Finished...on to the next...

Hair ornament is completed - #3.  I'm going to move on.  I created them after a number of people asked me to offer them.  Any further ones will be the smaller size, like the red one.  I am pretty happy with this black one, which is larger, but I can't imagine it will sell if I charge for all the time I put into it!  No matter, in art no time is wasted!

Next up, I'm going to finish my latest art book and start another one...after a walk in gray Juneau...

Another Hair Ornament in Progress

As most beaded pieces do, this has had a mind of its own and it got more detailed than I expected, so here you see - it is not completed yet. A few weeks (months?) ago someone asked me about my "process" and I guess I should address that, but the real truth is I start out with an element I like and then it is intuitive from there. I started out with the vintage jet button that is at the center of this (future) hair ornament. I couldn't find fabric that I liked for a background so I collaged a number of black and metallic fabrics together for a background that I thought would set it off. Then what? It really is not planned.

I started beading the border around the button, which was built up out of a couple of extra layers of felt. The felt actually was there so I could bury the shank of the button. Once I started beading the thicker felt border, I found myself wanting more texture and so you can see a variety of beading textures circling the focus. that I find myself liking it more the further I get in the process. (I have yet to create any of these and not feel like it is a disaster at some point along the way.)

I love feedback! More specifically, ask me something! I visit blogs that are newsy, with contests and tutorials and delightful side trips into the studios and lives of the artists who write them. I'm still calling myself a beginner in blog-land. Let's see what happens in the evolution of this piece. I'm as curious as you are about how it is going to turn out.

Today's Trio

These three pieces are all a break from my round trademark format. The hair ornament I showed you in progress the other day is complete, and next to it in blue tones is a second one. I had a lot of fun with them both. The blue one has collage elements and a grouping of three vintage rhinestone buttons. The two outside buttons are aurora borealis which really comes alive when you see it in person. I added various collage elements with vintage papers, fabric and threads. The bottom piece is a pin and again here I am with the vintage button accent.

The fourth one I worked on today will have to wait, it's another hair ornament that is very different from these, and quite different from any of the others I have done this season. Yes it does have a vintage button. Check it tomorrow!

Barrette #1 (in progress)

I've been asked to make barrettes and finally, here is one almost completed. I'm going to add another layer of black beads around the edges. This design started with a vintage metal button and beads in a variety of sizes, including micro beads in the background and vintage rhinestone elements.

I've looked at beaded barrettes over the years and felt some sticker shock - I have to say now I truly understand! This is a much more time-intensive item than my usual round brooch format. I do love having a different format to plot and plan with, so stay tuned, I'd like to make more hair ormanents!