Flat Sprial Beadwork with Millefiori Beads

I knew this was going to be tricky, but I didn't realize how tricky.  I made two bracelets last night using my favorite glass beads, which are Millefiori beads.  I love their colors and how beautiful they look when making jewelry pieces.

On the first bracelet I used a Flat Sprial bead stitch, which I had to adapt for the size of the beads.  This bracelet was all about the color red that needed to pop out of the clear Millefiori bead.  Well, I accomplished that, but I did not like going thru two of the beads and will be redoing that bracelet today.

 The second bracelet was using an outstanding green Millefiori bead and this time I went thru only one bead.  It came out so much better than the first one and that is why I decided to redo the first one.

I am now selling on a wonderfully fun and exciting new online shop platform called TheCraftStar.  Unlike the bigger guy "E", it is more personal and the people who operate it have been wonderful.  I am still using the same shop name "Ivonnardona's Creations", so come on by and check us out.

I'm running a Valentine's Sale offering 15% off anything in my shop; just use VALENTINE15 as the coupon code.

Reindeer - Open Media ATC swap

These were hand drawn and then watercolored for the Reindeer - Open Media ATC swap over at AFA.  I then used gel pens and 3D Glaze pens for the black outlines and details.  My scanner was set at 200 dpi, so the colors didn't come through like I wanted, but they turned out super cool.

I love these reindeer and am sad to depart with them.  I hope I get some fun ones in return.  The one with the lights turned out to be my second favorite and the candy cane reindeer is my first favorite.

Smiley Face

HandDrawn/HandPainted "A Face, Fowl, & a Fruit Color Palette" Swap

Mount Sunflower, Kansas

Mount Sunflower is 26 miles northwest of Weskan, Kansas and we drove by on our way to Colorado. 

Our family traveled from Oklahoma to Colorado for Christmas and on the way, in Kansas, we saw a sign for a place called Mount Sunflower. I couldn't stop thinking about drawing or painting it, so when I got home I did this watercolor.

Mount Sunflower

I'm not sure if I should take this place seriously or laugh.  It really isn't a mountain, but as it is the highest point in Kansas, it deserves some recognition, I guess.