A BEAD ARTIST'S JOURNEY

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2014-01-25T04:48:00.001-08:00

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2013-11-14T10:33:00.001-08:00

This news is so important!
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BEADED AGATE PENDANT

2013-11-12T12:27:00.000-08:00

This pendant is made from a Lake Superior Agate cabochon which was found on the southern Lake Superior shore near Grand Marais by my Uncle George Gay many, many years ago.

Agate hunting was one of his favorite hobbies, besides fishing, smoking fish, stoking the campfire, and making the beautiful agates he found into cabs that he fashioned into jewelry. Uncle George taught me to fish on the Sullivan River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan which was called the U P and always had some smoked fish or canned Whitefish to share whenever I saw him.

Uncle George, when he saw my first beadwork pieces, went to his collection and gave me this agate cab he had cut and polished. I had this agate cabochon in my collection for years before I finally found the perfect seed beads and pearls to complement the stone. I chose a pearl-colored 11/0 and copper/iris 11/0 Czech seed beads, off-white freshwater pearls, small coppery bugles and dark burgundy freshwater pearls for the bottom of the fringe.

The bail is a loop-style. I made a SPIRAL ROPE which I threaded through the bail to hang the pendant on fashioned out of the same seed beads as the pendant.

To me the agate looks like a picture of a "family" - father, mother, baby and child. It reminds me of the importance of family and how unique and wonderful our family was. Uncle George was one of 10 children & the younger brother of my Mom. This necklace will always remind me of Uncle George and all the fun things we did together.

By Sharon Kay

Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS: The Book of Joyous Thoughts, A MOTHER'S JOURNEY: To Release Sorrow and Reap Joy and ONE LIGHT ONE LOVE, Limited Edition.

BEADED STONE BOX

2013-04-18T18:07:00.001-07:00

As a Capricorn, I am very practical. I also love boxes of all kinds....wooden. stone, woven, fabric, etc. I found this beautiful stone box at ORR'S TRADING POST in Englewood, CO last year.

Using the Native American Couching Technique I fashioned this beaded top for the box. I started by gluing one of my dichroic glass cabochons on to a small piece of Pel Tek. I used lavender seed beads to surround the cab. Next I used a row of iris hex seed beads and then a row of black matte seed beads before I began adding groups of other beads as shone. When the piece was the right size to fill most of the lid, I finished by attaching leather to the back with brick stitch. Then I glued the finished piece on the lid of the box with E6000 glue. This makes a lovely ring box or a box for small keepsakes. This would make a wonderful gift for anyone.

By Sharon Kay

Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS: THE BOOK OF JOYOUS THOUGHTS

and

A MOTHER'S JOURNEY: TO RELEASE SORROW AND REAP JOY

both available on AMAZON.COM

My Website

ANGELFINGERPRINTS.COM

BEADED RINGS

2012-10-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

I love finding new ways to use my beadwork to create "wearable art". I found inexpensive ring forms at HOBBY LOBBY here in Littleton.

For this ring, I glued one of my small dichroic cabochons on to a small piece of Pel-Tek which is a stiff interfacing found at JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby by the yard. Using the Native American Couching technique, I teach, I beaded around the cab with size 11/0 Czech seed beads. After finishing, I trimmed the Pel-Tek very close to the beading and then glued the ring form on to the back of the Pel-Tek with E-6000 glue and let it dry 24 hours. Lastly, I cut a slit in the leather that I cut the same size at the beaded front of the ring. Then, I attached the leather backing with a row of picot brick stitch.

For the ring to the right I glued a fresh-water pearl on to a small piece of
Pel-Tek and beaded a peyote "bezel" around the pearl. After adding a row of contrasting seed beads, I stitched on two matching fire-polished Czech rondelles.

There are some very good bead books which can help you. One of my favorites is Sherri Serafini's SENSATIONAL BEAD EMBROIDERY book from Amazon. There you will find everything you need to know to create beautiful "wearable art".

Happy Beading,
Sharon Kay
author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS and A MOTHER'S JOURNEY

BEADED PEYOTE STITCH AMULET BAG

2012-10-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

This Free-Form Peyote Stitch Amulet Bag was made using a cardboard shipping tube for essential oils. The tube is very sturdy and makes the perfect size amulet bag.

