Exotic Bead Swap - Meet my Peep!

Welcome to the 2nd annual Bead Peeps Swap & Hop!

   My partner is Divya Narasimhan of Jewels of Sayuri.

    She lives a very colorful and culturally rich life in Chennai, India, where she teaches design at the University.

    Her work has the appeal of classical tradition with a bit of a contemporary twist.
    She's influenced by her own culture, as well as others around the world.
(a kindred roving spirit!)

    She's quite the multi faceted talent, making everything from hand molded leather flowers and soap sculptures, to drawing, as well as designing jewelry and fashion.

Sayuri is a OWB (One woman brand) that believes in creating contemporary and fashionable pieces by incorporating recycling and reusing.                The tagline says it all - "Designed to please your soul".



    So here's the kit I sent Divya to work with.

    A little bit of everything really.
    When we had initially talked, I had the idea to send each other regional items, that the other might not have easy access to.
    I suggested sending her things like sea glass and seashells, because I live near a beach. and that she might send me things like sari silks and the kind of beads and findings she could get locally.
    Divya pointed out that most of those items are export from the country and not easily accessible to her. She also said she couldn't get ceramic and stoneware components.
    I never got a chance to go scour the beach for sea glass, but did stick with my original beach theme.

    She did request some of my "metal bits", so I made her a sea urchin. Hand formed from copper sheet using repousse technique. I gave it a lovely verdigris patina to blend with the color palette, and then buffed with steel wool to highlight the copper.
    I also forged her a copper hook clasp using a vintage brass button. The original inlay was missing from the button, so I set the crown of a sea urchin into the bezel, and sealed it in lacquer.
    I included several focals, besides the sea urchin.
    A siren face ceramic art bead pendant by Michelle Ann McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio.
    An Italian silver glass lampwork seahorse pendant (artist unknown).
    Also an artisan ceramic bracelet bar embossed with a beautiful lace pattern. Originally bisque, I did the patina work with Verdigris Rub-n-Buff and African Bronze Gilder's paste, leaving them with a soft Mediterranean sun kissed sheen. 
    I never got a chance to collect sea glass from the beach, so I included a selection of cultured sea glass from ZnetShows collection, in a sea of marine jewel tones.

Also included:
-a selection of Turquoise, Howlite, and Magnesite coins
-Prehnite Nuggets
-Lampwork glass lentils
-a pair of large Italian siver glass lentils
-a pair of rare Green Coral wheels
-Venetian blown glass baubles
-Sponge Coral, hand dyed Navy blue
-a pair of long faceted teal blue variegated Chalcedony drops
-deep teal blue ceramic art beads by Natalie Pappas of NKP Designs
-bright lime green flower shaped fresh water pearls
-a sea urchin spine
-a few glittery seashell buttons
-a pair of sea urchins
-a mini faux enamel seahorse
-sea shells
-fisherman's netting
-hand painted silk
-sari silk
-hand spun seaweed art yarn
-a pair of Chysocolla gemstone rounds

    I wrapped it up real pretty, sticking with the beach theme. Using shimmery water blue paper, and some of the fibers as the wrap itself.
    I also included some extras for fun!
    A lavender mint creme filled dark chocolate bar. I picked this one not just because I thought the lavender was interesting, but because this series of chocolate bars support endangered species. This one happens to support conservation of the sea otter.
    A package of my favorite Auroshika brand, orange blossom scent incense. One of my favorite Indian exports. Thought it would be fun to send some of those hard to come by exports back to her. ;)
    Last, but certainly not least, I included a soundtrack! 3 compilation CD's, each fitting a different mood, designed to inspire her creativity.

    Divya sent me 2 kits to work with. She presented me with a color challenge. To use a combination she couldn't find on my page, blue and silver.
    I actually had an entire blue an silver jewelry collection called "Blue Jean Blues", but most of it sold fairly quickly.

    The second challenge was to use green. Yet another color void in my collection, as I routinely sell out. ;)

    She also included some sari pieces.

 

    So the colors weren't really a challenge for me, but some of the components were.



    I started with the blue and silver kit, using her region of the world for inspiration.

    I have a vintage hand carved wooden stamp from India with a Paisley motif. Originally used for indigo block dying textiles, but I've been wanting to translate it into a jewelry design.
    I chose to make a molten solder stamping to create a medallion for part of my focal. The solder color matches quite well with the large lacey bead cap earring finding Divya sent me to work with.

    I actually did the solder stamping as a Tutorial Tuesdays feature in the Lampwork Bead Addicts Talk-Learn-Share group. If you've missed those, they're always accessible in the photo album for future reference.

    I drilled lots of holes and wire wrapped my solder stamping, embellishing it with lustrous blue crystals to frame the paisley medallion.

