tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193732862024-03-05T19:07:42.883-05:00Shibori GirlFrequent musings from an artist whose medium is evolvingKate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-18866770820470306142014-09-25T22:52:00.003-04:002014-10-22T12:58:27.584-04:00We're Moving. "Oh, No!"Here I sit, surrounded by the detritus of living in the same space for 26 years. Marble Man might have a new job offer in Providence, Rhode Island, starting early next year. After an initial period of shock, I'm on board with a move and new adventure. But, Oh, My! There is a lot of stuff to deal with before the big trip North! We will most likely be renting an apartment for a year or two while we learn the area and figure out where we'd like to buy a house. This means consolidating the contents of our current house into a 2 bedroom space. Time for rolling up of sleeves and some serious decision-making.<br />
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When dealing with my studio space, I've been particularly brutal. I give myself 5 seconds when I pick up an item. If I can't come up with a reason to keep it in those five seconds, I either throw it out or add it to the donation pile. I don't have any idea of what kind of space I'll have in our apartment, so my supplies will need to be compact and in a flexible storage system.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26oHJodQkLFpBhuSesxwvRDHeOz9biGIvFw3y83bIj3-x6OdT5FkhVCAnAlosRClAm1l7dfrWkqfNNhEZJNrwsiq8pxO_hWx0PVqqaqqdTe92vHiHp6fn8n0ZR_Wp7IQujRfq/s1600/studio3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26oHJodQkLFpBhuSesxwvRDHeOz9biGIvFw3y83bIj3-x6OdT5FkhVCAnAlosRClAm1l7dfrWkqfNNhEZJNrwsiq8pxO_hWx0PVqqaqqdTe92vHiHp6fn8n0ZR_Wp7IQujRfq/s1600/studio3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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So far, I've been able to eliminate all those plastic drawers and consolidate the beads in them into the metal drawer cabinet. "Yay!" But, Lawd, it's been hard work. And there is the rest of the house to be done as well. We haven't even cracked open the attic yet! <br />
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How do you store your supplies?<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
copyright 2014 Shibori GirlKate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-6585482856451004632013-07-19T11:04:00.000-04:002013-07-19T11:31:00.757-04:00"Yerrrrrrrrrrrr OUT!"The voters have weighed in, and I'm out of the Battle of the Beadsmith competition. My piece fell to a spectacular entry and I wish Kris Empting-Obenland much luck with the remainder of the challenge. Now I can sit back, relax, and enjoy the fun as I get back to work on smaller pieces.<br />
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Currently, I am busy working in black and white. I made a number of cabs, large and small, for bead embroidery projects. Once the beads are out, I thought I might as well do them all at once.<br />
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Here is what my worktable looks like today:<br />
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Originally, I had planned to use some super-sparkly AB Swarovski crystal bicones in these projects but I couldn't find them anywhere in my studio. It was driving me mad. I gave up looking and finished the beading without the sparkles. It turns out I had over-organized my space. Last year, I decided it would be smart to create project boxes: cabs would be stored with the beads I had in mind for them, labeled, and stored where I could easily see the labels. One of those boxes held black and white cabs.... and those danged crystals! When I made the new black and white cabs shown above, I completely forgot about the existing box! What a knucklehead.<br />
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Thanks to a dear old friend, Paul Hallinger, I've now been diagnosed accurately with BOSS (Bead Over-organized Stress Syndrome) HA! :D<br />
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I hope to have several pairs of earrings ready to put in my Etsy shop by the end of the weekend.<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" style="border: 0px none;" /><br />
copyright 2013 Shibori GirlKate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-1858103569546162712013-06-09T13:31:00.001-04:002016-09-02T07:49:37.489-04:00Masaya, Goddess of VolcanoesThe Battle of the Beadsmith 2013 is well underway; there is an eclectic mix of styles and skill sets represented so far. If you want to follow the action, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/419636224777912/" target="_blank">here</a>. At the top of the page is a "photos" link which, if you click it, will take you to the albums of each battle. This year, the public is welcome to vote. If you would like to vote, click the "files" link and look for the document outlining the steps.<br />
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Now that my battle is published, finally, I can show photos here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiR6xcAo3v2VzyLYo78GuUJ2tAxCA582eZeZzT7ICegpB9yKs98S4N1XCauYnFJhpQQb-_h7eoZaQYglhp7H1UamP77RXMJ6L5t61F75NQRizdPlqk_4TezYNtEXZUIoReK4MI/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiR6xcAo3v2VzyLYo78GuUJ2tAxCA582eZeZzT7ICegpB9yKs98S4N1XCauYnFJhpQQb-_h7eoZaQYglhp7H1UamP77RXMJ6L5t61F75NQRizdPlqk_4TezYNtEXZUIoReK4MI/s640/front.jpg" width="435" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Masaya" (Goddess of Volcanoes)</td></tr>
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My piece began with the creation of the yellow polymer clay cabochons. When I use the "inside out bead" or "Natasha" bead technique, the final result is a random, mysterious surprise. In this case, I cleaned up my work table after a particularly productive day and used the leftover clay scraps to make some cabs. When I opened the resulting log of patterned clay, my reaction was, "OMG, I need to save these for my Battle piece!" (The two on the bottom of the finished necklace.)<br />
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Rich, vibrant texture and color was a great starting point. When it came to design, there was a lot to consider. I wanted to add a new skill and the bead-embroidered collar on a brass blank was something I've been meaning to try for a couple of years. I stitched down row-after-row, layer-upon-layer to create the final richly textured collar.<br />
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As I began embellishing the two clay cabs, it became obvious that this necklace wanted DRAMA: color... sparkle... texture... the thing practically screamed, "Gimme!" When that section was complete, my plan was to connect it to the collar and call it done. My dear friend, Mikkey, looked at it and told me it was "very nice, but it won't have a chance at winning... not big enough". Nice. <i>NICE?!?</i> I wasn't going for "nice" here. I wanted to do something epic, something that would rival anything I've done to date. Clearly, it was time to go back to the studio and try to make some more cabs - a difficult thing to do when using a scrap technique. I did my best and came up with some similar pieces which matched well.<br />
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In <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-power-of-alternative-thinking.html" target="_blank">a previous post</a>, I referenced how the individual components didn't fit together properly when they were ready for assembly. I love the final configuration. The first piece is now at the bottom, the new cabs seem to soar from the top and follow the lines of the wearer's collarbones perfectly. Normally, the brass collar blank would have enough tension in it to hold the necklace in place without a clasp. But the final piece was so heavy that it slid right off my neck! I added a pretty handmade clasp at the back with a gold-filled hook and it looks lovely from the back.<br />
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When the neck piece was finished, I still had time left and a couple of the yellow cabs were yet unused. I went ahead and made a matching cuff and hair accessory. The hair comb was another thing I've been meaning to try for a while now.<br />
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All told, a huge quantity of supplies and 250 hours of time were consumed in the process of creating this project.<br />
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There were some good lessons for me here:<br />
<ul>
<li>Bigger can be better</li>
<li>Don't give up if the original plan goes awry</li>
<li>Test your limits. You don't know what you are capable of if you don't try.</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> ~~~</b></span></div>
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to a number of people who helped me get through this project:<br />
<ul>
<li>Sherry Serafini and Heidi Kummli for the outstanding instructions for covering a brass collar in their book, The Art of Bead Embroidery</li>
<li>Steven Weiss, from The Beadsmith, for inviting me to participate in the contest </li>
<li>Mikkey Tarantino for her enthusiastic input and suggestions; I still have her footprints on my backside from when she convinced me to go huge!</li>
<li>Rebecca McElroy, Jack Jitsu, and Jenn Ryan of <a href="http://www.drcowlicksphotography.com/" target="_blank">Dr Cowlick's Photography</a> in Raleigh, NC for the gorgeous photos. You guys rock!</li>
<li>and (I saved the best for last) my darling Marble Man, who has had to listen to me talk about this thing for months and never asked me to stop. Thank you!!!</li>
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Now... what's next on my bead tray? <br />
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" style="border: 0px none;" /><br />
copyright 2013 Shibori GirlKate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-90761941182490295322013-05-20T10:37:00.000-04:002013-05-20T17:38:25.402-04:00Re-evaluate, Repurpose, Re-useThe time is at hand: that moment when I look at my large inventory of completed works and conclude that some of those early pieces are never going to sell, no matter how many times I relist them on Etsy, or put them out at shows. They have undergone many photo upgrades and price reductions to make them enticing, but nothing is going to make them budge toward a new home.<br />
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There is nothing wrong with these early jewels; they are very simple in design and skill requirements - simple stringing really. It's time to cut bait and reuse as many of the materials as I can in something more elaborate, new, and exciting.<br />
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The first piece to face rehab was this three-strand pearl and muscovite necklace made back in 2006. I liked the pattern of the glittering plum purpley-brown muscovite beads at the center and vowed to keep that feature in the new version. Lucky for me I have more of the muscovite in my bead stash! I made some pretty bead embroidered motifs to connect the pearl strands together, then added a fancy box clasp. I think it is a big improvement, fitting in with my "more is more" philosophy of late. You can see more information in the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/151356692/freshwater-pearl-and-muscovite-necklace?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">shop listing</a>.<br />
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Next up to face my nippers and deconstruction was this carnelian and hessonite garnet necklace, also from 2006.There was a lot about this one I wasn't happy with: a single strand of the red carnelian rounds which wasn't long enough to show at the front when worn, the thick cluster of strands of the brown and amber-colored garnets which was too long to hang asymmetrically as planned, etc. I also had a LOT of extra carnelian beads, and by "a lot" I mean A. LOT.<br />
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So, how do I fix this one? That was my conundrum.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsma6AEmsHu9HS7PoCu50paxTVSVNasw0RyuTucFilVz5T5LtCxvZeaqW3eto6AQqymo2G6Nkll_HQ7gTMREMW7PfhryRoDWjhycxFLR06wacnkcB_wtGQI6kHrHVlTc3IUyf/s1600/carnelian+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsma6AEmsHu9HS7PoCu50paxTVSVNasw0RyuTucFilVz5T5LtCxvZeaqW3eto6AQqymo2G6Nkll_HQ7gTMREMW7PfhryRoDWjhycxFLR06wacnkcB_wtGQI6kHrHVlTc3IUyf/s320/carnelian+old.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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A big fan of chunky ethnic-style jewelry, I recently saw some pieces by the very talented <a href="http://www.fariasiddiqui.com/index_1.php" target="_blank">Faria Siddiqui</a> online. She combines big, bold stone beads with delicate bead embroidery to great effect. I raided my bead stash and found a large, deep red carnelian oval cabochon and some funky paua shell oval beads. My vision for a new and better piece took hold. Add in some dyed blue agate rounds and gold-plated accent beads and what do you get? A big, beautiful, bold new statement necklace. I used up most of the carnelian rounds I had in stock (yay!) so I am happy with this necklace on a number of levels.<br />
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You can find the shop listing <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/151610362/red-carnelian-bead-embroidered-necklace?ref=v1_other_1" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB2Rly_NejcGSzwg5z3rsGZ3vMEJn6uqaqq83gMd3Y8XX0vy4QPlv3G_aDn6wVSoIgtiKq3srRV3NJJQuiyBktYkUdCYkjQRNMpFb-Xa83ih4wghQSaw_dgdpp93qc_7fGaAo/s1600/Carnelian1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB2Rly_NejcGSzwg5z3rsGZ3vMEJn6uqaqq83gMd3Y8XX0vy4QPlv3G_aDn6wVSoIgtiKq3srRV3NJJQuiyBktYkUdCYkjQRNMpFb-Xa83ih4wghQSaw_dgdpp93qc_7fGaAo/s400/Carnelian1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have a huge quantity of large stone beads leftover from those early days of jewelry making. At that time, my hand was in recovery and I didn't have the dexterity to use more delicate beads. As I regained strength, and my skill set expanded, I moved onto tinier and tinier beads, leaving the big ones to languish in their drawers.<br />
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Adding another layer to my current thought processes, my Battle of the Beadsmith 2013 piece is large and very intricate. It took nearly 250 hours of high-powered intensity beading to complete. This process was fairly ruinous to my hands and wrists, so I can see more pieces like the carnelian necklace in my near future. A little touch of bead embroidery and some big chunky beads to fill out the piece. Just until my hands settle down again.<br />
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Now which pieces want reworking?? Stay tuned...<br />
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" style="border: 0px none;" /><br />
copyright 2013 Shibori GirlKate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-55504817421832865222013-05-16T11:39:00.002-04:002013-05-16T11:49:32.612-04:00I Dream of the SeaI do dream of the sea... often. But in this post, I refer to my newly finished set of statement necklace, bracelet, and earrings. Several people have said it reminds them of something a mermaid might wear, hence the title.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJDSd51piAYzgda5Rb5CIAKtD-ZyVbTXaKO37Ure4QcVMfJsXkGhQBu4mvWACdjpVxpXrkW0RLBvvQ9KpRp0cNWnZGL8qLvbAVHoogKbwh2hnGSrbg5KHfesj2k3tRb8CjFe7/s1600/IMG_9469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJDSd51piAYzgda5Rb5CIAKtD-ZyVbTXaKO37Ure4QcVMfJsXkGhQBu4mvWACdjpVxpXrkW0RLBvvQ9KpRp0cNWnZGL8qLvbAVHoogKbwh2hnGSrbg5KHfesj2k3tRb8CjFe7/s400/IMG_9469.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I Dream of the Sea"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The pieces came out spectacularly: full of texture, subtle color, and fluidity of design. I couldn't be happier with the final result.<br />
