Niagara Falls

Anna and I have spent the last couple of days in Niagara Falls. Here are a few pictures.

Horseshoe Falls

American Falls

Maid of the Mist (wet but amazing)

White Water Walk (as close as you can get to class 6 rapids)

Horseshoe Falls as seen from the observation desk @ Journey Behind the falls

Rainbow over the falls.

Queen Anne's Lace Bracelet - Completed

The finishing of Marcia DeCoster's Queen Anne's Lace bracelet went very smoothly.  

The base of the bracelet worked up great. It was different to make something that was components joined together. 

Adding the accent beads tightened up the bracelet. Making the loop end took a few attempts in order to get the right size to fit over the amazing Swarovski button.

Finished it is a snug fitting cuff. It is a beautiful piece.

Urchin Bead

From Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence here is the Urchin Bead. I have used Dark Red Coral crystals, gunmetal and cherry red seed beads.

It is interesting to see the effect of different size beads within a band of right angle weave. Stitching the ends together creates the base of the bead. The embellishment of crystals tightens up the spines of the bead.

I really like making this bead. I am going to make another in turquoise and brown.

Queen Anne's Lace Bracelet

Yesterday's class at Beadfx with Marcia De Coster was Queen Anne's Lace Bracelet. Inspired by the great white lacy flower. I saw some of the flowers on my way to the bus from the store.

Here is the first component of the bracelet.

Here I am joining two components together.

Now I have three components joined together. I will have to do about 11 or 12 components  for the full bracelet.

I hope to finish it over the weekend.

More Beaded Beads

I made a few changes to the design of the coordinating beads for yesterday's green bead. I shortened the base structure.

I added the same embellishments, but without the crystals.

Here is the complete set of green Bellisimo Beaded Beads.

Bellisimo Beaded Beads

Today was my first class with Marcia DeCoster @ Beadfx. We made beaded beads using tubular right angle weave.

I had not done alot of right angle weave recently, so it was great to work this versitile stitch. A base tube of right angle weave is enbellished with a variety of beads and crystals.

Here is my first bead. It is a little loose and floppy.

My second is much better. 

Of course it took longer as I spent more time thinking out the embellishments.

I look forward to making more of the great little treasures. My next class with Marcia is on Thursday when I will be take her Queen Anne's lace bracelet.

Summer Blue Ceramic Necklace

While out running errands today, I came across this beautiful ceramic pendant and matching beads. The best part was that they were in the clearance section of the craft department at Wal-mart. The pendant was $1 and the beads were $3. I added the flower spacers and the white firepolished beads.

It is a great, fun summer necklace.