a lovely ring pattern for the Halloween season. I hope to get several of these posted this month, so stay tuned!



Quote:
When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
~Author Unknown

Very Vintage Challenge Blog Hop!

And I didn't get done... I had things ready and all I needed was the chain, but when I went to get some they didn't have any in the right tones. I tried to alter some, but it was still too coppery/red.

So, here are pictures of my focals... we will just imagine the chain.




For this focal, I made a beaded bead in muted fall colors, topped it with the acorn bead cap and then dangled a lucite leaf and a metal leaf. This will hang from an inch of chain attached to a circle connector, which will hang from more chain.



For my second piece, I took some 6 mm bugle beads and wove them to make a mat for one of the filigree connectors. This will hang from 2 half inch lengths of chain below the branch, again with more chain.

If you would like to see actual finished products (and better pictures) please visit Michelle Mach's blog for her piece and the list of participating blogs!

Quote: There are two kinds of people, those who finish what they start and so on.
Robert Byrne

I really hate taking photos

My tripod broke last weekend and was listing. This does not make for good photos. This weekend I was lucky enough to find a new tripod for cheap at a garage sale. Set up this afternoon to take some new photos and realized something - I really REALLY hate taking photos. Mostly, I think, because I am not good at it.

At their best, my photos are so so. At their worst, they are truly bad. I tend to hate things I am bad at. Blah.

New ring set posted to 8bitrings.



Quote: Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.
Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)

Peyote Beaded Beads

For a while now I have been wanting to learn to make peyote beaded beads around a wooden core, but was lacking a good tutorial. While blog hopping recently, I found a link to one, finally! It was in Hungarian, but had what I needed - a chart that listed how many beads in each round for what size core bead! Here is the site that had this information. Below I have translated it to English for you. If you translate the original site, their next post goes over some information on how bead type and finish impact these numbers. I really suggest visiting it for more informaiton!



While doing the first couple of beaded beads, I found it very difficult to hold everything together while I stitched. So I came up with a nifty way to stablize. I took a headpin, put a rubber earring back on it. I then started my beadwork. Once I have the first few rows, I sew in the tail thread, then I add the bead work to the headpin. Next add the bead, then another earing back. The rubber earing backs stay in place and hold everything firmly together. Plus, they are soft on the beadwork!



I found that this configuration not only kept my hands from cramping, but allowed me to easily set the work down if I need to take a break! If you don't have the rubber earring backs available, you could try cutting the erasers off of pencils and using those.



Really handy for the tiny 6 and 8 mm beads! Also of note, you don't have to use a wooden core. You can use any old round bead. Above you will see that I am using a glass pearl. My first attempt (not pictured) was over some plastic beads!

Quote: Life is like one big Mardi Gras. But instead of showing your boobs, show people your brain, and if they like what they'll see, you'll have more beads than you know what to do with.
Ellen DeGeneres, Tulane Commencement Speech, 2009