New Items Listed

Seems forever since I have posted to my blog. I haven't had a spark of creativity for the last six months. I guess, since I left the Artists' Undertaking Gallery last summer, I had less reason to bead as much as I used to. I'm still at the Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery (recently renamed) and we can jury in items each month only up to three times if they don't sell. I took my overstock to a new art/craft shop in Hyattsville, MD last October and sold a couple pieces, but they had to close down in May. So guess what, MORE jewelry just sitting around the house. Now I can wear it all the time, though ! Anyway, haven't felt like making MORE new stuff, just 'cause I can't think of what to do with what I already have. So, little by little, it's going in my Etsy shop, like this bracelet I made last fall: Bracelet Got the Blues and these earrings I made around the same time:Red and White Ball Earrings

New Local Bead Shop

Bead shop, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

There's a new bead shop within 5 miles of my house ! It's unbelievable ! The shop just opened up at the end of June and is already doing brisk business. I have acquainted myself with the owner and she invited me to teach classes there. I will be teaching three classes in the coming weeks, including my gem ring, spiral rope bracelet and earring set, and three Czech bead earring designs. I sure hope Off the Beading Path is here to stay !

Occoquan Memories

Occoquan, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

Today was my last day in the gallery, where I've been a member for the last four years. I've made some dear friends in Artists' Undertaking and in Occoquan, and fortunately, it's not a real goodbye. I will now be teaching some beadweaving classes at the new bead store in town, Off the Beading Path and I'll be coming in to see what's new in town, shop for gifts at the gallery and say hi to old friends. It's a great little place to get to know. Enjoy the photos !

Viking Knit Necklace

Viking Knit Necklace, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

I'm a featured artist this month at the Artists' Undertaking Gallery in Occoquan, Virginia. Along with the other artist, painter, Barbara Henris, we entitled our show "New Directions" to highlight the recent changes to our styles of work. I have hit a low point in sales at the gallery and decided to add my newest technique learned; viking knit . There is a silver jeweler across the hall from our gallery, and I wanted to try and interest some of the customers who are more attracted to silver and metals. We shall see how that goes ! In any case, I am having fun with viking knit and experimenting with a variety of shapes beyond the basic, yet beautiful rope shape. More to come ;-)

Leaves are Falling

Here is a preview of a bracelet I'm working on for my next Featured Artist show at Artists' Undertaking Gallery in November. Jane Ernst and I have titled the show "A Change of Seasons" so I wanted to showcase my leaf pattern and build a whole bracelet around it. I haven't decided whether to bring the leaves all the way around the bracelet. I would like to, but I'm only able to do a couple of leaves per day.

November Featured Artist

In November, my newest beadwoven jewelry pieces will be exhibited along with digitally manipulated photographs by fellow artist, Jane Ernst in a show entitled "A Change of Season" at the Artists' Undertaking Gallery in Occoquan, Virginia.