When Inspiration Strikes...

When inspiration strikes, it apparently happens all at once!

Haiti, Bead Cruise 2015

I've been in a creative drought for quite some time but apparently with Bead Cruise 2016 creeping up on me, the inspiration faerie has decided to return.

Left: Chunky tropical necklace  Right: Batik factory, St. Kitts

It seems that with the need to have some tropical accessories, I suddenly found myself inspired again! It all started with that big, chunky polymer focal from ArtyBecca. It reminded me of my trip to St. Kitts last year and the beautiful batik factory. Thanks to my recent studio upgrade, I was able to easily locate lots of beads that would coordinate nicely. 

Left: Driftwood necklace  Right: Bermuda

Back in July, I took a trip to Bermuda with my husband to celebrate our anniversary.  As I was going through my bead collection I came upon this strand of painted driftwood from Nature Scavenger and they reminded me of the gorgeous beaches in Bermuda.  Turns out, they matched perfectly with some wood chain I had from Priscilla Beads.  A little wire and some waxed linen and BOOM, another tropical necklace complete!

Wood and bone necklace

The final of the cruise-inspired pieces came about on its own.  As I was sorting through my collection choosing beads for the other necklaces, I pulled some of these beads out and made a pile. After playing around and moving beads here and there, the full necklace came together.

Beach Treasure Necklace

I'm very excited about this necklace!  Back in November when I was attending the bead retreat with Jenny and Sue, I found this green sea pebble while beachcombing.   Jenny took it home with her and then set it in a fabulous copper bezel.  I paired it with some prehnite nuggets, czech glass and a drilled river stone.

Purple and green bowlerite pendant

It isn't just simple, beaded jewelry inspiration that is back!  I've also been working on bead embroidery again!  One of the promises I made to myself this year was to buy less beads and use more of what I already have.  I selected this bowlerite (bowling ball) cabochon by David Rowland and used all beads I had in my stash.  In fact, the silver and large purple beads came from the 2015 Bead Cruise goody bags!

As soon as I finished this pendant, I started selecting cabochons and beads for my next several projects.

Greenman Pendant/Brooch

This is my most recently finished piece.  The polymer cabochon is from Jenny.  I sewed a pinback with attached bail on to the back to make it a more versatile piece.  

Seashell pendant in progress

Here's what I'm currently working on.  This is my first time using a real shell (found on a prior cruise) in my bead embroidery.  I'm hoping to put shell or coral fringe around the outside as I've never done that before.  Lots of learning going on!

Now I just need to get myself back in the ceramic studio and start making beads again.  Baby steps.

Have you been struck by the inspiration faerie recently?

Crafty Cruising

Earlier this month, I went on a 7-night Caribbean cruise with Colin.  I knew I wanted to create during our "at sea" days and evenings after leaving the ports.  Originally, I intended to pack my chainmaille supplies but then I thought the pliers could be an issue. So I packed two other things; an adult coloring book and a bead embroidery project.

Cabochon glued to backing

I selected a glass cabochon by SueBeads that reminded me of a tide pool and glued it to some dyed Stiff Stuff (from Bead My Love).

Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.  Norwegian Spirit in the background.

I gathered up an assortment of seed beads that were inspired by the colors of Caribbean waters.

Base row of galvanized seed beads

I fell in love with these galvanized seed beads at the bead retreat last month so I came home with an assortment of them, including these fabulous blue ones.

Even-count peyote bezel

And thanks to Jenny and Meg, they taught me peyote bezel at the retreat.  I loved how those little 15's  matched some of the speckles in the cabochon.

Adding visual interest and playing off the bubble-design

Each night, I sat on our balcony and added a little more to the design.  It was a nice way to wind down in the evening.

Final row consisting of size 8 and 6 seeds.

This is where my design ended on the cruise.  I realized I hadn't packed any glue or leather for backing material.

Travel-size coloring book

Once I could no longer work on the bead embroidery, I pulled out my travel-size coloring book.  I picked this up last minute at Barnes & Noble before we left.

Completed pages

These are just a few of the pages I worked on between the cruise and my flights.  These were so much fun, I can see why adult coloring books are trendy right now!

Costa Maya, Mexico

I had a great time on the cruise and it was so nice to have projects to work on.  I don't think I'll ever travel again without a craft to take with me!

Happy Beading!