Saturday, March 12, 2011

Direction, Direction, Direction

I think I've answered the "location" question. You know: location, location, location.  Grenada is "it", definitely. Where else can you get a goat on your front porch...


... or cute little piglets scampering in your backyard?!


As to our future specific location, the house construction is speeding right along. Jason and Frank work long, hard hours. By the end of this visit, they'll have the back part of the house containing bedroom, store room and kitchen ready to lock up until next year. Next year will see construction of the other half: bathroom and sitting room. Here's the progress so far:




And what does all this have to do with beading, you say? Well, I've been selling my jewelry here in this location called Grenada and I've been pleasantly surprised at some of the options that have opened up for me.

First of all, I've sold more of my "Independence Day" collection at the Market in town. (Little happy dance.)

Secondly, I've been offered a space, for free, at one of the largest craft bazaars here in Grenada. It takes place around Easter and I have just found out that vendors have to be invited in order to sell there. (Bigger happy dance and swollen ego.)

Lastly, a fashion designer has opened a new store and wants me, ME, to make some jewelry to accent her clothing displays. (Holy, hippy, hair-shaking, happy dance!)

So, I'm heading off in a few different directions, maybe too many! I guess I'd better get beading!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Nicely Off Track - Althea Herringbone Bracelet

I'm pleased to say that I'm completely off track with my list of projects. I had someone offer to do my hair in exchange for a bracelet. This herringbone beauty is named after its owner, the beautiful Althea. I'm particularly proud of this one as it is my own design. Influenced by many, but placement of stitches, colour palette and colour pattern I feel are "mine". I won't tell you how many times I started it, only to have to rip it apart again!



I have another herringbone bracelet that I want to do in blues with silver. The stones down the middle will be crystal bicones. I don't have a pattern to go from, so my "practice with this magenta one should provide lots of helpful experience!

By the way, my prop - the sea shell- usually decorates the earth under a lovely coral coloured hibuscus shrub growing just outside our door.