I chose a bead palette consisting of an assortment of 11/0 and 8/0 seed beads in black, white, bronze and gray.

I used 6# FireLine, which is available at any fishing department for about $15.98. I used a #12 beading needle. The FireLine makes the bag very strong.

I started by putting on enough beads, grouping them by color 6-8-10 at a time, to completely encircle the cardboard tube (an even number).

Begin by adding one bead in "One-drop-peyote" following he colors you have already added.

If you have never done TUBULAR PEYOTE you can click on this link, EVEN COUNT TUBULAR PEYOTE to watch an excellent YouTube Video & learn the technique.

The difference between the video instruction of how to make an Amulet Bag and mine is that by using an assortment of seed bead sizes and grouping them, as you see in the photo, you are doing Free-Form Peyote.

Continue around the tube until the bag is approximately 1 1/2 times the finished width. Take the beaded tube off the cardboard tube & use the FireLine to weave the bottom together into a flat bag.

Lastly, using a beading thread (not FireLine) so the fringe will be fluid I added the fringe at the bottom of the bag.

I used BEADALON (a nylon covered wire) for the neckpiece. I attached the end to one side of the finished bag, put a crimp bead on the short tail & the long piece and crimped it. Then I added a 6mm crystal bicone. I began threading on an assortment of seed beads from my palate until the Beadalon was filled except for 3 inches. Add a 6mm crystal bicone. Then I strung another crimp bead on the wire then attached it through the other side of the beaded bag and ran the end of the wire back up through the crimp bead and the last 10-15 beads on the wire. Once it was pulled snuggly, I crimped the CRIMP bead to hold the wire from slipping. Last I trimmed off any excess BEADALON.

Happy Beading!

Sharon Kay

BEADED WOODEN BOX

2012-10-06T15:41:00.001-07:00

One day I found the most amazing wooden box at a rummage sale for $10. It had been crafted as an award for someone; the award and name were carved into the top of the box. Therefore, no one wanted it. I did! I saw the possibilities!

The beautiful wood and soft round corners fascinated me, so I happily took it home. I loved the box.

One day while shopping at a friend, Anne's bead store, I spotted this very unique shell. I thought it would make a unique center for a beaded cuff.

As often happens, this "cuff" had other ideas. It wanted to be the embellishment for the top of my beautiful wooden box.

In my experience, as the creative process unfolds, sometime the creation becomes something more than the artist thought it would be.

Loving is the key. I loved the box. I loved the centerpiece. I loved the shells and nailheads and seed beads and Czech fire-polished beads.

I love the Native American Couching Technique I use.

Now I have a small treasure chest to hold my "treasures".

See what you can find.... that you can make NEW... with your creative ideas.

Watch YouTube Video "Beaded Box"

Happy Beading!

Sharon Kay

RHODOCHROSITE BROOCH

2012-08-26T17:47:00.002-07:00

Many years ago I was traveling in the Southwest and wandered into Quartzite, AZ in the summer time. During winter months, Quartzite swells to nearly a million residents, I hear. This particular summer there were a handful of RVs in the trailer park. One gentleman had a table full of cabochons for sale. I started "DROOLING" immediately.

"Do you have anything PINK?" I asked. He retreated into his RV and came out with a thin slab of Rhodocrosite with a perfect oval penciled on the stone. "I can cut and polish this for you!" he responded. "It will take me about 20 minutes".

"How much?" I inquired. "Fifteen dollars", he replied. I could hardly believe my ears, but agreed and headed to a nearby restaurant to eat lunch and wait.

When I returned, he showed me this beautiful cabochon, and said,"I have to charge $20 for this one". I knew that this cabochon was worth at least 5 times more than he was asking in the retail market, so was thrilled to pay the price he asked.

I chose white and pale pink Czech 11/0 seed beads, assorted 8/0 white seed beads, 4mm Swarovski bicones, fresh-water pearls, a pressed-glass butterfly, 4mm pink disks, frosted white 4mm bugles & 4mm round light pink glass beads to complement the beautiful cabochon.

I glued the cab on a piece of Pel-Tek. You can use LACY'S STIFF STUFF or Buckram. Using Native American Couching Technique, I added row after row of seed beads around the cabochon. Groupings of larger beads were added randomly to create balance, adding at least one row of seed beads after each grouping was added.

