Again, I'll "Brooch" the Subject of "Pins"

Pun intended.

Here is one of my latest brooches. I love the stone...which I originally thought was African Turquoise...but a friend sent a picture of something called Sesame` Jasper...which I think is what it really is. Whatever it's called...it's a beautiful stone.

I made the brooch for a 'cabachon challenge' that our group is having. We are supposed to have the cabachon no smaller than 18mm and no larger than 30mm. This one is an oval approx. 18mm x 27mm.

There is a second part to the 'challenge' in the form of a swap...and I loved the stone so much I thought...hmmmmm...I'm getting two of these...and here is what the second one turned out to look like.

I made myself use only beads I had in my stash...so it was kind of difficult to match things up...but I managed...and I really like both of these.

Not sure either of them will go to the swap...ha...but then again...I can't wear them both either...oh...decisions, decisions...
Of course...then there are the other cabs I found whilst looking at this one...I got two of each of those too...but I've only completed one.

I think it's Aventurine...generally a green stone...is a form of quartz with other mineral inclusions...sometimes bits of mica...that give it bit of a glisten. Some call it 'Indian Jade' because the green color of it can resemble real Jade. It comes in other colors as well...but green is the most common.

This stone is actually a bead instead of a cabachon...but it was a flat stone...so was easy to treat as a cabachon when beading.

Other than the cabachons...I've been working diligently on the 2008 "Pink Ribbon Turtle" Project...which is due to be 'debuted' on October 1st. I can't wait to show them ALL off. This year...for the first time...I've had help from 7 wonderful artists and there will be three different "Pink Ribbon Turtle" designs in three separate drawings! STAY TUNED!!!

And of course...I've been playing golf...in fact...I got up early this morning and played 9 holes...didn't do too badly either...especially since I was excruciatingly tired from playing 18 in the middle of the day yesterday when it felt like 110 in the shade...ok...I might be exagerating a little...but it was HOT and very very little breeze...but my friend, Missy and I had fun (we always do)...and met a very nice couple who we played with...it's always lovely to meet new people.

One last picture...we saw this Great Blue Heron resting under the Oleanders on the 8th hole and stopped and took his pictures. I think he was a little put out with us for disturbing his rest...because shortly after the picture he stood up and sauntered off in disgust...ha...don't you just love his long long legs?

Have a blessed day!

Brooches and Pins

It seems as though I'm "stuck" (pun intended) on Brooches and Pins lately. I guess it started back around Easter when I had a ball making about a dozen or more "Easter Egg" Pins. The first one turned out so cute I just couldn't stop. I still have about 2 dozen E-egg pins cut out of the felt I use to make them that are ready to be beaded.

Then...I found two online groups of beadwork artists...and I really mean artists...wow...you wouldn't believe some of the gorgeous dolls and jewelry I've seen from these artists...amazing.

Since that time I have learned so much just by "listening" to them on the emails they send...and viewing the pictures of their work. Every so often in each group there is a challenge. One of the groups is a doll group and the other just a beading group...they don't necessarily NOT do dolls...but they seem to lean more toward beaded art in general...much of it being jewelry.

In the Doll group the ladies often use some sort of bead or cabachon or polyclay face cabachon for the face of the doll. And coming up on the other group is a cabachon challenge and swap. So whenever I head to the bead store...or look online for anything...it seems my eyes just naturally gravitate to the larger beads and cabachons.

The brooches in the pictures above are some of the ones I've worked on.

The one on the left was a gift to my niece for her birthday. I made it to go with a gray top I sent as part of the gift. Of course...she can wear it with whatever she wants...but it looked stunning against the gray.

"Little Pink Sunshine"...in the middle...was one of my first attempts at polyclay. I made the little cab and then made her into a pink pin. I just think she's cute.

The one on the right is a large flat Cherry Jade bead. I think it turned out to be very stunning...and though I thought it more dark pink than red...quite Christmassy too!

Last night I finished one I call "Dreamer"...to your right...love the purples and her little necklace that simply states "Dream".

I don't know what I'm going to do for the challenge & swap...but I've found 4 different stones (of course I bought two of each...after all...if I make it and it's luscious I might want to make one for me...ha...) I'll keep you posted about that.

Watching carefully Hurricane Gustav and TS Hannah...praying for everyone that might be in their paths.

Have a blessed day.