It's been forever....

Yikes, it's been forever since I last posted here! In any case, it was a wonderful summer cruising Alaskan waters on the Holland America Amsterdam. That ship actually docked in Anchorage, so I got to see family every 2 weeks most of the summer. I hope I'm on it again during this upcoming summer.

After the cruising season, the family went on a vacation to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon, where I also had a chance to visit with my friend Mike Ann again. Since then I've been enjoying being home and winter in Alaska. I haven't done much beading yet, but I'm beginning to feel the urge and inspiration. So soon...

This year I'm organizing beaded ornaments with a bird theme--rather than beaded squares--for the breast cancer auction in June. The B&BMag folks have taken on the squares with my knowledge and blessing. More info about my ornament project on my web site.

Recently, I pulled out my polymer clay and designed and made a couple of Alutiiq Christmas tree ornaments. This is a photo of one--an Alutiiq hunting visor.

Happy holidays and a wonderful new year!

BC bead quilts done!!!

Hurray, the BC beaded quilts are finished and shipped off to the Bead & Button folks in Milwaukee!!! I'm seriously thinking that this was my last year for the beaded quilts. The quilts have taken a good chunk of my life over the past 7 years and will have raised around $20,000 for breast cancer research. I think my Mom would be proud to be the inspiration. But life is about change and it's time to move on to something else. I find that I really haven't designed NEW beadwork in at least 4 years; I think it's time to get back to that. And travel a bit more, probably through my cruise-ship job.

Amber Hoard finished

Here's a photo of the finished Amber Hoard Necklace. I finished it right before I left for the cruises in New Zealand/Australia, but didn't have time to post a photo then. I'm home for just a couple of days, then leave for a family vacation until February 1.

Latest work on Amber Hoard...

I've worked on my Amber Hoard necklace as time allowed over the past week or so. Finally, I'm finished with one side. Photo attached.

I have had some exciting news; there's a good chance that I may be going to New Zealand/Australia in December for a 6-week gig as travel guide on the HAL cruise ship Volendam!! Yowza! What fun! Needless to say, I have to get this necklace done so I can wear it in the Land of Oz/Kiwi-Land.

Also I need to start sewing BC squares together, as I have received enough now to get started.

Some progress...

I've been working on the amber necklace a few moments here and there, mostly during TV time, and have made some progress on one side. It's still a bit of a "work in progress" as I design it in my mind as I bead, but I think I'm getting there; it seems like the vision is jelling anyhow.

Started some new beadwork...

Hurray! I finally got started on some beadwork besides squares for the annual breast cancer project. I need an extravagant, over-the-top piece for one of my dressy cruise outfits, so that was the motivation. In addition, I've collected--ahem...hoarded--amber pieces for years. This particular piece was purchased in 1991 in Warnemuende, Germany for 108 DM, about $65 as I recall. At that same time I was gifted an amber bracelet on elastic by some German friends. The elastic had stretched beyond good use, so I've decided to cut it apart, use some pieces on the necklace, and the rest on a matching bracelet.

In terms of colors, I'm using a split complementary combination of blue-violet, yellow and orange. Here's the start with more to follow, as time permits....

BC squares

Yesterday I used some polymer clay to make an "I love you" hand in sign language. I'm not a polymer clay expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I think it turned out cute. Also yesterday we received our first snowfall here in Wasilla, so I did a square with mittens. Photos attached.