After the design was finished, I trimmed the Pel-Tek very close with small sharp scissors. Then I drew around the piece on the back side of a piece of thin white leather and cut out the leather. Next I drew a horizontal line with pencil on the back of the Pel-Tek, just a little higher than center, where I glued on a pin back with E-6000 glue. After it dried, I pressed the leather to the pin back to make indentions in the leather and cut very small slits where the indentions were. Next I fitted the leather over each side of the pin back so only the pin and the clasp showed.

Then, using BRICK STITCH, I attached the leather to the beaded brooch. This is one of my favorite brooches and I have worn it for years. You never know when or where you will find the next BEAUTIFUL STONE CAB or OTHER TREASURE to create your own unique piece of WEARABLE ART.

By Sharon Kay
Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS: The Book of Joyous Thoughts & A MOTHER'S JOURNEY: To Release Sorrow and Reap Joy both AVAILABLE on AMAZON.COM

BEADED GRAY, WHITE & MAUVE EARRINGS

2012-08-18T12:19:00.001-07:00

This earring is made by using the Native American Couching technique. First, I attached the small white carved flower cabochon to a small piece of Pel-Tek with E-6000 glue (X 2).

I then beaded around each of the little cabochons for 3 rows with Czech 11/0 seed beads.

Then I trimmed the Pel-Tek away. Next, I drew around each beaded cabochon on to white leather and cut out the circles.

Next, I attached the beadwork to the leather with a "Picot Brick Stitch " using only Brick Stitch on the bottom 10 beads wide.

Then I added the fringe with assorted 4mm beads at the bottom of each fringe.

Lastly I added a wire wrapped bead element to the top of each earring...wrapping the lever style Sterling ear wire at the top of each earring.

You could glue a earring POST on he back of each beaded circle on the backing.... before adding the leather by making a small hole in the center of the leather so the post will slip through. Then continue with the Picot Brick Stitch.

You can choose any kind of mini-cabochon for the center of your earrings, i.e. antique button, shell, bone, dichroic glass, or any small cab that is flat on the back.

These earrings are very light. You can make the fringe shorter or eliminate the fringe altogether to make "button-style" earrings. The possibilities are endless. Think OUT OF THE BOX... to create your own unique earrings.

Enjoy!

Sharon Kay
Author of A MOTHER'S JOURNEY: To Release Sorrow and Reap Joy, and ANGEL FINGERPRINTS: The Book of Joyous Thoughts.

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BEADED VINTAGE PHOTO HAND MIRROR

2012-03-08T09:38:00.000-08:00

This three-inch hand mirror features the 1940 photo of my parents, Thelma Gay & Howard Smith. I love this photo of my beautiful parents and wanted to create a family heirloom that could be used.

The mirror is of round beveled glass purchased at THE GLASS WAREHOUSE in Englewood, CO.

I beaded around the photo with Native American Couching Technique. Then I glued the mirror on the back I finished by creating a PEYOTE BEZEL that wrapped around the mirror and diminished the size of the seed beads on the mirror side to finish the edge.

I love looking at old photos of my family and by making a hand
held mirror like this I can enjoy the photos without opening the computer or leafing through a photo album. It keeps my family close to me. I helps me stay focused on the fact that LOVE NEVER DIES.

Perhaps this will inspire you to keep your loved ones close to your heart.

By Sharon Kay

Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS & A MOTHER'S JOURNEY

BEADED FASHION RING

2012-02-23T10:25:00.004-08:00

I love finding ways to use beading techniques to create wearable art. This "beaded fashion ring" is light-weight. The black dichroic glass cabochon has only a smattering of dichroic in it which makes it very elegant. I used the following seed beads: Iris 11/0, shiny black 8/0 and bronze 13/0 Charlottes from ORR'S TRADING POST in Englewood, CO to create this ring. Charlottes have one facet on each bead which sparkles in the light. I love them!

I used the Native American Couching Technique to create the ring. I attached the ring form to the back with E-6000 glue after I had fitted on the leather backing. The final row of BRICK STITCH with PICOT attached the leather to the ring front.

I have hundreds of dichroic cabochons IN STOCK if you need them. Prices range from $6 - $20 depending on size and the amount of dichroic in each piece. Call TOLL-FREE 1-888-493-7310 for more information.

Happy Beading!!!

