Always A Bridesmaid

Remembering the days when girlfriend after girlfriend got married and I seemed to have an endless collection of rather ugly bridesmaid dresses!  I'm sure you have some too.  Enjoy my latest treasury here:

A Gift Tutorial

Later this month I need to give a gift. I have decided to make a necklace and hear that the birthday girl likes purple...so amethyst it will be! I've scrutinized my bead collection and found some beautiful chips and nuggets that I can combine with delicate ivory mother of pearl beads and gold findings.

Step 1:

Gather stones and supplies.

Step 2:
Lay out design on bead board, checking for proper length.

Step 3:

Cut length of flexible beading wire and string stones in sequence.

Step 4:

Attach clasp!

Step 5:

Wrap it all up real pretty!

Inspired by Shakespeare

Another treasury collection for today:

I was in a kind of a country living sort of mood today and I created this treasury.  Hope you like it!

Trying My Hand at Tile Work

I have often been intrigued by tile work but have been hesitant to try.  With my house in a mess for months now due to some ongoing remodeling, I have decided I need a pretty oasis somewhere to collect myself and regain my sanity.  My sights have been turned to my tiny outdoor deck, truly in need of a facelift and a tile topped table!

I purchased a simple parsons table at a local big box store and added a quarter round molding edge using my trusty miter box, wood glue,  finishing nails and a hammer.  The molding frame will make a finished edge for the tile when completed. 

Next I spray painted it with two coates of almond semi gloss paint.

The tiles were cut to fit and put aside while a thick coat of tile adhesive was spread evenly over the table's surface.  The tile sheets were pressed firmly and evenly into the adhesive.

The project was left to dry for twenty four hours.

Next post ~ grouting and finishing!

Look What's New on the Needles...

It seems to work out that I bead and knit in spurts.  Right now I have quite a few new jewelry pieces to list in the shop, so the beading is winding down for the summer.  I've started knitting a classic cable scarf for the fall line and like it so much that it will probably be available in three colorways at least.  The yarn is acrylic and unusually soft!  I'm not a big synthetic fan and prefer wool and alpaca, but this fiber will make a fantastic utilitarian scarf that will be warm, classic and low maintenance.  Just perfect for shovelling snow or running to the market.

I would like to search for a rich rust, cranberry and a teal blue.  What colors would you like to see for the fall?

New Pieces in the Making...

Here is a sneak peek at what my work surface looks like and a few pieces in the making.  I always have several different designs going at once and I jump back and forth depending on my mood.

The new hand knotted pieces tend to take a large amount of time to complete.  I layout the strand design and often pre-string it to check the length and drape.  Then I re-string it on the final cord or wire and do the final hand knotting.