Showing posts with label coral. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coral. Show all posts

Friday, 5 October 2012

Bead Soup still at a rolling boil


Have you been keeping up with the Bead Soup Book Blog Tour? I love how fitting it is. It’s even more fun for me turning to the page in the book and looking at the piece in an new light as people share more.  I already have my copy as it was a generous giveaway gift from Geneva Collins who was so clever to pre-order two copies, one for herself and one for a lucky winner – me! There’s still lots of time to join in



I’m betting that Lori’s Bead Soup Cafe on Facebook is going to be filling up with many more bead lovers as more and more people discover the fun.  It’s a great community full of beady types with lots to share.  Most recently, a Pantone themed swap, just for the love of the beads, no other requirements. 

Speaking of which, I had a note on my door today, I had missed the postwoman.  Which was a bummer since I just knew she had beads all the was from Singapore for me.  A few hours later though I was happily picking them up.  My partner Maybeline Tay received her package from me just a couple of days ago. What a pleasure to chat with Maybeline by email as we made our plans for what to exchange.  I noticed on her blog she mentioned vacationing and the Great Barrier Reef so I immediately thought of the moulds I had recently made of coral. I started there and came up with as many coordinating colours as I could pull out.

001

Here’s the rest: a few polymer discs (rhapsody and titanium), some polymer charms (rhapsody and french roast), polymer little logs – texture from coral itself – (french roast), freshwater pearls (honey gold), glass crackle beads (pink flambĂ©) and buri nuts (french roast).

013

Perhaps I should have started with the chart itself from Pantone, in case you aren’t familiar



Here is what I was so very lucky to receive from Maybeline!

002

She was so kind to send that little charming fox, I had said somewhere along the was how sweet he was.  Maybeline made the fox and those perfect tangerine tango rounds to the left.  She also made the Rhapsody flower and faceted beads on the right-hand side.  Then she turned to her stash to cover as many other colours.  I think she did a fabulous job, so many interesting shapes and colours!

I have to tell you, as Averleigh always loves to open mail with me, when she saw the fox she exclaimed “Fox!” then gave it two kisses, clutched it in both hands to her chest and said “huuuugs” before handing it back to me.  She is so subtle in her claiming of beads. We shall see.

Since I so enjoy the Bead Soup Cafe I asked if anyone else would like me to share their swap since it’s so much fun to see what folks come up with.  Gerry Nickerson shared the photos of the beads she received from partner Fen Li, and the ones she sent off too. So I’ll leave you with more fun beads.

Pantone swap G Nickerson F Li

Saturday, 1 September 2012

Challenge of Travel: ready for Tuvalu?


Welcome intrepid travellers! You have arrived at a dream like location. However, you may very well be the last generation of visitors, unfortunately. 

Your trusty travel agents Erin Prais-Hintz and Marcie Abney Carroll  have designed a blog hop to take you around the world to parts familiar and unknown.  I opted to choose the region of Oceania.  With the list of countries spread out before me I closed my eyes and pointed.  Tuvalu was my surprise destination!

Like planning for any trip I set about doing some research.  I had never heard of Tuvalu so I went straight to the globe that sits in my living room to find it.  Then I spent some time zooming in and out using google maps satellite view which is pretty incredible.  Tuvalu is one of the smallest island nations in the Pacific.  The google satellite view really gives you the idea of the lagoons and coral reefs that it features.

I was focused mainly on the images and created a Pinterest board here to keep track.  My favourite of the lot is not properly attributed so before I share it here I will have to sort that out.  My apologies, I thought I had that nailed down. You will also see reference to copra, or dried coconut meat, which is an important natural resource.

While searching, I found more and more the talk about Tuvalu was mostly doom.  Climate change, rising ocean waters, ocean acidification are threatening Tuvalu in real and immediate ways.  There is so much discussion on the islands’ homepage I couldn’t recall which one in particular was most informative (I scanned them all). 

So with ideas of amazing blue and green waters, I sat down with my polymer to see what would come out.  Coconut references where also bound to be part of the story.  Things in my studio always change course, usually several times, and this challenge was no exception.  Let me start to show you!

024_edited-1

There’s a lot going on here. I’ve had those gorgeous kyanite sticks for a long time. I love them, but struggle with an appropriate design.  Based on the colours of Tuvalu I was seeing, I knew I wanted to incorporate them so I created polymer coconut type shells to really highlight them. The central one is flanked by two sea urchin spines that I’ve covered with polymer.  I wanted to convey the feeling of rising, surrounding, dangerous waters. These urchin spines are almost completely enveloped in polymer.  I hope the idea of a horizon with waves lapping towards you across the sand comes across... and if not than it's at least pretty.

Also in a shocking twist I made matching earrings!

025_edited-1

I never seem to reach for designing earrings for the challenges I’ve participated in so far, so I’m quite happy with these simple and lightweight earrings.

Let's go back to the necklace though for a little more of the details.
details of Tuvalu

Since Kyanite sticks and sea urchin spines where in the mix, adding amazonite sticks and stick pearls wasn’t too much of a leap.  I originally had other plans for the rest of the necklace but as I started to clear my bead board of other projects (still working with my bead soup) I realized much of that wonderful soup would work here too.  You can also see some of the faux sea glass I won from Erin, just had to work that in! Then more peals, Swarovski pearls, and matte resin tied it all together.  The clasp is another pewter button from Mamacita Beadworks.  I’m really pleased with the colours I was able to dig out of my stash to show those one-minute-green, next-minute-blue waters.