Sharon Kay
Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS: The Book of Joyous Thoughts &
A MOTHER'S JOURNEY: To Release Sorrow and Reap Joy

Visit my beadwork on my website: www.angelfingerprints.com

BEADED MIRROR with VINTAGE PHOTO

2012-02-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

I just finished this 2 inch beveled glass mirror. The photo is a reduced-size Olin Mills portrait of me and my two brothers, Gerald and John taken in the early 50s. The photo is glued on Pel-Tek. A clear glass cabochon is placed over the photo.

Using a purple matte finish 11/0 seed bead I created a Peyote Bezel to hold the cab in place. By using Bronze size 13/0 Charlotte seed beads, the bezel is very secure. The outside rows are worked using NATIVE AMERICAN COUCHING TECHNIQUE, in 11/0 lavender HEX-CUT seed beads.
Larger accent beads include clear lavender drop beads (upper left) and 5-4 mm Fire- Polished Czech beads (lower left) and 5 clear lavender 4 mm round beads (lower right).
The mirror was glued on the back of the beaded piece before I added a Peyote Bezel of purple matte 11/0 seed beads and 13/0 bronze Charlottes to hold the mirror in place.

This is just another way, to preserve family memories in a practical item you can use every day.

Happy Beading!

Sharon Kay

Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS: The Book of Joyous Thoughts

and

A MOTHER'S JOURNEY: To Release Sorrow and Reap Joy

USE COLOR FOR HEALING

2012-01-27T13:54:00.000-08:00

More than 15 years ago, I worked with an energy healer. She found that my first and second chakras were closed.

She said that the best way for me to keep them open was to work with color. First chakra is red and second chakra is orange.

"But I really don't the color ORANGE and I am not crazy about RED," I told her.

Find something that you can look at that will help you keep these chakras open she suggested. I decided I could handle looking at an orange & an apple.

About six years ago, I began making dichroic glass cabochons in a kiln I purchased from a friend who was moving. This ORANGE DICHROIC GLASS cabochon reminded me of my need to include orange in my life.

I used a "root beer" colored seed bead to form a bezel around the orange cab to hold it in place. A BEZEL is created by stringing on the exact number of 11/0 seed beads that will encircle the outside of your cab. Then, using circular PEYOTE STITCH, continue around the circle until you have made a collar that is the depth of the edge of the cab. The best way to make the back of the BEZEL is to choose a smaller seed bead (13/0) and continue beading for 4-6 rows. Now set the cabochon inside the BEZEL and used the size 13/0 seed beads to continue PEYOTE STITCH around the top edge. After 4-6 rows your cab will not fall out. In this piece I used only 11/0 seed beads but did decreases on every row to make the BEZEL. Then I wove my thread to the back of the bezel and tied off and cut the thread.

I attached a new thread and continued using CIRCULAR PEYOTE around the BEZEL in a FREE-FORM style adding larger beads in groupings and groupins of hot pink and lime green.

This brooch is completely FREE-FORM CIRCULAR PEYOTE and has not backing or leather on it.

I find that if you LOVE something or HATE something..... BOTH are things that you NEED MOST for your healing. So dare to heal yourself by using color through beading.

ONWARD!

By Sharon Kay, Bead Artist & Author
of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS and A MOTHER'S JOURNEY (both available on AMAZON)

BEADED TAPESTRY SOFT CUFF

2012-01-25T17:39:00.000-08:00

Have you ever set out to create something and IT decides it wants to be something else? That is when you know you are living on the "leading edge of Creation !"

This gorgeous white dichroic glass cabochon started out to be the focal point of a brooch as I was teaching the Native American Couching Technique to one of my classes.

Then one day as I was asked to help a needlepoint artist to finish her beautiful tapestry cuffs. I was guided to attach my beaded UN-finished cab on
to a tapestry-type upholstery fabric to see if after

it was beaded if I could glue the cuff on a 2-inch wide
brass cuff.

But this cuff wanted to be a "big girl" and before I knew it, it had grown to 3 inches wide. I was loving how beautiful it was becoming. To finish "her" I used BRICK STITCH ( also called COMANCHE or NAVAJO STITCH) to attach the royal blue leather to the back.

