embroidery on beading

Today I finished a project (almost) that is embroidery on beads, you could say. I made a bracelet out of size 6 triangles and then made a design on top. The pendant, on the left, is a strip of odd count peyote also made from the triangles, and folded over on the back so I can put a strap through it. I haven't decided if I should put the picots on the edge of the pendant or not.

strap completed

I went ahead and made a strap for my rivoli necklace. It's a spiral using 8 triangles and 11 seed beads. I wanted something that would complement the rivoli's but not overpower them, and I think this strap accomplishes that. In between bead journal pages I am working to complete unfinished projects. I had an embarrassingly high number of projects, which I am making a serious dent in. My goal is not to start a new project unless it is a class. Also, I spent several hours last week organizing beads, and as much as I love buying beads, I think it is safe to say that I won't ever need new beads...wanting them is a different story!

ideas needed!

Help! I need ideas for a strap for this necklace. I thought I would work off the triangle shaped rivoli. I don't know if I should go with something funky to shake it up a bit, or something simple that will show off the rivolis, or what.......so any suggestions are welcome! Thanks.

Remembering Dad

Today is the 9th anniversary of my father's death. As time goes by, the pain is less, but I miss him every day. He was only 64 when he died, way too young. He died 2 weeks after my father-in-law, it was truly a terrible summer. It was a stormy summer, and several trees on our property fell over or were uprooted, which I have always felt represented their deaths. My father was a wonderful dad, calm, patient, a good listener. My mother, sisters, and myself have experienced his death in different ways, but we all wish he was still a part of our lives, watching his grandsons grow up, providing love and advice, being an anchor in the storm. Here's remembering you, dad...George Arthur Kolovson, beloved father.

Speaking of water colors, I have a few beaded pieces that remind me of the ocean.

Another spiral necklace. You can see that I like turquoise. I find it a very soothing yet stimulating color. Also, I'm a pisces, and I love water, so I feel attracted to water colors.

Tagged by Freebird

I just noticed that I was tagged by Freebird a few days ago to answer some questions. But I'm going to be a party pooper, because I don't like the questions, so I'm just going to answer what I want. Five things to do before I die: Well, I want to finish all my bead projects, I want to have grandchildren, I want to lose enough weight so that my wedding ring will fit me again, and I want to enjoy my friends and family.

Five things that attract me to the opposite sex: I like men who listen and look at me while I'm talking, who have interests outside of work, who can tell a good joke (because I can't), and who do what they say they are going to do.

Five celebrity crushes: John Cusack - I think he's a great actor, Meryl Streep - she is like a chameleon, she becomes whatever role she plays.

What questions would I prefer? Five artists I like, Five ways I can help improve the world (or just my little corner of it), Five favorite books, Five favorite foods. So maybe in another entry I'll answer these questions.

Campfire Girl Bracelet

After scanning my Bluebird vest, I realized I still had my beaded bracelet. It's amazing it's still intact after all these years - about 40 years now.

I read on someone's blog about her stringing beads on a bracelet when she was a Campfire Girl. That reminded me of my days as a Bluebird, probably around 5th or 6th grade.


We made a vest using beads, felt, and badges. I don't remember what any of them represent anymore. The picture above in felt is my Indian (I think) name, but again, I don't remember what it is.

Okay, I did a little research and have come up with the meanings of the beads:

Elective Honors form the basis of Camp Fire work. These honors may be won in seven crafts, each craft being symbolized by a distinctively colored bead.

Home Craft--Flame colored honors, as fire has been the center of the home.

• Health Craft--Red honors (red blood).

• Camp Craft--Brown honors (woods).

• Hand Craft--Green honors (creation, growing things).

• Nature Lore--Blue honors (blue sky).

• Business--Yellow honors (gold).

• Patriotism--Red, white and blue honors. Since I grew up in an historic town, it was not hard to receive red, white, and blue honors. Every Patriot's Day, April 19th, our camp fire group would march in the parade on Mass. Ave to the Green. Anyone growing up in New England knows that the Green, or the Common, is the center of activity in a town. It is usually surrounded by churches and some of the original houses of the town. In Lexington, in addition to 3 churches, there is also an old tavern, the Belfry Tower (where the bell was rung), the statue of John Parker (the Minuteman) who famously said "Do not shoot until you see the white's of their (British)eyes," and a few other historic mementos.
  

My mother wrote and thinks my name was Wa Ta Ro. So far, I haven't discovered this meaning, but I'll keep trying.

The spiral stitch is my favorite one for beading. I love embellishing the stitch as well. I've posted two necklaces with flower pendants and one sampler. The sampler comes from components from a drawer I just throw all unfinished or sample pieces in. I combined a lot of those pieces into this sampler. It's actually a little too much to wear, but it was fun to put together all those bits and pieces and create something.