RAVEN AND SKULL

 I finally finished my Raven and Skull bag. It's one of what I call my book reports, which is to say I read a book and then after mulling it over for a bit, I design a piece of beadwork about the story. The book in this case is " A Raven Named Grip" by Marilyn Singer. The story goes that Charles Dickens had a raven ( actually several ), Grip who could speak. He made him a character in his book "Barnaby Rudge". When Dickens went to America from England, he met with Edgar Allen Poe who had read the book and he saw a portrait of Dickens children with Grip. This stuck with Poe and later he was inspired to write the poem " The Raven". So in this piece of beadwork I was trying to capture a mood, a bit victorian, a bit spooky. The challenge on the beadwork was all the black. I put the leaves behind the raven beak to keep the dark colors from running together.  Contrast is always the name of the game. Ofcourse, ravens and skulls are some of my favorite subject matters and I do love to combined them with bright red roses. 

CHICKADEE CUFF KIT

                                              

This is the first video for the chickadee cuff kit! I said in the video that I was doing an option with a blue background but I wasn't happy with it, so we will all be sticking with the tan background and fall colors. I've really been into the mellow, muted colors lately. I will post the next 7 videos as links. It should be everything you need to keep yourself moving along with this project but if you have any questions feel free to contact me at: custombeadwork@yahoo.com or on FB. Have fun with this cute little guy, they are definitely one of my favorite!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x299B2ePAYQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SudBeNeI_xI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ2BAOi414Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U2Q5jy5ykc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de07Yqsjv2U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2f9_vzr13w

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XXQp2aPIQYU

MULTIPLE PROJECTS AT ONCE, TOO MANY?

 Is there such a thing as too many projects going at once? It can feel overwhelming but also can eliminate the possibility of getting bored with what you're working on. You can just switch to a different piece of beadwork. Right now I'm finishing up the Canadian Goose, doing the whip stitch around the flap. I also have one of my book report pieces started. Then there's the chickadee kit for a cuff, which is coming along quite nicely and last but not least, the pet (kitty) portrait order. Tzipora, here is a sneak peak of how it's coming along.  I'm moving along at a pretty good clip. With the spring sun spurring me on, they will all get done in a timely manner. But then, there's the new ideas! LOL

COYOTE AMERICA

 Just finished my piece of beadwork, I've definitely decided on black leather, and I'm looking at colors for the lazy/whip stitch. This is part of my book report series, the book being "Coyote America" by Dan Flores. He talks about how even after many campaigns of trying to annihilate them, they still thrive across the continent, from Alaska to New York. I hear them frequently and on one occasion I was beading and glanced out the window to see one over at the pull-off. Looking very healthy I might add, it was a big rabbit year. In this piece of beadwork work I tried to capture the fact that they are everywhere, in urban and rural settings. The campfire was my nod to the southwests supernatural stories about them, frequently a trickster type character. I'm so happy to have them as part of our wonderful world of animals. I was also happy with the way the beadwork turned out, always a little tricky with so many colors to make it look not muddled. The direction you lay the beads can really help with that. Plus, so fun and fast working on buildings and streets, lots of straight lines so you can really fly along!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

 So, I've had this Canadian Goose on the hoop for awhile and finally decided to bead it. I knew that it might not be right for a cuff because of the long black neck, it lands right on top of the wrist. ARG! Anyhow, I  finished it up and now I have to make a decision. Should I make it into a bag flap or something else, or, go ahead and put it on the cuff, whip stitch it up and call it a done deal. Please I'm looking for opinions, What do you think?

11 VIDEOS FOR YEAR OF THE RABBIT

Here are eleven videos for the Year of the Rabbit bookmark and the bag. Start at the bottom of the post and work your way up.

 

YEAR OF THE RABBIT

 I'm starting to work on a kit idea, hopefully I can get it done in a few months. So I would love some input from the kit buyers out there. A couple of questions for you. I'll be going to Anchorage at the beginning of April to get cataract surgery and plan to combine the trip with a leather buying expedition. This Rabbit design will be a bag so if you have your druthers, would you prefer a brown leather bag or a black leather bag? Basically the choice of leather will affect the colors in the beadwork. I'm thinking greens and browns and whites if it's brown leather and if it's black, it can literally be any color scheme. I know jewel tones are popular but I was thinking of a red background, which is very unusual for me, is that too different for you guys?? Opinions please! Also the size of the bag that I can offer depends on the price I charge for the kit. Do you think I need to keep it smaller so I can stay in the $100.00ish range or can I make a larger bag and go up into the $200.00 ish range? I really would love to see what the level of interest in these is, and I feel like I would love to make a kit that you guys would really want.  So all opinions are welcome. Thank you!