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The process was good for me, too, as it stretched my design limits. I originally planned to do a simple bead embroidered collar. MAYBE a pair of earrings to match. When I "finished" the embroidery on the collar, well, the beads were still out on the bead tray, and a good movie was streaming on Netflix, so I kept going. And going. Until I had 11 or 12 new, loose components made. As I finished each one, I laid it next to the collar so I could start the next. When I looked down and saw what was happening to the collar layout, well, all I can say is "mind blown".<br />
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The next thing to do was decide just how over-the-top this piece would get. I played with the pieces like a puzzle, and came up with four viable possibilities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfx4ziiZeQnn2tPgGXx72-JT6uXQqyrh10cZgPI1yfJ3jO9urfeUxwbv6w223itLZpYWhccERWWKJN9wLaaL-2aVeurmx8k3XYnVkKf-1HblSHjPrBBgSwoc38Yip6u-u5kmXC/s1600/playtime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfx4ziiZeQnn2tPgGXx72-JT6uXQqyrh10cZgPI1yfJ3jO9urfeUxwbv6w223itLZpYWhccERWWKJN9wLaaL-2aVeurmx8k3XYnVkKf-1HblSHjPrBBgSwoc38Yip6u-u5kmXC/s400/playtime.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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As you can see by the photo at the top of this post, I went all-out with the bottom left design.<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLy3vYwZ1fgutbYdBLvbvgYiAYhrnqsA02d_-WgdyG5ZZQCaxCXemEYwY0VnQ81_LJ9nFQQ9yQrxJpfZpswXpNCT-DPZHrdSd69dYTMaGNy3IioJpizRzK_KVM6H4V_vKdaWl/s320/IMG_9531.jpg" width="320" /> </div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/151174557/i-dream-of-the-sea-statement-necklace?ref=shop_home_active">Statement Necklace</a></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiiaexm8HDXqcDH3hmWTHGYtQyNFpqITT92TRGx32w3O4wcbETOdkFOuMD-2TpIiVSipgZJh7UlwOgUVn2GGkX04_d8G3OJ479gOm68bzxGuwEQ3yJkqpJpWTtV8RyVhaUCJ9/s320/IMG_9555.JPG" width="320" /> </div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/151173197/i-dream-of-the-sea-bracelet-bead?ref=v1_other_2">Bracelet</a></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-yfzHNWEzfCZ7xQSM6HxeaCokKGJwT2XCoXrYEYBUOk2v3qmU1Xv2MFvaNOfdlogMrghwhAGRB9muUYRU0idSQemsGgwT4PrUZ4lz5eUpBPEyoF5pC2k-FAn2B2PnBA6pjoE/s320/IMG_9615.JPG" width="320" /> </div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/151172105/i-dream-of-the-sea-earrings-bead?ref=v1_other_2">Earrings</a></div>
I love when a project becomes a lesson! Next up: reworking some old necklaces to reflect my new design style. Stay tuned...<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
copyright 2013 Shibori GirlKate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-21007846047726446942013-04-26T15:09:00.001-04:002013-04-26T15:09:35.738-04:00Color PlayI finished my Battle piece this week. Or, at least I THINK I finished it... some tweaking may be required between now and May 11th, which is when I scheduled a professional photo shoot to immortalize the piece.<br />
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Today I moved onto something that has languished in my project graveyard for at least a year. I've put off starting it because I want it to be a statement piece and up until now it seemed like it was going to be a "big project". That is, until I made my Battle piece, which is a heck of a lot bigger than anything I'd envision before!<br />
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I dug out the box of supplies I'd set aside and got to work. So far, it is a symphony of subtle colors in bronze, gold, teal blue, and olive green. The focal bead is a glorious Labradorite teardrop cabochon which shimmers with all of those colors I mentioned. I foiled the cab before glueing it down and those colors shoot right out of the stone now. Wow. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwWa5FjUbFnACHrgbkqhs-3rqlNtsFW46cwaNt0_FLP2DMy9oXVwiMNmlaaxZnzxg7GG1PF73NJ5M4JHYWLYq57Qg7JunlOt7KOCQVVu1QKfEoe04GI4rgVquACd2BS_syWmz/s1600/IMG_9304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwWa5FjUbFnACHrgbkqhs-3rqlNtsFW46cwaNt0_FLP2DMy9oXVwiMNmlaaxZnzxg7GG1PF73NJ5M4JHYWLYq57Qg7JunlOt7KOCQVVu1QKfEoe04GI4rgVquACd2BS_syWmz/s400/IMG_9304.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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My current plan is to flank the center stone with gray mother-of-pearl beads and seed beads. I also would like to incorporate some lovely blue and green dyed pearls a friend gifted to me last Fall. When I laid the pearls down near the work this morning, I felt all sorts of warm sparkly feelings. It's going to be a gorgeous collar when it's done.<br />
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Stay tuned...<br />
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
copyright 2013 Shibori GirlKate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-90122433583814340192013-04-18T11:15:00.003-04:002013-04-18T17:14:28.547-04:00The Power of Alternative ThinkingIt's now Day 18 into the Battle of The Beadsmith 2013 and things are happening.<br />
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Before I began stitching beads down, I had a drawing showing the basic layout of the components and how they should fit together. After I finished a few of the pieces, I laid them out according to the drawing; these didn't fit properly at all. When one edge lined up, corners splayed out and looked awkward. The bottom piece was HUGE, not proportional with the top. Well, isn't this SPECIAL? Nope.<br />
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I pouted about this new wrinkle in my plan as I played with the pieces like a jigsaw puzzle. I moved them around, turned them on edge, upside down, etc. With each new configuration, I took pictures so I could compare them side-by-side. A new plan took shape. This new arrangement is even more interesting than the original! How about that?<br />
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While this competition pits artists against each other, I'm learning that the real battle is with myself. Through the execution of my piece I have gained flexibility in my thinking. Once upon a time, I would start work and couldn't envision any other way of proceeding. If the plans went awry, the unfinished piece went straight into the Project Graveyard. That can't happen this time: I made a commitment to participate and I have a deadline. I HAD to make it work somehow. The result? I have a piece, my best to date, which has tested my endurance and skill. If you asked me a year ago if I thought I would make something this dramatic, I would have laughed.<br />
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Now I'm designing the next eye-popping piece in my head.<br />
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I am still not allowed to post pictures of the Battle piece, but here's a little taste of what is on my work tray:<br />
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Until next time... </div>
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" style="border: 0px none;" /><br />
copyright 2013 Shibori GirlKate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-10752534217451828862013-04-10T18:05:00.002-04:002013-04-10T23:54:52.081-04:00Take a Step Back and Breathe...<br />
Today is Day 10 of the Battle of The Beadsmith. I've been bent over my table, nose in bead bowls, since April 1st: string a bead, stitch a bead... over-and-over. With myopic vision, literally as well as figuratively, I work the tiniest details of my piece according to plan. Or so I thought.<br />
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This morning I realized one of the sections got away from me and developed a plan of its own. Large. Sparkly. Explosive color. Apparently my Bad Angel is perched on my shoulder again and she's whispering in my ear "More is more". Well now, THAT wasn't what I had planned at all. How to proceed? I think I will listen to that naughty girl and expand the rest of the piece to match because that center piece is AWESOME! That's my trouble when I start with a plan: usually the piece takes a left turn halfway through and decides it wants to be something else entirely. Well, OK then. In the meantime, I need to step back and think for a day or so, to see if that's where I want to go with this project.<br />
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I wish I could post pictures; if I did you'd be as excited as I am! In the meantime, I soldier on, bead-by-bead, consuming mass quantities of Fireline and sparkly goodness until the Big Reveal.<br />
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Stay tuned...<br />
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If you would like to follow the Battle on Facebook, let me know or contact <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thebeadsmith">The Beadsmith </a>so we can add you to the group roster.<br />
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
copyright 2013 Shibori GirlKate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-74392005617065477012013-04-05T10:05:00.002-04:002013-04-10T23:55:09.079-04:00Battle Ready and Rarin' To GoLast summer I was honored to be asked to be a judge in the first Battle Of The Beadsmith, an international beading competition on Facebook. There were 80 worthy competitors and judging was challenging. Only one beader could win and sometimes the choice was painful. The winner wins nothing but bragging rights and the respect of beaders around the world. The winning piece is by Alla Maslennikova of Russia and is an amazing combination of design, beading skill and beauty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVDrtrqaWml3kAwoDB8YjlrjV2ltBCurs5-0T2DcEwfHAczhmxGtyjQku0BgEn5nCVK7GCl6WDUXtZ55ZT92sti7Iz2RC1gEBlJSp6PgLTo7z0xFfhe-hBPmNRyIoJ6b2OIWt/s1600/251639_10151061905550079_536393486_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVDrtrqaWml3kAwoDB8YjlrjV2ltBCurs5-0T2DcEwfHAczhmxGtyjQku0BgEn5nCVK7GCl6WDUXtZ55ZT92sti7Iz2RC1gEBlJSp6PgLTo7z0xFfhe-hBPmNRyIoJ6b2OIWt/s400/251639_10151061905550079_536393486_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 winner</td></tr>
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This year, I was invited to be a competitor in The Battle Of The Beadsmith 2013. The event has expanded to include 192 beaders representing 40 countries. The competition is a series of tournament-styled mini-battles pitting two randomly selected artists against each other. Each pairing is judged and the winning piece moves onto the next round. At the end one piece, and its beader, is selected as the winner.<br />
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I was assigned my first round with Svetlana Hackl of Austria. Since the main purpose of this competition is to meet other beaders from around the world, I look forward to getting to know Svetlana.<br />
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I've been thinking about how to design my piece for months now. After seeing the intricacy of pieces from last year's competition I knew I would have to step far outside my comfort zone. I hope my entry will be a masterpiece, the culmination of all my experience, influenced by the works of other artists I admire. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to post any photos of my work-in-progress until the deadline of June 1st, but I will try to post regularly to describe how the piece is coming together.<br />
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Cross your fingers and wish me luck!<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" style="border: 0px none;" /><br />
copyright 2013 Shibori GirlKate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-30496896358752164872012-04-21T16:46:00.003-04:002012-04-21T22:33:14.967-04:00HousekeepingIt's been such a long time since my last post, I hardly know where to start again. So, I'll blow the dust off the surfaces here, sweep out the cobwebs, and shall jump in feet first.<br />
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For the past several weeks I've been redesigning my show display for a different format than the usual craft show table I usually have. A representative from Carol Woods, a local retirement village, called to see if I'd be interested in displaying my work there. Each month they feature two local artists with a month-long installation. Mine will be in the dining hall inside locked wall cases. I'm excited to be participating! The show goes in on Thursday the 26th, with the opening reception on the 27th. I even have to give a short presentation, which I'm currently sweating about. Marble Man has pointed out that I never seem to have trouble talking about my work! We'll see...<br />
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In the meantime I've been busy creating new pieces inspired by the early Spring weather<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8bxGRzsMnDRiy4QQLCILKJHJ3oSnlHdcreNw6y0JwVqBTa94gJmiaaZ5dqw255uie-4ezzmFKFwiBfURAEOC3QZwy4KQmUAlwMuYswWXwa7ZY6yrk31w-5-9iGy2gfI0nbx5/s1600/lavender+bouquet1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8bxGRzsMnDRiy4QQLCILKJHJ3oSnlHdcreNw6y0JwVqBTa94gJmiaaZ5dqw255uie-4ezzmFKFwiBfURAEOC3QZwy4KQmUAlwMuYswWXwa7ZY6yrk31w-5-9iGy2gfI0nbx5/s320/lavender+bouquet1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Lavender Bouquet"</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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You can find more information about this piece <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/98023983/lavender-bouquet-polymer-clay-pendant">here</a>.<br />
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It's so good to be back!!!<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />
copyright 2012 Shibori GirlKate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-11073516688239061502011-08-25T20:41:00.007-04:002011-08-28T16:31:46.800-04:00One Ringy-Dingy...I've been working solidly this past week with polymer clay after I sold several pieces while we were on vacation. Katie's Traveling Trunk Show strikes again - I just love how my work seems to sell itself.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPC9Kdrox3QVf78EKztNgKSSddtLt40oOVU2mRq3w6DIOdGpi2GgetjeJoGCmq3L0Y73AMsPwGkLFmaQBWTq6Maq1XBJtQhiAfhjZUzUJUbIbrKxgdyFzVGwfGb9IQ2KcrejOb/s1600/ring+bowl2.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPC9Kdrox3QVf78EKztNgKSSddtLt40oOVU2mRq3w6DIOdGpi2GgetjeJoGCmq3L0Y73AMsPwGkLFmaQBWTq6Maq1XBJtQhiAfhjZUzUJUbIbrKxgdyFzVGwfGb9IQ2KcrejOb/s320/ring+bowl2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644965428090814162" border="0" /></a>
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<br />To get back into the groove, I started pawing through the various canes I've made over the past two years. Some of them are pretty old so I thought I'd try making some little ring bowls to use them up. I've wanted to make these sweet little bowls for a long, long time so, armed with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/transaction/56490549">this tutorial</a>, I got to work.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4PoNczGCwvD8RLm54BRSl1S8BfFqzFfugLkfvD7G1bPjWMAwBUNG8tolY7gtO5Y_-9UpFq_4YAXlPvSbjp15tfIBc-YCby5lCGdUykWpiK1B2xzFXv1PVUBxA0qnGG06Dcd2/s1600/ring+bowls.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4PoNczGCwvD8RLm54BRSl1S8BfFqzFfugLkfvD7G1bPjWMAwBUNG8tolY7gtO5Y_-9UpFq_4YAXlPvSbjp15tfIBc-YCby5lCGdUykWpiK1B2xzFXv1PVUBxA0qnGG06Dcd2/s320/ring+bowls.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644963266790946546" border="0" /></a>
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<br />I made four the first day, and I have to ask, "Why is it, that each new thing I try is more fun than the LAST new thing I tried?"