    I bought a batch of gypsy bells.
    The bells came a very bright shiny silver and didn't really match the paisley medallion and the bead cap. I dipped them all into a black patina to antique them. Then brushed with steel wool to highlight, giving them the perfect "aged" look.

    I also bought some Irish waxed linen in a deep slate blue.
    I went with a 2 ply so it was fine enough to string crystals and pearls. I did have to bore out the holes a bit more on the pearls with a reamer, but I made it work.
    I pulled all I could find in this color palette from my own stash and got to work.

    Going with a knotted cord beaded rosary style chain, I started from the medallion, working my way up.

"Namaste"

    I tried to use the beads Divya sent, front and center.
    Using the trapezoid shaped crystals close together right in the front, turned on their sides, they form almost a winged breastplate.
    Spaced with the large mercury glass finish beads, and framed with the frosted gray glass rounds.
    I continued working my way up, randomly placing beads as they felt right, but matching the two sides symmetrically.
    I ended up using a mix of small smokey blue crystals, vintage Chinese silk knot buttons, Hand dyed navy blue sponge coral, iridescent gray fresh water pearls, Titanium coated Quarts crystal nuggets, and pewter flower medallions.

    Next I embellished the bead cap, adding lots of individual lustrous smokey blue crystal dangles.

    Gathering all the ribbons, yarns, sari silks, and fibers I could find in this color palette, I made a fabulously textural tassel.
    Originally I had intended to stick the tassel right into the bead cap, but when I did, it stunt the movement of all the crystal dangles. All that shimmer and dazzle I made the effort to create, was completely lost.
    Plan B! I needed to figure out how to elevate that bead cap above the tassel.

    I made 2 felted wool pom poms, in consecutive sizes, and dyed them deep blue. One fit perfectly inside the bead cap, giving all those dangles room to dance. The larger one fitting just below, I embellished it with pewter flower and crystal medallions to blend with the overall look. Then attached the tassel to the bottom.

    Finishing it off by attaching all those jingly gypsy bells to the tassel threads.

    "Namaste" was the only piece I managed to finish in time for the reveal, but I have big plans for those greens too.
    I was really stumped by that black and green polymer clay focal. I tend to do a lot of layering, but it was too large to add much more to it. Yet it didn't have a whole lot of interest to stand on it's own in one of my designs.
    I really had to think outside the box for this one!
    It reminded me a bit of a pod. So I made it one!

    Just a little sneak peak of where this project is headed. You'll have to check back for the results in my next post though. If this one gets any longer I'll have to publish this novel! ;)



    Thank you all for coming and visiting. Please make sure your next stop is my partner's blog, Jewels of Sayuri, to see what Divya did with her stash. Then you'll find the links to all the other participants below.

   A huge thank you to our very gracious hostess, Linda Anderson of Cherry on Top Designs, who organized and coordinated all the participants from around the world. Please give her a huge round of applause! and a little love for her blog wouldn't hurt either.


Linda Anderson
Natalie Davidson

Marcy Lamberson
Kathy Lindemer

Dita Basu
Andrea Glick

Kristina Peck
Shaiha Williams

Catherina LaVite
Christina Hickman

Gloria Allen
Teresa Schurter

Maria Rosa Sharrow
Susan Kelly

Jenny Kyrlach
Michelle McCarthy

Terry Jeanet Carter
Lee Koopman

Laurie Vyselaar
Marianne Baxter

Divya Narasimhan
Kelly Hosford Patterson           <--- you are here

Johana Nunez
Kari Asbury

Robin Kae Reed
Kristina Hahn Eleniak

Robin Showstack
Rosantia Petkova

Claire Fabian
Inge von Roos

Rachel Mallis
Sam Waghorn

Lori Schneider
Fay Wolfenden



Seed Beaders

Suse Stelljes
Ginger Bishop

Nelly May
Rebecca White


Sheila Prosterman
Marianne Baxter

Pallavi Asher
Krafty Max

Renetha Sanziano
Becky Pancake

Katy Heider
Deborah Apodaca

Heather Richter
Tami Norris

Brandy Scozzari
Catherine King

Kathleen Breeding
Veralynne Malone

Bobbie Rafferty
Lori Blanchard

Moonlight FantaSeas - ZnetShows Key Chain Lightning Round

"Some men See things as they are and say "Why?". Others Dream of things that never were and say "Why not?" 

 - George Bernard Shaw 

    ZnetShows has challenged me to a lightning round. I picked out 2 Tiaria Crystal items from their vast collection, and I was sent 3 silver plated key chain clasps.  

    I picked out these awesome giant star-burst shaped crystals.
    If you recall, these are the same crystals I picked out for my partner Hope Smitherman, in ZnetShows Summer Challenge and Giveaway. I just couldn't resist. They're just too cool.
    I also picked out these coin shaped crystals with a star-burst etched into the side.
    The larger star-burst shaped beads are mainly green. The smaller star-burst etched coin shaped beads are mainly purple. In bright light the pieces all seem mainly purple. Yet, they both dance, with a dazzling array of watery blues, vibrant greens, and mystical violet purples that enchant the soul.

