Earrings and Triangles

I finished the triangle in the center of pic last night.  I made 5 pairs of earrings for the sale next week!

I've been busy tonight... maybe I should let wind blow up my skirt more often:)  These angel earrings were great sellers last time so I'm making a few more pair.  I also made a couple of gift box earrings.  Used all Swarovski crystals... some sterling silver for the angels and some gold plate for the gift boxes.  Very cute!  If I can keep this up I'll be good to go for the sale on Dec. 9th.

Whatever will she make with THESE?

This reminds of geometry class AND the spirograph toy.

I've been really busy making triangles this week.  They do create a cool pattern when they are circled up but I have better plans for these little ones.  Stay tuned for more!
In the mean time, we have a couple of grandkids spending the night.  Gotta get ready to take them to their fav: Spaghetti Factory.  Don't be quick to judge... it's a kid-friendly place, they serve wine and dessert's included.  White Clam and Mizithra, here I come!

What to do in an All Day Workshop

Yep, ya bead!

I was stuck indoors (it got up to 70 in Portland today!)   The workshop was very good... excellent speaker, nice videos, meaningful connections with colleagues... great!  I've taken beading projects to meetings before but always felt like I took up too much table space.  I have traveling a bead box but it's kind of big, 12"by12".  I was at the Container Store last week and saw these mini jewelry trays.  This one is 7.5" by 8.5"... which is about 7" by 8" of beading space.  We sat four to a table and the tables were SMALL.  I had my beading in front of me, sat in the front row, paid attention to the speaker, participated fully and didn't spill a single bead.  That's cool!  There were lots of knitters in the room and I didn't feel left out because my artsy, craftsy passion was cumbersome or took up too much space.  Not only did I learn what I needed to learn professionally, I also brought this home:

Another TRIANGLE!

Yep, another triangle.  I made this one without the pattern, too.  I thought I put the pattern in my brief case, but when I went to grab it, nada.  I was pretty sure I could get one side finished without the pattern (from Kate and Dusty) but wasn't confident in the turn for the 3d look.  Surprise...I did it!  Isn't memory great?  Both sides, pattern in my head.  Not having pattern images in front of me and relying on muscle memory gave me some new insights into how this goes together.  Yes, I had to take out the turn a few times... but hey, that's what learning is about.  Very cool!

My New Best Friend

I just received the "Tri-Wing Kit" from (my new best friend) Kate.  She creates the coolest 3D triangle rings and bracelets and she is putting final touches on a book: Geometrics.  I discovered her blog and became intrigued with her work and her passion for the beads.  I'm so into triangles and spirals right now, too!  Last Friday, Kate sent out an email with instructions for the rings.  I was so excited that I made this ring in a few hours on Friday night (see orange ring below next to dinosaur).  As I stitched, the click of the beads, the shape of the work was so zen-peaceful.
Today I got the whole kit which included very cool beads that Kate personally selected.  Kate wrapped everything in newspaper and she sent along a dinosaur cut out that looks at home (not!) in the mountain scenery.  I'm so bummed that I have a work meeting tonight so likely won't get much beading time in.  But I have some really cool tri time coming soon!
Thanks, Kate... can't wait to get started.

Tri-Wing Kit: beads, dvd, instructions, dinosaur, smarties and the ring