This month I took a couple of classes from Janice Berkebile, a teacher from Seattle, at The Bead Gallery. The first class was called Acorn Caps and we made bead caps.
This is the bead I worked on in class.
aquamarine acorn cap pendant
And this is the pendant I worked on over the weekend.
freshwater pearl acorn cap pendant
I think I’m going to antique the pearl. I’ll be sure to take an after shot of the pendant if I do!
The second class was called Lingering Garden and we made another pendant.
lingering garden with purple pearl
I think this is my favorite of the two classes. I love the Asian influence in the piece. I plan on making matching earrings.
There is something so satisfying in bending and hammering wire to my will. I’m not really sure how to describe it, but I do enjoy feeling like a mini-blacksmith with my little hammer and my little anvil. Chris knows that which I speak of. ;-)
Don’t worry though, I haven’t completely abandoned my fiber. I just haven’t got much to show for my efforts as of late. It seems dividing my time between hobbies means I get less done each week.
Happy Tuesday everyone! Thanks for reading!
October 14th, 2008 at 11:56 am
OMG! Love!
You are so good at this stuff!
October 14th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Those really are beautiful. You seem to have a knack for wiring things.
October 14th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Lingering garden is beautiful. You do great work!
October 14th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Ah, anything going to your Etsy store :)
October 14th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Beautiful work, Opal. Yes, I do know exactly that of which you speak – amazing, isn’t it?
October 14th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Oh how cool! That’s really neat stuff, I wish I could take a class like that! I bet you’ll make all sorts of awesome stuff.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
your work is much too beautiful – i see a lot of hammering away in your future!
October 14th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Ohhh! I like lingering garden a lot – you can totally build off of that!
October 14th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Your jewelry is sooo pretty!!! For the acorn caps, did you wind the wire tightly into those little buns over and over? What does antiquing mean? I am amazed at your talent, you are making objets d’art just after taking the classes, incredible.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I’m totally impressed – beautiful work!
October 14th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Beautiful! Too bad I am not a jewelry wearing girl … the only thing I wear is my engagement ring and wedding ring. :) Not even a watch!
October 14th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Those all rock – I’m envious of your mad skills. I may just have to commission you to make me some belly dance jewelry! :)
October 15th, 2008 at 1:27 am
I’m on the edge of my seat to see what you do next. Beautiful stuff.
October 15th, 2008 at 2:21 am
Oooooh!! – I have always loved the “lingering garden” style and you executed it beautifully. That pendant with earrings to match? To die for!
While it’s true that the more things you work on, the less you produce of any given one – it’s also true that variety is the spice :) Woman cannot live by fiber alone! Well, some of us try but as you demonstrate, those essential minerals are quite necessary too! Heh…
October 15th, 2008 at 5:28 am
OMG! Everything you make is beautiful! I agree with the comment that Robbyn left, right above me. You need all of your crafts to remain balanced!
October 15th, 2008 at 7:09 am
wow, that’s amazing!
October 15th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Those are beautiful. Antiquing the pearl sounds intriguing.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:48 am
You’ve got talent, right down to your little hammer and anvil! Beautiful work, especially loving the Lingering Garden.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
You are so lucky to be able to take these classes. Awesome work. Must be fun :)
October 15th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Those pendants are so pretty! I especially love the fresh water pearl one!
October 15th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Beautiful! I love the acorn caps – it must be so much fun to do that…
October 15th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
You are amazing! No need to apologize for less fiber when you are showcasing this art. I alternate between frustration, annoyance, excitement, and exhaustion when the different crafts call for my time and attention.
October 16th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Oooh, pretty. I will not start beading and jewelry making…I will not.
October 16th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Those are so great! It just so happens that in the novel I am reading right now the “heroine” makes jewelry and the author gets really specific when it comes to her making a piece. And then I get to come here and see the beautiful results you come up with! Of course, you are not living in a mansion for six months with a dashing man that you are at odds with so you can get a $150 million inheritance… are you? :)
October 17th, 2008 at 1:20 am
Lovely! About how long does it take you to make one of the acorn caps shown?
October 17th, 2008 at 2:36 am
wow, you are amazing at that! I am in awe of the wire work, but i don’t need another hobby!
October 17th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Your jewelry work is so neat! There is a big bead shop right down the street from me and I’m tempted to go sign up for some classes!
October 17th, 2008 at 9:15 am
I love those bead caps. You are doing a great job!
October 18th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Wow, I’ve been missing some beautiful stuff lately! You have a talent for jewelry; lovely stuff, girl!
October 19th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Hi! First time here I think. Great job on the beading! Also love the yarns you’ve made in the previous posts – pretty colours!
October 19th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
That last necklace is BEE-YOU-TEE-FUL!!!
If you need a test wearer, I’m your gal! :)
October 20th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Your wire work looks terrific! I love how detailed those caps are and I really like your use of pearls.
October 21st, 2008 at 1:50 am
I love the pearl! And not just because it is purple (though I suspect that is part of it).
October 27th, 2008 at 6:20 am
*very* cool…