Celtic Cross Pendant Finished!

I did it!  I finished the Celtic Cross pendant.  Thanks  to the encouragement from my facebook and blogger followers.  You made me believe it could. :)  Stephanie, I modeled this one after the picture from St. Andrews Cathedral.  I know Celtic Crosses sometimes have arms of equal length, but I liked this style better. 

The pendant has been entered into the challenge and uploaded to my ArtFire Studio.

Celtic Cross Project

OK, I'm not usually a quitter but I know when I'm whupped. Here are all the components of my Celtic Cross Project laid out as they should be joined. I've worked the cross four times and each design gets worse. This is the final one and it not only is warped, it won't attach to the halo without buckling. Into the UFO or salvage bin it goes.

The ArtFire BeadWeavers Guild Challenge is Celtic Symbols. I wanted to make the Celtic Cross because it speaks to me. In the Western world the Cross is primarily thought of as a Christian symbol, but the Celtic Cross predates Christianity. The four arms of the cross represent the four directions or the four elements, and the circle or halo represents the universal energy (Chi) that connects everything. That's just a very basic explanation of the symbolism of the Celtic Cross. This view doesn't necessarily contradict or interfere with the Christian Symbol, just adds some depth of history to it.

Perhaps at a later date a more workable cross design will emerge and I will be able to finish this cross.

On another note:

There is less then one week left before Artbeads picks the winner of the Artbeads Road to Tucson Sweepstakes! This fun prize package includes round trip airfare for two to Tucson, Arizona to attend the Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase, 3 nights hotel accommodations and classes with renowned beading instructors. I don't want you to miss out on the chance to win this incredible beaders dream vacation so get on over there and sign up!  Entries will be accepted until March 16, 2011 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.


In other exciting news, Artbeads just launched a 20% Off Luck of the Irish Sale. As you probably can guess, these 20% off sales are super popular and people are always asking us when the next one is.  This storewide sale includes everything from gold-filled beads and sparkling Swarovski crystals to stringing materials and basic supplies. You can save 20% on your order of $60 or more. To take advantage of this sale, just enter the coupon code: ZZ-IRISH20 at checkout. But, don't delay because this sale ends on Monday, March 14, 2011.


.

Sassy Sunflower Bracelet

Ideas are still pouring through my mind like a rushing river.  Unfortunately there isn't a pool to collect them in.  A few have managed to wash ashore long enough for me to capture them.  This Sassy Sunflower bracelet is one of them.

I've tried to push myself out of my comfort zone when it comes to working with colors.  Yellow is a color that I usually have a hard time combining with other colors, but I think this one turned out pretty sweet.

You can find the pattern for this bright perky bracelet at BeadPatternsBoutique and at The Bead Coop.

The bracelet is available in my ArtFire Studio.

I'm still working on my Celtic Cross pendant for the ArtFire Beadweaver's Guild Challenge.  I only have four more days to complete it.  If another idea doesn't present itself with too much force, I'll make it.

My daughter's visit from Turkey didn't help.  She brought me beads, beads, beads and more beads.  The seed beads are a little irregular but the colors are so beautiful I just have to find a way to use them.  She also brought me some more traditional Middle Eastern beads and I have some half formed plans in my mind for them.

ArtBeads New Products

It's definitely Monday!  I love Mondays.  I wake up with my head full of ideas and plans.  The only problem is sticking with one idea long enough to finish it.

I do have something great to share with you.  ArtBeads has a lot of new products for all their creative, beady customers.  Check out their new additions to Czech pressed glass, floral beads, Swarovski elements, new colors of Tila beads ( I have been drooling over these since I first heard of them) and many many more.

Don't forget to shop the weekly specials.  Follow their blog for updates and the latest news from ArtBeads.

Thanks for stopping by.  Now it's back to the drawing board.  The item I'm working on went together relatively smoothly, but drawing the pattern has me really frustrated.  Hmmmm.  I wonder what other kind of distraction I can find.  NO NO, I must finish that pattern.

 

Cubic Flowers

I don't know if Spring is here to stay or not, but the warm, sunny weather has certainly gotten me into the mood to celebrate spring.

After working this design about half dozen different ways, I finally came up with a cute cubic flower. It's Cubic RAW stitch with a little side trip and some embellishment.

I've uploaded the earrings and pendant to my ArtFire Studio.

You can find the pattern for these bright sparkly little 1/2 inch jewels at BeadPatternsBoutique and TheBeadCoop.