tigers eye

tigers eye

 aids harmony and balance, and helps you to release fear and anxiety

 It stimulates taking action, and helps you to make decisions with discernment and understanding, and unclouded by your emotions.

last minute gifts

making some last minute gifts for christmas

everyone needs a little something sparkly for the holidays

one pattern, three ways

so simple and so addictive!

i couldn't stop at one!

more on the way

chain reaction

combining chain with beads turned out to be a bit of a math problem

but luckily it was may favorite subject 

(next to art class)

i was a bit tricky at first 

 trying to hold the beads and chain in place 

once the middle three rows where done it got easier

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below , a simpler, just as effective project 

making it big, necklace that is

not long ago,

john bead outlet had a sale on these wonderful bezels

buy 2 get 10 free

its always good to have a stash on hand 

for when an idea hits you

i also pick ups a variety of crosses at bead dynasty

going through my stash i also found some acrylic flowers

which look great with the necklace below

more skull jewelry

as always, one thing leads to another and another

i enjoyed the last 2 necklaces so much and had some leftover

skulls and just had to make more

searching through my stash i found a fun skull cameo and lava beads

combined with red pearls and metal  

i like the look

(below)

i also found a cross which i filled with resin clay

 and added some howlite and turquoise

chain reaction

it always starts with one little thing which sends me down a path to making a ton more

these little skulls i found at the john bead outlet

they matched perfectly with my leftover howllite

a bit of chain and some nylon coated wire

after wearing it out, a few friends wanted one of there own

which lead me to several more

i love this one below

encaustic

working with the heat gun and blow torch

oil pastels and metallic oil paint

i had a bit of fun experimenting

encaustic

just a little experimenting to get me back in the groove

encaustic, mirror image

back in the grove

my friend kirsten  took an amazing photo of this tree

i love trees in my art

so i asked it i could use it in one of my painting

 a bit of tweeking in photoshop so i could use it as a transfer

below, i added some shellac and then blow torched it

i decided to make 2 paintings and gave one to kirsten for her birthday

mixing it up!

going through my stash always inspires me

sometimes i wish i could have them all on display

just so i will be reminded to use them instead of hoarding

the other day while looking for something else

i found several containers with vintage crystals

i didn't realize i had so many

which lead me to a few bags of metal flowers, leaves and a few  pins

once i got out the wire it all came together

but some how i didn't even put a dent in my collection

now that's a jig!!

what a wonderful birthday gift from my friend carmi

she signed us up for classes and a make and take

 at bead fx

taught by cindy goldrick

using  brenda schweders  amazing jig

what to do with a mixed bag of beads

on my last visit to the john bead outlet 

i found these mixed bags of beads for only $7.68

it didn't take long before i designed several necklaces

and have ideas for a few more,

just hope they have some left if stock 

encaustic

it's a new day , it's a new dawn , it's a new life!

"sunrise", 12x24 encaustic on wood panel

a special painting for a special friend who is battling cancer

i know how difficult this is 

and my hope is to inspire her to brave each new day

no matter what it brings because tomorrow will get a little bit easier

last year she purchased below

"eclipse" , 12x24 encaustic on wood panel

i think they make a great pair

happy canada day, eh!

its been awhile since wanted to paint

not sure why, just busy making jewelry and working

a few times i heated up my plates and primed a few boards 

thinking something would spark 

i even painted several red 

with canada day in mind

i finally got a chance to complete one project

happy 150th canada

driftwood jewelry , part 3

now i'm addicted! 

driftwood jewelry, part 2

sometimes the wood was just the perfect size and shape!!

having fun creating with these unique puzzle pieces

driftwood jewelry

switching things up a bit

a few years ago i collected at ton of driftwood

and finally got a chance to set it all out and 

find just the right pieces to create some wonderful pieces

above, some red coral with pearls

below , using abalone shells, wire , beads and pearls

pearl and howlite necklace

i've been enjoying working with howlite

i like the irregular shapes and the contrast with the pearls

mixed bags of beads

 with so many beads in my stash its still nice to have some pick out a selection for you

Laura, at the John Bead Outlet has a great eye for this and makes some great mixed bags

and once in a while i get lucky enough to be there at the right time and score a few

above, a combo of pearls and wood beads

(i threw in the smaller ones)

and below, a combination i would have never have picked out

but something appealed to me when i saw it so .........

since they where both on sale for 50% off 

why not try them both