Cigarbox Beads

Marilyn G is the beadweaver/owner of Cigarbox Beads. Interesting facts behind her shop name are that she once found and bought some cigarboxes at a flea market over 20 years ago that were full of vintage beads. Says Marilyn, "It was the beginning of an addiction! Now I have almost a room full of beads---no exaggeration--when I need something- I go 'shopping' in my bead room! ;>) I do get carried away and buy more beads when something catches my eye---or I don't have it in my humongous supply! ;>)

Can anyone reading this, identify with the art and crafters hoarding syndrome described here? Oh, my! Just keep me away from the art supply, the paper supply, the superstore disguised as a fabric shop, and those big box crafting stores; because I will be in there for hours on end, drooling!
Paterkillars brings a smile to my face. "What's that you say?" Paterkillars is what Marilyn's grandchildren made of the word, "caterpillars." Reminds me of "gotfor," "sissen"and "cacaboose" which were my kids' talk for "forgot," "kitchen" and "caboose."

Anyway, Paterkillar Beaded Beads Necklace is eight of these paterkiller beaded beads strung together on a leather string. A totally interesting necklace!

In real life, Marilyn is a retired home-ec teacher whose hubby is recouperating from a stroke. I wish them the best and hope the rehab goes well and the recovery is amazing.

Twisted Garden Path Choker shown at right.

Marilyn says, "Beadweaving is my joy, along with knitting, crocheting, sewing AND being with our twin grand daughters. Not at the same time though, they love to 'help'! We do have 'crafting time' every day that I watch them, so I hope I'm instilling the love of creating in them."


Oceana Blue Amulet shown at left.

Be sure to visit Marilyn at Cigarbox beads shop and blog and at her new shop suchandsort---which came from an acquaintance of Marilyn's, who instead of saying etcetera--she said-- 'suchandsort'!

http://cigarboxbeads.etsy.com/
http://suchandsort.etsy.com/
http://cigarboxbeads.blogspot.com/

Silver Dragon

Welcome to Patricia C. Vener's Etsy shop, Silver Dragon . Patricia says she was born in the Year of the Dragon (actually just on the cusp depending how the Chinese New Year falls) and has always "adored the form and fantasy of dragons." She also thinks that silver is a wonderful metal; thereby, Silver Dragon.

This amazing bracelet is done in a new stitch that was invented by Patricia which she calls the Vener Chain and is an interlocking chain made on a single thread. It is the prototype for future projects using this stitch.

This interlocking reminds me of something from long ago. How did I get here from there? My goofy mind remembers trying to separate pretzels by eating the "spare parts," so that one chain interlocked the second without breaking the pretzel.

One of Patricia's earliest memories is a pre-school visit to a museum which was exhibiting Native American beadwork and textiles, and she can remember being completely enthralled by the sight, standing and staring at the pieces and absorbing them into her memory.

This lovely Hot Pink Fuzzy as she calls it, was created in many, many hours of work by weaving thousands of seed beads onto a base. It is an exquisite piece.

Patricia describes her path as an artist as "a duet of both fine and performing arts. I am a (retired) ballerina as well as a published artist, having done illustrations for a CD picture book, "Papa CArdinal Finds Breakfast" by Sandra Wellborn. One of my paintings accompanied and essay I wrote for an Astronomy textbook. (I also hold a Masters Degree in Astrophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy NY and have worked as an astronomer and still teach astronomy as an adjunct professor for University of Maryland University College.)"

I absolutely marvel when one's life has room for so many diverse activities.

This beautiful lavender necklace called "Drama Queen" is just another example of copious quantities of teeny, tiny beads coupled with an equal amount of patience.

Patricia is planning on offering her own gift coupons, in order for the recipient of a certificate to select her own jewelry from Silver Dragon. She also loves doing custom work where she and her client can arrive a unique product of which both can be proud.

Be sure and visit Patricia's shop and blog at:

http://silverdragon.etsy.com/

http://vener-art.com/beadblog/

Patricia is a member of Etsy Street Teams, AJC (ArtJewelryCollective), NEST, New England Street Team, EtsyBeadweavers, and CT Etsy Street Team.

A Rose By Name

This beautiful antique-looking bracelet was created by weaving individual verdigris colored Japanese triangle beads into a band and then embellishing them with galvanized yellow gold Delicas and copper/iris Japanese seed beads that were woven into a lacy net pattern along the edges. The toggle is a handmade beaded bead using the same three styles of beads that are within the bracelet.


Anna, the owner of A Rose By Name , says that her Etsy shop got its name because first of all, she was one of those kids who actually enjoyed studying Shakespeare and one of her favorite quotes is, "That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet." from Romeo and Juliet. She says, "The other reason is that it was my mom's favorite flower as well as a variation of her name and it's in her memory."

Anna began beading with her two daughters years ago, and has continued, and although her daughters no longer do any beading, they do enjoy wearing her creations. As she's gotten more experienced, the beads have gotten smaller and the designs more intricate.

Anna says, "The colors truly glow in this 2 1/2" votive candle holder which is surrounded in peyote stitched Delica beads in cherry red, emerald green, midnight blue and royal purple with accents in cream and gold and gold seed beads top and bottom. These votive holders take many days to create as every bead is individually stitched into my own original patterns. There are well over 4,000 beads in each piece."
"This gorgeous necklace was created by stitching individual links using the peyote beadweaving technique and then meticulously linking them together. The colors are a range of sea colors from deep blue green to stormy gray Delicas. Each link consists of 64 beads woven together and there are 110 links for a total of 7,040 beads! This necklace was truly a labor of love! "

Anna belongs to several Etsy Street Teams:
Etsy BeadWeavers Street Team: etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com
Cleveland Rocks Etsy Street Team: clevelandrocksetsy.blogspot.com
BBEST - Boomers & Beyond Etsy Street Team: boomersandbeyond.blogspot.com

Please view Anna's beautiful and unique work at the following sites:
http://arosebyname.etsy.com
http://arosebyname.blogspot.com