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has Genius, Power, and Magic in it." 
  -Goethe 

I added a few goodies from my collection. 

     The Amethyst nugget beads that Hope picked out for me from ZnetShows for the Summer Partner Challenge. I still hadn't used them. They matched perfectly with the colors of the crystals.

    Fresh water pearls with a brilliant peacock luster. A few larger Baroque Pearls. and a few diamond granule finished glass beads with cut circles and an iridescent rainbow finish. 

    Two gorgeous hand-carded wool batts from Crochet by KA. One titled "Purple Peacock" , and the other "Moonlight Beach". The latter deserves credit as part inspiration for the title of this collection. 

    Hand dyed Coopworth locks in marine blue from Froggy Fibers.

    Hand dyed Wensleydale locks in a wine country palette by Herman Hills Farm. 

    When I first began this blog, it was with the intention of sharing my textile experiments. Though I've just realized I've yet to post anything fibery. I hope my current followers will enjoy a change of pace as we mix things up a little bit with some felting fun today.

   My package of goodies from ZnetShows, arrived on a Friday evening and I immediately got to work.

     A quick photo shoot and we're off.......   

     I hand spun some cool funky art yarn with lots loose curly locks for texture, and Angelina fiber for bling, and a beading wire core for extra strength. 

  I enameled some pre-cut stainless steel donuts on my torch. First I hammered them out to give them a little bit of an irregular shape.
    I layered many different shades of blues, greens, and lavenders and then over-fired them. What happens when the enamel is over-fired is, the glass starts to boil and the under layers bubble up through. It does leave some charred and darkened spots, so this isn't the technique to use if you want perfect enamel. I happened to like the character that irregularity gives each individual piece. No two will ever be the same.
    Then I dipped them in "Pixie Dust" and fired one last time to achieve this awesome shimmering iridescence.
    The perfect fairy finish!                                           

     

    Now this is a key chain challenge, but I really am an out-of-the-box kinda girl, and well, frankly a key chain sounds kinda boring to me. So, what else can I do with these clasps .....hmmm....

    First off, I was struck by the incredible brilliance and elegance of the crystals. So I started out with a simple pair of chandelier earrings.
    A pair of balled headpins were twisted into parlor hook style ear wires. They are shorties so clear rubber stoppers have been added to the backs.
    A large pewter colored Baroque pearl with a  peacock luster, a star-burst etched coin bead, and a large star-burst shaped crystal, all dangle, with my signature fiber wrap for a bit of texture.
 
                      Simple and Elegant!

    Next, I decided to make a bracelet to match and use one of my key chain clasps as the closure. I dressed up the clasp with some sari silk wrap. The hinge no longer spins freely but it does still have some movement to allow for a comfortable fit.
    A large star-burst crystal as the centerpiece. Flanked by a pair of star-burst etched coins, a pair of Amethyst nuggets, and a pair of diamond finish glass rounds. All spaced by iridescent luster gunmetal pearls.
    Closes with the sari silk wrapped key chain clasp, and large silver jump ring. Finished with a Baroque pearl and Czech glass crystal dangles.
    Can't forget a little fibery bling, with a metallic eyelash yarn wrap to dress it up.

    Now I'm thinking outside the box. Let's really get creative..........................Fanny Pack!

    Here's where the wool comes in. I make fabric, from scratch, using wool locks, dish soap and water.
    The wool fibers are barbed like a fish hook, causing them to tangle and mat with agitation. The dish soap acts as a lubricant to facilitate and speed the process. Hot and cold water can also shock the fibers into tightening. This is why when you throw a wool sweater in the washing machine it comes out much smaller and thicker.
    The beauty of felting, is that I can create my fabric in any shape I would like by using a resist. It doesn't have to be flat. It can be three dimensional. It can have layers and folds. The possibilities are endless.
    What this means is, I can make a purse, with a front and back, with sealed seems on each side and the bottom, and a flap closure, all in one complete piece, eliminating any need for sewing. No raw edges to worry about. No need for any lining.

              I Can sew!

    I took my first sewing class and made my first dress at age 7. I studied fashion deign at UCLA. I can even draft my own patterns, but I tend to work, "cut and paste" style without them. Even making ball gowns in this manner.
    I think sewing, however,  requires a precision that I don't have the patience for these days. I find that felting allows me much more freestyle work, and is also much more forgiving to errors, as it can be changed and re-manipulated. When something doesn't work out as planned, I can do something else with it.

