I BUTTONED UP THIS CHALLENGE

 I am participating in another group challenge and this year's theme was embellished found objects.  The parameters were a found object embellished in metallic colors other than gold with a finished size of 1 1/4 inches or less, plus a 1/4-inch loop for attachment. 

I had this great idea of combining crystal clay, some cute filigree hearts (above) that I found at CJS Sales, and beads until I remembered "oh yeah-no gold color allowed."  Hmmm...now what?

After leafing through Break the Rules Bead Embroidery by Diane Hyde for inspiration, I decided to follow her suggestion to look for items in the scrapbooking section of a craft store.  As I picked up my keys to walk out the door, my brain said "Buttons-you have lots of buttons left over from projects."

My 22 embellished found objects using buttons

So I got out my button box and started playing.  Stacking the buttons appealed to me so I used 20 gauge wire, silver size 8 seed beads, and buttons of various size to make 22 "charms."  There is more skill in putting together buttons than you might think!  I threaded the buttons on the wire with the seed beads at the bottom, in between the buttons, and at the top.  A loop wire loop finished the "charm."

I had such fun that I also made myself a pair of earrings.

My new earrings


 

Making the ear wires allowed me to use my new Wubbers pliers.  I know that wire people say you should just use your round-nose pliers and a Sharpie pen to make the ear wires, but the Medium Bail Making pliers and Large Bail Making pliers make the job so much easier and give you consistent results.

My found objects are now winging their way via USPS to the organizer.  Now to wait to see what everyone else in the challenge has done.

BEAD DREAMS 2014: MS. MADDIE'S FABULOUS FLORAL

     I have been busy beading on a project that I can't show you yet, but I can share the news that Bead & Button has announced that there is a new BeadDreams category for 2014 called Ms. Maddie's Fabulous Florals.  This category has been added in honor of our friend Merle Berelowitz, who was renowned for her work with Lucite and acrylic flowers.  As many of you know, Merle passed away on July 18, 2013.
      You can find the announcement in the February 2014 issue of Bead & Button.  The category is sponsored by CJS Sales, one of our favorite bead suppliers, and the Berelowitz family.  You can see some of Merle's work at Ms Maddie's Beads and view the contest rules at Bead and Button Show.  The deadline for submission is March 25, 2014.  I can' wait to see the beadwork inspired by Merle's love of flowers.

NOVEMBER BEAD ADVENTURE

I am supposed to be packing for my classes at the Innovative Beads Expo in Fishkill, NY this weekend, but I had to tell you about part of our visit with our friend Stephney Hornblow last week.

First stop was CJS Sales, where Stephney found a lovely Judith Lieber clutch bag and a few Czech beads.

Stephney digging through the plethora of boxes.


After that, we stopped for lunch and looked at the Christmas windows at Lord & Taylor.  I will take photos later--no spoilers for our annual window tour.  We had our photo taken by one of L&T's windows; yes, you read that right.  Lord & Taylor has an interactive window that takes your photo and texts you a link to it online.

The photo of us taken by the L&T window.

After that fun, we stopped at York Beads to visit (another word for shopping) with Perry Bookstein.  Imagine my surprise when Maureen Chin tapped me on the elbow!  She was visiting her family and just happened to be shopping in York, as well.

Me, Stephney, Perry, and Maureen at York Beads

Stepheny had fun shopping for beads that she can't get in England.  Having just placed a wholesale order, I didn't get much but we both walked out with some of the lovely aged stripe beads...

Aged stripe bead


...and a new dvd with 3 patterns by Kerrie Slade that use beads from York Beads.

Dvd with 3 of Kerrie Slade's fun designs

     On Wednesday, we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the Jewels by JAR exhibit.  If you are in NYC, run--do not walk-- to see this exhibit.  Unfortunately, you can't take photos of the jewelry and the one catalogue that you really want is $1400.  Well, it is 2 volumes.  The pieces in this exhibit are so stunning that our visit to Tiffany's on Friday was terrible disappointing in comparison.

I did take a few photos of the Met's annual Christmas tree with the baroque angels and nativity figures.  Too bad, you couldn't get any closer.

 Our bead adventure continued on the weekend when we drove up to the Corning Museum of Glass, but that story is for another day.  Now I must get back to packing.