Stormy North

Nothing says "winter" to me quite like Howlite. This beautiful cabochon was picked up in an Ohio rockshop several years ago. It is surrounded with howlite pebbles and rectangle logs, as well as frosted white and gunmetal grey #11 beads. The clasp is a howlite bead. Since I made it in August 08, this was just a little mental air conditioning! >>MPK

Mentha Latte

This bracelet features one of my porcelain cabochons in a fabulous glaze called "Cappuchino Mint". The companion pebbles are Ocean Jasper, selected to bring out the minty green of the glaze. The body of the bracelet is paved with matte #11 beads and is meant to recall the creamy froth of a smooth hot drink. Mmm; have a sip... >>MPK

Flamingo Teal

This uniquely shaped bracelet features one of my porcelain cabochons. Surrounding it are salmon colored round dyed coral beads and blue dyed coral nuggets. The matte teal #11 beads come from Shipwreck Beads. The clasp is a magnetic square set on a point. At first, the idea was to "capture" the cabochon in a netting of #15 beads but I didn't want to obscure the tiny splashes of blue and tan. Perhaps I'll try that concept on another bracelet. 8-08 >>MPK

Cream of the Prom

Cream silk, and Swarovski crystals; a special dress for a special lady and some special jewels to compliment. The center cabochon is Osmina shell, surrounded by #15 cream Czech beads. The radiant design is with cream rice-shaped pearls and clear Swarovski Crystals. Nuggets of Mother-of-pearl are to either side of center. and the movement and sparkle are from short fringes of beads with one crystal on each end. The clasp is a golden toggle and ring. Completed 4/08 >>MPK

Ancient Spirit

On a recent trip to Ohio I visited a flea market and spied a broken and badly treated silver bracelet in a box. The price was very reasonable, so, "Mexico Sterling" treasure in hand, I planned what I would do with it. My original plan was to use the small turquoise cabochons in an embroidery. Upon closer observation, I realized that what I had wasn't a bracelet, but a watch band; sans watch and including a functioning adjustable clasp. I planned to use the Mexican Turquoise cabochon in the center, it was cut by D. Aikman. I wanted the color to stand out, since polishing the silver up seemed to be hopeless without damaging either the little cabs or their fragile settings. The #11 beads and the bugle beads are Czech. Since I already had a working clasp, I didn't need to add any metallic beads; indeed didn't want to, since I probably couldn't match up the old silver color anyway. The sections were held together by hinged pins, some of which were broken. I removed the remainder, and began to lay out the design. The sections with the coil-like tubes for the watch spring rods proved problematic. I couldn't cleanly cut the coils off them without possibly damaging the settings, and they stuck out. Also, all the sections were curved and I had to flatten them. Very gently. Once I laid out the design and had the major parts attached, my son commented that it reminded him of a Thunderbird motif. So I went with that idea, adding "wings" to either side of the large cabochon. An Ancient Spirit and a favorite souvenir was born. Completed 7/08 >>MPK

A Sense of Place

The central cabochon in this wide bracelet is a rare piece of

Pennsylvania Agate cut by MacNeil. It is accented by beads and chips of Baltic Amber from Poland. The clasp bead is Black Jasper from India. In the black areas of the design are matte black bugle hexs and shiny black Czech hexs. The overall design is accented by silver beads.The bracelet sits on the wrist such that the stone is centered, but the swirl design calls to mind something in constant motion. Very dramatic!! Completed 7/08 >>MPK

Royal Mosaic

This bracelet started with the beads rather than the central element. The #11 Frosted Russet Multi beads have fascinated me since I first laid eyes on them years ago, especially in combination with natural materials. I find them subtle, but always changing: never boring! The central cabochon is Fancy Jasper from India with a few red specks. I surrounded it with Fancy Jasper nuggets and Tiger Eye cubes. The clasp button is a Fancy Jasper bead. I built up the #11 beads into little fringes for texture and movement. Completed 7/08. >>MPK