    I started by felting two long cords for the belt with lots of loose locky texture and plenty of bling.
    I made the belt in two parts to insert the pouch in the middle.
    I attached each cord to one of the enameled donuts, and used some of the  hand spun art yarn with a wire core to connect the two donuts. Then I wired up lots of sparkly dangles to hang in the space between the belt and the bag.
    The ends of the belt are finished with  dangling beaded tassels of Pearls and crystal and Amethyst nuggets as well.
    I then used the two remaining key chain clasps with a little bit of sari silk wrap, to attach the pack to the belt.
    The pack is removable. The belt can be worn with or with out the pack.
    The belt is a little over nine feet long it can be wrapped multiple times in multiple ways, or worn with long dangling tassels.
    The pocket itself, is seven inches wide and eight inches tall. It has been completely beadazzled with pearls and crystals.

    The color combo inspired a Mer-Fairy theme. Who doesn't love to delve into the fantasy world from time to time. though, I'm probably guilty of indulging a little more often than most. 

  

Mer Fairy - 

Deep below in unexplored regions of the ocean you may happen upon a beautiful creature, half mermaid, and half fairy. She is very difficult to spot because with her delicate wings and powerful tail she can move out of sight in an instant. Here we have a glimpse of this mysterious beauty relaxing and playing with her companions the seahorses who themselves are equipped with fairy wings.    - Josephine Wall

Any one of these fair maidens would look absolutely stunning, beadazzled in my fancy festival Mer-Fairy Fanny pack.

     I took the most interesting of the enameled donuts and used it as the centerpiece for the necklace. This particular donut had a crater that opened up in the enamel as I over-fired it. I love the effect it left as the pixie dust settled into the hole. Like looking through a portal into deep space. 

    I hung one of the etched star-burst coin crystals in the center of the donut, and hung the enameled donut from a silver jump ring. 

    I then hung it on the remaining piece of the textured hand spun art yarn, and wired it up with an array of Amethyst and and Pearls. 

    I didn't have any more of the ZnetShows key chain clasps to use or I would have finished the necklace off with another one of those. I dug out the most similar clasp I could find in my stash, and I finished the silver jump ring with a Baroque Pearl and a Czech glass crystal dangles to match the clasp on the bracelet. 

   I used the last two enamel donuts to make a matching set of earrings. I centered an etched star-burst crystal in each enameled donut,  hung them from silver jump rings, and embellished the ear-wires with a sari silk wrap and small fresh water pearls. 

Can't forget the hands.              I can never resist putting a little bling on those fingers. The bands are hammered 16 gauge galvanized steel wire. 

    The two larger crystal rings were made as a tension setting and then reinforced with a wire wrap. The tension settings required a rather wide stance. On the etched star-burst coin shaped ring, it left a cavity on the underside, so I got creative and decorated the empty space as well, with some small fresh water pearls, for a very unique look. 

   Of course all my rings are finished with my signature fiber wrap detail. It just wouldn't be perfect with out some awesome texture and a proper Pyxee dust finish. 

Spell to become a Mermaid

1 conch shell (In which you can hear the ocean in.) 
1 Bucket of sea water. 
2 Dead star fish 
2 Witnesses 
Now wait until the next full moon. 
Go outside on your lawn. Lay the 2 dead star fish on both sides of you. Have your witnesses, sit in front of you. Put the Conch shell to your ear. Keep you left index finger in the bucket of sea water and recite this spell. 
Complete and utter integrity, 

I am clean and full of innocence. 
I do understand the consequences. 
All the barnacles, and all the beasts. 
I know the immense heat. 
But I wish to be one with the sea. 
I will live to 3 hundred. 
I will then become just sea foam. 
For I have given my soul to the depths. 
I am prone to the fishers nets. 
I wish to be one of the sea. 
Grant this wish, I wish I plead. 
Let the sea come to me."

After this dunk the sea water onto the lawn. 
Bury the dead starfishes in the yard. 
Take the conch shell and place it on your dresser. 
Do not let your witnesses tell anybody, or else this will not work. 
In exactly 3 days your legs should feel painful, and they should start to itch, soon you will notice scales on your legs. 
Immediatly go to a place where the is salt water. 
You chest should burn and it'll be hard to breath, you'll go into a deep sleep, when you wake up you'll have your tail. 
And you'll have become a mermaid. 
What color your tail will be, I don't know. 

Dive into the inspirational realm of water, and discover the healing powers of mermaids, magic and the marine environment with Lucy Cavendish and Serene Conneeley's "Mermaid Magic".     

Connect with the energy of the ocean and the healing power of water

I just discovered that there is actually a Fae Magazine. I don't know how I've missed this.....

   Please click on any of the mer-fairy photos for links to the incredibly talented artists who created them.

    Thanks for sharing the adventures.
                          Have a mer-magical day!              
                                               -  * PyxeeStyx *