Day of the Dead Cuff

I didn't have a plan when I bought this raku skull bead but I simply had to have it. The beadwork is mounted on a two-inch brass cuff, backed with fuchsia ultrasuede. You can't tell in this photo, but she's got a flower sequin in each 'ear.' Can't explain it, but I've apparently developed a thing for skulls. I plan on keeping this one. ~Penny

Ahoy, ye scurvy dogs!

I finally be done with this bit o' pirate booty. Figgerin' out what clasp t' use had me hornswoggled fer nigh on four moons, but I reckon this'n does the trick. 'Tis comely, eh? ~Penny

Another UFO Done

Finally finished this Marcia DeCoster Terracita bracelet. This UFO has been lurking in the bead box for a long time. Love the colors. There's earrings to match but I forgot to put them in the picture. The orange string of beads on the back is a safety chain for the magnetic closure. The safety chain is naturally twisting to the back of the medallions when it's on your wrist so it's not noticeable.

--- Sandy

UFO Finished

Finished a UFO Friday. Only 9,999 more to go.

--- Sandy

Disaster Strikes

I've been beading along on this rivoli bracelet and feeling smug because things are going more smoothly than the last project. I'm getting another of the dreaded UFOs finished. I even found a couple more rivolis so I don't have to make a shopping trip.

Then I turn it over. Well, crap! A thread has broken and it's dribbling charlottes. Naturally, it's the rivoli right in the middle. A bit of gnashing of teeth and it's off to do repairs before I bezel the last two rivolis.

--- Sandy

Cab in Progress

This one's giving me fits. The cab is a gorgeous piece of chrysocolla and malachite and I'm having a heck of a time with colors. The colors are more saturated than they appear in the photo. Robin's egg and deep turquoise blue, along with three shades of green.

Although I prefer working on a white background, the finished piece looks better on a color. I might set it aside and start another piece tomorrow. ~Penny

Measure Twice, Cut Once

On Thursday I thought I'd made this bracelet the right length. Then I smoothed it out and all the ripples stretched out. Now it's way too long. Hmmm, guess that happened because the drops don't hold the ripples as tightly as the 8's are supposed to. Rats! (Actually, I think my language was a little more colorful than that.)

I haven't been able to bring myself to cut off the end to shorten it. I think I'm going to try running a thread lengthwise up and down the bracelet and use that to get the tension back in the ripples to shorten it. If I run through it twice, it should hold. I'll try that this weekend before taking the drastic step of using the scissors.

---Sandy