Have You Ever Tried Viking Knit?

Viking Knit has been on my list of techniques that I want to learn.  So, no time like the present to try  and hopefully be able to mark it off the list.

It looks so technical and hard.  But thanks to the internet and youtube  most any anything you want to learn is right at your fingertips. I watched two different versions and then decided to give it a shot.

My first attempts....

Both samples were made using single knit and bronze wire.  The top one  is with 24 gauge and the bottom is 26 gauge.  I found the 26 gauge much easier to work with, causing less problems with bends and knots in the wire.  The 24 gauge while heavier is more easily knotted and harder to pull through.  The knitted wire for both are very stiff and unyielding before pulling them through the draw plate.  Then like magic, after using the draw plate they become very flexible.  Both of these examples are after the weaving and pulling through the draw plate.

Now I'm ready to try a longer piece. This is my end result using 24 gauge bronze wire.  After the knitting it measured 6 1/2".  I used the draw plate and drew it down to 8 mm and it then measured 10".

I still need  some practice but I'm happy with my results!

Have you tried any new techniques lately?

Hope you share-

The Bead Soup I Sent!

This is the Bead Soup I sent my partner, Duane Clark 

I had a hard time deciding what to send.  I kept second guessing myself.   

This is what I finally came up with.  

The large black beads are from a vintage necklace that my friend, Ginny shared with me. The bead caps appear to have been handmade.  I love bling, so I had to include some rhinestone buttons and pearls.  The brass cage beads and chain are from another vintage necklace. The coin focal was found on one of my Saturday morning excursions looking for things to re-purpose.  The jewelry pouch is handmade by me and is just right for a special piece of jewelry.

Can't wait to see what she makes with it!

Bead Soup from my Blog Hop Partner!

A little more about my amazing partner...

Duane (Dee) Clark

Dee is from Manassas, Virginia and is a member of the Northern Virginia Bead Society. 

Some of her interests include lampwork, PMC, beadwork, enameling and chain maille.

Dee is a very talented woman-please visit her sites get to know her better.

http://biz-e-bead.blogspot.com/

 http://pinterest.com/dclark58/

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp

I'm so excited!  

After much anticipation...it is finally here and I can share it with you.  I was a little worried when I picked up my package from the post office.  The box looked like it had been trampled in transit and I was almost afraid to open and check for damage.

this is what it looked like when it arrived

But...SURVIVAL is the word and it was just fine!

Just look at the beauties she sent...

This is the focal and clasp I must use in my design

These special beads were made by Dee and she even picked my favorite color

I can't wait to get started with this challenge

Did You Ever Go "Valentine-ing"?

"Valentine-ing"

I love crazy quilting and made this heart necklace a few years ago.

As a child, I remember the fun we had on Valentine's Day.  The children in our neighborhood made Valentine cards for each other and waited until dark to deliver them.  

This is what made it special...

After dark we gathered our cards and the fun began!  We sneaked up to the home of the  recipient and very quietly laid the card on the door step.  Then we knocked on the door, screamed  "VALENTINE" and ran to hide behind a bush.  It was fun to see the friend open the door and look to see if they could catch us making the delivery.

Do you have special memories of Valentine's Day?

Hope you share!

Bead Soup Blog Hop Challenge

At the beginning of the year, I said I was going to "try something new for the first time". 

 So far, I haven't!  

But I recently found this in my fortune cookie...do you think it might be a sign to get moving?

Well, I'm taking it at that.  

I have wanted to join the Bead Soup Blog Hop  for several years, but I didn't have a blog (great excuse!).   Now I do and can no longer use that as excuse... I did say I was going to do something for the first time!  This may not seem like a big challenge to you, but to me it is a huge one!  Wondering...Is my bead soup good enough...what if I get beads that I don't know what to do with...just putting myself out there for people to look at and judge!

I decided to take the challenge even though it makes me a little crazy.

I just found out my partner is Duane (Dee) Clark of Manassas, Virginia.

She is so talented and makes amazing jewelry.  

You can see more about Dee and view her jewelry here:

http://biz-e-bead.blogspot.com/

http://pinterest.com/dclark58/

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp

I have my Bead Soup ready and just mailed it-but I can't show it to you yet!

Please visit again to see what I sent her!

Chalk Painting Class

I recently took a chalk painting class with 4 friends.  We each took a small piece of furniture to practice on.

Melina, Sue and Denise (our teacher) discussing technique

Sue had quite the find with her $5 yard sale find.  She painted the body
with graphite color paint and decided to leave the legs natural wood

My sister, Judy looks happy with her finished piece.
She plans to use the stool in her spare bedroom.

This is me-I am always drawn to bold colors.  This table was known as the "telephone table" when we were growing up.  It had a prominent place in my grandmother's dining room and had the telephone on top. It will now have its own place in an extra bedroom. I wish I had remembered to take a before picture.

After we painted our furniture with Annie Sloan paint, we had to be patient while it dried.  The next step was to wax and buff our pieces.

This is my finished table-I love it!