Stepping Out Of The (Bead) Box

Of course I am still making beads, owls and pods and birds and baubles, but I've been working with some fibre as well lately and enjoying the way things are coming out. I'm making pieces that are multi-purpose, and can be tied and worn in a variety of ways. They work as long necklaces, lariats, chokers and bracelets, probably would work as delicate belts as well. Haven't figured out a way to wear them as earrings yet!

Click on any photo for a slightly larger view.

Needlefelted wool appleblossoms and leaves, antique stamens, size 15 seedbeads, silk and bamboo fibre knitted wool cord.

My first tentative experiments with bead weaving, I wanted backs that could slide up and down the cord.

100 antique mother of pearl buttons, hand crocheted onto kid mohair and silk yard (Rowan Kid Silk Haze, the crack of knitting!)

100 antique pink mother of pearl buttons, on silk and bamboo yarn.

As a choker.

The beads snuck into the mix here, of course. Antique mother of pearl buttons, vintage seed beads in an opaque oyster white, handmade lampwork glass beads, hand-felted baubles accented with tiny seed beads and some handmade cashmere flowers and leaves, all on bamboo and silk yarn.

Felted baubles with beading, needlefelted wool flowers, antique buttons.

The pale pearly pink beaded baubles are from the 1960's, I picked them up at Bead and Button and of course I wish I had bought more!

Lilac pancake-stack cashmere flowers with needlefelted and antique button centers, lots of antique buttons, handmade beads, hand felted baubles, on kidsilk haze.