beads and more beads

 In an attempt to slow down a bit with jewelry production, I got out the polymer clay.

 It sounds silly to want to slow down production, doesn't it?  But I find that I get into these zones where I keep making the same necklace, the same earrings, etc., over and over.  I'll keep making things from the same piles of supplies that I have on my worktable, and I'll extend certain dynamics to piece after piece.   Sometimes it's best to just take a break.

 Above is a variation on the rustic faceted bead.  I'm thinking of other ways to incorporate the facets.  I've realized the notion of 'layering' goes a long way in beadmaking, at least with polymer clay.  I've got to think of ways to layer even more.  I wish the translucent clays were crystal clear.

 I've been meaning to make some faux thai buddha prayer beads for a long, long time and I finally did.  I made a polymer mold out of a 'real' buddha bead for the figure.  Both sets I put up have sold, so I guess it was a good idea.  I resisted for a while because I just felt like I had to come up with a way to manipulate the texture of the clay so that it had a more organic vibe.  I used a slight amount of liquid Sculpey in a certain way and I think it's a start.

 Rugged crosses.

 I didn't even notice the rosy outlining of the "leaves" in the cane when I made these, but I think they would be silly without the outline, so I'm glad they had the decency to show up.

 I've been obsessing over old trade beads and crazy medieval beads on Pinterest.

 I noticed the Halloween stuff on the front page already a few days ago.  It's still summer.  I think these skull beads are all-season, but since people are thinking Halloween already, I'll go with it.  There was Christmas stuff up at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago.  Midsummer.

 Dotters.

Caney things.

I have so many more to photograph and list.  Plus a ton more jewelry that's just sitting around waiting to be measured. 

Oh dear...what the...

wha...?

uh...

Geeeeez.  My hard drive crashed several days ago and luckily almost everything (probably everything) was backed up with some thing we've got going on, so my husband was able to reinstall stuff.  But my most recent photos are still missing, and the files were in some weird topsy turvy order and all these really old files were right in my way.  I'd forgotten all about these first attempts at jewelry photography and the jewels that went along with them.  I was so frustrated at the time because I could not produce what I envisioned, either jewelry wise or photo wise.  I knew the only solution was work and time, so I slammed it out day after day after week after month and year, and year, and I still feel like I am, but I look back on these things like I knew I would and it's satisfying to feel like I learned how to get on a path.  And still I slam.