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A Celebration of Beads and Buttons represents a marriage of buttons and beads. What a concept!
I like to create my brooches with the ability to string a chain through the back and use it as a pendant and a brooch.
The lampwork bead at the bottom of the brooch is one of my planet beads. All of the beads come from my bead collection. The button is from Bohemia.
Life is Good!
Shibori - Hand Dyed Silk - has become one of my favorite things to create.
During a resent Shibori Workshop by Kate Campbell Taylor I learned that you can use your rubber stamp collection to adorn your Shibori projects. Kate is an active member of Treadles and Treads Guild in the Bay Area.
Here I used Spindles and a Spinning Wheel stamp. You must use a DyePad. I got this one at Sandy's Corner in Prescott. Iron to set the dye of the pad. I stamped these before I did the Shibori technique.
Making beads is nearly a daily process at my studio.
Mandrels set in a mug made by Yuma's clay artist Neely and Glass rods ready to be lampworked into beads set in a Colbalt Blue Antique glass jar given to me by my sister Patricia Brockert.
My Oktoberfest mug from Munich holds stingers. I like to prepare several before using them to decorate my lampwork beads.
A collections of wine bottles is a must in my glass studio. Normally, I like to have them marked-- to show where they came from and what type of Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling was in the bottle in the first place.
A celebration or event is also noted to show how special each bottle is before I use them to create beads.
Some bottles are missing a neck because they have been used for a glass pendant. 
In the entrance room to my studio you find roving and fiber tools. Here on the book shelf is a photo of a bead collection I put together years ago. Two large Loren Stump Beads are in the photo along with some of my favorite African Trade Beads.
The Complete Idiots Guide to Beading Illustrated is along side the frame. You will find two pages of my bead work in the photo section of this book. Also, now out for purchase is Georgene Lockwood's Beading Projects. My Mobile Lampwork Fish project is featured in the Beading Projects book.
Look for our Arts Prescott Gallery Book signing coming up December 8, 2007.
"Dance With Merlot" - Created by Rowena from recycled Merlot wine bottle glass and off loom bead weaving. 
Beaded jewelry using wine bottle glass is one of my favorite methods of making one-of-a-kind art to wear.
The pendent was created from the neck of the Merlot bottle. By the way, this was a wonderful bottle of wine.
Hanging from inside the bottle neck is several fresh water pearls. Off loom bead weaving hugs the beads.
Note the 2 vintage handcut German green glass beads.
Many of my pieces can be worn reversed. Here you see the front one left and the back on the right.
Merlot recycled glass adorns this off-loom-bead-weaving cuff.
A small Merlot bead is set into a bezel and 2 fresh water beads are added hugging the Merlot pendant.
The closure is 2 antique Celluloid Buttons. Collectors of Bakelite enjoy the history of the first plastic in 1909. Celluloid, a man made material made from synthetic and organic compounds was know to be around as early as 1868. The buttons and jewelry were very popular in the 1920's to the 1940's.
While surfing other blogs on beads and fiber I came across these wonderful cupcakes. Yes, they are cupcakes and a work of art. For more.... check out this web site. Happy cup cake knitting.
Clasps or closures can vary with each necklace and bracelet. Many bead designers buy clasps to finish off their work.
The clasp on the left is made with using a soldering torch and thick wire. If you do not choose to do this -- you can create a clasp with 14 g or 16 g wire. This size of wire will be stable enough to hold your piece together.
Using your round nose pliers bend the wire around itself and the clasp is then cured with your hammer. File your ends for a good closure.
These are simple clasps and with more practice you will find one that suits your work. Naturally, you will add jump rings on both loops of your wire work clasp. One to use as your closure and one to connect to your piece.
Remember your Working With Wire rules:
Always use the correct tool for what you are working on.
Use your fingers to move the wire while bending, and your tool to hold your wire.
Always cover the top of your wire when cutting off an end. Snips of wire have been known to fly across the room.
Wear safety glasses when cutting wire.
Remember that your fingers will be sore when you begin to bend wire, don't give up, it gets better with time. You might even use a band-aid on your finger and thumb while working in the beginning.
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all enjoy your family, food and the day.
Today from 10 AM to 2 PM I am working at our gallery on Whiskey Row. We all take turns working the shifts and doing all of the jobs to keep the doors open. Normally, walkers are out and about and they love to drop in and see what we have to offer. Hope to see you there.
