Cubes and Leaves

A just over a week ago, Diane Fitzgerald was here in Toronto teaching at beadfx and talking at Toronto Bead Society. I was lucky enought to take both of the classes. On Wednesday it was Moorish tile beads. They are fun to make as they are related to Julia Pretl's beaded boxes that I love.

First bead with colour inspiration

Fellow beaders finished beads

My first and second beaded beads

I am going to make all seven designs in the instruction package.

Thursday's class was for Diane's iconic Ginkgo Leaf Necklace. I got past the fact that it is done with brick stitch, my least favourite stitch. The first part of the class with learning about different ways to blend colours. Here is my first leaf.

I have started another leaf with shinier beads. I have it about 3/4 done. I am not likely how it looks, so I am only going to make more leaves like my first one. Only 10 or 11 more to make. I am then going to attach them to a bronze chain rather that with beaded lariat Diane uses. Not sure how long it will take for me to get this project done, maybe by the fall.