Friday, February 12, 2010

Bead Journal Project for February...


My second flower in the series is "Rose". The focal point in this one is a wonderful tiny ceramic shank button created by Lisa Peters. I poked a hole in the stiff felt backing and poked the shank through, then sewed it down. Once I am satisfied it is secured, I bend the metal shank to one side to it lays flat.



Then comes the beads - the glorious beads! I started with little glass hearts, my nod to the month of valentines. There are some Swarovski bicones for sparkle, and because there never really is enough sparkle, I added lots and lots of charlottes.



Some red Ultrasuede, a pin back and it's finished! The finished brooch measures about 2 1/2 inches around. All photos are clickable for a larger view - especially that second one, you can almost climb in the beads on that one.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit.

19 comments:

Pursuing Art... said...

Just GORGEOUS...I LOVE it!

And, thank you, I always enjoy pictures that enlarge. Your photos are always fun to see. I do love to climb right in those beads too and check it all out...*guilty of that*! The second photo is luscious!

It's going to be a beautiful bouquet, Grace! ;-)

SharDon Exclusives said...

This broach is gorgeous also. I thought the other one was beautiful but this won is stunning too. Great job, great colors and good work,
Sharon

Merry said...

OMG!!!! that is just stunning. The must have taken forever and it is so neat.

Lynn said...

Amazing how much depth you can achieve with just one color. This is such a happy piece :) Great Job!

*~tabby~* crooked heart art said...

hi grace
just wonderful!!
i can't wait to see all 12 months of them :D
thanks for sharing
enjoy your day
tammy

Marty S said...

Gorgeous! It's great for February with the hearts. Thanks for the tips on how you worked with the button shank--and the suggestion to enlarge the photo.
Marty S
Crackpot Beader

Timaree said...

Really pretty Grace! This is wonderful. I am glad you said how you did the button. I'm trying to figure out how to handle a shank that is built up of the same substance as the button. Just leave the bump sticking through?

abeadlady said...

Absolutely lovely, Grace.

beadbabe49 said...

I love the combination of charlottes and swarovski crystals...looks absolutely luscious, grace!

unnur said...

Very pretty! great beading!

Anonymous said...

So, so pretty! Perfect for February.

Holly B said...

As my mother says " I love any color as long as it's red!" Beautiful work.

Wildflowerhouse said...

This is gorgeous. The colors are so lively and beautiful.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Hi Grace. Its a beautiful Valentine pin. Your bead choices were perfect compliments to Lisa's button.
CArol

Crazy Mama said...

i love this flower! the texture is so rich and the color so vibrant. i'm so excited to see all 12 together.

Elizabeth said...

Beautifully done!!! Love all of your exquiste finishing details!!!! Simply lovely!!
Elizabeth

Magpie Sue said...

I'm glad to be reminded of that trick for handling the shank of a button - I will no doubt need it before the year is over! And kudos for another beautiful beaded flower. :- )

KV said...

You are going to have a wonderful collection of pins by the end of the year!


Kathy V in NM

Robin said...

My favorite thing about your beautiful Rose is the way you put three bicone beads at the tail of each of the hearts, giving the petals such dimension. Ooooooh, I just love this one to pieces!!!

Robin A.

Leaves of Grass

This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body - Walt Whitman