Recycled Kahlua bottles make a rich brown color of lampwork beads. This off loom bead weaving piece is created with Kahlua beads and some agate beads.
The one tubular agate bead is an imitation dZi bead which I purchased along with the one under it at Arizona Gem and Mineral in Prescott Valley.
Around the neck I enjoyed a bit of right angle weave.
Most of these bigger pieces are found at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery, 134 S. Montezuma Street-Heart of Whiskey Row.
One of the original High Desert Bead Society members and founder Stefania
Schollaert keeps in touch by sending photos of her fiber and bead adventures.
Here Stefania and her husband William visits the Folk Art Center north of the Blueridge Parkway. While enjoying the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, NC., Stefania thought of our Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild here in Prescott.
The Center also houses history of Southern Appalachian craftsmanship.
Stefania writes, "We took a day trip up north to the Blueridge Parkway and stopped at the Folk Art Center. I immediately though of you when I saw the woven tapestries and looms. One of the looms is a Barn Loom. It is made with the post and beam technique and can be taken apart and put back together again."
It is always a treat to travel with my fber and bead friends. Thank you Stepania and I can't wait to hear about your bead adventures after moving to North Carolina.
Looking for a unique gift: Go in to the Bead Museum's first Holiday Bead Artists' Sale in the Bead Room -- Glendale Civic Center Annex. Free Admission!
The Bead Museum at 623-930-7395 or drop by 5754 W. Glenn Dr., Glendale, Arizona
Photo: Seed Bead collection hanging in my studio.
Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery -- holiday raffle drawing during the Annual Holiday Party last Saturday.
Here are The West's along side of their raffle prize! Standing with Yvonne Napolitano from Adult Care Services here in Prescott, they take possession of the Shackelford-Blevins Artful Cross.
Aleta West comes by the gallery when she and her husband are in town to say hello. She has been known to wear my Chardonnay and Kahlua brooches. Thank you Aleta.
At the same time I was able to get Randy Shackelford, aka Rio, Patricia Blevins, and the West couple together for this photo. The Artful Cross ended up as an auction item. One won it in the drawing, and then turned it into an auction to benefit Adult Care Services. What a fun event! 
The Wests also got a chance to meet Kris Eberhard. Kris donated the cabochon which is in the middle of the Artful Cross.
This is just one fun story which came alive at our 2007 gallery holiday party.
What a great Holiday Party! Arts Prescott couldn't ask for a better turn out or more fun.
Everyone was in the best of spirits and life is good.
Mary Kaye O'Neil shows Cortes Lakes resident, Judy Kaufman her sterling silver jewelry.
Vanessa Tamerin and her son Mark stand in front of Vanessa's display. Mark will be our Acker Night Music man this year.
Steve Davis, was one of the many raffle winners of the night. Steve won my Lampwork Fish Mobile. He will be receiving a copy of Georgene Lockwood's new book, Beading Projects. This Mobile is featured in the book.
The food table was filled and everyone enjoyed this holiday party.
Members brought their favorite dishes and we were lucky enough to have "Cabin on the Creek", Jay and Cheryl Lynn to help start off the evening with a menu of hot appetizers. You can also have them at your next party, call 928-717-1378.
Kris Eberhard and Hannah Hunter at the very end of the night. Hannah was the Lucky one to count up the evening. We had a large amount of raffle ticket sales so that was a jo
b. Well done Hannah!
Bret Blevins makes fun at the member show wall. He and Don Rantz are talking about the book signing coming up December 8th.
Tomorrow - the story of the raffle prize "The Cross".
Tonight is our Annual Holiday Party at the gallery. My Hand Woven Fiber Amulet Bags Adorned with beads are among the art on our artist member show wall.
Some have large European Glass Vintage Beads adorning the front of the bag and some have fresh water pearls or lampwork.
The fringe is adorned with seed beads and larger beads from all over the world. I sew through each fringe with the seed beads to strengthen each one and the weight of the beads give the fringe a joyful swing.
Some of these bags were woven on the Harrisville Lap Loom A and some were woven tubular double weave on my Schacht Baby Wolf Loom.
Most of the yarn is my hand spun. You will also find novelty yarn, soy silk, silk, bamboo and some ribbon. Each fiber amulet bag is a one of a kind piece. You can wear it or just hang it on the wall for adornment.
The red fiber bags are my favorite and they seem to sell first. Right now I am working on a natural beige fiber bag. It will be in the gallery before the week is over.
