Fabric Beads

This last year I have inherited a large amount of vintage fabric and quilting scraps. Since I am not a quilter, I found a way to use the materials in my jewelry. This winter when it was too cold to go out into the garage studio to melt glass, I stayed warm and cozy inside while I rolled fabric beads. It has been fun to take a piece of fabric and imagine what it will look like when it is rolled up into a bead. The results often surprised me.

These were made from scraps from the 1970's.

The fabric was scrap strips from a quilt. The large crystals were hanging from a vintage lamp.

This fabric was my favorite surprise. It was a piece of linen-like fabric with a forest scene with deer.  

Skeleton Key Pendants

 

Here is something new I will offer at the Recycled Arts Festival this weekend. I found some vintage skeleton keys at an antique mall. The beads on most of the keys are loose, so they spin freely. I think they would look great on a variety of chains or cords. 

Recycled Arts Festival

I am so excited to be returning as a vendor at the Recycled Arts Festival in Esther Short Park, June 25 &26. After a busy school year, it is time to focus on beads and my garden. I am a full-time teacher in the Vancouver Public Schools. During this school year, my torch, glass, garden and blog have not had much attention from me. I am looking forward to devoting more time to my hobbies.  I do have some exciting new things for this year's festival. Look for beaded skeleton keys, fabric scrap beads and dresses made from vintage pillowcases. 

Upcoming Event

Next weekend, Saturday November 13, I will be a vendor at a cool local event sponsored by Vancouver Green Drinks. The first Annual Check' em off, Green Holiday Gift Event will be a holiday version of the Recycled Arts Festival. The bazaar of locally made, recycled, reused gifts will be at Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd. in Vancouver, 12-5pm. 


Check out this blog for more information about  this event. 
http://reusing.blogspot.com/p/green-your-holiday.html

September 12th Belmont Street Fair

On September 12th I was a vendor at the Belmont Street Fair in Portland. It was a gorgeous, sunny Sunday after a week of rain. I had a great spot right on Belmont near the Tao of Tea. It was such a great time. I sold a lot of things and talked with lots of friendly people. I was even witness to several wedddings perfromed at the Mobile Chapel of Love, that temporarily set up in front of my booth.  I look forward to taking part in more street fairs next summer!

September North Bank Artists Gallery Show

This bracelet featured in the North Bank show has one red dot strategically placed in the black and white design of the bead. 

This is a neclace featuring some of my largest lampwork beads, it was also in the "White and Black" show. 

The texture of these beads is an interesting feature of this bracelet.

My work was selected into the annual juried show at the North Bank Artists Gallery in Vancouver. The theme was White and Black. I created three pieces, the first two were selected to be featured in the gallery during September. It was fun to play with the design aspect of the beads. With all of the work I have been doing with beer and wine glass, I miss the fun I can have with design details.


It was exciting to visit the show opening on Friday, September 3rd and see my work among the other pieces selected to be part of the show. 

New: Wine Leaf Beads

Leaves from a shiraz bottle on small, sterling hoops.

After the Recycled Arts Festival last month, I have been enjoying some time away from the torch. I am excited however about a new tool, a "leaf masher"!  I have been making leaves from wine and beer glass and am having fun experimenting with how the masher shapes the leaves. Like in nature, each leaf is looking quite different, so pairing leaves up for earrings is a challenge. I also got a new shipment of beads and findings, so I will be trying out some new designs this weekend at the Overlook Village Festival on Killingsworth, on Saturday in Portland.