Sue Beads

This month, it was Rebekah's turn ( Tree Wings Studio ) to provide the Component of the Month!  I was excited about this because I almost immediately knew what I wanted to use with the bead I received.   I chose this olive green one with white and copper dots!  Look at the texture on the side of the bead - I really nee to know how she did this - it looks like stretched taffy!   I had purchased these chunky pearls at a bead show here in Pittsburgh a few months back, and I was so glad I did!  They go perfectly with the bead Rebekah sent me!  I also used two copper lantern beads I had left from a Bead Soup a while ago.   I did NOT, however, have the perfect clasp to go with it, and while I want to make one, I decided to look on etsy and see if I could purchase one. I found this great toggle clasp from hummingbirdsupply on etsy and this it goes perfectly, with the dots on the clasp.  The only thing that might not work ...

Heather Powers of the Art Bead Scene hosts an Ornament Blog Hop every year!  I try to participate, and though it's last minute (story I'll tell you about another day) here I am!  I made an owl based on a tutorial from Heather at Humblebeads .  I have dabbled in polymer and taken two classes with Christine Damm (who is the most generous person and enthusiastic teacher) but never made a 3-D item (aside from a heart that I really liked that sold!).  So it was time! I made the polymer owl and painted it.  I tried to crackle it, and wasn't thrilled, so I baked it again to heat set the paint.  Big mistake.  Or so I thought.  After I took it out of the oven, it was gummy.  But I let it sit for a while, and it got less gummy.  So when it was not gummy anymore, I sealed it with Renaissance Wax.  And then it got gummy again.  But just for a little bit.  And now it's not.  I don't know if it will last, but at least I fi...