I have a knitted kit and a woven kit put together so everyone can make their own fiber amulet bag at home or in a fiber class.
The holidays are upon us, and we worked on putting up our Holiday Member Show Wall last night at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery.
Carolyn Peterson creates her Holiday Wreaths each year. You will see several of them sprinkled throughout the gallery in the weeks to come.
The show wall is filled each month with a different guest artist. During the night of our Annual Holiday Party we like to fill the wall with gallery members art. We celebrate the gallery with you!
Don Rantz made sure the lights were all set up for the show and Carolyn Peterson and Kris Eberhardt are busy hanging art on the wall.
I have been busy adorning some of my fiber amulet bags for the holiday wall. You can see them in the middle of the wall below a hand woven rug by Cindy Myers.
Work included on the holiday wall: Linne Thomas, Carolyn Peterson, Cindy Myers, Melondy McConaughy, Rowena Tank, Hannah Hunter, Lana Ante, Pat Blevins, Janet Childress, Sherri Curtis and Alfredo Conde, Kris Eberhard, Robert Hughes, Mary Kaye O'Neill, and Vanessa Tamarin.
You can make your own Artful Hat by using Model Magic by Crayola. Remember that when you model your hat that the Model Magic will shrink about 15 to 20%. If you want the hat to fit your head keep that in mind.
Here is the one I made, and it is extra small. It has 2 holes on the one side for a hat pin. You can use this to hang the Bead Art on the wall.
The off loom bead weaving covers the whole hat, inside and out. Note the two hollow purple lampwork beads.
You can find "Rowena's Artful Hat" on my web store. http://rowenaart.net/store/
If you need more information please e-mail me at rowena@rowenaart.net
I love the rich brown color of the recycled Kahlua bottle glass. All of these lampwork beads were created from such a bottle. I added some Baltic Amber along with branch stitch around the main pendant. The branch stitch is created using size 11 seed beads and shell beads. Right Angle Weave is used throughout this piece.
This piece is on my web store: http://rowenaart.net/store/
"Loves Kahlua and Amber" will be in my case at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery for our Annual Holiday Show.
Look what I found at The Fiber Shop in Prescott. This doll in a basket with all of her goodies was made by Marilyn Howden in Prescott. It is displayed at The Fiber Shop for everyone to see. Many of you knitters already know everything about the Jane Greenhowe Knitting Designs, but I did not. I am a new knitter and I will be taking my first sweater class in January 2008.
Hanging from the knitted basket is all of the dolls belongings. Her mittens, scarf and hand bag. 
Looking from another angle you will find the doll's knitting basket and yarn with knitting needles.
Read more about the English designer, Jane Greenhowe and her knitting books by going to her official web site.
"Loves Kahlua" Brooch - Created using a Sterling Silver Brooch and a natural Crystal . The natural crystal is encased in size 11 seed beads using peyote stitch and adorned with tiger eye beads, petrified wood beads, a large lampwork piece of Kahlua recycled bottle and two vintage buttons.
I make most of my brooches with the pin attached in the up and down direction in the back. So I can add a chain to them if I feel like wearing it as a pendant.
This Kahlua piece is fun because it ended up that I could read a few letters of the word Kahlua which was stamped into the bottle.
This brooch is currently at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery in my case and my web store. http://rowenaart.net/store/
Two events in Prescott this month not to miss:
Arts Prescott Annual Holiday Party-- November 17, 2007-- 6pm to 8:30pm-- 134 S. Montezuma St
The 4th Dimension Art Walk-- 4th Friday of each month -- November 23, 2007--pick up your Art Walk Map at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery on Whiskey Row. -- http://www.artthe4th.com/
Jump Rings are used to connect all beads and connections. You begin with winding as many rings you wish with your round nose pliers. Cut each ring to make a jump ring. Be sure to use your jewelry file #2 to file the edges flat and tidy. This makes the jump ring look more professional and you will not have edges to make problems later in your completed piece. You should never feel a rough edge on your wire work beads or connections. Use steel wool for fine sanding of your tool marks. The more you do wirework the less tool marks you will have.
You may want to use a jewelry file to cut all of the jump rings at one time and make a great edge while doing so.
Never open your jump ring -- bend it open with your flat nose pliers.
Note the perfect jump ring at the top of the page. This is a cured finished jump ring ready to use. To attach the jump ring to a component you need to open it correctly.