When I "asked her" how she wanted to be attached to a wrist.... she took a very long time to tell me..... BUTTONS. I went to my VINTAGE BUTTONS which were gifted to me by my school friend & cousin, Bobbi Roche from her mother, Vera Roche's, button collection. Vera's vintage buttons compliment my work so well. Thank you Bobbi!

Stay IN THE FLOW whenever you are CREATING! No matter your art medium is: watercolors, acrylics, clay, fabric, oils, paper, metals, food, or beads ..... when you allow Spirit to move through youm you will bring forth the most amazing CREATIONS which will "MAKE YOUR HEART SING!"

Watch BEADED TAPESTRY CUFF Slideshow on YouTube

By Sharon Kay, Bead Artist &

Author of A MOTHER'S JOURNEY and ANGEL FINGERPRINTS, both available on Amazon.com

PEYOTE FREE-FORM AMULET BAG

2012-01-13T17:17:00.000-08:00

Using the PEYOTE STITCH I created this black and white amulet bag.

By changing the sizes and colors of seed beads (11/0 to 8/0) I was able to get this beautiful patchwork pattern.

I used an essential oils shipping tube this time to make the bag smaller. The toilet paper tube was too big for my liking. However, you can take a toilet paper tube, slit it down the side. Re-adjust the tube so it has a diameter of approximately 1 3/8 inches. Then, tape the tube into the desired size.

This will give you a bag that is about 2 inches wide. Adjust your tube for a smaller or larger amulet bag.

DUCK TAPE makes a nice covering for the tube to bead around.

Next, put enough 11/0 seed beads ( an ODD number of seed beads) on your thread to go around the tube with no gaps. I use 6# FIRELINE because it is stronger. Then, tie your thread (or Fireline) in a double knot.

Then begin your Peyote Stitch periodically changing colors of your seed beads. Your first two or three rows should utilize only 11/0 seed beads for the top edge. Then you can add sections of size 10/0 or 8/0 seed beads but the bulk of your bead row should be 11/0.

When you have made the amulet bag as deep as you like, take the bead tube off the cardboard tube and ZIP UP the bottom of the bag. I added a beaded strap using BEADALON. Then I added the fringe at the bottom. Most bead magazines will show you how to do PEYOTE STITCH and to make FRINGES. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through the comments section of this blog.

HAPPY BEADING!
Sharon Kay
Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS and A MOTHER'S JOURNEY both available on AMAZON.COM

"LURE" PENDANT

2012-01-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

I found this old wooden fish lure at a garage sale. I cut off the hooks from the bottom.

I wrapped 6# Fireline around the neck just below the eyes and tied a knot.

Using Brick Stitch I added the first row of 11/0 black matte Delicas. The entire piece except for the fringe is done in Brick Stitch. I use turquoise Czech 11/0 for the second row and lime 8/0 Czech seed beads for the third row. For the fourth rown I started my triangle patterns by adding 2 11/0 lavendar seed beads then one bright silver lined deep turquoise seed bead.

Using Brick Stitch it is easier to INCREASE as the lure gets bigger and DECREASE as it gets smaller. By either adding bigger beads or MORE 11/0 seed beads in a row you can INCREASE or using smaller beads or fewer beads in a row to DECREASE.

I wire-wrapped a beaded link at the top and then added a couple of links to dangle from the Sterling ring which is the bail.

The bottom was embellished with a fringe accented by turquoices chips and 8 mm Fire-polished beads.

The entire pendant from bail to the bottom of the fringe is 6 `1/4 inches long. I like to wear it on a long leather cord.

Garage sales and rummage sales are wonderful places to find unique items to recycle by beading around them to make stunning pendants.

By Sharon Kay
Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS and A MOTHER'S JOURNEY , both available on AMAZON.COM

COLLABORATION

2012-01-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

When I lived in Midland, Michigan a few years ago, I was gifted this wonderful clay mask created by talented, Kathy Space, co-owner with her husband Steve, of Space Studios where I enjoyed many hours in her clay classes.

Kathy creates these miniature masks on the back of a large table spoon. When she gifted this piece to me, she said, "I am sure you will create something beautiful with it!"

This is a framed piece. I attached the clay mask to a piece of PelTek covered with turquoise velvet. I used the colors Kathy had used in the mask for my bead color palate.

