Art Bead Scene November Challenge

The Art bead Scene's challenge this month.. inspired by the painting 'Madonna Pietra degli Scrovigni'. in watercolour, gouache and gum arabic... by Marie Spartali Stillmen. (1844-1927)  Born in Middlesex in 1843, daughter of Michael Spartali, import-export merchant and sometime Greek consul in London 

The woman in the painting is a character from the Italian poet Dante. She was described as a heartless lady dressed in green. In her hand she holds a crystal bowl reflecting the figures of Love and Dante .


I really wasn't intending to do the challenge this month..so close to Christmas..so much to do. But when I saw the painting chosen by the editors of ABS..my absolute favorite colors..golden greens, chestnut browns,the romance in the setting and all that wonderful fabric! sigh..wish I had started a month ago..but here is my entry.

Another fascinating art bead from wondrous strange..meant to be a bezel for resin or a glass cab..to remember the cystal bowl held by the femme fatale in the paintng. But I found it impossible to use the glass cab, for the beautiful texture of the raku ceramic focal would be lost!

Left it alone and added a vintage velvet remnant that had it all..well almost...those olive greens, the chestnut brown  and subtle flowers playing with the warm colors.




Vintage brass beaded chain with tiny shabby yellow enameled  brass flowers wraps, together with the velvet, three times around the wrist for a fabric cuff bracelet...  'Madonna Pietra'.

Winter Garden fantasy wool cuff ..to win in Aquariann's giveaway!

A winter garden dream..an adornment for an ice queen from some snowy realm..

Handwoven, then hand felted with bits of vintage lace and fabulous designer wool yarns., embellished with vintage beads,swarovski crystals and chinese jade...my creation for Aquariann's blog giveaway. Be sure to stop by her fantastic blog to find out how to win this magical cuff!

I had been pondering over the giveaway for months..wanting to do a textile. I am a handweaver from another life.. 20 years of fabulous fibers and dazzling designs..:). I never really lost that love of and feel for scumprious fibers..soft wools, luscious silk..the unique way the light plays with each. And the touch! The loom and weaving is only the beginning. Careful washing and finishing is what makes  the fabric come alive. Felting wool is fascinating..the transformation allows for so much creativity.

fresh off the loom

same fabric after washing/felting

 This cuff was woven with soft merino wools and a bit of silk and viscose on the edges. The wool shrinks when felted but not the silk and viscose..leaving a wavy, lacy edge. The vintage lace threaded through before felting becomes a real part of the fabric..bumpy, irregular, along with the designer wools which give add to the cuff's organic look.

The fabric is then washed and rubbed with warm water and soap until felted..

Adding the beads an baubles and silk and leather cords..rather like painting on a canvas...

And finally..the jewel in the crown..trimmed with mohair goatskin..for a touch of winter magic.

Azores..Autumn

Dusting off the cobwebs here..been ages since I've posted..wonder if anybody is out there? I know..blogging has to be regular..

Autumn colors..where I grew up..upstate New York ..summer would leave in blaze of color..warming our hearts for the cold days ahead. A spectacular show of hot oranges, reds and yellow..the woods and mountains seeming to be on fire.
Well..here in the Azores..a temperate climate ..40º's at the coldest..the seasons changing can almost go by unnoticed..almost that is. For the thousands of hydrangas that line the roads and pastures do their thing to mark the season's passing. Discreetly but with the most subtle beauty, almost sad and foreboding..but most of all inspiring.




















When I saw these vintage tiny Haskell flower parts on esty..wow..those colors..rusty and faded glory colors.
They just wanted to be Azorica (azorean ) autumn hydrangea gems.

So were born these earrings in copper with lava stone beads and the vintage flowers..sanded, sealed and waxed to preserve and protect the  vintage brass and warm fall colors.