Under The Sea!

I finally have some new stuff to show off. I got the ol' camera out and forced myself to take new pictures (it's not really that bad, but I'd much rather be creating).

I made this necklace for a challenge last month, but decided I didn't like how it looked, so I never entered it.

This necklace has been one rocky road for me. I think I've taken it apart 1000 times. I've made two beaded ropes and numerous flowers.

I've added and subtracted, and just wasn't in love with it.

I finally got a flower I liked, but then thought it overpowered the whole necklace.

Ugggg, I just wasn't happy.

But I finally decided to listen to everyone around me and just keep it as is. J thinks it looks great and K (the grad student that works in the lab) says the flower reminds her of a sea anemone, so it fits perfectly.

I've worn this necklace to work and it lays really nice. So I've come around and I'm really starting to like this necklace a lot. I used some great vintage coral that a family friend sent me years ago (and I'm very happy to find something to use this beautiful coral for).

I'm particularly proud of the flower. I have never ever tried anything like this. I've always wanted to, but I've never been brave enough.

I tried a number of different stitches. I kept asking J if they looked like flower petals, and he would try his gentlest to let me know that they weren't quite flower like.

I had three different peyote stitch and 2 different brick stitch petals. They all turned out "ok". Then I gave up. I just didn't want to deal with it anymore.

But then while I was looking through a bead book that had beautiful sculptural bead work, it hit me. Try RAW. So I sketched something out and rushed home (I was at the book store killing time). And low and behold, I created a pretty decent flower petal on the first try.

Now I'll admit, it probably isn't the best flower (there are a number of unbelievably talented bead artists that can do so much better) and I'm definitely not the first person to think of using RAW for flower petals, but I'm pretty happy with it. I would like to try something else with a flower to see if I can perfect them a little bit more. Lets see what else I can put a flower on.

This isn't on etsy yet, but I'll have it up soon and I'll make sure to update this blog with the link when I do.