The eyes of the mask were cut out so I stuffed a blue metallic fabric behind the mask and stitched an 11/0 seed bead to the fabric for each eye. I hung a copper "Goddess" over his crown to denote the balance of Male and Female ( Yin & Yang) in the piece.

I love Kathy Space's work and am grateful for her loving way with everyone she meets.

Check out their SPACE STUDIOS website. Their Studio is an amazing place to be creative!

This piece is titled "PAUL"

in honor of my Ascended Master Guide, Paul - The Venetian.

By Sharon Kay

Author of Angel Fingerprints

and

A Mother's Journey

BEADED EARRINGS

2011-12-30T08:43:00.000-08:00

These earrings were created with the NATIVE AMERICAN COUCHING TECHNIQUE which I teach. They match the LUNA AGATE BROOCH.

The centers 3-dImensional cabochons that look like carved flowers.

After the leather was attached to the back of each beaded disk I added the fringe before adding the picot to make the edges lacy.

The fringe is matching except for the bottom beads. I used Czech 11/0 seed beads.

I wire-wrapped a beaded connection to the top of each earring before adding the lever back earring findings to make them longer.

I hope this will inspire you to create one-of-a-kind earrings for yourself.

By Sharon Kay
Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS and A MOTHER'S JOURNEY both available at AMAZON.COM

LUNA AGATE BROOCH

2011-12-07T10:04:00.001-08:00

This is one of my favorite pieces. The oval, relatively rare, LUNA AGATE, from Mexico, cabochon was fashion Ron C, my favorite "rock guy" in Midland, Michigan.

I so enjoy finding such beautiful stones created by Nature to use as the focal point for my bead work. This brooch employs the Native American Couching Technique which I have been teaching for more than 11 years.

I chose Czech 11/0 seed beads to match the various colors in the LUNA AGATE stone. The white fresh-water pearls repeat the orbicular patterns in the LUNA AGATE. The three hematite beads on the right match the dark gray streaks in the lower part of the cab.

This 3 1/2 inch by 3 inch brooch has a 1 1/4 inch fringe which enhances and mirrors the colors in the LUNA AGATE cabochon.

I love wearing it. You, too, can create beautiful, wearable, art to wear or give as an exquisite gift!

Happy Beading!!

Sharon Kay

Author of A MOTHER'S JOURNEY and ANGEL FINGERPRINTS

Beaded Family Heirloom Pendant "My Dad"

2011-11-23T19:57:00.001-08:00

I recently finished this beaded pendant in honor of my Dad, Howard A. Smith, who taught me so much. The photo was taken almost 70 years ago. It is protected behind a dichroic glass cabochon that I made in my kiln.

I chose shiny and matte seed beads of various sizes to frame the photo. A Peyote stitch bezel hugs the cabochon.

I made a 5 simple loops of 11/0 seed beads for the bale.

The picot edge is done in 11/0 clear/iris seed beads.

I have so many people comment on it every time I wear it. I love having my Dad close to my heart

Daddy transitioned on August 16, 1995 at 77.

I am grateful for my Dad and know I will see him again one day.

By Sharon Kay
Author of A MOTHER'S JOURNEY and ANGEL FINGERPRINTS

FREE-FORM BRICK STITCH BRACELET

2011-11-21T13:59:00.001-08:00

Brick Stitch is also known by the Native American names of Comanche Stitch, Navajo Stitch and Cherokee Stitch.

In this Free-Form bracelet, the center "lampwork" bead, which turns, is the focal point. I used 6# Fireline to go through the bead many times so that there was a substantial loop on each side of the long bead. Then I tied the Fireline to the beginning tail in a knot.

I used 11/0 turquoise color-lined seed beads to work the Brick Stitch on each side of the large bead.

I chose a pallet of colors of different sizes of seed beads & fresh-water pearls that would complement the "lampwork" bead......working free-form Brick Stitch and 3-drop netting until the bracelet fit around my wrist.

I added a Peyote loop on one end and stitched on another "lampwork" bead on the other end for a clasp. Free-Form beadwork is very exciting to do because you never know what it "wants" to be until it is finished.

By Sharon Kay, author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS and A MOTHER'S JOURNEY ( both available on Amazon.com) They make great holiday, "get-well" and birthday gifts.

