Jill Wiseman's Beautiful Beaded Ropes

I recently had the pleasure of reading (and drooling over) Jill Wiseman's (of Tapestry Beads) new book, Beautiful Beaded Ropes, a book released by Lark Books. It's a stunning book full of many projects. What I like about this book is that it has something for everyone, from simple peyote ropes, like the Dancing Waves Necklace on pg. 47 to the much more intricate and advanced Abundance Necklace (the cover photo). This book will take you through them all.

Being a lampworker and a seedbeader myself, I also enjoyed seeing how she combined the 2 in her Falling For You Necklace on pg. 27. Definitely on my to do list. But I went ga ga over her Flirtation Bracelet on pg. 30. LOVE the dangling fringe on it! Such a great look!

Can I gush a little??

I submitted a photo of my work to The Flow, a prestigious glass magazine, for inclusion into their Winter 2012 Women in Glass issue. I've known for some time now that I was accepted, but was not allowed to mention it until the issue came out. Well, several people received theirs weeks ago, but having waited this long I decided that I would wait for my own copy so I could see it with my own eyes. It came today!! Here it is on page 6! It's the center bead on the bottom left, #7. I feel blessed to be included in an issue with such huge talents, so many of whom are my personal friends! Girl power!! :-)

Memories and Thanks Blog Hop

Lori Anderson presented the idea of this blog hop as a way to honor the memory or to thank someone who means a lot to us. As she simply states, "You never know what you might mean to someone". The idea of this blog came about after the passing of another beader, Marianna Adams, who sadly I did not know, but who's daughter, Lena Adams, I recently 'met'. What a special young lady she is. Her mother would be so proud!

Rather than touch on the memory aspect I chose to focus on the thanks. There have been so many wonderful, talented beaders I've come to know over the years, many of whom I've come to call friends. One such person is Marlene Cupo of Amazing Designs by Marlene. I 'met' Marlene through a Cup of Bead Soup that I was invited to participate in. Marlene was 1 of 4 participants besides Lori Anderson and we quickly forged a friendship. We even had plans to meet in NYC when she came up north for a visit to her daughter and grandchildren. But then Hurricane Sandy hit and the meeting never took place. In my heart of hearts, I know that we will 1 day meet.

Even before this blog I had intended to make her something special as a surprise. When I ran a fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy victims recently, Marlene bid on a pair of hand knit socks that she knew I was dying for. She outbid me, but before long, those socks showed up in my mail, bid on and purchased for me by my dear friend. She said that she wanted to do something to support the relief effort and do something nice for a friend. That's just the kind of person she is.

So, when this blog hop idea came up, she immediately came to mind. I was already planning on making her something special and this provided me with the idea. Marianna's favorite color was red. I have been making lampwork glass ribbon hearts in all sorts of colors, red being one of the most popular. I attached it to a beaded spiral rope in white with red crystal accents, with one of my white swirled lampwork beads one 1 side and a vintage red elongated bicone on the other, finished off with a matching sterling heart clasp. I hope she likes it and makes her smile as I did while making it for her.

I hope you'll  join me in checking out the other amazingly talented artists to see what they've come up with and their inspirations. I had issues with posting the complete list here so please go to Lori Anderson's blog, Pretty Things, for the complete list.

Pretty Things