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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

New Work ... Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Gosh, it feels good to be back in the saddle again without having to write down every step I take to make work.

I went to Buttons, Bangles and Beads, Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach to browse around for beads for Triple Delight.  It's amazing how relaxing a bead store can be ... or at least how relaxed I can feel in a bead store ... I think that's more accurate.  That long bead to the left of the large nubby silver bead reminded me so much of the ancient Roman glass or Afghani beads that are gorgeous but very, very pricey.  This strand of beads was an affordable $12.

I had some of the rhinestone rondelles in a bead tray that I had brought to Florida with me.  After I put the bracelet together, I realized that it didn't have any torch-fired enamel beads on it and it felt too constricted.  I needed an "outlier," which is the enameled sterling disc.  I used some of the microfine beading thread that is commonly used with kumihimo. It's a bright purple which compliments the other beads.  I'm proud of the fact that I soldered the sterling links ... on a day that I was in a total state of relaxation ... which is what I need to attempt soldering.  Hopefully that will change in time! :-) where I don't need a brain transplant to be successful!




Triple Delight (delight)



Confetti

If you've been visiting me for a while you know that I make these things called "Bench Collection" necklaces.  They were born from times when I make jewelry at the same time as I am attempting to clean up my work area.  Basically, my thought is this, "If I use this bead in a bracelet or necklace, then I won't have to find a home for it."  Now, I've found another place ... in bracelets ... my favorite things to make! And, nothing has to match!!!!

Roman Spice

There's one of those great beads again with some torch-fired enamel ... a small lime green disc and a sterling disc torch fired with Nile Green transparent ... love those rhinestone dealies ... and that is a wrapped bronze wire bead.  I used a drill with a mandrel and slid the wire into one of the slits in the chuck to hold the wire in place.  Press the button and guide the wire.  

This has been fun, fun, fun ... I'm starting to feel like myself again!  Thanks for coming for a visit!  

15 comments:

mairedodd said...

these are beautiful barbara - i know what you mean about bead shops.. i love them all, but esp. roman spice... so glad that you got to play for a bit...

Stories They Tell said...

These are gorgeous and have such a laid-back feel, glad you're finally getting to relax! When's the book due out??

Lori P said...

LOVE the confetti bracelet! I remember that making bracelets was one of my favorite things to do and I don't even know why. Maybe it's because I went through a bracelet wearing phase and, let's face it, it's all about me, right? :)

Leslie @ Bei Mondi said...

Stunning creations! And I love the "Bench CleanUp" idea ;)

Diane said...

Beautiful, beautiful work Barbara! I bet you are very happy to not be writing it all down as you go, but instead fly free and design whatever your heart desires =)
The colors of the beads in Triple Delight are so beautiful with that glimmer of old glass~just gorgeous my friend!

TesoriTrovati said...

Such amazing work you do when you have the time. Have more time, please! I love the way you have integrated touches of your enamel work with the fibers. So playful and inventive. Thanks for sharing your inspiration! Enjoy the day.
Erin

stregata said...

OMGosh, am I glad you are feeling relaxed! This is all so beautiful - but Roman Spice has to be my favorite. It has that certain something.

steufel said...

Love, love, love the confetti-bracelet!

sharon said...

These are great Barbara! I love the abstract freeform approach...!
I love them!

romantic decay said...

These are great! As for soldering . . after many years of practice I still say the soldering gods are smiling on me when all goes well.

Unknown said...

All your pieces are fabulous! I especially like the Roman Spice. Your "bench collection" pieces are great!

Sharon said...

Look at all those colors and textures...I can tell you really had fun creating these beauties!

Mellisa said...

Sounds like I'm in agreement with the rest...Roman Spice is stunning! How nice to have a little fun and R&R :)

Laura Twiford said...

I love the romanesque glass beads too! Isn't it fun to be able to create without deadlines and projects looming overhead? I am so happy you are having fun in the studio again! See you soon!

Dale said...

wooo nice work! I really like your bracelets, they're just so much fun with mixed color.