back when i was just a wee beader

I remember clearly the day that I walked into Naomi's shop for the first time. My father had just decided, along with my half shi...uh, sister, to turn my world completely upside down. Finding her again, and walking into her shop, made me feel like maybe I could find a place to be okay. I had never done beading of any kind before, and no idea what the difference was between a crimp and a headpin. These are pictures of the first two things I ever made, and after 8 years, they are still in one piece, so that is saying something lol.
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I made this bracelet sitting at Naomi's kitchen table, absolutely fascinated by all the shiny baubles that were laid before me. That, and keeping a close eye on her two Cockatoos that still, to this day, make me nervous heehee. For the knowledgeable beader, you will see I used connecters and leather crimps as dangles. Even Naomi was too kind to laugh at me, instead saying, "Well, I would have never thought to use that *that* way!"
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These are worry beads that I made from glass and resin beads, bells and a kokopelli all strung "professionally" on white beaders string. I put these together while sitting on my bed in my childhood bedroom, listening to Shawna have a screaming fit about something while my father had my mother at the hospital. That was when I truly learned how calming beading can be.
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These pieces 8 years ago have morphed themselves into herringbone stitch bracelets and wire-wrapped rosaries that I, back then, would have told you I could never ever do. There is nothing you cannot do when you have friends to share their knowledge and time.

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desert heart gallery part one

Welcome to my little part of this beady world, Desert Heart Beads, or as I called myself before, Eye Of The Beadholder. When Michigan thaws out (around 80 days from now), I will be heading to the Oakland County Courthouse and registering my new name. Until then, I will take you through my artsy halls of beads...nothing remotely close to the Velvet Manatees abilities, but hey, I try lol.

First on our list, my beaded goddesses that will someday get finished. Found this pattern in Bead and Button and thought, "Hey! That can't be *that* hard!" HA! But they will be cool when they are done. What will I do with them? Probably hang them up on the wall with all the other stuff lol.
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I had a lovely string of amber chip beads, faceted garnet, big amber (or maybe poly?) round beads and silk string. Out of all that, this showed up: a neat little knotted necklace. I think knot work looks really cool with the right beads and colors and am happy with how this turned out.
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Remember the gorgeous bracelet that Naomi made me? She showed me how a few years ago, so the following two bracelets are what came out of the venture. Not too shabby, even for an amateur lol. These designs are not from my own little brain, but from another designer whose name I cannot remember. The last thing I am is a design thief because it is wrong. Had it done to me once, and it sucks. That being said, they are still cool, eh?
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Like I have said before, I love silver and turquoise and any combination thereof. This necklace was made with SS beads, chain and a really pretty turquoise nugget. This looks great when paired with a white linen shirt.

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So, there it is. I have more, but this blog only allows so many pictures per posting...silly people lol.

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See you soon :).

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the velvet manatee gallery

Greetings and salutations from the Velvet Manatee Gallery.

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I know what you are thinking. What in the world is a "Velvet Manatee Gallery"? You have often heard me speak of a very special friend I have in my life, and I'm not just talking about the short bus kind of special. She is Naomi, and she has been my best friend for 20+ years. As a matter of fact, she is the reason I got into beading in the first place. After not seeing her for I don't know how many years, I walked into what was at the time her store "Bead Dreams" in El Paso. From there, well, the rest is history. Now Bead Dreams isn't there, and neither is Naomi. She lives with her wonderful (and cute might I add) hubby, Russ, in beautiful San Antonio. Without going into the whole sordid story, she said if she ever had another business name, it would be "The Velvet Manatee". So here, I am paying homage to a woman who's artistic ability is my muse.

The following pictures are of her creations she either made and I begged for or she made for me. You will notice that we both share a strong love for turquoise, silver and coral :).

These two necklaces were ones that were in the bead boxes she gave me for my birthday present last year. I love these pieces.
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My bracelet. My lovely, lovely blingy bracelet. She designed this for me as a Christmas/birthday present. I *love* it so much and wear it as often as I can. This baby is one-of-a-kind, just like it's creator.
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Although I am not Catholic, I simply adore rosaries and the religious icons. This is a rosary she made with Mother of Pearl, freshwater pearls, silver and Mother Mary pendant she made herself. I love wearing this.

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This necklace she gave me because I'm guessing she didn't want it back after I got done drooling on it lol. It did, at one time, have a stunning Jesus and the Lamb pendant she made on the bottom, but one day I went to put it on and the glass was broken on the pendant. I still have the pendant in a safe place, and wear the necklace a lot. She would always ask me if people were offended by the necklace, but they never were, and even if they were, that is their problem, certainly not ours. I have recieved so many compliments on this particular piece.

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Last, but not least, my gold Peruvian frog necklace. Again, the drool factor was a bit over the top, but you can plainly see why. It is beautiful. Gold and coral just go so well together, don't you agree?
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That is it for the Velvet Manatee tour for now. I have other pieces to show off, but will do that another time. Naomi is a godsend in my life, and I am truly blessed that she is my friend.

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inside the beadhouse

Up-to-date photos of the place where all the infamy takes place: the beadhouse...(insert eerie music and Vincent Price laugh here). It used to be called the bead cubby, but I have expanded it, at least in my head. Descriptions are *above* photos, not below, so don't confused lol.

The full on view from the closet/clothes rack:
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My mini art gallery if you will. It contains all the goodies I got from my cyber friend Rae of Four Ravens (www.fourravens.com), an awesome place to purchase handmade mandalas, altercitos, etc. I also have the drawings from my Texas momma, Wiley. She is also the one who drew the heart used in the title of this blog. She is *amazing*! You will also see the huge stack of magazines that I covet: Su Casa and Bead and Button. Bead and Button always has cool projects and Su Casa takes me back home with its beautiful pictures and commentary about all things Southwest.
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My bead creation lab. It is also called "the desk" to keep away unwanted icky people. The pretty plaque on the right is one of the altercitos I mentioned earlier. It is titled "Walk In Peace". If it wasn't for the unbelieveable gift of bead from Naomi for my birthday last year, there wouldn't be any boxes full of shiny goodies sitting here. I am so indebted to her it isn't even funny.
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The wall o' stuff. Yup, there it is...

I realize that to the untrained eye, it may seem crazy and cluttered, but no no no. A place for everything...everything in it's place, believe me. This is home.

Hope you liked my mini tour :).

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welcome to the beadhouse

If you are here, you know I have a regular blog where I go on and on about stuff that normal people avoid talking about, but locura people like me live for.
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I am creating this blog to show you my beady attempts and mistakes, to get feedback and just to share something sparkly with the world.
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I will still talk about my love of Texas and hate of snow, so there lol.

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Hope you enjoy what you see :).

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