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVyGo9bggJcVyC360lrltkvzKw6ZHtZoMZXZ2zl6y3IqUHlGTke3J1STWEA7cpVEcPtxFD4w_080V0CW2mVZgssG2kTKEYvR_77opOepuRVHwkjlvJ7bVgrN4fsC86FuVdKZA/s1600/ring+bowls4.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVyGo9bggJcVyC360lrltkvzKw6ZHtZoMZXZ2zl6y3IqUHlGTke3J1STWEA7cpVEcPtxFD4w_080V0CW2mVZgssG2kTKEYvR_77opOepuRVHwkjlvJ7bVgrN4fsC86FuVdKZA/s320/ring+bowls4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644963275873236162" border="0" /></a>
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<br />I enjoyed the process of putting those four together, and today I added another seven to my stock.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVfLlNy53azmy87IX5hXmS8e8iBhWWY3CnY7tJt2mzSbzXAEF3-LK6zGlqvH_n8Awf1dURzTW1d_6V0sCokCo68MbEXnDH43c-n6FEGVnLzL217khVlbrO7HWPPnEIlqfOYGe/s1600/ring+bowls3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVfLlNy53azmy87IX5hXmS8e8iBhWWY3CnY7tJt2mzSbzXAEF3-LK6zGlqvH_n8Awf1dURzTW1d_6V0sCokCo68MbEXnDH43c-n6FEGVnLzL217khVlbrO7HWPPnEIlqfOYGe/s320/ring+bowls3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644963267920184546" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Each one is unique.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6npugSdGgjFeVsMdqnNLT-zVUPrv4RV56IjxEiII6uuHefQgkBBm1dcWtxXjazJs5cks8dycH9Ko7P2e8CkTAgY6-UpCFRpszFdq9kYBF5JSlGqxfTfG6dg9H8YtCCnR9ikx/s1600/ring+bowl1.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6npugSdGgjFeVsMdqnNLT-zVUPrv4RV56IjxEiII6uuHefQgkBBm1dcWtxXjazJs5cks8dycH9Ko7P2e8CkTAgY6-UpCFRpszFdq9kYBF5JSlGqxfTfG6dg9H8YtCCnR9ikx/s320/ring+bowl1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644965424677211794" border="0" /></a>
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<br />In the process I've used up a few canes that have been hanging around since my early days of clay experimenting.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXnoDtxQLs9ckJD6aGjRntM2wMBUbr0ibqRMRiAoD5oGodoOtbFD27ysdq8KXHaNYNoVOpGsDcW9N43EG9Ud296KkzNDnEppcYlaV7yGK0eZ8Br49AA3sfQe7O_xTkRJml428/s1600/ring+bowls2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXnoDtxQLs9ckJD6aGjRntM2wMBUbr0ibqRMRiAoD5oGodoOtbFD27ysdq8KXHaNYNoVOpGsDcW9N43EG9Ud296KkzNDnEppcYlaV7yGK0eZ8Br49AA3sfQe7O_xTkRJml428/s320/ring+bowls2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644963263397918370" border="0" /></a>
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<br />I'll be offering these little beauties for sale soon once I've built up some inventory. In the meantime, you can find me up to my eyeballs in patterns and color...
<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" />
<br />copyright 2011 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-65790478636680177572011-07-24T14:05:00.015-04:002011-07-25T23:14:36.348-04:00Repurposing and ReusingWhen I was Shibori Girl (for real, that is), I had piles and piles of beautiful, streaky-patterned hand-dyed fabrics to transform into wearable art. Some were cotton, most were silk. The cottons were great fun because they could take some abuse in the dye process. I would dye them, color, over color, over color, until I went just a tad too far and they came out muddy. Then I'd pop them into the discharge dye bath to remove some of that color I worked so hard to put in. Here's a good example of that process:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXMoN__in3zQlfRF6iuBle46XiWEfbCscQa-Rvb6UsD-I8nHSDFvY-6L_sJMX0WRNdF_ivMmf3PLludX3iMbQhrW6VKiyg80ND_KFWtjZd4ej4VtHzlPkk266K_RROefNcaU_/s1600/228242_1023285231589_1508973782_30089191_7505508_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXMoN__in3zQlfRF6iuBle46XiWEfbCscQa-Rvb6UsD-I8nHSDFvY-6L_sJMX0WRNdF_ivMmf3PLludX3iMbQhrW6VKiyg80ND_KFWtjZd4ej4VtHzlPkk266K_RROefNcaU_/s400/228242_1023285231589_1508973782_30089191_7505508_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632989970119491122" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">my very favorite jacket modeled by my trainer, Maria<br /></span></div><br />Absolute magic would occur. I had a basic idea, but didn't know exactly what the final result would be. I was always excited when I pulled a piece out of the pot.<br /><br />I used a batch of my favorites, gold-and-purple-over-maroon cotton, to make some kimono-styled vests in a variety of sizes. I made three vests and, though they received positive reviews from customers in my booth, none sold. So they hang in the closet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMeUzGcirqHIN_Q7xeT9jSCcPM7nx8MIlQ25jzFd14WfViHfqWfBXILDq-MvWT9q_DxlbPYHQq8JOEQMR_vMtmku2yQmrNWPBvt9KKWNZKYTlxyaEbiLc8wjHZ18e4kxEitb9/s1600/IMG_7652.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMeUzGcirqHIN_Q7xeT9jSCcPM7nx8MIlQ25jzFd14WfViHfqWfBXILDq-MvWT9q_DxlbPYHQq8JOEQMR_vMtmku2yQmrNWPBvt9KKWNZKYTlxyaEbiLc8wjHZ18e4kxEitb9/s400/IMG_7652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632985928222669826" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Fast-forward to today and my conundrum... My favorite handbag has no pockets. Silly, really, for someone who likes to be organized. Everything needs to be in its place. I dislike being one of those people who digs around in the bottom of their bag for a wallet, phone, or whatever, while impatient people wait in line behind them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHNDPrIdcAxiJxxC9yeOpz886CTohb4MTl3dDfdG72naoJKxTAPVW9S9prNlzTbz8PCE4DBDvoXPdBWk_uYZKJ8w2lQeKGJkcbMownjb76RCq6YsCquOhrpNiKeRclJblgVT5/s1600/IMG_7645.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHNDPrIdcAxiJxxC9yeOpz886CTohb4MTl3dDfdG72naoJKxTAPVW9S9prNlzTbz8PCE4DBDvoXPdBWk_uYZKJ8w2lQeKGJkcbMownjb76RCq6YsCquOhrpNiKeRclJblgVT5/s400/IMG_7645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632985926760046178" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Today I took one of those pretty gold-purple-maroon vests and whacked it up to make myself a purse organizer. Kinda like the night before my wedding when I took scissors to the neckline of my dress because I didn't like it - but that's another story... My sewing skills are rusty, having lain dormant for years. After some false starts, I got a rhythm going, and now I have an organizer loaded with pockets.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHowWgfUl5-XupMhKtQunv8EqLmgr6Tyi9Oq1bl16ugGlFekIBB9XbTCk5L0G942az8O569__dpf8RNAEPMCrnP7wbCwbTrUxw6_3AymTBT_gC6OHlwdiKlb_VQ4X1kMaELdEZ/s1600/IMG_7665.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHowWgfUl5-XupMhKtQunv8EqLmgr6Tyi9Oq1bl16ugGlFekIBB9XbTCk5L0G942az8O569__dpf8RNAEPMCrnP7wbCwbTrUxw6_3AymTBT_gC6OHlwdiKlb_VQ4X1kMaELdEZ/s400/IMG_7665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632985924726898530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>I won't be keeping anyone waiting, foot a-tapping, while I reach for a wallet which is where it's supposed to be. The added bonus: I'll have the pleasure of seeing that wonderful shibori fabric every day.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2011 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-11699705060506507892011-07-19T22:40:00.008-04:002011-07-20T07:55:33.066-04:00Passionate For PurpleI promised pictures of the polymer clay pieces made from my first attempt at mokume gane. As I gathered them all together for their glamour shots in the light tent, I realized... that's a whole lot of purple going on there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtOR8vDm5tJHigmJsiZCEWVWtEKIVBMtE0-_CVU_nBLbwEI72vp8WjCKCTZkZ3PfxTPNFfXaDYeKXfm_3jUOOfvBs_-fDENfnNVld4fE_AI-vDWlFVBrSh9qA5ycocfZtwc7C/s1600/purple+galaxy2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtOR8vDm5tJHigmJsiZCEWVWtEKIVBMtE0-_CVU_nBLbwEI72vp8WjCKCTZkZ3PfxTPNFfXaDYeKXfm_3jUOOfvBs_-fDENfnNVld4fE_AI-vDWlFVBrSh9qA5ycocfZtwc7C/s400/purple+galaxy2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631261355581532274" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Each necklace is reversible, which I think is a great selling point - two necklaces for the nice (low) price of one.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnxQEmcAeYVv3RkBELn-zlHIoniGUk-b6mJZ535yaWoGZ5k6YQLD9WNZh5z8HLJMFNfuz4k5a2lGLPV77Oy5R1XyZ8QNc_JdiptXKsFIKlRZo7zwM5zq6wEmIoaK8Y1qX6vax/s1600/hubble2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnxQEmcAeYVv3RkBELn-zlHIoniGUk-b6mJZ535yaWoGZ5k6YQLD9WNZh5z8HLJMFNfuz4k5a2lGLPV77Oy5R1XyZ8QNc_JdiptXKsFIKlRZo7zwM5zq6wEmIoaK8Y1qX6vax/s400/hubble2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631261354787957202" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I need to make two halves of each bead anyway, and it doesn't take that much more effort to make the second side slightly different than the first.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguz7eB3_zNIcsAUSTzN0ZInNcJ9gVwez5LhA1M7vd07wglqjmllzWNLjgbvNRkPc0Fb4R2EySHHp8mTsp1t2xr_7xj_7wloJjgy-GqdieRsPmbmbMWhFuvcUB1mopcOLHaJSCe/s1600/green+galaxy2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguz7eB3_zNIcsAUSTzN0ZInNcJ9gVwez5LhA1M7vd07wglqjmllzWNLjgbvNRkPc0Fb4R2EySHHp8mTsp1t2xr_7xj_7wloJjgy-GqdieRsPmbmbMWhFuvcUB1mopcOLHaJSCe/s400/green+galaxy2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631261350530707138" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />As with the brocade pattern I referenced in my last post, I didn't want to waste any of the trimmings from my round beads. I put together this great pin using those curvy leftovers. And, of course, MORE purple! I think it came out very well.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7fb1rhrIPWSQB_FMpP1RPjRViiomisJvKBQN3HI0Q8xlmMOZ0f15Fej87oXlOcFeT5J37PMP49UTAr_5IOTElBaRe68PrNyo22bBSvkvBwmyzehXLZY8JkYXjpyXL0WWL2YM/s1600/purple+pin.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7fb1rhrIPWSQB_FMpP1RPjRViiomisJvKBQN3HI0Q8xlmMOZ0f15Fej87oXlOcFeT5J37PMP49UTAr_5IOTElBaRe68PrNyo22bBSvkvBwmyzehXLZY8JkYXjpyXL0WWL2YM/s400/purple+pin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631261663055500226" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Of course, I finished out the session with swirlies made from the scraps!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP0ruve6J6ebgHGCGRYivleWWohuTvEOl5TJvadQZInHUYC0PRaCS-HceJdy7BwDYjzd5Y814ahkxqck3irZjr0JA4UxF8CGfS36h_8tWIkU95__Kuxx1RtSGOidgdbnfxtXn/s1600/IMG_7634.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP0ruve6J6ebgHGCGRYivleWWohuTvEOl5TJvadQZInHUYC0PRaCS-HceJdy7BwDYjzd5Y814ahkxqck3irZjr0JA4UxF8CGfS36h_8tWIkU95__Kuxx1RtSGOidgdbnfxtXn/s400/IMG_7634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631401575014632306" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />While those pieces were baking, I took time to finish some more brocade design stuff. Earrings:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU7IGMxnVXGS-wyue62MgJ8Zgv1YseiZ82Kg6z7Y5bDTRbqnkPF09L8eA9OBn6LVqlls5tV0cIiekgVDahTtQulg6SkLSnR7WrE5ySK3OwBK9t_ZgBW1h6Fy_dGsMCH0RxUWG/s1600/brocade+earring.