Friday, December 30, 2011

New Year and New Horizons!

We are fast approaching the new year, and, as always, I'm excited. It's like a fresh start, you know?  I will be teaching a class at our homeschool co-op this semester, and I'm very excited about it. I want to show the kids how to use mixed media to explore the art world.
Here are a couple of projects:
Cigar boxes to transform into memory boxes.

 My 11 and 9 yr old made these yesterday from scrapbook paper. you can make smaller ones to nest inside them, and finish off with a lid.

Gracie learned how to crochet a couple of years ago. I started making a baby blanket for a friend, which renewed her interest in it. This is to be a cap for herself. She is not using a pattern, so we'll have to see how that turns out! :)

I taught my 9 yr old how to crochet yesterday, and this is the result of his hard work. He really wanted to make an armband, but this was a bit too long for his little wrist. Do I really want a son who crochets a ton of stuff? No, but I do think that the fine motor skills he is developing from this are tremendous. And I really just want them to explore art in general, and not to be afraid of trying something, just because you don't know how to do it.  
I didn't get to try crafts until I got married. My in-laws owned a hobby shop, so my hubs knew all sorts of crafty stuff. It has been such a joyous journey for me, and something I have become rather passionate about for kids. Which is why I listen to my sons enthuse about Legos to the 12th power with a smile on my face. Because their minds are exploring the possibilities. Which is vitally important for their generation. I fully believe
 that their generation will create all the things my generation used to dream about.  
So, even though I don't know very much about mixed media, and using recycled materials, I am going to teach a class on it...because it's important.
I would be thrilled with any ideas you may have for our class!  
Blessings, Shirley

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Eek! Run, don't walk!! Juls is clearing out.....

Juls is clearing out some beady inventory! If you've lusted drooled over her beads like I have, head on over and get yourself some beady goodness! Cause, really, you need your own handpicked Christmas gift.
Blessings, Shirley

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Beading Babes Project #2

Beading Babes is a group started by Karyn of Releases by Rufydoof. We choose a project....or two! We take about a month to bead it, then reveal. I love this group, cause it's very low key. If you don't finish right on time, that's cool. If you make modifications to the pattern, that's cool. If you don't use the exact beads, that's cool. Pretty awesome!

Ok, I'm a bit late on this reveal, I apologize. I was really hoping I could get both finished. And there's no reason I shouldn't have, they were both relatively easy projects. But I got hung up on the clasp for the Sleek in Silver, and just put it to the side while I worked on other things, and totally forgot until I saw everyone's posts today. So, please forgive. I will post pics of the finished item when it's completely finished.
Here is my Earthly Hues. I chose to use some beadlettes I had in my stash instead of the cubes the pattern called for. I thought that might mean I shouldn't do as many sections, but it still worked out the same. I apparently didn't read the bead list correctly, cause I used size 8's, not size 6's, at the increase. Happy accident, cause that meant I didn't have the issue of thread showing. 
My beadlettes were in various shades of grey, shiny and matte. So to give it a bit of a girly edge, I went with a rasberry delica. My jaspers were a tiny bit smaller than the bead list, so I did have some adjustments to the pattern due to that. Overall, quite a quick pattern, and forgiving to make adjustments and variations.
Here is the present state of my Sleek in Silver. I used a wonderful matte bronzey/slate color for the Tila's. And, yes, those are JulsBeads for the dangles instead of briolettes!!  And I'm telling you, they make this necklace rock!!
Since the lampworks are heavier than briolettes, there is extra reinforcing throughout that section.  I'll post an updated pic when I finish the clasp.  Thanks Karyn for another great project. Blessings, Shirley