Art Bead Scene April Submission Aphrodite's Robe

My Art Bead Scene Submission for April is inspired by Botticelli's The Birth of Venus as that is the ABS theme for this month. I have been inspired by the colors of Venus' robe and the feathers of the Zephyrs. I think the use of crusted pearls and pearl sticks was also inspired by the painting since it is of rising from the sea, but it was not a conscious choice. Color is always the first factor when I design a free form peyote piece. This necklace features two of my handmade ceramic star flower beads which pick up the blues and reds in the size 6 transparent rainbow root beer beads.The orange teardrop carnelian beads are from Artbeads.com. The button clasp is a Victorian metal button that fits in well with the other colors.

Beads 2009

YEAH!! I'm in. Below are the photos of my pendants picked by Beads 2009--described by the editors as "the coolest beads and findings available on the market today."

I am so pleased. You can see these pieces on my website here. They are on a special 30% off sale to celebrate.

Many other ceramic beads and pendants were also picked. You can see the entire list and links of all of the Beads of Clay members who were chosen on that blog later this week.

Torched

I have been so busy with prepping, teaching and firing for my Making Fused Glass Jewelry Class that I haven't been blogging much. And then I had a free day and I tried out my Mapp gas torch on some 20 gauge copper wire and 24 gauge copper sheet. What fun. I had drawn a bead on fine silver but never on copper. I could have gone on for hours. And what an indescribable red the bead is. Like a ruby in the rough.

The pendant below is made by a student in my glass class. Great combo with the copper. What a vibrant pendant. She had never made anything in fused glass before.

Beautiful pendants and links for a bracelet by Mary K, a student in my class.

Beautifl color in these stunning pendants and brooch made by June.Marita made these intricate and wildly colorful pendants and earrings.These delicate tiny links for a bracelet were made by Laura.

How lucky I was to spend such an exciting afternoon with such a talented group.