Ophelia -Week 18

I taught the Beaded Lace Earrings class the other night. My awesome students were all surprised at how quickly they go together. 

I used vintage 3-cut seed beads for the main bead. They are all different sizes, so you've gotta be really careful in culling your beads. There are also lots of Swarovski crystals, plus twisted bugles and large daggers. I used teal Niobium earwires.

Zarka - Week 17

Backstory: I lived in Morocco for almost 2 years as a very young Navy wife. The women there supported themselves and their families by working as maids for the "rich" Americans. They were called Fatimas, in honor of Fatima, who was Mohammed's handmaiden. Zarka cooked and cleaned and took care of my toddlers for 10 Dirham a day, which was about $2.50 at the time. She taught me a LOT about life. She called these hands "Fatima Hands". 

I am truly grateful for that experience. I wish everyone could spend a year or so in another country. Maybe we'd get along a little better if we understood each other more.

These earrings have Swarovski crystals, vintage CZ drops, and Gold Filled beads, wire and earwires. I glued tiny Swar. flatbacks into the stars on the Fatima Hands.

Stella, Week 16

This pair is was inspired by the Pamela Beaded Lace earrings. I wanted to make a Star-topped pair. The fringes won't hang straight.  :(  I may get brave enough to break off a bead or two to see if that helps. It may just be that the seed beads are crooked. There are 40 2mm Gold Filled beads in this pair. I almost feel guilty for using them up!

Rosie - Week 15

So, I find it interesting (if only to myself) that I don't have a problem with making the earrings, or taking their photographs, but I'm not keeping up with the posting. I'm 4 earrings behind!  

Anyway, here's the pair I made for Memorial Day. I named them Rosie, in honor of you-know-who. They're made with pearl and Blue Goldstone stars, Siam Swarovski crystals, 2mm GF beads, and 11º CZ seed beads. I used C-lon, so they're swingy!

Thank you, Veterans.