I seem to be doing free form odds and ends of late. Nothing planned or too extreme, just fun as they come to mind. Looking through bead magazines and just starting to bead or stitch. I tried to do a loom project, but since I don't own a loom, I tried both brick and square stitches, and had to abandon both midstream. They were not working out like the loom picture! Imagine! So, I settled on doing odd count peyote and just went where it took me. It's free form alright... but I love it! Hard to get outside that "form" or "pattern" box for me, so always worth the time to just let 'er go where she will.
This free form necklace matches the more patterned, yet still with a hint of free form, earrings from an earlier post, which were my own design. The colors are so lovely...
Another raku medallion in patinaed copper free form wire wrapped glory. Can't say enough about the beauty of the medallions. The colors are ever changing, depending on the light, and the messages on the back of each one, wonderful as well. "I am Courage" inscribed on the back and this beautiful winged heart fits it perfectly. The siri silk ribbon also provides a nice balance to the size of the medallion. It provides a bit of imperfect softness. (Reminder that I purchased the Raku medallions at my local Dragonfly store. I am uncertain of the artist, but they do lovely work!)
A fun new style for me - 16 gauge wire hammered and then wrapped at the top and along the bottom with 18 gauge, leaving a few wraps loose to hang dangles from. I also added dangles inbetween the loops to even it out. Love the look of this and with the siri silk again - a black and blue gingham pattern gives it some whimsy.
Some earrings to match of course!
I go through stages . . . I'm sure everyone does . . . when I like one stitch or method of making jewelry more than another. Right now I'm on a peyote kick, and while it sometimes seems like a slow stitch, the results are always pretty fun and wonderful. Peyote and herringbone are my two favorite stitches, but I do also really enjoy brick stitch, and crochet, and ... and ... and ... So, back to peyote - here are a couple of my latest projects. The first one is bright and in primary 11/0 delicas, started with a Fusion Beads bracelet design, and about 1/4 of the way through I quit looking at their pattern and went with my own. I decided at some point to close it with an E-clasp, but a bit too late - I had already stitched most of one of the end pieces too wide, so had to tear that all out. Live and learn... I was not even thinking of how I would finish the bracelet, so thought it would magically work out. Alas, it did not... that's when you start cursing and then just start cutting!
The second design is more muted spring colors of my own design using 11/0 delicas and 11/0 rounds. It was fun inserting the slightly larger rounds with the delicas, which made it a less even design, and certainly fit with the free-form look I was going for. I actually started the project with a bracelet in mind, but then decided I wasn't up to that long a project and that earrings would be better. And, I haven't done fringe in awhile so thought that would be fun. It was totally a free flowing project and I had no idea where it would end up. See what you think!