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU7IGMxnVXGS-wyue62MgJ8Zgv1YseiZ82Kg6z7Y5bDTRbqnkPF09L8eA9OBn6LVqlls5tV0cIiekgVDahTtQulg6SkLSnR7WrE5ySK3OwBK9t_ZgBW1h6Fy_dGsMCH0RxUWG/s400/brocade+earring.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631261342610779826" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />And another pin, this one is considerably smaller than the previous ones:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkAPcntVwMabkSrkAd5E5UbUFpJXXWvMcXm4sM6dUnl5fWX3QhCk_3Blhov9er4yaO98AUobnR8QBxGV2ODoh4IeMyuKdRs23vF_YvRbOAXVW7EaKitJxu69pSfwRDdGAcFT1/s1600/brocade+shield+pin1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkAPcntVwMabkSrkAd5E5UbUFpJXXWvMcXm4sM6dUnl5fWX3QhCk_3Blhov9er4yaO98AUobnR8QBxGV2ODoh4IeMyuKdRs23vF_YvRbOAXVW7EaKitJxu69pSfwRDdGAcFT1/s400/brocade+shield+pin1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631261345597804226" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I'll be spending the next few days listing these in my shop so be sure to stop by often to check them out.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2011 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-87763057620434909152011-07-17T16:08:00.008-04:002011-07-17T18:21:26.682-04:00Polymer Clay Play TimeSince returning from Canada, I've been in the studio learning new surface design techniques with polymer clay. I've had <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Polymer-Clay-Creative-Surface-Effects/dp/0823013626/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310933470&sr=1-3">this book</a> for some time but needed a good stretch of designated quiet time to crack it open. My favorite technique so far: a brocade look using gold leaf and acrylic paint. I also tried my hand at mica shift, which is very cool...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEght98YYr3G_1q59n_61zZzPazAsNHgeY1Uam3jzw7QLuv7nofkM2L7hPaJkyk1WLuqiZMijQF_2rjbbtJrIvWrT9e0OCahsD53ch-FbaL8_PkB5vtlpKH-aXf_s0hwXQGQktfn/s1600/brocade+bead2.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEght98YYr3G_1q59n_61zZzPazAsNHgeY1Uam3jzw7QLuv7nofkM2L7hPaJkyk1WLuqiZMijQF_2rjbbtJrIvWrT9e0OCahsD53ch-FbaL8_PkB5vtlpKH-aXf_s0hwXQGQktfn/s400/brocade+bead2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630420047308598802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There's a lot of work in the brocade technique, so I didn't want to waste any of it. I used the curvy trimmings from the bead to make this pretty fan pin.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwemxB2YoEcGh_wy0skIGVX0UFasWyv5hO2fiqG6x1-LvMioEdR-mmH-qrleWUdXe2t9oJ7SruwGXUXCKn4pNhIaUjY1Cfs37llIN4UX_p4EXKg3lpumv2SLhPFMhYyApo9vjm/s1600/brocade+pin1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwemxB2YoEcGh_wy0skIGVX0UFasWyv5hO2fiqG6x1-LvMioEdR-mmH-qrleWUdXe2t9oJ7SruwGXUXCKn4pNhIaUjY1Cfs37llIN4UX_p4EXKg3lpumv2SLhPFMhYyApo9vjm/s400/brocade+pin1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630421326912169650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>I purchased a couple of really wonderful tutorials from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Naftali">Naftali Studios</a> for making hollow lentil beads and crackle finishing. These are very well-designed tutorials with clear instructions and good photos. I followed the crackle finish tutorial and decided to use the instructions verbatim. My finished result looks just like her design. Once again, I made it reversible - two necklaces in one... I love that!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0kq7QlKyOA1SpLbMNerXLIi5SDI0u-QdLiB1kzlsMrQgQzW4LDS_D2BzuJN6mJPJkFZtAnA2PPEx9z5RSc5vGQwfJigt5qQJ2Yb5OJHIWwAc4K-_Mia5Dwi7HmrfEZkd3Ll0/s1600/purple+stripe+pend1-blog.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0kq7QlKyOA1SpLbMNerXLIi5SDI0u-QdLiB1kzlsMrQgQzW4LDS_D2BzuJN6mJPJkFZtAnA2PPEx9z5RSc5vGQwfJigt5qQJ2Yb5OJHIWwAc4K-_Mia5Dwi7HmrfEZkd3Ll0/s400/purple+stripe+pend1-blog.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630419338372804114" border="0" /></a></div><br />Because the bead is hollow, it's very lightweight and comfy to wear. Now to use the technique to make beads in my own design.<br /><br />This weekend I did my first attempt at mokume gane. I just love it when I can take out my aggressions on an inanimate block of clay. My first successful sheet of mokume gane:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE3BeP4jbzHAjreY6GJMTqjR7oDtAr8zF7JpXV_Zp6NUHle2jwZNhEVtbT780ClbM8IWBiYmPHSDvaLZh6TylSzVlK3Oa4wkQt8Zz_XBMFZiTWLbgdKcBzJL22kTYRMo6Ycig/s1600/mokume+gane.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE3BeP4jbzHAjreY6GJMTqjR7oDtAr8zF7JpXV_Zp6NUHle2jwZNhEVtbT780ClbM8IWBiYmPHSDvaLZh6TylSzVlK3Oa4wkQt8Zz_XBMFZiTWLbgdKcBzJL22kTYRMo6Ycig/s400/mokume+gane.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630420895237446850" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I've got a bunch of beads half done, so I'll be posting those images soon. I'll have some of these new pieces listed for sale in my Etsy shop this week. Until then, you can find me in my playroom.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2011 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-88997391936626492022011-07-05T09:43:00.005-04:002011-07-05T10:18:43.883-04:00The Blogosphere is a small placeLast week Marble Man and I proved the Blogosphere can be a very small place when we met fellow blogger, <a href="http://gabrieladelworthdesigns.blogspot.com/">Gabriela Delworth</a>, in Toronto. Here we are hanging out with Alexander in her part of Toronto, Greektown.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOL-m-oJsOKdHZn8JDT12jwcemqBR-ooIQDZ0ga2XVoUiBr4ZbKkWLEtXNkfo-8WwGItuulPiuR5reS9qC_9mWDiWYwqISdh4oFM-SpeSXEd5fm-_AbC1mcKT7JKQ4gBxFw55/s1600/Gabriela1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOL-m-oJsOKdHZn8JDT12jwcemqBR-ooIQDZ0ga2XVoUiBr4ZbKkWLEtXNkfo-8WwGItuulPiuR5reS9qC_9mWDiWYwqISdh4oFM-SpeSXEd5fm-_AbC1mcKT7JKQ4gBxFw55/s400/Gabriela1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625868173867087842" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />We were in Toronto for a family wedding. When I heard where we would be going, I immediately thought of Gabriela and contacted her to see if she'd be interested in meeting IRL. We emailed back and forth for months as plans solidified. We finally settled on a plan: she would pick us up to take us to Greektown for lunch and a walking tour.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-qkt5zUx4YG0_H0dX0qH-HkNJjxgdagwuxPfrXm5e4JdIJyFlqb-GD5due0hBtCm9b0k1djtwpNVONC0jEfv7sNjmH9F8gDHH2WVI2Ql2OWD790Aw_X0lDGeSvkKZsBREMEt/s1600/gabriela2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-qkt5zUx4YG0_H0dX0qH-HkNJjxgdagwuxPfrXm5e4JdIJyFlqb-GD5due0hBtCm9b0k1djtwpNVONC0jEfv7sNjmH9F8gDHH2WVI2Ql2OWD790Aw_X0lDGeSvkKZsBREMEt/s400/gabriela2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625868182060284098" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />It was a hot day (by Toronto's standards anyway), so a visit to Dolce for some gelato seemed in order. It was worth every single calorie. "Mmm, Mmmm... GOOD!"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3rtGaRN767xQPj141_AO9LnVJ2_Ub28onhobsRkHjNP7zioAKddKK7J4yIJaahnEmlUxyAp2atRPfWaRZF4AmYfpKz34G7qEs0epnEO1HT-4QbRR_NVK2ypWUK261oGX22L7/s1600/gabriela3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3rtGaRN767xQPj141_AO9LnVJ2_Ub28onhobsRkHjNP7zioAKddKK7J4yIJaahnEmlUxyAp2atRPfWaRZF4AmYfpKz34G7qEs0epnEO1HT-4QbRR_NVK2ypWUK261oGX22L7/s400/gabriela3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625869081064189474" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Gabriela is as lively and colorful as her blog. We talked, and laughed, then talked some more. Before we knew it, it was late afternoon and time to go home. I hope someday we will return to Toronto; I'd love to swing by the Harbourfront Center to take one of the classes she teaches there.<br /><br />I hope you'll stop by Gabriela's blog for a visit. It's full of <a href="http://gabrieladelworthdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/pressed-flowers-sandals-for-mothers-day.html">craft ideas</a>, <a href="http://gabrieladelworthdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/05/pink-celebration-and-craft-tutorial-for.html">color</a>, and <a href="http://gabrieladelworthdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/did-you-get-pinned-yet-i-didand-i-am.html">marketing wisdom</a>. Thanks Gabriela!<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2011 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-71980169952513842002011-06-30T22:34:00.020-04:002011-07-01T16:11:51.577-04:00"Where The Wild Things Are"Marble Man and I took a vacation last week, and ended it with a very pleasant safari into <a href="http://www.thewilds.org/">The Wilds</a>, a nature preserve in Southeastern Ohio.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9aU8q8S5LHCkIDUio-oWpF5W_avPt0M2bpYmIcXp0TbVWpAK0YPnTvJ9f_VXbtIyNuGdOR7wXMtEtP7kfm9BgYTPAhA-oy2g5JK6lUe_VZo1loJrv4sCt7ru4MPgcmhEIqEg/s1600/giraffes.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 354px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9aU8q8S5LHCkIDUio-oWpF5W_avPt0M2bpYmIcXp0TbVWpAK0YPnTvJ9f_VXbtIyNuGdOR7wXMtEtP7kfm9BgYTPAhA-oy2g5JK6lUe_VZo1loJrv4sCt7ru4MPgcmhEIqEg/s400/giraffes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624208681655359042" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />We minded the signs, and kept ourselves out of reach of the natives.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVZO7NweA4NcPCpzUvPqxy-6TJYEyo5Kgzpl0JtOkaTJQ9xIugnxCcPNccgWIDf-0haRkquAkydTfTLKOex2G3FuaGCIbn0Zv917-cIx7x0F-IPZvSv5Y7leWYAakO4jsLAYX/s1600/sign.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVZO7NweA4NcPCpzUvPqxy-6TJYEyo5Kgzpl0JtOkaTJQ9xIugnxCcPNccgWIDf-0haRkquAkydTfTLKOex2G3FuaGCIbn0Zv917-cIx7x0F-IPZvSv5Y7leWYAakO4jsLAYX/s400/sign.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624210158152564402" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I'd hoped we'd saddle up and ride <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bactrian_Camel">some of these</a>, but these guys don't work for their chow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGcn0yJmZpRjT4-ss1b2ejPkSRLZHiIzb7MFbb0zA6IxK-EoTsRXQGNNKDOvSj4mWsa3Yftl1MvXZhThs0S1s-Z2gwLSxn9rO1zVnY-o3-PEuvv42UPJ_upyd_v-B1IrODOY7/s1600/bactrian+camels.