An Early Favorite

The texture of these rough amber chips is what first attracted my eye to them at a rock and gem show around 1995. It was the only strand the vendor had that was like this - both in texture and color. (I love the butterscotch amber color and search for it.) Returning home, I had nothing that I felt would compliment the chips - the chips were too rough to make a short necklace out of it alone. I often attempt to find complimentary beads by using what I call the drop-it-in method. I put the strands of gray pearls into a bowl and dropped the amber chips in. Perfect! My only regret is that I didn't make matching earrings. Completed 1996 >>MPK

The string of ideas continues.

When the two previous bracelets were completed, I had used all the large beads. I had more 4mm fossil stone beads left, of course and so paired them with some same-sized green Serpentine beads, using the same peyote stitch. I was even able to use the same color Silamide thread. Completed 3/07 >>MPK

One Left Over

In the previous post, I told about the first bracelet I had made with the Australian Picture Jasper. Of course - as so often happens - I have ONE bead left over! Too heavy for earrings, I solved the design by pairing it with Fossil Stone beads sewn into a peyote stitch base. The large bead is stitched onto the base through its hole. Also completed 3/07 >>MPK

Simple and Elegant

One of the kinds of Australian Picture Jasper is in browns and tans. These four beads reminded me of clay marbles I had made years ago in an art class. They are strung with sterling beads and a simple S hook clasp. The beads are quite different on each side, though - the pattern doesn't carry through the stone. Completed 3/07 >>MPK

Recalling Ancient Egypt

This royal embroidered necklace pendant piece began with the inspiration of the luscious Lapis Lazuli drop-shaped cabochon, cut by MacNeal. It is surrounded by matte cobalt Czech bugle beads, tiny gold beads and accents of bronze pearls. The cabochon has a lot of sparkly pyrite inclusions, which are matched by the golden accents. This piece was completed 1-08. >>MPK

A colorful bracelet for a colorful friend

Another in the embellished peyote bracelet series, this bracelet was created to resemble confetti. The base is flat peyote stitch, and the embellishments are a t-shape (fork) variation on coraling stitch. It is made with #11 Czech beads and was completed 6-07. >>>MPK

Cobalt Blue 3-cut Bracelet

The Czech republic has a way of making beads that is like no other! These tiny cut beads are faceted by hand all over and yet are called 3-cuts. They sparkle and shine, especially in sunlight or focused light. This bracelet is a part of a series of peyote-stitched bracelets I made featuring embellishments using the same beads as the background bracelet base. This bracelet was completed in 4-06. >>MPK

Apple Green SuZe's Spiral bracelet

As I have stated in my post about belonging to a beading group, one can learn all sorts of useful techniques. This is one of them. It is an "extreme spiral" rope taught by SuZe M. Stitched with Vanish(R) monofilament thread, it is tight enough to hold its own without crushing, and yet is comfortable to wear. A magnetic clasp completes the piece. Completed 11-2-09 >>MPK

Frosted beaded-bead necklace

A technique taught by a bead group member to embellish an already beaded bead produced this cool frosted focal piece for a necklace. Inside this "bead" is a wooden bead, covered in right-angle weave with plain beads and then embellished on top of that with the frosted root-beer colored beads. The focal is on an elastic cord.
It has been described as "organic", "like something from the sea", "fuzzy - but not fuzzy", "intriguing".
I think it is all of these.
>>MPK

Teri's Tri-Spiral with Amber

After a demonstration at my bead group, I decided to push the design of this tri-spiral technique by adding amber chips instead of "normal" beads, as well as varying the size of the other beads used.
Thanks to Teri S. for teaching the technique - the bracelet always garners compliments! The bracelet was made 6-07
>>MPK

Experimenting with clear beads

In early 2007, I happened to be in a huge sporting goods store with time to kill. I wandered into the section for fishing lures and accessories and was immediately drawn to small spools of neon nylon "laser lemon" thread. Not really knowing what I'd do with them, I purchased three and took them home. I had a vague idea that they might be useful with transparent beads, changing the base color to create something unique. So I experimented with crystal clear beads and was so pleased by the tiny first result that I made this embellished peyote bracelet. But Oh, what a nuisance the thread turned out to be in long lengths! It split and snarled. It had to be heavily conditioned and the ends woven thoroughly into the body of the bracelet. Knots didn't hold. I was pleased with the result, but not sure I want to go back there anytime soon with this type of thread. Completed 3/2007
>>MPK

Bracelet - Blue Matte Peyote

Before I began embroidering jewelry pieces in 2008, I experimented with Peyote Stitch. I love the silky feel of the beaded bracelet bases, and the way they fit as a cuff bracelet. The center row and the edge ruffles are stitched onto the beaded base. These matte blue beads came from Shipwreck beads, and the pearly button is from a fabric store. Completed in December of 2006.
>>MPK

Glad to be back!!

Dear Friends and fellow Beaders,
I'm sorry that I have not kept up with this blog for a long while. I have posted new pictures for the old posts and will be making new posts with great pictures of the bead work I have been doing.
And Happy New Year!

>>MPK