Opening the jump ring correctly allows you to add the jump ring to your piece and keep its correct round shape. Opening incorrectly creates a ring that looses its shape and needs to be reshaped for a connection. Here the left jump ring was opened. The jump ring on the right was done using the flat nose pliers - bend open and bend closed. 
Always cure a finished jump ring and connections. If you do not do this your piece will begin to loose its shape and even come apart. For heavy beads use a double jump ring connection. That means use 2 jump rings between your beads.
Rules to remember while working with wire!
Always use the correct tool for what you are working on -- Use your fingers to move the wire while bending and your tool to hold your bead or component -- Always cover the top of your wire when cutting off an end for your and others safety -- remember that your fingers will be sore when you begin wire work for the first time and don't give up.
You will find Beginning Wire Work Books in the library or check into my on line store for "The Complete Idiots Guide to Beading" This book shows simple ways to work with wire.
S
Wikipedia describes Shibori as, "a Japanese term for several methods of dyeing cloth with a pattern by binding, stitching, folding, twisting, or compressing it. Some of these methods are known in the West as tie-dye."
"In Japan, the earliest known example of cloth dyed with a shibori technique dates to the eighth century. It is among the goods donated by the Emperor Shomu to the Todai-ji in Nara. Until the twentieth century not many fabrics and dyes were in widespread use in Japan. The main fabrics were silk and hemp, and later cotton. The main dye was indigo and, to a lesser extent, madder and purple root. Shibori and textile arts, such as tsutsugaki, were applied to all these fabrics and dyes", continues Wikipedia.
Here the Arashi Shibori technique is used. Using a 4 inch PVC pipe and thread. Gaywool dyes were applied with a pipette. I call this design the scrunching together method.
Gaywool dyes are my favorite dyes to use for Silk Shibori. You just mix them with boiling water.
We set the dye by steaming them in a steaming pot. I did add vinegar to the boiling water at that time.
When dying silk you do not need to wet the fabric before you add the dye.
Here is the Shibori folding method which is done using clothes pins, clamps, rubber bands and anything you may think of to add more design to your folded Shibori.
Two days of workshops -- fun in deed. Once you set up for such a project, it is easier to take advantage of the time and dye to your hearts content.
You can read step by step intructions in the book written by Elfriede Moeller, "Shibori The Art of Fabric Tying, Folding, Pleating and Dyeing."
The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles Gift Shop in San Jose, California represents many local fiber artists. The quilting art is represented as greeting cards, art-to-wear clothing and of course Quilts. Fiber Art in every imaginable art forms.
This museum is located in the down town area. They have a cluster of various museums to visit. http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org/
Nita Burk holds a wooden sign at the High Desert Bead Society Meeting. Nita found this in Tucson at the Gem and Mineral Show. Guess what it says?
Become a member of the High Desert Bead Society and meet talented beaders, learn new techniques. Members also receive discounts at various bead shops throughout Arizona. YES...that means my beads at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery as well. Take in your membership card and receive 10% off of loose beads and jewelry in my case at the gallery. LIFE IS GOOD!
The bead society also brings talented beading instructors to Prescott. This month you can find Cynthia Rutledge teaching several workshops-- November 9, 10, 11th. Registration: http://highdesertbeadsociety.org/ Check out the information on the Cynthia Rutledge's trunk show November 10th.
The High Desert Bead Society meets monthly at 1pm and typically ends at 3pm, every third Saturday. Meetings for 2007 currently take place at the Frank Pehlman Training Center Yavapai Jeep Posse Building.
During our trip to San Jose, California we visited several winery operations. The books were found at the Clos LaChance Winery. Their Estate Wines are the best of the best. The lecture about wine and what to look for in a good wine was informative.
The grapes are being transferred into the mixing vat here at Sarah Winery. Their Chardonnay was the best. The tour was interesting. I think one winery in one day works. Our tour did 3.
The Chardonnay Wine Drops were made of the Retzlauf Winery Chardonnay 2003. Juergen and I drove by the Retzlauf Winery and it was too early to visit. We both decided to tour Retzlauf during out next trip. Spinning at the Winery takes place June of each year at the Retzlauf Winery. Check with their calendar or Treadles and Treads Guild Calendar in the bay area for more information.
The top two Wine drops are my hollow beads made of the Chardonnay Recycled Glass. The smaller drop is a solid bead. All of my wine drops are made with a flat back to they lie on the neck comfortably.
