Cleopatra's Conundrum: Scarab Amethyst Necklace

Cleopatra's Conundrum: Scarab Amethyst Necklace

Well, I was almost done with my most recent necklace and then it started developing holes! So, here is a picture of a work in re-progress. I hate making something more than once, but I've changed and maybe now I can more easily see redoing this piece as an opportunity to make it even better. So, I thought I'd show you before I took it all apart.

 The part I've already begun taking apart was where I began. Yes, it's tedious to take apart, but there is $60.00 worth of beads in it! I began with 3 pound Fire Line thread and it quickly developed holes, so I bought some 8 pound. I thought that would be enough to make it last forever, without holes developing. Wrong! So my friend and fellow artist Sue Horine suggested I reach out to Suzanne Golden. What an amazing woman and artist!

Suzanne is as colorful as her pieces, and as generous with her knowledge. When Sue described Suzanne as a mature woman with bright red hair, crazy cool fashion sense (especially her shoes), and a super talented bead weaver, I immediately thought of Betsy Johnson. I know they must be best buds!

Photo: Idiosyncratic Fashionistas

That's Suzanne on the far right. Aren't you immediately in love?!

Here's a sample of her work, and just one doesn't do her portfolio justice! If you want to see more of Suzanne's work, check it out here. I contacted her with my problem on Face book, and she immediately replied with great, new tips for me!






While I'm waiting for my new supplies, I'm planning my next project. In my last post I showed you some of the new beads I received. I can't get the scarabs and amethyst off my mind! My process doesn't usually involve a "plan", and any drawing I might do is on the back of an envelope or napkin. Well, I've changed, I tell ya! I'm so excited about this necklace. It will be in a collar style that is traditional to Egyptian fashion, other than that the concept is all mine inspired by symbols, such as the Egyptian Lily. The lily will be the hardest part of the design because it will require each ring to be hand wrapped with fine copper wire, and I've never painted with lines of beads before! I also still need to decide if I should add the agate fans to the bottom, or some turquoise drops or briolettes, or both. What do you think?

 

London Fashion Week #LFW

London Fashion Week #LFW

 I really do love fashion, and I long to be a more fashionably dressed person….however….

I’m not into fashion per-se, I’m into art, the way something looks, the way it makes me feel emotionally. From show highlights as shown by the British Fashion Council, I spied my favorites:

Day 1: Bora Aksu’s silhouette is unique but what I love is how “girly” they are, and love love love the fabric textures

 

Love the crazy cats eye glasses by Linda Farrow Projects, but I probably wouldn’t wear most of them. I’d love an everyday indoor pair.

 

Of Jasper Conran, the long flowey look is so elegant, the prints exotic, and I just love this cute dress. It’s feminine, long with the illusion of short will hide the flaws in the saggy knees, and the comfy, girly stripes in the upper.

       

 

Day 2:  John Rocha’s silhouette was repetitious, and reminded me of The Flying Nun, but I love the poppy field sundress. Julien MacDonald is so glamorous and art deco! Not sequins but mosaics! Mark Fast’s style is so cool and rock and roll, and I love the texture of this skirt. Orla Kiely is worth taking a look at; very Alice in Wonderland-ish.

       

  

 

 Day 3: L’Wren Scott’s show was fun, fantasy, and functional fashion! Everything by Unique was wearable, feminine, elegant, and silky. Mary Katrantzou is my fave above all days so far. Art, art, art! Daring designs, silhouette, and pretty prints. Temperley London and pink!!! Vivienne Westwood Red Label construction details! MathhewWilliamson combines orange, pink, and red which reminds me of salwar kameez and India.

 

  

Day 4: Erdem had a pretty black lace over shirt gown. Peter Pilotto has fun prints and shapes. Giles' pieces are cool-elegant, and I loved this gorgeous, classy gown in buttery fawn. 
 

 

 Day 5: Nothing terribly exciting. I had to check out the shoes and jewelry of course!  There are so many jewelers listed in the display showrooms for the autumn/winter show, I'll save that for another post. I'll be showing you similar pieces that friends and I have already made; seems we're an avant-garde bunch!

 Aside from LFW have you seen Peeter Pilotto for Target? I love the commercial, and I’m sooooo intrigued with the model with no eyes!

 

Window Shopping

I love window shopping. I love it because I can spend as much virtual money as I want and satisfy my desire for things where otherwise money is an object.

 

Photo: FabLiz

Yesterday I spent almost $2,000 at Pyramid Collection. I love their styles; they are elegant, unique, fun, and different from most any style. I also like window shopping because the delayed gratification lets me be really sure that I want something before I buy it. Usually I know because I keep thinking about it for a long time; some of the items I picked yesterday, I also picked a year ago.

    

 I also love Polyvore! It lets me take my window shopping a step further. Today I made “outfits” and shopped for more acceccories. Polyvore has a “clipper” that goes on your browser’s bookmark bar; the clipper lets me load my “purchases” into a collage.

It's all about the bell bottoms baby! Black, velvet, big bells, and loooooong! 35" inseam (for the heels I could have them a little longer.) I love these two tops to go with them. The fabric and shape on both are perfect for my figure and taste and make a great opportunity for some really awesome shoes! I love the pop of red on the bowling shoes, and the cowboyboots are worn and comfy looking. I don't like a peeptoe boot, but these seem to have been made for this sexy, shoulder cut-out, bell and fringed sleeved top (MUST have!) Which would you like? Where would you wear it?

Bell Bottoms, Belle! by monaraebeads featuring flat shoes

The main focus is comfort and class. The skirt is TDF! Contrasting shoes I can actually wear all day for teaching, bar tending, or fun; simple, sleek, and color neutral shoes do not have to be understated or boring. Most of these pairs are unique in their own right but do not overpower. Not sure if the lacey booties are too much, r if the casual flats are too flat, and I can't help but LOVE the colorful Massoni or the leopard! What would you choose?

Fun Everyday Class by monaraebeads featuring round toe ankle boots