Talismans with Horse Bridle Decorations

Talismans with Horse Bridle Decorations

At the famous “127 Yard Sale” one year I bought some brass horse bridle decorations, knowing someday I would figure out a way to create something, just because I liked them. Do you ever make impulse buys, then much later be glad you followed your intuition? When I started in earnest using beads again, I pulled bridle decorations out to embellish as wall hangings, showing for the first time at Open Studios. I took photos as I went through the process making this first one, “Talisman for Beachcombers.”

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Talismans for the Wall

Talismans for the Wall

Every now and then it’s fun to expand into dimensions with collage. WOW, a whole 1 inch deep! These are 10 x 10″ wood panels that have different mediums and objects on them. This first one, “Talsiman for Artists” has drawing, copper leaf, watercolor, linen on the side, not too visible, copper wire and tacks mounted on wood, with hand made watercolor beads with copper, Turquoise, Dalmatian Jasper, Chinese Millefiori, Handmade Furnace Glass, Peridot, and Shell Heishi. (more…)

Talisman for the Earth, & a new Collage

Talisman for the Earth, & a new Collage

Continuing with the story line of buying beads from Jacob March at Nomad Beads it was really an honor to acquire these Nila beads from Djenne I wrote about in this post. It was an even bigger honor to handle them and restring them into this necklace, “Talisman for the Earth”. (more…)

Talismans for Grounding with Beautiful Old Beads

Talismans for Grounding with Beautiful Old Beads

The idea to create Talismans for Grounding, 2 separate necklaces that I designed to potentially be worn together, began when I acquired the very specail collection of beads on the strand shown below. It’s always a favorite errand when I visit Boulder to shop at Nomad Beads. Jacob March, who I will be writing about next time, is a trusted merchant and friend. He steers me toward special beads that you don’t find elsewhere.  (more…)

Talismans, Bead Jewelry & Artifacts Premiering for Open Studio

Talismans, Bead Jewelry & Artifacts Premiering for Open Studio

Talismans, bead jewelry & artifacts are premiering for this year’s  Open Studio, first weekend in November. I’m excited to reveal what I’ve been creating this summer, revisiting my life-long love of beads. I consider  these Talismans to be 3-D collage, a layering of materials held together with cord, instead of glue. It is an honor to handle the beads in my collection- ancient, antique, vintage, handmade, semi-precious stone and just plain pretty new ones. They are  assembled together into power objects, Talismans, to adorn your body or the wall of your cozy home. (more…)

Sunwise Celebrations Bead Party

Sunwise Celebrations Bead Party

We found out at the Sunwise Celebrations Bead Party that while beading is our passion, it is even more fun to gather together to progress with our projects. For one thing it takes such a long time to work with them, if you are using seed beads for weaving or loom work, or designing a variety that will be collaged together into jewelry or wall art. (more…)