May Maiden

I have finished my May Maiden.  My BJP for this year is very simple I know, but with my husbands illness, simple was all I could handle and felt that I might actually complete. Sorry for making excuses, however I think the Maidens are pretty cute anyway. This one has a velvet body, clay face which I highlighted with gold, and the flower is a vintage cab that I have had for several years and the leaves are lucite.  Happy Beading all.

May Button is done

Hi all - this year my BJP journals holiday celebrations and May celebrates Mother's Day with a tribute to Mother Earth. Check out the full piece. I love the pearl hearts. I had bought one at a show and loved it so much I found them on the net and purchased more. But note, I found one company whose photos on the net were beautiful, but when I got the pearls they were so baroque they were barely heart shaped. Glad I found these from another company.

This is my 6th year in the BJP. I love to bead and make a lot of things. But it's hard to keep making and not sell because you can display only so many and give away so many gifts. So I am happy to say that 2 of my 5 for this year have already sold - my St Patrick's Day shamrock and my Arbor Day tree. I do love beading trees with pearl flowers in them.

I recently took a class at the John C. Campbell Folk School (FolkSchool.org) in Gourd Art. It was so much fun. I teach enameling there and this was my 1st time to take a class. I made 4 in class and took a few home to work on. I just finished my beaded gourd!!!! Totally happy with this one (oh, I would change a few things, but when wouldn't I?). Check it out.

Spring is in the air in PA and the weather is getting really nice. Enjoy all!

Have a BEADy good day. Karen

April BJP...a little late!!

     I seem to have a little difficulty getting my challenges finished on the right month!!  But I do so enjoy doing them that I hope the beading community out there will be patient with me!!!  I even have a definite goal for the completed year!!!

BJP for April

Please go to my blog to see my inspiration/explanation for my April Yin-Yang!

BJP 2013 - Here comes the Sun - May

 Mother's Day

The ugly side of Mother's Day is that it has been so commercialized. But you can find delightful presents free of charge ... More about this on my blog.

BJP 2013 April ~Ta-dah

When I started my tulip because the shape was simple I thought I would finish it in a couple of days.

But as you can see as I'm posting my April leaf in May all was not so smooth. Please pop by http://fiddlefaddlingaway.blogspot.co.uk so see my finished leaf :)

 

May

Here's my latest journal quilt. The details are on my blog http://focus-on-fiber.blogspot.com

May's BJP is posted on my site. Just click on "Karen J".

May BJP

This month I have chosen the Sturt's Desert Pea. It is a creeping annual with bright red flowers up to 10 cm long, carried in clusters on short erect stems. It is the emblem of South Australia. See the full picture on my bloghttp://jemdbeads.blogspot.com.au/

May goddess

Yes, May... this never happens but for once I'm ahead of the game and have just designed my May goddess doll. You can read more about her on my blog.

http://tracystillmandesigns.com/2013/05/01/bead-journal-project-may-2013/

Unfortunately, I can't seem to upload images to this blog (I keep getting an error message).

Cheers,
Tracy

Double Infinity - April's Jar is here!

Somehow, I finished this little jar about 3 weeks ago and never posted it! April went by slower than other months this year, but I'm still just posting it in the nick of time! I made this month's jar after I finished the Houston Bead Society's challenge which included some lovely fresh water pearls. I guess that's what inspired me to use them in this piece. The focal bead on top reminded me of roots growing underground which is a perfect metaphor for Spring! The colors are muted, but fresh, and I really enjoy this piece. Here's a look: And since we are one-third through 2013 already (ugh!), I thought I'd share a picture of my work to date. I am really happy how this year's project is turning out. They look so nice together on my shelf.