This imitation Eyed dZi Bead is nearly 3 inches in length and the weight of it makes a great bead to add to a felted purse for a weighted closure.
I found this large, heavy bead in Prescott Valley at "AZ Gem and Mineral". I purchased every last one of them and these are the beads I have left of that batch.
"dZi bead (pronounced Zee) is a stone bead of mysterious origin worn on a necklace and sometimes a bracelet. Collectively in almost all Asian cultures, the bead can expect to provide a positive spiritual benefit. They are generally prized as protective amulets. The meaning of the word 'dZi' translates to 'shine, brightness, clearness, splendor'. In traditional Chinese, the bead is called 'heaven's bead' or 'heaven's pearl'." writes Wikipedia.
This bead has always been a favorite of all trade beads and a real Eyed dZi bead would be very expensive even if you could find a rare original.
Check out my web store: http://rowenaart.net/store/
http://www.rowenaart.net/store/products.php?catid=11&category=Trade%20Beads
Michelle Johnson is a weaver and spinner. She is member of Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery. This Hand Painted Silk Wall Hanging was donated by Michelle to the Gallery Holiday Raffle.
As most of you know Arts Prescott will have the raffle drawing during our Annual Holiday Party, November 17, 2007. The party is from 6 to 8:30PM. I will be running around selling tickets the first hour and then the drawing begins. We have many art objects to raffle off as well as the one hour Cessna 172 Simulator Adventure. The Simulator Adventure was donated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
All Money from the Raffle will go to Adult Care Services here in Prescott and Prescott Valley. $1. a ticket and $5. for 6 tickets. Pick your raffle box: Art or the Simulator Adventure Box.
Members of the Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild travel the world to bring back a wealth of information about fibers.
Vic and Jeanne Zinda just returned from China and here is just some of the adventures into the world of Silk.
These three pictures are devoted to Silk Caps. Here is a batch of Caps hanging waiting to be used in making a 
silk comforter.
Working on the Silk Cocoons is an art in itself. I saw this at a Judith MacKenzie Spinning Class hosted by Will and Kate Taylor in the Bay Area and it is a sight to see.
Here you see the girls in Shanghai, China removing the worms out of the cocoons.
These photos are impressive!
The Zinda's toured another Silk manufacturing company in Shanghai. A Quilt Batt is being made on the table. A board and three large weights hold one half of the stretched out cocoon, while the workers shift to take care of the second half of the quilt.
Thank you Jeanne for sending such wonderful photos. This might ignite and interest into the world of silk for all who reads this.
You can read about how to prepare a silk cap for spinning or just pulling it to make your own roving to knit at: http://www.knitting-and.com/spinning/silk-caps.html
I found Kristin Hansen among the many yarn colors in The Fiber Shop here in Prescott. She is wearing her Symphony Jacket. This jacket is made from 14 balls of various types and colors of yarn.
Here is a class sample she brought out to show during my morning visit. I dropped by to check on my sister, Patricia Brockert, during an open knitting gathering at The Fiber Shop in Prescott.
Meet me there in January 2008 for the Symphony Jacket class which will be taught by Kristin. I will be using my Hand Spun Raggedy Ro and several exciting novelty yarns. I might add some of my Hand Dyed Silk to the mix. This should be a fun class and it will fill up fast.
As you know I am a sap for Hand Knitted Socks. Here is a pair which Kristin is working on during open knitting.
Call to sign up: 928-445-2185
During the 4th Friday Prescott Art Walk I was happy to see Stephanie Porterfield at the gallery. Stephanie is holding her 4th Dimension Art Walk Guide.
Stephanie and I have known each other for many years. I met her through Connie Eversole in Phoenix during the Rowena Aesthetics era. Time flies when you are having fun.
Stephanie and I took a beading class at Beads and Adornables in Glendale before the bead shop closed. Classes were then offered and still are at The Bead Museum in Glendale. http://www.beadmuseumaz.org/
I am wearing one of my Adorned Fiber Amulet Bags and a Hollow Chardonnay Lampwork Bead on a silver chain. www.rowenaart.net
In the background you can see Bret Blevins paintings. Bret is one of 23 Prescott Local Artists at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery on Historical Whiskey Row. Open 10am to 6pm daily.
You too can join us during the next art walk. http://www.artthe4th.com/
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