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGcn0yJmZpRjT4-ss1b2ejPkSRLZHiIzb7MFbb0zA6IxK-EoTsRXQGNNKDOvSj4mWsa3Yftl1MvXZhThs0S1s-Z2gwLSxn9rO1zVnY-o3-PEuvv42UPJ_upyd_v-B1IrODOY7/s400/bactrian+camels.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624215429784190386" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bactrian Camels</span><br /></div><br />This refuge is ah-MAZ-ing with 10,000 acres (the largest preserve in the country) and some very rare beasties. The Wilds is not run like a zoo; they aren't in it for money. They are all about research and conservancy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhVdtKAjl-dYDNvXWZjGnIElxHdhLfTkjXT3GwXwA8e7SFDAT4NrISF_luu2Kd0k-LxWTBKGFNirJ-ZlPH4EhUg0REHcwfgIz9a3MU4HHp5_xsIIapkfuXX9p4KP1hbTWkItK/s1600/sable+antelope.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhVdtKAjl-dYDNvXWZjGnIElxHdhLfTkjXT3GwXwA8e7SFDAT4NrISF_luu2Kd0k-LxWTBKGFNirJ-ZlPH4EhUg0REHcwfgIz9a3MU4HHp5_xsIIapkfuXX9p4KP1hbTWkItK/s400/sable+antelope.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624210144421500738" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sable Antelope / White Rhinoceros</span><br /></div><br />Not too long ago, rhinoceros in zoos were developing foot troubles, to the point of being unable to walk. After transferring some to The Wilds, where they got to walk on soft ground, the foot troubles disappeared.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexoWyYrsWEEpSkAU6fKCS72ybj0zj6VPSJhXmVjjBB602AhRnPV8OFezV1C0XXmEspcwzB0qasY6Pf5_nNtH-bxwlb1UgDWp6FMVmJwyi8TKDTIvBM8IcrEdYM_xl4eA5vjIA/s1600/greater+one+horned+rhino.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexoWyYrsWEEpSkAU6fKCS72ybj0zj6VPSJhXmVjjBB602AhRnPV8OFezV1C0XXmEspcwzB0qasY6Pf5_nNtH-bxwlb1UgDWp6FMVmJwyi8TKDTIvBM8IcrEdYM_xl4eA5vjIA/s400/greater+one+horned+rhino.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624210791487625410" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros</span><br /><br /></div>Now, thanks to the hard work of the staff at The Wilds, rhinos in zoos have soft, padded surfaces on which to tread.<br /><br />There are breeding programs for endangered species, some of which are mid-sized carnivores. Those these pretty kitties were lounging and being photogenic for our visit. Nothing fierce here...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TPlfW-YQJ4ipoHs5qRMfwg0Qw1rY_-NuqfIXt-IcbB9qRSImah29PW6XEnWpn1gvCcLj_sr65e1KvJtYw_enuAfR2eH58XQMSmApPM8mxdPbXOme9V6WsB-dtCg6H7jHBY_X/s1600/cheetahs.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TPlfW-YQJ4ipoHs5qRMfwg0Qw1rY_-NuqfIXt-IcbB9qRSImah29PW6XEnWpn1gvCcLj_sr65e1KvJtYw_enuAfR2eH58XQMSmApPM8mxdPbXOme9V6WsB-dtCg6H7jHBY_X/s400/cheetahs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624208670545752530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cheetahs</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This little fella (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhole">called a Dhole</a>) is very shy - we were told we were lucky they came out to show off for us at all.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxj1KkHxKyXBjL3NowBa2DQ_R4bhYETZZ45IpmGF9vfb_JcS9inaFwf8S8InSlcrlPYExLf31u5yuSXMP64ZjNmyHd0BrtWddXEW6u-Yk-IKlfyM7hoQLnrgwjbuXj1tfwPJv/s1600/dhole.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxj1KkHxKyXBjL3NowBa2DQ_R4bhYETZZ45IpmGF9vfb_JcS9inaFwf8S8InSlcrlPYExLf31u5yuSXMP64ZjNmyHd0BrtWddXEW6u-Yk-IKlfyM7hoQLnrgwjbuXj1tfwPJv/s400/dhole.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624208673296701778" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Dhole<br /></div><br />Mostly, they have endangered species, including the Pere David's Deer, which has been brought back from the brink and is being reintroduced in its native China.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkAepXhXzNK8OyI_QvtQQ2MC2zC7O6-itdSmp2Egl4CcA6fUBT32caB0WpSITpt7rHex6qxD-wwU5msizIVI2uIqva0BngSWqQYZtts3cY7H8a-SiSFYACZNJ2BIkwM51aOzd/s1600/pere+davids+deer.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkAepXhXzNK8OyI_QvtQQ2MC2zC7O6-itdSmp2Egl4CcA6fUBT32caB0WpSITpt7rHex6qxD-wwU5msizIVI2uIqva0BngSWqQYZtts3cY7H8a-SiSFYACZNJ2BIkwM51aOzd/s400/pere+davids+deer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624208696120026514" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pere David's Deer</span><br /></div><br />A small herd of wild horses clogged up the track, causing us to halt our trek. We were surrounded for quite a while - they were close enough to pat, but don't do it! They bite.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEILWbjdWxqLVRIPaiual0EDLZqOuw8WRoUgsiGqgWrvrUq1q78uWmSIJSWLt5UmpXGlHnwn2lZTMITU4sJIXVXDDXllDxXAgJKxIOoTsYQmZO4e1Z3_AfIetmPosFM_Cnp5qe/s1600/prezwalskis+wild+horses.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEILWbjdWxqLVRIPaiual0EDLZqOuw8WRoUgsiGqgWrvrUq1q78uWmSIJSWLt5UmpXGlHnwn2lZTMITU4sJIXVXDDXllDxXAgJKxIOoTsYQmZO4e1Z3_AfIetmPosFM_Cnp5qe/s400/prezwalskis+wild+horses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624210138034689170" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Prezwalski's Wild Horses</span><br /></div><br />I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this preserve, a little bit of Africa's Serengeti Plain right here in our heartland.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQGF9TLMu10pmKGV92P5E2GHRCM1hw6JavrKwBqYcY85QVcICKx7zCO1nRVlF6sjktoWER_acmPAnw3J6U3dDdVAwFpGVCQnaZRuyD_REo_m7ljxyHSRak2LtmPS9TUs_yd8Z/s1600/zebras.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQGF9TLMu10pmKGV92P5E2GHRCM1hw6JavrKwBqYcY85QVcICKx7zCO1nRVlF6sjktoWER_acmPAnw3J6U3dDdVAwFpGVCQnaZRuyD_REo_m7ljxyHSRak2LtmPS9TUs_yd8Z/s400/zebras.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624210163849830882" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Zebras</span><br /></div><br />The only thing I wasn't prepared for, was the rough ride in our open-air safari truck. We went over some ruts and bumps that made me feel like my upper and lower halves separated only to be reunited with some violence. If you visit, and I really hope you will, take some Ibuprofen or muscle relaxers BEFORE you climb on the bus!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHShG74SPZa7BrkTDUcy-vIwOjcDaIFiX5E7kf_6A4XyIS3hGY3tzlyWJ_88Ynvk9eamDT5PSadwGNhQXUUqk7hIas73tAOOSatgrAWnIy0QITMM3PbI6hcqHJyPqo4mWRo1uZ/s1600/persian+onagers.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHShG74SPZa7BrkTDUcy-vIwOjcDaIFiX5E7kf_6A4XyIS3hGY3tzlyWJ_88Ynvk9eamDT5PSadwGNhQXUUqk7hIas73tAOOSatgrAWnIy0QITMM3PbI6hcqHJyPqo4mWRo1uZ/s400/persian+onagers.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624208705610293874" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/ReproductiveScience/WildEquids/MeetTheEquids/fact-onager.cfm">Persian Onagers<br /></a></div><br />It was worth the discomfort - I can hardly wait to go back.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-q5UmlPYpucWAfcMaVovP0Eda3N7Ma1TgyGtVVcm3_DXoxKqdWEnxzOh-_R_AIaoRc2cZBvU067waVS2oLDRb0v-qRNIlbTImzU2tH91JYqxNvQlOzjsgJPBNQcHU5Ma8gSs/s1600/scimitar+horned+oryx.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-q5UmlPYpucWAfcMaVovP0Eda3N7Ma1TgyGtVVcm3_DXoxKqdWEnxzOh-_R_AIaoRc2cZBvU067waVS2oLDRb0v-qRNIlbTImzU2tH91JYqxNvQlOzjsgJPBNQcHU5Ma8gSs/s400/scimitar+horned+oryx.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624210154401308978" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scimitar_Oryx">Scimitar-Horned Oryx<br /></a></div><br />If you plan to visit, you might want to book your tours in advance, as it's a popular place. They have a new zip line tour (2 1/2 hours over 10 zip lines through the park), which just opened and is sold out for the first month already! We really wanted to do that...<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2011 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-44397459932989175582011-06-10T12:47:00.006-04:002011-06-10T15:01:12.966-04:00"Lentil Soup"<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0TkmDucZ2iYZEqmoxwwN8PV12bjgI_jln_6jG3smAiOlKG0haYTKpsRxPnE_VghJYB5iwY1gPuGI_1bGGjYqa9Yu8ci5IKbMwodkqNvMaovq56iUJ80MgTLalL0fYk89CLHP/s1600/big+lentil.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0TkmDucZ2iYZEqmoxwwN8PV12bjgI_jln_6jG3smAiOlKG0haYTKpsRxPnE_VghJYB5iwY1gPuGI_1bGGjYqa9Yu8ci5IKbMwodkqNvMaovq56iUJ80MgTLalL0fYk89CLHP/s400/big+lentil.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616636112490533154" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I went back to working on "swirlies", those big, gorgeous polymer clay lentil beads that I fell in love with last year.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCQy8BYEQem2Mt4npRQFvjzt40qunyGkH6WUS8QuIPANz8YrXz1z2NPa5zziQp8ygZyppcq-QdaV-szhVDv-B4bc555se2_baPOgoTINPvkAyt6giFdVJ_3hKnnekckO9TxpK/s1600/IMG_6519.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCQy8BYEQem2Mt4npRQFvjzt40qunyGkH6WUS8QuIPANz8YrXz1z2NPa5zziQp8ygZyppcq-QdaV-szhVDv-B4bc555se2_baPOgoTINPvkAyt6giFdVJ_3hKnnekckO9TxpK/s400/IMG_6519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616636133774326066" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Since my last post, I've been struggling with a couple of issues. The biggest is a nagging pain in my wrist. My first thought was to do what Marble Man calls "rub some dirt on it and walk it off". I went and bought a carpal tunnel splint at the local drug store, which helped, but the pain was still hanging around a couple weeks later. My doctor told me it's not carpal tunnel syndrome (Whew - my worst fear!) but tendinitis. He said it's OK to use it, just not to the point of discomfort.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YqpSYupDxkJ7VOq_5OW-N_XNfdoRNOSR7kcZNteYNbaZoDjlWt04zEI9p6brgEg3zwl87uLShQE5AejZ_AyjcGZDk6W8eKXIMiSKtN9H83cpNPLk2p4u3hGJ2Uv8yWnld8eW/s1600/IMG_6512.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YqpSYupDxkJ7VOq_5OW-N_XNfdoRNOSR7kcZNteYNbaZoDjlWt04zEI9p6brgEg3zwl87uLShQE5AejZ_AyjcGZDk6W8eKXIMiSKtN9H83cpNPLk2p4u3hGJ2Uv8yWnld8eW/s400/IMG_6512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616636143090628498" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The small, twiddly work I like so much will have to wait. Enter: Swirlies. They are so much fun, that I may need an intervention!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIZq_RtFaL0rc3iP248O5Qpvkg47ETGeEb6KJNDxy75zTaDpYrkXNd5zU8Cq27HPZMv6ZPsazoGhX7JORw__JaBNpYoEz0Gwhyphenhyphen8lBSKex-7SmNrG2mZhRInKxy8sZ0g9sRDdv/s1600/lentil+soup.