Sorceress of the Ice

Thanks to a new challenge from Artbeads.com, I've dug deep into my creative soul to discover what I think "Winter Enchantment" is all about.

A lifelong Mainer, winter isn't exactly a new concept to me. I've had 38 years of bitter cold, snow and ice. Yet throw in the word "Enchantment" and my view on the frosty season takes on a whole new meaning.

I had the honor of waking up one morning not too long ago to find that the morning sun had won its daily battle with the winter clouds, resulting in a spectacular show-and-tell of azure sky, glass-like trees covered in melting ice and Mr. Sun himself high in the sky radiating over the whole scene in pride. My drive to work was more like a tour through some obscenely high-end art gallery. Everywhere I looked, I saw nothing but sheer beauty. The landscape was glorious. Breathtaking. Just look for yourself!

When I saw the next sight (below), everything fell into place. What I envisioned was the forest home of a long ago and far away Sorceress of the Ice, straight out of your favorite fantasy story. I could just imagine her long, flowing, silvery-white hair and icy blue eyes. The idea of "Winter Enchantment" hit me square in the nose. I finally got it!

Then it all came together. Those beautiful icy stiletto branches coupled with the soft arcs of trees bent nearly to their limit by the sheer weight of it all...I decided to make my Sorceress of the Ice a magnificent necklace that only one so "Enchanted" could pull off!

The colors were a no-brainer: Crystal whites and the lightest of blues with just a hint of somber wintery gray.

My flavor-of-the-month beading technique is Kumihimo. I am in love with Japanese braiding! The process is very rhythmical and soothing and the finished product is always one I'm happy with. This Artbeads.com challenge was no exception.

The clasp sits in the front of the pendant and is camouflaged by the little spikes of beads and crystals, including Size 6 TOHO seed beads in Lined Crystal Colonial Gray.

The piece de resistance is, of course, the stunning Swarovski Avant-Garde crystal pendant measuring a whopping 40 mm! This component is a true beauty and I couldn't wait to work with it.

In addition to light blue silk cord, the body of this piece is made of Size 6 TOHO seed beads in Transparent Crystal AB.

Thanks, Artbeads.com, for getting me out of my traditional Maine winter blues by challenging me to think outside the snow-covered box!

Disclaimer: All TOHO seed beads and Swarovski crystal pendant used in this project were kindly provided free of charge by Artbeads.com as part of their Design Partners blogging program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from Artbeads.com and any posts about their products represent the author's personal opinion only.

Introducing...MRS. ReeBeader!

Hello All!

It's been a while and I'm itching to get back into beading and blogging! On December 11, 2010, I married the best guy in the world and wanted to share a photo with everyone. I'm working on my next Artbeads.com project right now, so there will be more to come very soon. Keep warm!

Sailor's Delight

Ever heard that old saying, "Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky in morning, sailors take warning"? My dad (who served in the Navy in WWII) told me this when I was a young girl and it just sort of stuck.

While trying to think about summer themes for my next beading project, I kept imagining a hot summer night with hues of red, orange, and yellow flooding the sky. Dad's old adage popped (product back into my head and this little baby was off and running!

These fiery tones (particularly the beautiful Red Magma Starfish pendant and the Red Chinese Rhodochrosite round beads) are a departure from the cool blues and purples or beigy neutrals I usually use, making this piece quite fun and interesting to create.

Disclosure: The 28-mm Starfish Crystal Red Magma pendant (Product code 6721-RMM28), Orange/Yellow Roundelle Mix strand (Product code CR-RL116), 4-mm Yellow Druks (Product code DRUKS-YELAB4), 8-mm Light Topaz Stars (Product code 5714-LT08), 6-mm and 8-mm Faceted Round Fire Opals (Product codes 5000-FIRE6/FIRE8, respectively), and 10-mm Red Chinese Rhodochrosite Round Beads (Product code LTD-2794) were kindly provided free of charge by Artbeads.com as part of their Design Partners Blogging Program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from Artbeads.com and any posts about their products represent the author's personal opinion only.

Happy Easter!

I painted this in honor of Easter.

Happy Beading!

Beauty Just Outside the Window

Still recovering from this illness, I may not be beading but I'm not completely nonproductive! I saw this handsome fellow yesterday while looking outside my kitchen window and had to snap a shot of him. Maybe this will be inspiration for my next project?

I also submitted a design idea to Crafts 'n Things today. Fingers crossed I'll hear from someone soon!!!

Happy Beading!

Still Waiting on that Query Letter

I sent out the query letter to Kalmbach Publishing Co. on February 12 regarding my book proposal, yet still I've heard nothing. I know these things take time, but their guidelines specifically state that they usually respond in a few weeks...my baited breath is wearing out!

Itching to Bead!

Whoa is me! Still fighting this flu thing/sinus infection and feeling pretty sorry for myself as I haven't beaded in a week! I hope to have several pics for you soon because I've really got some making up to do!