Wisteria Window Earrings

These are my attempt at 'simple earrings'. They're small and kinda vintagey-- not really my style, but not bad either.

They are composed of seed beads, Czech flower beads, Czech Picasso finish window beads, and little yellow faceted stones of some kind. They're about 2.5 cm in length without the hooks.

Netting Tutorial

I am pleased to present the latest in what is rapidly becoming a series of tutorials on the basic beadweaving stitches:

Just like with peyote and right angle weave, netting is a versatile stitch that seems complicated but is actually quite simple. It's a good stitch to have under your belt, and even the simplest version can be used to create a pretty lacy collar or a sparkly bead-draped Christmas ornament. 

So: on to the tutorial!

Non-Crafty: My Butterfly!

I watched a butterfly emerge from its cocoon the other day. I'd been keeping an eye on the chrysalis for a while, and I'm SO lucky that I was around when its resident decided to rejoin the outside world.

How to Make a Japanese Paper Doll

I love making these little guys. I crafted a bunch using local paper during my stay in Japan, and I actually taught a group of Japanese university students to make them. I ended up teaching quite a few origami models while I was there, but this one was one of the most popular.

The variations are infinite, once you understand the underlying concepts, so it's a good project to have under your belt if you like paper crafting. I use my ningyo (doll/s: literally "person shape") for art, but they can also be used for crafts like cards and bookmarks. They are just so cute!

Photo Post: Flowers

As this is meant to be a blog for all my artistic and creative endeavors, I was thinking it's about time I start posting some of my favorite photographs.

Group 1: Flowers, Sans Bugs (it has to be specified because I have a lot of bug pictures. A lot.) Also, Without Serious Photoshopping

On a non-crafty, but adorable note...

I was taking pictures in the local garden today and I happened to encounter this feline whom I had only glimpsed before. He (she?) was wary for a little while, then warmed up and even consented to having his head and back scratched.

It was a really nice moment, in the middle of all this graduate school application stress (did you know that Harvard has 13 pages worth of info and uploads they need you to fill out?!? 'Cause I hadn't!).

(^-.-^)

Spheroids; Cuboids

My new geometric creations in their completed forms. The interiors use dagger beads or reasonably-sized seed beads; the exteriors, size 11 seed beads and small Japanese drops. The red one is about 1.5 cm in diameter.

Of these four, three are the same design, but the gray one's slightly different.

I find these things strangely compelling.