My latest projects

I've been preparing this week (and the last few weeks actually) for the craft portion of the Mom's/Women's Bible Study during VBS next week. While sorting beads, finding pictures of examples and inspiration as well as sorting through my beads and latest creations, I was inspired. Here are three of my latest pieces: (I usually make them in sets of : necklace, bracelet and earrings so I can coordinate or mix and match according to my outfits.)

(L to R): Turquoise and tiger eye semi-precious stone beads with a hand painted ceramic center bead and silver spacer beads. The necklace in the center is make of grey semi-precious stone round beads with black glass beads and silver spacers with a focal bead made of black jasper and painted jasper (Pretty amazing how the painted jasper is a type of semi-precious stone and naturally designed). And the far right is all jasper and silver, the rectangle jasper is African jasper from a little bead shop in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Why beading? Well I needed something I could pour money into, ahem, I mean a hobby. And beading is something that I can do just about anywhere in the world. It's a great creative outlet, something I can do with my hands. It's something that I can do with others, a very relational and instant gratification kind of project. And just about every woman I know likes jewelry, including me! And I figure why spend money on something I can make for less or make with nicer materials. It's fun, and I have different beads from a few countries now that are part of my memories and now jewelry.