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIZq_RtFaL0rc3iP248O5Qpvkg47ETGeEb6KJNDxy75zTaDpYrkXNd5zU8Cq27HPZMv6ZPsazoGhX7JORw__JaBNpYoEz0Gwhyphenhyphen8lBSKex-7SmNrG2mZhRInKxy8sZ0g9sRDdv/s400/lentil+soup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616636116904304498" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Just like when making lentil soup to eat, you throw a little of this and a little of that into the pot. With these beads, a little bit of monarch butterfly wing, flower petal and leaf cane slices, etc, you wind up with an interesting and spicy result.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">~~~</span></span><br /></div><br />The other issue which is bothering me is that when I look through my Etsy shop, it seems a bit like a split personality is running it. There's intricate bead work,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1Hk4VAVOlaNC-Z0eAXohHCKs9twPh2RTcOxoN5PJ4CV_-eI0ksgi4hWNg0kov8k7FQNgPzv84V9CW9wK5jb3b_yMf4DN7gG8VUBsyYxbc7UZ-oMKk4U6Vhgsm2xk5t5NodRt/s1600/labradorite.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1Hk4VAVOlaNC-Z0eAXohHCKs9twPh2RTcOxoN5PJ4CV_-eI0ksgi4hWNg0kov8k7FQNgPzv84V9CW9wK5jb3b_yMf4DN7gG8VUBsyYxbc7UZ-oMKk4U6Vhgsm2xk5t5NodRt/s400/labradorite.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616637516196221906" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />modern-looking clay pieces,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3x8gkZZIG130mEJZDVlls_rtlXX_6vNPNfcI1NKhgq16lflyB6cT8D82Dv6Uc7XYCAJYXNBDAEIsiGTxO0YP5LXvocu20fd5yJcBVHe4UDEsxSR6ce-Z2qv2PwQwW5i3lC7d/s1600/tahitian+sunset2.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3x8gkZZIG130mEJZDVlls_rtlXX_6vNPNfcI1NKhgq16lflyB6cT8D82Dv6Uc7XYCAJYXNBDAEIsiGTxO0YP5LXvocu20fd5yJcBVHe4UDEsxSR6ce-Z2qv2PwQwW5i3lC7d/s400/tahitian+sunset2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616636489122780386" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />vintage inspired work, etc.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhwQU7vlhS6aztz9to1jbRDLeXMrfe7YfOg2lfQljHxi3cPMCTgoqlQ393-UfDKoPpCU8RnVe_1j0dS8xVCQQMa05VZ-eaUoquO8kJrenEjcs2G_pN4rqUwnuFA8dXi3wPozw/s1600/IMG_6531.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhwQU7vlhS6aztz9to1jbRDLeXMrfe7YfOg2lfQljHxi3cPMCTgoqlQ393-UfDKoPpCU8RnVe_1j0dS8xVCQQMa05VZ-eaUoquO8kJrenEjcs2G_pN4rqUwnuFA8dXi3wPozw/s400/IMG_6531.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616636127907867762" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />It looks like I can't decide what I want to do, when in reality, I just have lots of styles for lots of moods.<br /><br />When I look at other shops, there's a sense of cohesion, a mature style with variations. Do I need to set up different shops for each style of work I do? What would you suggest?<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2011 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-36257270801459528402011-05-07T08:26:00.016-04:002011-05-08T12:53:07.358-04:00Polymer Clay Meets Silk Ribbon Embroidery...... Or how a long lost passion gains new life in my studio. When I was dyeing fabric and creating wearable art, I used silk ribbon embroidery to embellish a lot of my garments.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdWTjFrZEfr50rNpu3egIOf_TlfeKlRJ23veSKwD5rsVKNlxRaz2EiLmM7X6Qpdw4_dzPrZuOor-S5pIDYOFP5OXbRhuKUDbV5hYwv3bGM6Pjw-AXM_1zcnwFWzl2zvVwyiJb/s1600/kimono3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdWTjFrZEfr50rNpu3egIOf_TlfeKlRJ23veSKwD5rsVKNlxRaz2EiLmM7X6Qpdw4_dzPrZuOor-S5pIDYOFP5OXbRhuKUDbV5hYwv3bGM6Pjw-AXM_1zcnwFWzl2zvVwyiJb/s400/kimono3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603952989348809922" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I loved doing it: pulling the ribbon through the fabric, laying it flat, forming the stitch, pulling it back through the fabric again. Then gently coaxing the loops and folds into shape... instant beauty. Repeat.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRugXjnuz2vYEMBa_SLbvtdVUpFJ5XS_uBrEtezvyFQFLhLXTZHeG41ZRIRwRWufAqpiBJwS13z60xoKwwlm9qhOdpB7YNpCzD5fry9u28mRybk7_7gvbyxgqYf3UhJTvzK_Q/s1600/kimono1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRugXjnuz2vYEMBa_SLbvtdVUpFJ5XS_uBrEtezvyFQFLhLXTZHeG41ZRIRwRWufAqpiBJwS13z60xoKwwlm9qhOdpB7YNpCzD5fry9u28mRybk7_7gvbyxgqYf3UhJTvzK_Q/s400/kimono1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603952980159855858" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I had my Beauty Blinders on, so I didn't see the unthinkable coming my way - the accident that changed my creative life forever. Afterward, my hand stopped working the way it should. No more pulling ribbon through fabric. It wasn't fun anymore, wasn't worth the discomfort. I put the ribbons and big-eyed needles away.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTg5J16lnoaqoOfKkAl7udp9N5hWl-B6CKsgBlfe3rwfe1WRTd12Lq7HBcWyZgiMKlAyLGvKJDVMTJvAXz72ImtgIY9fcs0urTtbH_omxUPzv7Ipx5XYJBImgCaNFzJFIFaDz/s1600/kimono2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTg5J16lnoaqoOfKkAl7udp9N5hWl-B6CKsgBlfe3rwfe1WRTd12Lq7HBcWyZgiMKlAyLGvKJDVMTJvAXz72ImtgIY9fcs0urTtbH_omxUPzv7Ipx5XYJBImgCaNFzJFIFaDz/s400/kimono2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603952984761559970" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Enter my new passion - polymer clay. I began this new journey in a big way: lots of color, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSdqi4Yjn5sWuJV8G5f5PAtN0EhDsqUt32ZU90sP9xwFY0-nA_yGJmuPPPa1eCxzkY04mF_dQ95OURgtQOVQlwujGYi4lW-rITjIIxsxPlyvIy7RfSDUldv8iWdGPnyDcbSzq/s1600/big+cane.JPG">big canes</a> that took all my strength to reduce down. I'll get back to doing that later on, but now I want to work small... <span style="font-size:78%;">very small</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOydm5eKyNEn-c2rr-qRrCNtxjxoRi3TN9fXXb8lBuXR_jierRZDG1uXiA2gMLe_niu5JQqyxE4icrjGtCHptjwg_CNnlnW8oRFIwqs2W5DX5l_SsP8G-XWAvbi2bX8HguHjEj/s1600/emma+earrings3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOydm5eKyNEn-c2rr-qRrCNtxjxoRi3TN9fXXb8lBuXR_jierRZDG1uXiA2gMLe_niu5JQqyxE4icrjGtCHptjwg_CNnlnW8oRFIwqs2W5DX5l_SsP8G-XWAvbi2bX8HguHjEj/s400/emma+earrings3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603952989068747682" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I just need the tiniest speck of clay to create something resembling that old silk ribbon embroidery.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQvDUViT-LxPehFsV3eP4yUUStOS4r5pwQTGr1N5Pz9QrzXA5YIJ4tj5xxpVA5H0VTs9nKpy4uzHgIV48ocVYh9WPkpHeCavEuQMzOR6SCQoQUKIwI0Gn-W35qVB0E3PPiQLA/s1600/Emma+pendant1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQvDUViT-LxPehFsV3eP4yUUStOS4r5pwQTGr1N5Pz9QrzXA5YIJ4tj5xxpVA5H0VTs9nKpy4uzHgIV48ocVYh9WPkpHeCavEuQMzOR6SCQoQUKIwI0Gn-W35qVB0E3PPiQLA/s400/Emma+pendant1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603952992158286898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Little malleable balls of color lined up on my table, patience, and some quiet time, are all I need to recapture the joy I felt as I formed that perfect stitch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2joWMsFtXLavQOB2I3LCcwgWTZmQzq0OnsAwnhk1iZr9tjyVkUHwxMgvUaTlXIHvHvT75B9vDIE86fxM36XiRP8O17YcZhI0aiou0ncdiK9Xm7vsjJ8GZgcnh1T8GCruNloN/s1600/clay+ribbon1.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2joWMsFtXLavQOB2I3LCcwgWTZmQzq0OnsAwnhk1iZr9tjyVkUHwxMgvUaTlXIHvHvT75B9vDIE86fxM36XiRP8O17YcZhI0aiou0ncdiK9Xm7vsjJ8GZgcnh1T8GCruNloN/s400/clay+ribbon1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603954012285125794" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Magic happens if you wait for it...<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2011 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-75955363920944921312011-05-03T11:08:00.007-04:002011-05-07T12:03:27.755-04:00Memories, Keepsakes, and Talented FriendsWe've almost reached the 2nd anniversary of <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/2009/05/farewell-dear-friend.html">Pooch's passing</a>. While we've enjoyed the freedom from caring for a terminally ill pet, we still miss him something awful. This upcoming anniversary coincides with a fun contest blog buddy and portrait painter, Enzie Shahmiri, was having on her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Pet-Portraits-by-Enzie-Shahmiri/111560895529500">Facebook</a> page last month, titled "Dogs With Attitude". She needed to get some paintings done for a May showing, and asked for photos of dogs. If she chose a photo to paint, the photo's owner would win a prize.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzAMt6kL3HliVl46ZOHaGp8Y-liGdZRUEw_z_wEwf5lVdvQ_SF4_zsmcA4kuT8EEAvYAxx2uLY8hUh1q3TqppSb3jw9a5XClJXvTBkWYYui1J5M7lKEa4YW2qvOI7TWbvkyJe/s1600/196580_10150144716455780_81702975779_6908490_883278_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzAMt6kL3HliVl46ZOHaGp8Y-liGdZRUEw_z_wEwf5lVdvQ_SF4_zsmcA4kuT8EEAvYAxx2uLY8hUh1q3TqppSb3jw9a5XClJXvTBkWYYui1J5M7lKEa4YW2qvOI7TWbvkyJe/s400/196580_10150144716455780_81702975779_6908490_883278_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602512766705069810" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Well, our little Pooch certainly had attitude! We used to refer to him as an 80 pound personality in a 12 pound body. So, I dug around in the photo box and came up with one to send. Enzie loved it and got to work on a painting. She captured his expression perfectly:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92tiSo6YMr5c5NfhRpV4WmBzOgWMlRyMWraxamZQ8Ss2bvgUIbEsHCq5owbj-zTXda5AvDJUXNCWYHylxIQ_hfmkE8ZM86g-K-l6f3sy7YMSDLn4cI1JIGzSWgJM2tLf9aKIm/s1600/206783_10150155986955780_81702975779_7001844_3827559_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92tiSo6YMr5c5NfhRpV4WmBzOgWMlRyMWraxamZQ8Ss2bvgUIbEsHCq5owbj-zTXda5AvDJUXNCWYHylxIQ_hfmkE8ZM86g-K-l6f3sy7YMSDLn4cI1JIGzSWgJM2tLf9aKIm/s400/206783_10150155986955780_81702975779_7001844_3827559_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602512771516923858" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />... that look he'd get when he was ripping the guts out of a fleece toy. If he could talk he would have been saying, "Oh, so you think you're going to get this away from me? HA!"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvZ4sQOgISYNDNDmox2vEmVd6RsR84T3zlXFfhEb9hbqXLpO2x7UnHrOGAoN-gNpox9lntJsTABionJFpjHmFETf1oIzYn1ZOfweUedPEdf3l5eJClL4mc9hEIQqMMgynn3cL/s1600/216986_10150155987025780_81702975779_7001845_2930366_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvZ4sQOgISYNDNDmox2vEmVd6RsR84T3zlXFfhEb9hbqXLpO2x7UnHrOGAoN-gNpox9lntJsTABionJFpjHmFETf1oIzYn1ZOfweUedPEdf3l5eJClL4mc9hEIQqMMgynn3cL/s400/216986_10150155987025780_81702975779_7001845_2930366_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602512778700421058" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I had to have it. And now I do. It's even more charming "in the paint", so to speak.