Dia de los Muertos Necklaces

I adore Dia de los Muertos. It happens to be one of my most favorite holidays. Every year I try to come up with a new hand crafted project. This year I found these amazing resin skulls at Mexican Sugar Skull. They are really affordable at only $8 a set.

I sent them to my father who drilled holes in them for me. Power tools and I do not get along well.

I hit them with a coat of white paint.

Then each piece was painted to match the personality of the person who was to receive it. I added a few beads and a chain and voila , the Dia de los Muertos necklace was born.

Buddha Pin

Buddha Pin

Button by Dina Fernadez, sead beads and glass

Another piece finished. It is amazing how much work can be done when you only sleep a few hours a night.

Finally Some New Work

Several weeks ago my computer took on a super bug . It died a horrible death, but my wonderful brother-in-law came to the rescue and was able to bring it back from the beyond. Now that I am up and running once again I can finally post some new work.

This necklace was created around this Raku skull bead. The skull bead came from a very special friend and I have been waiting to find the perfect way to show it off. Blue crushed velvet, ribbon and mixed glass beads.

Clay face on black velvet, pearls and mixed beads.

Clay button, by Dina Fernandez, flower buttons and mixed beads

It feels great getting back to my beadwork once again.

Old Earrings Made New

You might be surprised to find out that I am still creating... I have been so busy with work lately that I have little time for anything else. This weekend I did make the time to convert a pair of clip on earrings. I found these beauties at an estate sale for $3. Some wire, beads, 14 karat hooks and voilà, new earrings.

New Earrings

These are for a friends birthday.

Fairy Dreams

By the light of the moon a child dreams of a magical place. The song of silver bells and laughter rings out through the ancient majestic trees. Fairies dance in light of the shinning face of the sister, and the child dreams on.

Hint of Spice

Market air shimmers with the scent of exotic spices, unfamiliar music and the sense of adventure around every corner.

I made these for a cousin in Walla Walla

Earrings are my new muse.

Dragon Horde

I made this necklace several years ago. I had it up for sell until I heard that Laura Mears was no longer offering the porcelain dragon pendants. I then found myself not wanting to part with it. She is an amazing artist and you can buy her current pieces from Beyond Beads

This necklace is very long. I created it so that other pieces could be worn with it for a layered look. There are pearls, turquoise, amethyst, and vintage buttons in this piece. The lovely amethyst chips and turquoise came from a friend’s online business Magpie Gemstones and if you have not checked out her site you will want to. She carries a fantastic selection at very affordable prices.

Corchen

Corchen the Snake Goddess

Most are probably familiar with the snake goddess of the Minoan people, an image that conjures up a seminude woman consorting with snakes. Corchen is an ancient Celtic goddess who also has an affinity for snakes. While a great deal of information is lost to the modern person, much can be speculated. Nude woman and snakes are not uncommon imagery and are thought to symbolize fertility. A serpentine line is invoked in this piece.

Swan Mask

Sorry I have been away so long. Currently I am spending my days stripping old paint off of kitchen cupboards, a job I do not recommend to anyone. Surprisingly our little house has 24 cupboards in need of some serious care...


But the good news is that I finished a beaded mask I started on years ago.

I started this mask so long ago that I cannot remember why I stopped working on it.

I now think I need to make a costume to go with this mask. Maybe once the kitchen is done.

Shannon's Ammonite

Ok, ok, I know this is not exactly a new blog. I posted this before Christmas, and then I had to remove it. I got wind that my sister-in-law was looking at my blog and I made this piece as a gift for her. Every year my sister-in-law gives the most incredible handmade gifts, she is an amazing talent. This year I wanted to return the gesture. After months of planning I pulled together all of the elements that I had collected and created this. The pendant can be removed for a less formal look. She loved it and it looks beautiful on her. The ammonite is 115 million years old and is from Madagascar.

Shades of Love

Several years ago I made this necklace. I traded it for the most beautiful sun cut out of steal. The sun now hangs on an arbor in my garden and is covered in honeysuckle. This necklace is in the collection of a very talented metal artist.

Holly Necklace

This necklace represents the Celtic symbol for holly, which also happens to be my birth sign.

Lost Memory

Sometimes you have to make a piece because you have no choice. Lost Memory is just such a piece.

Beads and old computer parts

Poppy Field

The poppy has been an import symbol to many cultures throughout history. Fertility to the ancient Greeks, eternal life to the Egyptians, and since WWI, they have been worn to honor veterans. The focal piece of this necklace is a small panting of poppies done on canvas. This technique makes this beadwork necklace unusually lightweight. Painted canvas, crystals, seed beads, glass teardrops. Necklace approx. 17”, pendent approx. 1 ½ x 2 ¼”. $50

Spiral Lady Wall Hanging

The spiral appears throughout history and in many cultures. It can be seen adorning early Greek tombs, on Celtic artifacts and on relics of the American Indian tribes. I used this ancient symbol married with another symbol of antiquity, the mother figure, to create this wall hanging. Painted canvas, button, seeds beads, Korean jade and charm. Approx. 5”x3” $75
To buy Sprial Lady

Guitar Strap

I made this guitar strap for my husband. I worked on it for over a year. I was never so happy to have a project done.

Earrings

 Over the years I have been asked to create earrings and for some reason they have always presented an artistic a challenge. I have finally been able to hurdle this bounding and here are some of my labors of love. Every pair shown here is still available for purchase, but not every pair can be bought through my Etsy site. If you have any questions please contact me.

To buy earrings

Floral Garland

Garlands made of flowers have been objects of adornment throughout the ages. Celebrate with this necklace made of glass and peridot chips.

Necklace approx. 18”, pendent approx. 3” long x 5” wide.

$145.00

Buy Floral Garden

Scarab Wings

Scarabs were an important symbol to the Egyptians. The beetle’s image is found in many ancient artifacts. By its very nature the scarab beetle represents life, death and rebirth; basic principles of Egyptian beliefs. Necklace approx. 15”, pendent approx. 3” long x 6” wide. Clay and glass.

$175.00

Buy Scarab Wings