MEMORIAL DAY

My current project on the bead table. The flags and eagle were not planned to coincide with Memorial Day but it feels appropriate. Working on this piece made me realize that I enjoy the freedom the black velvet gives you with the flowers. You just rough the design out with a white Pentel gel marker and then just play with the colors and design as you go. When I first started being interested in beadwork, those many moons ago, I really loved the contrast of the bright colors on the black velvet. Can't wait to get started on the vines, gray blue or clear, which do you like?

HAPPY TO BE DONE!

I finished the bag today. It's been a long haul and especially hard to stay put at the bead table when the weather has been so gorgeous. After coming off a long alaskan winter, (even an easy one like this year) you feel the need to be outside gobbling up the warm breezes and watching green thing grow. So I was very happy to tie the last knot and put this in the mail. It's going to Milan Italy, which is cool and also makes me happy. Time to give the wrist a rest and start planting and weeding. I love this time of year!

OPEN

MAY FIRST! We are up and running. Had my first customers, first sale, and first bulbs coming up in the yard of 2014...

 Working on finishing up the beadwork for the "Butterfly Suitcase Bag". I'm really happy with the way it's turning out. Day light is now cooperating with long bead hours and loads of time working in the yard. Spring, sigh, just when you need it.

GALLERY PREP!

Spring has sprung and the motorhomes are showing up at the pull off. They take pictures of the inlet sunsets and snow capped volcanoes, then glance over and see that we are still closed… So we decided to put a fresh coat of paint on the gallery, always a good way to start the season. We flipped the colors on the display boxes. Last year I thought that the black on the inside would be good but it turned out to just sap all the light, so now it's white inside/black outside. I like it. The upper part is still unfinished, total chaos, but we are getting there. Then, just a good window washing, set things up and price everything, hang the signs and we are open for business. May 1st! I always feel so much energy this time of year. P.S. here's the little hummingbird that did not make the cut for the big suitcase bag. Now he's going to be a little postcard bag...

WINGED THINGS

I'm working on that big butterfly suitcase bag. I think I'll do a little semi 3-D effect, that's why I beaded part of the back wing. But, my mind and sketch pad kept going back to the cuffs. So I snuck in another bracelet. I love this moth piece and the silver background makes it seem even more jewelry like.

BRACELETS

Today I realized that it's time to dive in to another big project. I have really been enjoying working on some small items like stringing some necklaces and these cuff bracelets. It's relaxing to work on things that don't need much thought or intricate detail. But now I have another suitcase bag order to fill. It's for a customer in Italy (which is very cool) but she wants it by the end of May. If I start now, that will give me just enough time to get it done. So back to the design table and then on to beading butterflies. Yes another butterfly bag, what can I say, they are very popular...

FINALLY DONE!

I'm so glad to have finished this bag. These suitcase bags are so much work and then the last thing you do too finish it is a massive amount of whip stitch! It really is my least favorite part of doing beadwork but it is the only way to add the final spectacular look. The side hummingbirds have lots of personality and I decided on columbine as the flower. I have so many of these in the yard and they are one of my favorites.

So the bag is in the mail. I hope you love it Diana!