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdMBf2TCJFRpAxOnVTBFqvOF496EhNA8Ftz4K0bGcfgcNsLMAqEYsKkXvzwKUnebFlbHHTrkHBdXlW0so0ajgZqEHdZjpFhQhKP7N0XB33Z3mGVvvoZUsZSi7FvBrPcTq4P5r/s1600/Love+Them+Bones.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdMBf2TCJFRpAxOnVTBFqvOF496EhNA8Ftz4K0bGcfgcNsLMAqEYsKkXvzwKUnebFlbHHTrkHBdXlW0so0ajgZqEHdZjpFhQhKP7N0XB33Z3mGVvvoZUsZSi7FvBrPcTq4P5r/s400/Love+Them+Bones.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602512787494750274" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Love Them Bones", oil on linen, 6"x 6" </span><br /><br /></div>If you aren't familiar with Enzie's wonderful painting style, stop by <a href="http://www.enzieshahmiri.com/#">her website</a> to see what's on her easel. Her blog for <a href="http://pet-portraits-oilpaintings.blogspot.com/">Pet Portraits</a> has lots of furry eye candy. There are also gardening, cooking, and <a href="http://theorientalistgallery.blogspot.com/">Orientalist painting</a> blogs. Where does she find the time? I'd like a sip of what's in her cup...<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2011 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-42117528027014567852011-04-27T12:48:00.008-04:002011-04-27T17:02:15.411-04:00Beginnings... and Surprise EndingsSome folks have asked me to explain what inspires me at the beginning of a project. Is it a specific color? A particular bead? A "light bulb" moment in the shower? Well, my answer is "yes": all of the above, though the moment of inspiration varies from project to project.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7VunsvZ3EZsx4E4x_PTStGnb7h2jk57RWP_YkhhOv48ZbFa-AyHmgp9VAgmKa7ig6RzBYGWw2dgeBYB92RKeBiGKhG-WG74aJ6ogmJAgWCAUFif5MxdNuBZcE_jblfLoVs5K/s1600/something+blue1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7VunsvZ3EZsx4E4x_PTStGnb7h2jk57RWP_YkhhOv48ZbFa-AyHmgp9VAgmKa7ig6RzBYGWw2dgeBYB92RKeBiGKhG-WG74aJ6ogmJAgWCAUFif5MxdNuBZcE_jblfLoVs5K/s400/something+blue1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600317014871558274" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />This past week, I chose to use some mottled blue jade teardrops I bought at the last bead show. When I first saw them, my brain fritzed and short-circuited. They were beautiful - and a whole strand of them together, well, it was A Moment. I brought them home and didn't do anything with them, that is, until now. My plan was to make bead embroidered earrings. Oh, they would be spec-TAC-ular!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjtUqqLlNgDaoL0sfm6uVBY29gLvqaaYmi5MnfJRRtERLodlzxQ3rUf14FOHZ7QBpJi_7HjNZtspOG5-icAhaNb6Hkbz2iL1I6Q_5ViSPDteaGhzvo-eF1_sz29L5NBSv7lyI/s1600/worktable+4-21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjtUqqLlNgDaoL0sfm6uVBY29gLvqaaYmi5MnfJRRtERLodlzxQ3rUf14FOHZ7QBpJi_7HjNZtspOG5-icAhaNb6Hkbz2iL1I6Q_5ViSPDteaGhzvo-eF1_sz29L5NBSv7lyI/s400/worktable+4-21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600317179850785842" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I finished the first one and it was apparent they were to big for earrings. I made the second, since the stone was already glued down.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuO3dn2IZPNZOPUZBmMPu8aN4v-u3TDZSNiqQYDOKdEe287il9N2qU_L5elZaqAxw2Vg4nCboo5k3kW1Ejcdtrjmi9yO6pXLpdp457r8GYcHgHZcX6x_X9mC-tqTrKMkT5CIw/s1600/something+blue2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuO3dn2IZPNZOPUZBmMPu8aN4v-u3TDZSNiqQYDOKdEe287il9N2qU_L5elZaqAxw2Vg4nCboo5k3kW1Ejcdtrjmi9yO6pXLpdp457r8GYcHgHZcX6x_X9mC-tqTrKMkT5CIw/s400/something+blue2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600317022399717170" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />When finished, I laid it next to the first piece, and realization hit me like a brick - these would be great strung together. Good thing I'd glued more of the jade stones down!<br /><br />To soften the final piece, I wanted to make smaller elements to place between the jade medallions. I have some mother-of-pearl coin beads in a very soft blue. Perfect! I made a pretty round piece, and when I put it between the two jade elements, my reaction was, "Uh.... no."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi9K8r1oNqj5bBl99iy5O1fyaNUiE6R35QC7CJzF8bZJ4T_CJjLFF5M3snt3IWtyMXjUdgohjI0E8hcarArOc5szvivNK3OJ4FsmVk51HnuVETwOEXto1iIVAleBymV3lpGSG/s1600/something+blue3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi9K8r1oNqj5bBl99iy5O1fyaNUiE6R35QC7CJzF8bZJ4T_CJjLFF5M3snt3IWtyMXjUdgohjI0E8hcarArOc5szvivNK3OJ4FsmVk51HnuVETwOEXto1iIVAleBymV3lpGSG/s400/something+blue3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600317024704827266" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Didn't really like the stark white seed beads in there and, again, too big.<br /><br />I tried again, but kept it even simpler, and "Hazzah!" Just what I was looking for.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XbGpSxGMxE84Hh8t6vkicR5rBvJjAvdoV22LwodzThBsbWJ5QACimx4uuKcQIbVvs0rokWBat2Kx2tTb_Sf2fCNduV9kfCISjAFHD1dXMZmbTv8yaD_DRyXkmcWzxvnQ-d4s/s1600/something+blue4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XbGpSxGMxE84Hh8t6vkicR5rBvJjAvdoV22LwodzThBsbWJ5QACimx4uuKcQIbVvs0rokWBat2Kx2tTb_Sf2fCNduV9kfCISjAFHD1dXMZmbTv8yaD_DRyXkmcWzxvnQ-d4s/s400/something+blue4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600317030211794722" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />A few hours later, I had enough pieces to arrange the final layout.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyg29JOY6IJMOHQdfNiFf7kI07ppXWyia_mb2rf8UlNIym40D80ivhS384xA-1KqbeIpS7G8H4dyakdyjDoludSPux6kZve6FOsfE-H8khDZe1bwhIGbfyvOjrJtu28-YdamN1/s1600/something+blue5.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyg29JOY6IJMOHQdfNiFf7kI07ppXWyia_mb2rf8UlNIym40D80ivhS384xA-1KqbeIpS7G8H4dyakdyjDoludSPux6kZve6FOsfE-H8khDZe1bwhIGbfyvOjrJtu28-YdamN1/s400/something+blue5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600317039405884322" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Satisfied, I used freshwater pearls to attach everything together. The finished result, 18 hours after I started, is romantic, soft, and very elegant. Do you think it's too late to see if Kate Middleton might want it for her Big Day???<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9LX-LwqvBvPQyXQwdmNwPv5ByS6XwNvr3vg_8MgJDFaCZUKxj74jZKHQAstaszyaCMMnEwHxY7k5OBSwS-zKuP1bbUrRRx5cAHDkumIL1lnV7lRwUhcdHpULiVb01GYV1ATr/s1600/something+blue5.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9LX-LwqvBvPQyXQwdmNwPv5ByS6XwNvr3vg_8MgJDFaCZUKxj74jZKHQAstaszyaCMMnEwHxY7k5OBSwS-zKuP1bbUrRRx5cAHDkumIL1lnV7lRwUhcdHpULiVb01GYV1ATr/s400/something+blue5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600325071821566514" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Oh, and don't worry... that medallion I decided not to use gets to shine in it's own piece as a simple pendant.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi6X0f7khL7bf1luooJ6BiPSWQLlS-EkbhJA1wQl9x1f_6QYIBakXdtxveGhbOIXCzOZff15odKbebOINqAe6k-LD9-A73-ZMZ6fkPlYEOPWg38L4Rjd_a4LewUqreY4iRzgw/s1600/summer+breeze2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi6X0f7khL7bf1luooJ6BiPSWQLlS-EkbhJA1wQl9x1f_6QYIBakXdtxveGhbOIXCzOZff15odKbebOINqAe6k-LD9-A73-ZMZ6fkPlYEOPWg38L4Rjd_a4LewUqreY4iRzgw/s400/summer+breeze2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600371541178418898" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2010 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-89115339229414956772011-04-19T09:47:00.012-04:002011-04-20T08:36:18.408-04:00Today's The Day...Today's the day I decided to make time to crack open <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/2011/03/surprise.html">Marcia DeCoster's</a> "Beaded Opulence" book. I've been itching to try the layered right angle weave that Marcia demos in the instructions for her Quetzal ring project.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBYxb3YkPHYdjn5aWHfpbSc4vVFhdgMOlFOM1zhUKBBrxoakMQ2Y_9zmvOd-xx4dI7hHUQatVtb6ajVTCO0KiEMOw8SI3VJHFwbV5xTfvA592cf3Rs4oAndRBGpsxU5OVHbgA/s1600/jacqueline1a.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBYxb3YkPHYdjn5aWHfpbSc4vVFhdgMOlFOM1zhUKBBrxoakMQ2Y_9zmvOd-xx4dI7hHUQatVtb6ajVTCO0KiEMOw8SI3VJHFwbV5xTfvA592cf3Rs4oAndRBGpsxU5OVHbgA/s400/jacqueline1a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597301787131598674" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />But do I start with the beautiful one inch square shown in the final picture? NO! I chose to make a cuff bracelet: something with stylish structure, and far too many seed beads to count.<br /><br />To begin, I beaded a piece 8 units wide by 60 units long (a unit being 4 beads stitched into a circle).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkr9HIamE8ov956jnGSstjZVfjAyhzEghvpHmzZ7qtvypycIML0i2cL7w7dUe0d0qRb3lnvSzUavzFS153j4GGCQHPXgYGXjz663WUEAouB0MGLp8X_fAcWg9SUTvGWdWJwm_G/s1600/jacqueline5.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkr9HIamE8ov956jnGSstjZVfjAyhzEghvpHmzZ7qtvypycIML0i2cL7w7dUe0d0qRb3lnvSzUavzFS153j4GGCQHPXgYGXjz663WUEAouB0MGLp8X_fAcWg9SUTvGWdWJwm_G/s400/jacqueline5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597298944280703122" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />This bit of beading was nicely fluid, like a drapable piece of fabric. I began adding RAW layers, decreasing width of each. Each new layer added rigidity and weight to the final piece.<br /><br />At the beginning of the project, I'd planned a total of three layers. But after finishing the third layer, there were beads left in my bowl and I just couldn't stop. I kept going until there were five layers of RAW and the piece had a pronounced domed structure.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MHT7lvAFEQAX6VH4bKkg3I817vXSzctjx4Q-el6_bTM6w0FgdzdQ03YIiYd6rOB0QliRvQI27GAV0iSit1nMODH2pt7nf5oaclKyN6WiS2OpnFJAFrbyESLLBitCoKHDvaCX/s1600/jacqueline2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MHT7lvAFEQAX6VH4bKkg3I817vXSzctjx4Q-el6_bTM6w0FgdzdQ03YIiYd6rOB0QliRvQI27GAV0iSit1nMODH2pt7nf5oaclKyN6WiS2OpnFJAFrbyESLLBitCoKHDvaCX/s400/jacqueline2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597298937958401666" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />When it comes to finishing, I really like the little feminine details that designer, Lisa Kan, gives her pieces. I pulled her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bead-Romantique-Elegant-Beadweaving-Designs/dp/1596680466/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303223115&sr=1-1">"Bead Romantique"</a> off my shelf to find instructions for encasing the ends of a bracelet in peyote stitch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZKrRnV9DnWmdTK46DTjsFXMwEuhh8fBj-jm3fmAg8-lykK5HwL61LsnpqVF2duECCWiSHKss5rVV0EoDXgr1ytzW94dRjINsT3eG2y2pBGJ23u5My6SQko9rq_urOUL82Ulp/s1600/jacqueline4.