I Guess Nikki was Just Bored...

because,

my good friend, Nikki, of

NLC Beads on Etsy

opened another store called

Saving Throw Dice.

I just ordered some items from her new store.  

Let me show you what I ordered.

These are for ME!!

MINE MINE ALL MINE!!!

These are a gift!!!

I do like the purple ones better!!!!

These are fun and the prices are right!!!

Now let's take a quick look at 

NLC Beads

Oh, and Nikki is still busy making beads!

Never fear!

Whether you're Irish or not, 

You've gotta' like this shamrock sheep.

Click HERE to see the other side of Nikki!!!

It's a Screaming Alien!!!

Click HERE to see it!!!

Then there are the organics!

WOW!

Click HERE to see them.

So much to see and do in 

Nikki's stores.

Now, just go on over and have some fun!!!!

It's been like Christmas Around here!!!

Another Package in the Mail!

Look what I received from Nikki Carollo of 

NLC Beads!

Wow!!!

Let's see if I get the name right.

These pendants are called:

Pate de verre

which is a technique that calls for melting glass frit in molds that shape them

into beads!

Aren't these cool?

I had sent Nikki some murrini (the little glass flowers), and now Nikki, in addition to using the murrini on her beads, is using them to make these amazing beads!!!

I haven't worn the pendant on the right yet, but I have worn the pendant on the left, and I have gotten so many compliments!!

Nikki has other pate de verre beads in her store. 

Here are a few samples.

Click HERE for a closer look.

Look at these hearts!

Click HERE for a closer look!

How about these raku organic drop focals?
Click HERE for a closer look.

There's a lot more to see in Nikki's store.
Get over there before everything is gone!!!
Here's the link to the store.
NLC BEADS

 

Word for 2011: Detail

My life word is: Hope!

My work word is: Detail!
I have been told that some of my work is not as "detailed" as others. In 2011, I plan to change that.

As I look around Etsy at some of my favorite bead artists,
I notice the "detail" in their work.
For example,
Look at Marcy Lamberson's work.
Here's an angel in her shop.
Notice the detail.
She holds a small blue bird in her hand.
Her dress has dots.
Her wings have creases.
Her cheeks are pink, and she wears a green halo.
Isn't Tansy sweet?
Like Oprah says, "It's all in the details."
And she's right!
Skully in Love is from Sharon Driscoll's store,
Right Turn ArtWerks.
Notice Skully's details.
His face is full of hearts.
The hearts are different colors and sizes.
His teeth are wide but perfectly spaced.
Each decoration on Skully adds a bit more detail to his face.
He is Skully in love!

This little ewe is from Nikki, aka Sheep Goddess aka NLC Beads.
She is a Blue Suede Sheep.
Each dot is topped with another blue suede dot.
Her ears are turned over.
She has a nose and eyes that just say, "Love me!"
She is simple, but very complicated.
Each dot adds a detail.
Details!
Look at this sweet 'gator from MayBeads' shop.
This gator has toe nails. He has nostrils and a mouth.
Little green dots are his scales.
His hat has pom poms.
His eyes say, "Take me home!
Yes, it's all in the details.

Meet Melvin from Paula's store, Island Top Glass Art.
Again, details.
Notice the little pocks on his cheeks.
His tongue hangs out of his mouth like he's panting.
His snout is creased.
His eyes beg you to rub his ears, which are each a different color.
Details.
I look forward to adding more detail to my minimalist beads.
Detail!
All right: Hope and Details.
Welcome 2011!

So, one day, I was trying to copy

Lauren of May Beads, Marcy of Studio Marcy, and Nikki of NLC Beads, I realized what talented artists these ladies are! Do you realize how hard it is to make such small beads and add detail and personality to your critters? Let me show you examples of my work. It's not as good as theirs, but it is getting better. You can check their stores to see the great stuff.


Ever try to make a cow bead? The color of choice was purple. This little bead is about an inch all around. Trying to get the details in that small space was a challenge! That little cow's nostrils almost didn't make it on his face, but were sliding south past his, uh hum, equator? That would have been most interesting. I do think that a youngster in Beads of Courage would still like this little guy.












This little dino looks okay, but if you look at his face, you can see the challenges! It could be better, and I'm learning. My admiration for Lauren, Marcy, and Nikki has increased 1000%! I hope to develop more skills and learn to give these critters personality! I'm impressed with what Lauren, Mary, and Nikki do with their beads! Beads of Courage, here comes this dino!











How about this frog on a lily pad? He looks almost good enough to sell, but trust me, these small beads are hard to make. He has his flaws, but I do think he will be loved by a child in the BOC program.















This is my last try. Samuel actually turned out all right. He was the last critter I made that day. Practice does help. However, in the spirit of the day, Samuel will be making his way to Beads of Courage. I can't let him not join his friends in bringing a smile to a child's face. Also, be sure to visit, May Beads, Studio Marcy, and NLC Beads.
You will see some amazing critter beads!