Upcycled Box Project

I found this box and thought it would be fun to bead. Then I found this bird on a branch cabinet pull on sale and decided to screw it into the top of the box. After spending some time in Japantown San Francisco I was inspired by all of the cherry blossom art. I love working in layers and decided to decoupage my design onto the box then I started to bead on top of that. Now the flowers and leaves are almost done and most of the accent charms are in place. I just have to pick a background color!

Love Bird Decorative Keepsake in Blue & Pink

I haven't made a single love bird in a long while. I've been focusing on bird couples, so I thought it was time to make a cheery, chubby single love bird.
This one-of-a-kind hand beaded love bird makes the perfect gift for any bird or nature lover. A lovely blue bird keepsake that will add sparkle to any room, this decorative piece is completely covered in size 11 glass seed beads individually hand glued in place by the artist. Handmade silver pieces adorn the bluebird on the breast (with a heart) and on the bottom (with my signature "M" ornament). This lovely unique work will bring a bright and cheery element to any decor.

The Love Bird Measures:

3 1/4 inches or 8 cm Long
2 inches or 4 1/2 cm Wide
1 1/2 inches or 4 cm Tall

New Beaded Bird Ornaments

My ornaments sold during the holidays and I had so much fun making them I decided to make three more just for fun! Besides who says ornaments are just for Christmas anyway. These little guys would be fun to hang in the house all year 'round!

Orange Blossom Beaded Bowl

I finally finished this one! It was inspired by my orange tree in the backyard, the best oranges I have ever had. The bowl was sculpted out of air dry paperclay. I painted the design in acrylic paint, then glued each bead in place one at a time with tweezers. I decided to make a little bee charm for an accent, I made this little guy out of precious metal clay. I kept the outside of the bowl simple in a vibrant orange and finished it with another blossom on the bottom.

Chocolate Valentine Bead and Wire Artist Team Challenge UPDATe

I finally finished the piece for the BAWA Team challenge! This was our first team challenge and I had so much fun making this piece. I covered a cardboard heart box with a polyester faux silk fabric, and finished it with velvet ribbon. I wanted it to have the look and feel of a jewelry box but also give the impression of a box of chocolates. Each "chocolate" was sculpted from air-dry clay, painted, then covered in glass seed beads. I accented each piece with a "candy" bead, resin flower or leaf, or glass cabochon. I am giving the customer the option to give this gift of faux chocolates by themselves or with a velvet roll or ribbon for an engagement ring, or another piece of jewelry for Valentine's Day.

Bead And Wire Artists Team Challenge: Chocolate!

This is the first team challenge for the BAWA Team. Make something that represents chocolate for Valentine's Day. The nature of what I do allows me to be very literal for this project. I am making a heart shaped box of chocolates. Each chocolate has been sculpted out of air dry clay and painted. I added a little "candy" accent to the top of each "chocolate". I will cover each one completely with seed beads in shades of dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate. The heart box will be covered in fabric and lined in velvet ribbon (I think). I haven't worked out the box design yet, just focusing on the "chocolates" for now! So far I am happy with the way they look, and since my husband wanted to eat one last night, I think I am on the right track!

Valentine's Day

I'm getting a late start on making things for Valentine's Day I admit, but my love birds are not just for one day a year. I am making a Love Birds Couple they will be together in a natural nest. I just finished the girl and now I am off to start the boy! These are the first of my birds to have a real silver heart on their chests. The hearts are made by me using silver clay.

*Update: Finished the boy bird, and the rest of the piece too! Happy Valentine's Day!