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZKrRnV9DnWmdTK46DTjsFXMwEuhh8fBj-jm3fmAg8-lykK5HwL61LsnpqVF2duECCWiSHKss5rVV0EoDXgr1ytzW94dRjINsT3eG2y2pBGJ23u5My6SQko9rq_urOUL82Ulp/s400/jacqueline4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597298944498794258" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The final touch: add a single line of Czech fire polished crystals down the center of the bracelet's dome for sparkle.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3S0euyc4I80tIgiVm45bkLpfkX7GCaKd2BVxkPrLgVkp_SKv9KILh2nnYhl-dD71aehN6WuWbsP5wovfNyvsLmg17eF4uQyu4BubMiA_U1TH-XCAyLTQuA-w8ZA0j55iixAXQ/s1600/jacqueline1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3S0euyc4I80tIgiVm45bkLpfkX7GCaKd2BVxkPrLgVkp_SKv9KILh2nnYhl-dD71aehN6WuWbsP5wovfNyvsLmg17eF4uQyu4BubMiA_U1TH-XCAyLTQuA-w8ZA0j55iixAXQ/s400/jacqueline1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597298936435200034" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/72346174/jacqueline-cuff">"Jacqueline" Cuff</a><br /></div><br />The lines are simple, but there was nothing simple about its creation. Ten hours of work, and the equivalent of a full hank of size 11 seed beads later, I have a piece fit for someone like Jackie O to wear. Anyone who puts it on will feel like royalty.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2010 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-21548159672111994362011-04-12T12:48:00.004-04:002011-04-12T12:59:36.301-04:00Moving into SummerNow that my collar is done and gone, I've gone back to business as usual. In keeping with my New Year's resolution, I'm ripping through my bead hoard.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBBot30NAsQUh9SIz-BfggDMsqMIX1i06Pv9dFNrLlc8d8GNJbJxQO64iN3BCUui6ek0AWPVpg7ODz-Z26HKstCRqt7BSOab-Uv2OvwTpolsGg79QDdWK67btZGBwjgATsnDj/s1600/sante+fe+bracelet2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBBot30NAsQUh9SIz-BfggDMsqMIX1i06Pv9dFNrLlc8d8GNJbJxQO64iN3BCUui6ek0AWPVpg7ODz-Z26HKstCRqt7BSOab-Uv2OvwTpolsGg79QDdWK67btZGBwjgATsnDj/s400/sante+fe+bracelet2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594741907325864066" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />My latest bracelet reflects my new Summertime mood and uses some beautiful African turquoise beads that have hung around for years.<br /><br />It's time to build inventory in anticipation of show applications. Kind of like planning a party, and worrying there won't be enough food, I feel the same way about stocking a booth. Best to err on the side of overdoing than not having enough work to show...<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2010 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-84155650584737105942011-03-31T09:37:00.004-04:002011-03-31T10:12:59.813-04:00I'm In!I just got word yesterday that "Jewels For Sheherazade" was accepted to the NC Museum of Art's silent auction.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBJTfoxEGr2hymeimCu8nOt_oha54ht3SAe3mDR7lMnEGkD9Jx3-udLSQAEuLm03Xg5lf1uJcaQBSIJirvU7pnYqVboThZrg3Io3hzBjvsDKQHelJDGIcuvtniWkGhN7Ft3U0/s1600/museum+piece.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBJTfoxEGr2hymeimCu8nOt_oha54ht3SAe3mDR7lMnEGkD9Jx3-udLSQAEuLm03Xg5lf1uJcaQBSIJirvU7pnYqVboThZrg3Io3hzBjvsDKQHelJDGIcuvtniWkGhN7Ft3U0/s400/museum+piece.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590246838433884482" border="0" /></a></div><br />I'll be delivering it on Sunday, so farewell my lovely...<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2010 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-29701962332498720002011-03-21T10:39:00.007-04:002011-03-21T11:18:09.194-04:00"Spring is Around The Corner""Spring is Around the Corner" is the theme of April's Etsy Beadweavers Street Team challenge. I'm currently enjoying an early Spring here in North Carolina, so I decided to participate in the challenge.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_dyzGJ9_kLmCZdAFza083zqo4lVp8CIFND2LXI3l_QWt8HTW0y-iFslvsEA45aql_BJ03TeNefyLOuZ3Aoe8p85Z8wYjc0OkNSMirUNgcTdi9RDqbft83PQAll4dE0lQrwPm/s1600/cottage+garden2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_dyzGJ9_kLmCZdAFza083zqo4lVp8CIFND2LXI3l_QWt8HTW0y-iFslvsEA45aql_BJ03TeNefyLOuZ3Aoe8p85Z8wYjc0OkNSMirUNgcTdi9RDqbft83PQAll4dE0lQrwPm/s320/cottage+garden2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586550855365792402" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />This theme would also enable me to fulfill my New Year's resolution: use up beads I already own - in this case, pale pink seed beads and carved flower beads. I'd bought the seed beads in an effort to fill out my stock of color choices, but I very rarely work in pink. As a result, these beads have been taking up space in a drawer for years.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEx09OIJBin2P3g5ztw-u4MHDan0323MqqjlEkFFa2UuPVa2pDZXBBr29ZDX-Efbnx0Z12hB1L1LMBzI1F2Hi9XR6Iox9ldLoxAZiJqKUXhCXUtAK_Js8DKNeAzAVGTM62sKwZ/s1600/cottage+garden1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEx09OIJBin2P3g5ztw-u4MHDan0323MqqjlEkFFa2UuPVa2pDZXBBr29ZDX-Efbnx0Z12hB1L1LMBzI1F2Hi9XR6Iox9ldLoxAZiJqKUXhCXUtAK_Js8DKNeAzAVGTM62sKwZ/s320/cottage+garden1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586549581414279266" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I made a right angle weave amulet bag with a profusion of flower and leaf beads. To finish it, I indulged my new love of fringe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhga6y8EzgIdwyKAGFRSzMXYGO0XgB6uyGQEctoRxoSJBVvRebJFW6AsrAEgmeSiO9HiEN3i7a2XCcgv0QNXpSw7kO8psJB_Wd0AHpNw4U845lAgg82t4q67W9KnvB5aHVkUesf/s1600/cottage+garden3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhga6y8EzgIdwyKAGFRSzMXYGO0XgB6uyGQEctoRxoSJBVvRebJFW6AsrAEgmeSiO9HiEN3i7a2XCcgv0QNXpSw7kO8psJB_Wd0AHpNw4U845lAgg82t4q67W9KnvB5aHVkUesf/s320/cottage+garden3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586549580460866530" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Wow. Apparently competition is good for me! This pretty <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70258337/cottage-garden-amulet-bag-ebwc">amulet bag</a> is listed for sale in my etsy shop.<br /><br />To read more about the challenge, please visit the <a href="http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/">team blog</a>.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />copyright 2010 <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19373286.post-88622807062619757822011-03-15T11:15:00.004-04:002011-03-15T11:46:06.599-04:00Final PreparationsWhen I wrote <a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/2011/02/let-competition-begin.html">this post</a> about my museum competition piece, I mentioned my plan to make a box for presentation. I've been mulling over different ways to do this.<br /><br />My super-crafty best friend had a number of great ideas and loaned me a book titled, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crafting-Personal-Shrines-Mementos-Treasures/dp/157990811X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300203825&sr=1-1">"Crafting Personal Shrines"</a> by Carol Owen. Surprise, surprise: Carol is an old acquaintance from my association with a local craft co-op! All sorts of people are going to have a hand in this fabulous piece of mine. In this book, Carol demonstrates the best way to treat foamcore to prevent the warping that occurs over time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRlFGNgVHjRY3QQndhElCbqTXuvgE560bcQW2d2EaQ8SfvKE6rSjaQzuL5fhekbeJeBeI7QZGULIDROvlWikcrf49Cbz12AvivjLJzs9drKbpmJdRmh8UcZNWszr9K0yJQvbd/s1600/museum+box1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRlFGNgVHjRY3QQndhElCbqTXuvgE560bcQW2d2EaQ8SfvKE6rSjaQzuL5fhekbeJeBeI7QZGULIDROvlWikcrf49Cbz12AvivjLJzs9drKbpmJdRmh8UcZNWszr9K0yJQvbd/s400/museum+box1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584329680195060418" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />My initial thought was to make a box, from scratch, using foamcore. But, the weight of the collar made me worry the box wouldn't be strong enough to hold up. I decided to start with a ready-made white cardboard mailing box from Staples, and embellished it with some gorgeous marbled rice paper from my local studio supply shop. I used a solid colored rice paper in a nice deep burgundy to line the inside of the box, as well as reinforcing the outside corners.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim6OlMwFP5o7KOkwJswIWwMhlx4uM_7uZT2S2WdqZk4r2vymVk9NPfg7reJG3VXtrsThYgp1Ks0UyvGiku3UXDP2vhvd-sWqB_bfsu9aS9kSHaYpCu8tbPqDM4pu0oMGAJISy/s1600/museum+box2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim6OlMwFP5o7KOkwJswIWwMhlx4uM_7uZT2S2WdqZk4r2vymVk9NPfg7reJG3VXtrsThYgp1Ks0UyvGiku3UXDP2vhvd-sWqB_bfsu9aS9kSHaYpCu8tbPqDM4pu0oMGAJISy/s400/museum+box2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584329682295260882" border="0" /></a></div><br />To showcase the piece inside the box, I used foamcore as a slanted surface, inserted a column of mat board where the neck area would lie, and draped the whole thing with kiwi green silk velvet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HnM3nbpwaolsym9KnDDQQcSPB3SC1etEi16a2S6jdpvZqyn-lCJzxbRvF53uFFdBU2BEoBccSZxs0ulGvFw49ADcGjNcsW7zJC0yCb60f78espdxRCj9VDQ2qqr22e2X5luu/s1600/museum+box3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 327px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HnM3nbpwaolsym9KnDDQQcSPB3SC1etEi16a2S6jdpvZqyn-lCJzxbRvF53uFFdBU2BEoBccSZxs0ulGvFw49ADcGjNcsW7zJC0yCb60f78espdxRCj9VDQ2qqr22e2X5luu/s400/museum+box3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584329685859323186" border="0" /></a></div><br />Hazzah!<br /><br />My jury photo and artist statement have been uploaded, and now it's in the hands of the powers-that-be. I'll find out around the end of the month whether I was accepted or not. Either way, I'm very proud of what I've done here.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi763TByvD8TrWLgOe0-p31WvCPpemd3A5exzzyPT4TVQQ2_6D517mRIKSb7vGYfNw_HXMMFxyBH7TTKMPvK6ZadyOfSzIzcrJUBmdPolK1tJWrc_QWse83wQqqZXdZOfNt1DHU/s1600/blog+sig.png" alt="" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br /><a href="http://shiborigirl.blogspot.com/">copyright 2010 Shibori Girl</a>Kate Tractonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691668824868675327noreply@blogger.com18