Summertime Blues

Sometimes I find amazing beads in my searches. I was specifically looking for something blue, so I could make a blue charm for a Summertime Blues swap. I found these beads at a bead show. I used steel wire since it comes black and it would go with the black veins throughout these beads. I made a simple swirly wrap from one piece of wire, complete with hanger, and there you have it: a blue bead charm. I wouldn't want to hide the beauty of these beads under much else.

Chasing Bubbles

In a previous post, I showed you a small piece I made with a stamp from Fred B. Mullett. Here's another painting using one of his stamps.


I originally bought these stamps almost 15 years ago when I was planning the nursery for my first child. I wanted a boy/girl theme, and found some bedding with an under the sea theme, featuring fish, coral, seaweed, all in yellow/pink/lavender/green colors. I think I saw his stamps in Rubberstampmadness magazine. That was back when I was making rubber stamped art, and no one in Florida seemed to be doing the same. Anyway, I bought about eight stamps from him. I painted the nursery walls white, then used six different colors of paint to stamp fish all over the room. I did a border around the closet using sanddollar and starfish stamps. If I had a digital photo from that long ago, I'd show you how it looked.

I still have those stamps, and I love to use them in art because I love the real look. He made these stamps by first making a rubbing from the real fish. Because I'm painting on canvas, it's a little hard to stamp right on it since the canvas "gives." Instead, I use Stazon ink, and stamp it on white tissue paper. Then I take a wet paint brush and paint around the image. The water dissolves the tissue paper and you can get a fairly clean tear of your fish image. Then I apply polymer medium to the painted canvas. Lay the tissue down, then lightly brush more polymer medium on top. If you're too rough, you could tear the image. The polymer medium soaks into the tissue, and if you do it right, you won't see the edge of the tissue. You can add more paint or anything else over it after it dries. I'm sure you'll see more of these fish in my collages.

Necklace Round Robin

I'm in the sixth month of two 9-month necklace round robins. The latest creation came from Veleta Stafney. Hers was the most unusual of the necklaces, because it didn't have a traditional chain. I was kind of thrown by it at first. Mainly because it was so beautiful as is, I couldn't imagine creating something that would add to it. But I was also thrown because it was so symmetrical. How could I add one item if it through off its symmetry? I finally decided on the perfect place to add a charm: at the end chain that went beyond the clasp. I made a gold love knot from some wire. This was attached with more wire, and I hung a few beads as a dangle. The green glass bead was purchased a long time ago, but I hadn't used it yet because I really don't make any green jewelry! I know, that's strange, but it just isn't my favorite color. Although I can appreciate it in a beautiful necklace like this. I'm glad I was able to use it on something so stunning. This necklace will travel on to three more artists who will add another piece before Veleta gets to see the final product. I think she'll be pleased.

Here's the charm I added.


Here's the entire necklace.

Generating Process

In a previous life, I was an accountant. I majored in accounting because I was good at math, and I knew I'd have a guaranteed job when I graduated. All my life I've been good at math, and have loved numbers. Maybe part of that is because my Dad's an engineer, actually an aeronautical engineer. He helped design the rocket engines that went to the moon. Growing up, I was surrounded by books, some of which were his engineering books. So when I found an old engineering book at a garage sale, I knew I just had to have it. Occasionally I'll tear out pages to use in a collage, and here's an example of one of them. The drawing is of a "Generating Process," whatever that means, so that's what I titled the collage. I love the contrast of the pretty colors with the engineering formulas. And I used a tea party doily because it reminded me of gears.

Jewelry of the Week

Sometimes you find a bead you think is so beautiful, you just want to showcase it by itself. I don't even remember where I got this bead, but it probably came from a jewelry show. I seem to find the best glass beads from shows. I made a simple silver wire hanger, and placed it on a multi-strand ribbon. These ribbon necklaces may not be for everyone, but I love them.

City Center Public Art Mural Project

The City of West Palm Beach recently opened their new City Hall and Library complex. They invited area artists to make a 4" x 6" work of art on a wooden block. These blocks will then be displayed somewhere in the center. I contributed two blocks, and here is one of them. I used a rubber stamp made by Fred B. Mullett from one of his fish prints. I included a dictionary page and gave it a light coat of paint. Hopefully it will be mounted low on the wall so people can read the page!