New - Flower Earrings

I made these a couple of weeks ago with two of what I call watercolor beads and bead weaving in herringbone and peyote stitches.

I received so many complements--and inquiries about purchases--that I made three pairs for the  shop. 

With sterling silver and Swarovski crystal they are made to last and they are priced to sell. You can see them at Original Elements in Gallery Square in Tequesta, FL or e-mail me for details kelley at kabeads dot com.

Florida Shop

The move to Florida is going well! Here's my display in Original Elements in Tequesta, FL. It's a fun shop with a lot of really wonderful artists. For my friends in Florida: it's definitely worth checking out!

Picked up this cabinet second hand and had it painted. I love the seashell-like carvings on the doors. The drawers are crying out for some custom made glass knobs, so I ordered the hardware. I have some great knob ideas brewing!

I'm addicted to making the new square beachy beadsin the bottom shell. What's your favorite piece?

My Quest for the Perfect Vine Cane

Most of the canes (thin rods) of glass I use for beads are pulled from a thick mass of carefully layered colors. It's a time consuming process that works beautifully for flower petals and buds, but seems to be wasted on stems and vines.

So I decided to try putting frit (crushed glass) on a blob of glass and pulling that out. Easy, no? No. That doesn't cut it when you are in search of the perfect mottled vine cane.

First I tried all the frit mixes I had on handt too blue, too light, too many colors. Then I ordered all the greens Val Cox Frit has too offer.

What I got was what I ordered, plus five more little baggies of green frit and a note from Sabrina: "Welcome to the world of frit blending...."

OMG! I love her! As a scientifically-minded person, I got out rods of glass and paper and pen. And I'm now a loyal customer for life. Yep. Love her.

I haven't gotten to the "perfect" blend yet, but I'm definitely on my way. Go check out ValCoxFrit.com - the eye candy alone is worth it.

Keep on Beading!

Canandegua Class

Here are the ladies from Tuesday's class hard at work. They learned Peyote stitch and had fun. Yay!
And where else could you get Delica beads and sterling clasps for free? Come on, ask your Rochester area library to invite me to teach there!

Turtle Time

Remember Snowflake the turtle? Well, here's his buddy, emerging from his shell.
I know, I know, his shell is a bit too big. I think I'll call him Tiny. Tiny the turtle.
Cute, no?

Or does he have a mug only a mother could love? Don't be too hard on him--he's just the first one to hatch. He'll have more friends soon!

Bad weather, bad.

Sometimes I want to scold the weather like an errant puppy. Both sometimes behave in ways I just don't understand.
And after 10 days in sunny Florida I've had it with Rochester, NY weather. Can you see the sky? Me neither.

I don't even want to turn on the torch. :(

Snowflake the Turtle

Still on vacation in sunny Florida! We visited the turtle park for information and inspiration,

Meet Snowflake, who was found stranded in Cape Cod recently. His (her?) white blood cell count is up after good food and antibiotics. After some more recovery she'll be released around here.

Can't wait to get to the torch and make some turtle beads in honor of this loggerhead.