Here is the backside, which really shows the coconut idea.  I actually used some coral to make that texture which I think makes it all the more fitting.

043_edited-1

My plan was show you a bunch more that I created. You saw a glimpse here (turned sideways).  I also have to show you the rest of my amazing thrift store finds (hint: my earrings are sitting on a piece of it) but that will have to wait for another day since my little bundle of fever will be waking from a blissful nap any second.

Pack your bags and head on to your next stop.  I’m so glad you came to visit,  please feel free to “sign the guestbook” below and I’ll keep a light on for you.

Updating to add, where are my manners!? Thanks so much to Erin for dreaming up this challenge and letting us all play in her sandbox, it's always a wonderful time!

NameBlogRegion ChosenInspiration Nation
Monique Urquharthttp://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/AfricaBurkina Faso
Niky Sayershttp://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/AfricaEgypt
Therese Frankhttp://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.comAfricaKenya
Raychelle Heathhttp://abeadloveaffair.blogspot.com/AfricaLesotho
Joan Williamswww.lilrubyjewelry.wordpress.comAfricaMauritania
Sherri Stokeyhttp://www.KnotJustMacrame.comAfricaSenegal
Regina Santerrehttp://reginaswritings.blogspot.comAfricaSeychelles
Raida Disbrowhttp://havanabeads.blogspot.comAfricaTanzania
Kristi Wodekhttp://livedinlife.blogspot.comAfricaZimbabwe
Sally Russickhttp://www.thestudiosublime.comAmericasBrazil
Melissa Trudingerhttp://beadrecipes.wordpress.comAmericasMexico
Tracy Stillmanhttp://www.tracystillmandesigns.comAmericasUSA
Sandra Wolberghttp://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.deAsiaIndia
Tanya Goodwinhttp://pixiloo.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Susan Kennedyhttp://suebeads.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Beth Emeryhttp://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Lisa Conehttp://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/AsiaJapan
Tanya Bodenhttp://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com/AsiaJapan
Inge von Rooshttp://ingetraud.wordpress.comAsiaLaos
Erin Prais-Hintzhttp://treasures-found.blogspot.comAsiaNepal
Dee Elgiehttp://cherryobsidia.blogspot.comAsiaPhillipines
Carolyn Lawsonhttp://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.comAsiaSouth Korea
Lisa Stukelhttp://carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.comAsiaSri Lanka
Elly Snarehttp://themagicsquarefoundation.wordpress.comAsiaThailand
Shelley Graham Turnerhttp://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.comEuropeAustria
Mallory Hoffmanhttp://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/EuropeBosnia Herzegovina
Paige Maximhttp://www.pmaximdesigns.blogspot.comEuropeFrance
Jenny Davies-Reazorhttp://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blogEuropeGermany
Sharyl McMillian-Nelsonhttp://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.comEuropeGreece
Evelyn Shelbyhttp://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/EuropeIceland
Holly Westfallhttp://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/EuropeIreland
Rebecca Siervaaghttp://www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.comEuropeIreland
Toltec Jewelshttp://toltecjewels.blogspot.comEuropeIreland
Lee Koopmanhttp://StregaJewellry.wordpress.comEuropeIreland
Laren Dee Bartonhttp://larendeedesigns.blogspot.comEuropeItaly
Cindy Wilsonhttp://www.mommysdreamcreations.blogspot.comEuropeNorway
Kathleen Lange Klikhttp://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.comEuropePoland
Shaiha Williamshttp://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/EuropePortugal
Jennifer Justmanhttp://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/EuropeRomania
Elsie Deliz-Fonsecahttp://ladelizchica.blogspot.comEuropeSpain
Lola Surwillohttp://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.comEuropeSweden
Kim Horahttp://www.kimmykats.comEuropeSwitzerland
Leanne Loftushttp://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.comEuropeThe Netherlands
Patti Vanderbloemenhttp://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.comEuropeThe Netherlands
Marcie Carrollhttp://labellajoya.blogspot.comEuropeTurkey
Marlene Cupohttp://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.comOceaniaFederated States of Micronesia
Ine Vande Cappellehttp://jewelsbyine.blogspot.comOceaniaFiji
Tammie Everlyhttp://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/OceaniaGuam
Alice Petersonhttp://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.comOceaniaKiribati
Elisabeth Auldhttp://www.beadsforbusygals.comOceaniaNauru
Susan McClellandhttp://mistheword12.wordpress.com/OceaniaNew Zealand
D Lynne Bowlandhttp://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.comOceaniaNew Zealand
Denielle Hagermanhttp://somebeadsandotherthings.comOceaniaNew Zeland
Rebecca Andersonhttp://songbeads.blogspot.comOceaniaPapua New Guinea
Mischelle Fanucchihttp://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/OceaniaSamoa
Kari Asburyhttp://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.comOceaniaSolomon Islands
Cece Cormierhttp://www.thebeadingyogini.com/OceaniaTonga
Emma Toddhttp://www.apolymerpenchant.comOceaniaTuvalu
Debbie Pricehttp://greenshoot.blogspot.comOceaniaVanuatu