I spent so time in my studio making beads and components this past winter, that I am just now getting around to putting them together. When I look at other people’s beads to buy, I have tons of ideas. Then I sit down to work at my bead bench and feel paralyzed by the myriad of options I’ve provided myself. After a day or so I get into a rhythm of stringing.
I love the large copper focal bead, below, made by Shannon LeVart of Miss Ficklemedia. Her patinas are gorgeous. I am inspired to give patinas a try on my own. I ordered her e-book and some of her patina colors, but in the meantime I also attended the glass bead making workshop. I’ll give both of those techniques some time to ramble around in the back of my brain while I work with the supplies I have at hand. Shannon also made the smaller patinated beads and the toggle clasp for this necklace. I made the silver beads (except for the small round ones) from PMC, and I had the bright copper beads in my stash, along with the brass spacer beads, from years ago. The peach-lined light blue Japanese drop beads were an impulse buy at the Beadin’ Path sometime last fall. I’m happy with how they all came together, though some of the colors (the glass beads) look a little off since I took quick photos late this afternoon.
Each beach rock necklace has its own personality. I started with a simple design to re-familiarize myself with my rock inventory. When it comes to beach rocks, I prefer to make asymmetrical necklaces, but it helps me to get going with one or two that are easily balanced.
The color of the matte glass seed beads in the photo changes with a different background. The color below is more true.
The focal bead in the first necklace, and in the one below, is a hollow drape bead made from precious metal clay.
Tomorrow = more studio time for more necklaces. The latest weather prediction is for 6 to 10″ of snow and gale force winds. I hope the power stays on!
Barbara S Fernald Jewelry 
are those small big/little beads asymmetrical glass seed beads? i love the rhythm that the edges make as your eye travels along the strand…that’s the kind of effect i was going for with the little glass beads i was making last weekend! beautiful necklaces!
the 4″ we were supposed to get today turned into simply damp roads….hope the same happens for you!
xoxo
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I was just going to send you an e-mail to ask if you had a snow day. It started raining around 7 and by 7:30 it was snowing. All of the schools on the mainland are closed. Not the little Islesford School! 5 to 10″ predicted on the coast, more inland. Stupid snow.
You survived your long day yesterday? A field trip AND installing a student art show? Whew!
xoxo
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Oh yeah. The beads are peanut shaped glass seed beads.
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The tiny green beads in the first photo remind me of a Nerds Rope (do you have that candy on the island?) only much more beautiful! The texture of the green and the silver beads come through the photo, beckoning to be touched. That’s good stuff!
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We don’t have Nerds Rope here. (But we do have some nerds and plenty of rope!)
Hey, it’s opening day today for the Red Sox, and they are playing in Texas! Peyton probably knows that already. If they were playing at Fenway, the game would have been canceled. Spring snowstorm.
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I’ll send you a pic of Nerds Rope. My kids love them (have to admit, I like them too!). We tried to get Sox tix for Opening Day in Arlington but will settle for watching it on TV. Perfect baseball weather here.
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So glad you are all part of Red Sox nation! Enjoy the beautiful weather. Ours will get here eventually.
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They are all beautiful! It’s lovely to see the drape beads come together as necklace focals. I’m quite smitten with them.
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LeAnn! I’m so glad you are back. Thanks. The drape beads are definitely worth pursuing. I especially like the silver ones, but need to experiment with bronze and copper since the price of silver is still going in the wrong direction.
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Wow, Barb – I love your necklaces! I love Shannon’s work as well, and I too have her book and some patinas but haven’t had enough “play time” to get into it yet. Hopefully soon! I love that top necklace. I have to say that I have not really enjoyed those peanut beads but they way you put together that necklace and your focal, makes me change my mind!!!!
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Thanks, Sue. I am still a little on the fence with those peanut beads, so it has been good to get some feedback. I’ve passed them over many times in a larger size, and with shinier glass, but I think I like this little matte version. The colors are more “heathery” if that’s a word. Not just one solid color.
I realize I don’t like using them in a predictable pattern, evenly dispersed with the silver. I’ll be restringing the rock necklace. What I do like is the bumpiness in the necklace that makes me take a closer look to see if it’s from fiber.
Maybe you and I will get around to trying the patinas at the same time!
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Lovely Barb..all of them!
Bet we lose some branches with this one. I’m on wireless airport phone connection ’til weather clears and satellite is back! Cruel joke!
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Thanks, Susan. Little branches coming down here and the wind is picking up. Snow rain snow. It’s sticking to the branches. Power still on and satellite and RedZone still working. Fingers crossed.
xoxo
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I really love your work and I’m always learning something.
I wasn’t too enchanted with the patinas until I saw those beads in your necklace. HMMM changing my mind about some things.
Hope their predicting snow turns out to be an April Fool’s joke,
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Hi Anita, thanks. The snow storm here is a bad April Fool’s joke. Our power is blinking…..
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