Jasiah's Beaded Bag

I have finally finished Jasiah"s beaded bag. I think it turned out ok. I'm sure he will like it, and maybe he will try to make one himself. He does well with his beadwork, when he gets around to doing it. I wonder if he will think this an odd gift for his 18th birthday? Well I made them for the other two oldest Grandsons and they seemed to like them, so I think we'll be ok. The symbols on the bag are the Medicine wheel to keep him safe and the Eagle for strength.

Reflections in the Ravens Eye (SOLD)

Ok, so the title is bigger than the necklace, but who cares. One more project done for the show in August. I hadn't planned this one, but I had the crystals laying on my bead table and every time I looked at them they called out to me, so now a necklace they have become. The ravens were so funny to watch today, the wind is really blowing off of the water today and the Ravens were out there riding the wind and then they would tuck their wings and dive down almost to the ground, then ride the wind back up. They must have played around out there for half an hour. I love to watch them, they are a constant source of amusement. Tricky and smart. Anyway back to the necklace. The round glass centerpiece is a button and the bottom diamond shape is a vintage bead. I love vintage beads, they just fit in with my beadwork all the time. I must find more......I still have three projects left to do. One is almost finished, well the beadwork piece is ready to be put on to a pouch, which I have yet to make, and the other two pieces have not even been started.....well, hopefully they won't take too long.

Dance Fan and Buckle for Mina

So I have finished the dance fan and buckle for my friends Granddaughter. Whew, another "to-do" finished on time. Mina will wear the buckle and use the dance fan at the potlatches that her family attend.The Eagle and the Beluga Whale are their totems. Mina used to stand on a small suitcase when she was little, and that was her stage, and she would sing or tell long stories. What a ham she is. Beautiful little ham I must say.

Halibut Cove

Friday night we took a ride over to Halibut Cove for the Spring opening of their Gallery, "The Experience Gallery". They feature the art work of the Halibut Cove residents only. Beautiful little Gallery, great Artwork. We also toured the late Diane Tillion's Gallery. Got to see some of her work that I had not seen before. She was such a nice person, and very talented. Most of her work was in Octopus Ink. She was also a very talented sculptor. We had great weather,cooler on the water going and coming, but I so enjoy being on the water. Jack went with us this year and really enjoyed it. Met up with our friends Tammy and Carl, they are building an Inn over there. They are just the greatest couple, just love them. Their daughter Chelsey is starting her own business of herbal lotions, creams and I'm not sure what else. Tammy raves about them (as any mother would), but it will be nice to see how she does. We went over on the Danny J, which is our favorite boat, I have always loved going over to the Cove and have always wanted to live there. They usually only have about 20 residents in the winter, you can get iced in. I took the long distance photo of the Inn that Tammy and Carl are building, for my friend Dolores in Petaluma, California. Dolores and I went over and visited Tammy when they were just in the designing phase of the Inn. They had built two small cabins that they rented out as B&B rooms. Beautiful little cabins, all hand done as well as the furniture. Dolores loved meeting Tammy, and seeing the Cove. My dear friend is now batteling cancer, which with the help of God she will win that battle. We had such great times when our kids were little, camping, swimming at the lake, exploring caves. Wonderful memories, and hope to make more.

Another piece finished.

So today was a mix as far as the weather goes. Sun, clouds, wind..in other words..Spring in Alaska. Just hoping for a nice summer this year. We didn't get one at all last year. So Cousin Dolores is doing well and is back home. Our Daughter is recovering from her surgery very well, and we are well away from the horrible storms they are having down south. Keep those folks in your prayers, they need it.
I have been steadily working on the pieces for the show in August. Still have a ways to go, but since there are four of us, the burden is not as great as it would be if you were doing a solo show. I have completed a "vintage look" beaded bag that I started several years ago and then just put it aside because I wasn't sure how I wanted to finish it. Well, its finally done, and I am going to add it to my "show" pieces. I am still working on a beaded leather handbag, and one last sculptural piece, then I think I'm done. The "vintage look" bag is only beaded on the front. I sewed the beaded piece to velvet and added a cord strap, and beaded edging. I used a vintage button for the closure.

May Journal Square

I have May all done. Turquoise..SURPRISE!!! Ok, so I like Turquoise, can't help myself. Anyway, the square is all done, and I am thinking I may make small boxes out of my squares when they are all done..don't know for sure, but that's what I'm thinking now.
We lost our precious Aunt Lou yesterday, two years to the day that we lost our Nephew Ryan. I'm beginning not to like the month of May. My dear dear Cousin Dolores is battling for her life right now. What a sweetheart she is, I wish I was close enough to go see her. Her husband Jim is keeping me up to date with what is going on. They are such a great couple. We are keeping them in our prayers.

Catching up....almost

Finally, I am able to get in to Blogger. Tried all day yesterday and finally made it in today. I have been extremely busy trying to finish pieces for the show in August, so that while we are down on the Oregon Coast in July, I won't have to be fretting about being behind. Ok, so I probably will fret anyway. I have finished the second " Collar". I am pretty happy with it. Once again I used one of Laura Mears' beautiful porcelain pieces as the focal point. This collar will be titled "Raven's Muse".The collar represents raven feathers and there are also two raven"feathers on each side of the porcelain piece. I have also ALMOST finished the Raven Dancer. Just have to finish the hands and Drum that he will be holding. It took 6 HANKS of seed beads, and 2000-plus, "daggers" for the feathers on the body. I completely beaded the body first, then went back and added the "feathers". I foolishly thought it would only take about 4-500 daggers. So much for thinking. Then of course, I broke the mask that I made out of Fimo clay when I went to put it on, I pushed to hard and it snapped in three pieces. So, a second mask was made. I am having a heck of a time with my hands at the moment, too much beading....how can that be. I still have to finish my Grandsons eagle bag for his birthday, which we will be celebrating on the Coast. Can't wait. I have also been working on a feather fan for a little girl here to use when she dances at the potlatches. Never a shortage of projects it seems.
The weather here is absolutely beautiful, too nice to be in the house. I took our "Step-dog" Joey for a walk on the beach last night and I think thats where we will be heading again soon, while the tide is out. Ok so much for now, I will post pictures of the finished and almost finished projects. Both of these pieces sold.