BEAD EMBROIDERED TAPESTRY BAG

2011-11-15T15:41:00.001-08:00

This small beaded bag is handy and stylish. Most of the time I find I only need a little bag to hold a debit card, drivers license, a credit card, some cash, my cell phone and a lipstick.

I made it from a piece of tapestry that looks like needlepoint. I glued on the blue dichroic cabochon that I fused before adding the bead embroidery stitches with 11/0 Czech seed beads and bugles. The leaf stitch ( upper right) frames the cab nicely. The little bag is lined and has a cord for the strap.

The stitch below on the left is LAZY STITCH (my favorite). I used lavender seed beads to create this BRANCH STITCH in the photo to the lower right. The square crystal is a vintage Swarovski earring which I cut the post off and glued on to the bag. After all the beading was finished, I stitched the bag and lining together and turned right-side out. I put a brick stitch edging around the top after I attached the cord.

By Sharon Kay, Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS and A MOTHER'S JOURNEY: To Release Sorrow and Reap Joy

HEIRLOOM PENDANT HONORING GRANDPARENTS

2011-11-07T13:48:00.000-08:00

In 1914 my paternal grandparents, Ira & Murle (Stillwagon) Smith were married. Grandma was only 16 and Grandpa was 19.

I scanned, reduced and printed this old photo on photo paper. I placed it behind an iridescent and dichroic glass rectangle that I fused in my kiln. I glued the bottom half onto a piece of Pel-Tek, beaded around the cab and then created a Peyote Bezel around the cab to hold it in place. I chose an iridescent 11/0 seed bead to match the blue. dichroic glass.

I enjoy capturing memorable family images in my beadwork so that I can wear them.

Mom and I lived with Grandma and Grandpa Smith while Dad was serving in France during WWII. Daddy didn't meet me until I was four months old. In 1948 Mom and Dad built our house on one acre of my Grandparent's 40 acre farm just three miles north of Freeland, MI where I lived , except for my college semesters at Central Michigan University) until I was married in 1966.

My Grandparents have always been very important to me and still are. I love having their wedding picture over my heart.

By Sharon Kay
Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS and A MOTHER'S JOURNEY, both available at Amazon.com

BEADED BAG

2011-10-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

Beading is such a wonderful way to make practical and unique items that enhance your life. This beaded bag was fashioned from a piece of upholstery fabric.

I drew the bag pattern I designed onto brown paper from a grocery bag then cut out two - one for the outside and one for the lining. The lining is 1/2 inch shorter than the outside so that the lining doesn't show.

Then I backed the upholstery fabrics with a medium weight interfacing by basting it on the back.... 1/2 inch from the outside edge. The contrasting basting thread gave me a frame within which to bead so I had a seam left to sew the pieces together when the beading was finished.

I glued on the dichroic glass cabochon and using Native American couching technique I continued to bead the lower half of the bag. I used Bead Embroidery techniques and leave beads to embellish the top half of the front of the bag. When the beading was finished, I stitched the bag together on the sewing machine and tucked the finished lining inside. Lastly I added fringe to the bottom. Then I made a long tube out of the upholstery fabric and attached it to the bag along with strands of satin cord, and fancy yarns and added beads too.

You can add your beadwork to clothing, boxes, quilts, and fabrics before you make an item like this bag that holds my checkbook, change purse, credit cards and cell phone.

I hope this inspires you to make something special just for you! You deserve it!

Blessings,
Sharon Kay
Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS and A MOTHER'S JOURNEY ( all available at Amazon)

SEE more of my beadwork, books and music on

MY WEBSITE : ANGELFINGERPRINTS.COM

Bead Embroidery Soft Cuff by Sharon

2011-10-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

Just posted my newest Beadwork Video to YouTube. You can click here to see it.

I love this soft cuff which is beaded on a batik fabric covered piece of Pel-Tek which is available at JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby. The black and purple batik was purchased from the Batik Butik. I lend itself nicely to the beautiful bead embroidery stitches.

I created the fused dichroic glass cabochon in my kiln (which I haven't seen since I packed the motor home a year ago... Ha!... It will show up when I need it again... or another one will come to me as magically as this kiln did...Thanks Cheryl)

When you watch the short video slide show you will see the stitches "UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL"

I hope you enjoy it and please share this with your beading/creative friends.

By Sharon Kay
Author of ANGEL FINGERPRINTS
and A MOTHER'S JOURNEY