Using Sketchbooks: Making a Vision Come True

One of the things I love most about my ever present sketchbook is that it preserves ideas for later inspiration. Sometimes bringing a vision to fruition can take a while.

I first drew the treetop beads on October 15, 2009, almost two years ago. I envisioned a necklace of various soft colors with unifying silver glass stringer. Of course, I found that I couldn't make those beads, because the process of reducing the silver glass stringer would produce metal fumes that would change the color of the base bead. I struggled for ages, trying every color I could reach. Sky blue and copper green were less susceptible to the fuming, while a few other colors transmuted to something tolerable, but most just turned sickly brown.

Finally, after probably a hundred beads, I stumbled upon a way to finally make the beads of my vision. And the necklace looks remarkably like what I drew! I didn't take a very good photo, but there is a bird on every bead (at least one). I sold many of the best treetop beads during the ISGB Gathering Bead Bazaar on Saturday,  so I need to make a few more to put the necklace together in the way I desire. Colors available: goldenrod, apricot, peach, orchid, lilac, gray, kiwi, lime, sky.

I think I'll go revisit my sketchbook for more good ideas long past due.

Treetop Beads for the Gathering

Interspersed (widely) with the kitchen remodel, I've been making a few treetop beads out in the broiling hot studio. I've narrowed the focus down to just this one style. The only variation I allow myself is the color of enamels I use, as I experiment with various combinations. Naturally, they are all one of a kind, as each branch and leaf and bird is unique. The freedom of having a formula to follow is rather meditative.

Destined for my half table at the Bead Bazaar in Louisville, KY on July 30, and then my Etsy shop after that if unsold.

Treetop Beads -- Better Colors

Finally, I had a bright idea regarding the colors for my treetop beads. Since the enamel on the beads from earlier in the week didn't react as badly with the silver glass, I switched to clear beads with only enamel for the base color. I'm totally in love with the pink and flesh colors. Yum!

Of course, this raises its own issues with rough enamel edges on the bead. I guess I need to learn to deal with that next. But at least I can see that necklace coming together. Now I'm dreaming about spacers to work with the treetop beads.

Now I just need to play around with all the luscious colors available. Back to making my own set of color sample beads, or I can just refer to this one online from bodaciousbeads.

Treetop Bead Collection

My collection of new treetop beads is growing. I'm still having issues with color interactions. Poor choices of base colors again, with the pinks going peach-tan, even with encasing. And can you believe that top one is  blueberry? My favorite of the new batch, a pale spring green casing over white, broke coming off the mandrel (I overheated the end of the 1/16" mandrel and left it marred, just enough to crunch the end of the bead as it got to that point).

So I'm unhappy with the colors still, but I like the concept of making enough of these in various colors to make a necklace.

This is the sketchbook drawing from a year ago, yet to be realized.