Smaug box - Completed!

It is finally finished. It almost didn't get done as I broke multiple beads and needles just trying to get the lid done.

The large faceted bead on top is represents the Arkenston. The silver background represents mithril.

Here are all three dragon boxes. I hope to do more in the series, but I am going to go back to work on other works in progress.

Smaug progress report

Over a year ago I was rereading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and was inspired to make a Smaug dragon box. By the fall I had finally decided on the colours I would use to represent Smaug and mithril,

I started the box. It got put aside to as I worked on other projects. I picked it back up to finish it so that I could enter it to be in the next TBS calendar.

I have finished the body of the box and only need to do the lid. I hope to have the lid finished by the weekend.

Copper & Silver Elf Weave Bracelet

Elf Weave Bracelet

Today project was a chain maille kit that I bought at TBS bead from Gardiner Designs.  It was great to make a new chain maille bracelet. Marilyn's instructions are easy to follow. I had this bracelet done in a few hours. Maybe I should dig out the other kits that I have in my stash.

I have some sample projects to work on this weekend for Maria to have for her booth (#993) at Bead and Button in June.

Deep Caribbean Blue Chicklet Bracelet

This is the latest of my chicklet bracelets. I used the same two colour blue chicklets as in the Iced Blueberry bracelet, but I have gone more intense and deeper with the colours.

 Deep Caribbean Blue

Once I had finished the bracelet it had reminded of pictures of the Caribbean Sea.

From National Geographic

Contemporary Ukrainian necklaces

A young lady preparing for her graduation wanted a necklace to wear that would honour her Ukrainian heritage. Maria of Rypan Designs was asked to design something (I did the final pieces).

This piece is a colour variation of Maria's popular cascading swag design. We used cream and gold beads for a fresh, modern version to match the grad's dress.

This piece has a more traditional base. It starts with a basic netted collar with cream and gold beads. The lower edge is embellished with loops of larger cream and gold beads.  The extender chain is finished off with a loop of beads the same as on the necklace.


Both pieces are on their way to this lucky young lady. I hope that she wears them with grace and pride.

Chicklet Bracelets

Among the few things that I got at last week's TBS bead fair were some wonderful pressed glass chicklet beads. These rectangular beads are used in Rypan Designs' Chicklet Bracelets. I found some coordinating seed beads and made these two bracelets.

Iced Blueberry Chicklet Bracelet

Bollywood Chic Chicklet Bracelet

Repaired Necklace

Here is a favourite necklace that just fell apart the other day. I wear this piece at least once or twice a week. I am sure that I stress the beading wire by playing with the lampwork beads. I have restrung the piece using a heavier beading wire and it is as good as new. Hopefully I won't have to restring for at least a couple of years.