Shadow Portrait

Well, I've been wanting to bead this particular thing for a long time now.  Unfortunately the "extreme light and shadow" colors I chose only work at certain angles... but I still like it, so yay.

Made up of 766 glass beads individually woven together by hand, then backed in such a way as to make the panel itself sturdy but still flexible (so there are no hard edges).  I am proud.  Let me have my moment.

(For Sale)

Ramum Olivae

Long ago, there was a place I visited that was like a dream.  It was endlessly beautiful, inhabited by magnificent giants--that I was tasked with killing.  Many times I questioned the slaughter, but still I pressed on, eager to see what would become of me and the world around me, and it was when I saw the giants all laying motionless that I felt the weight of what I'd done.  From that day on I left the realm, swearing a self-imposed exile; I no longer deserved to see such beauty.  Maybe one day I can return to the Forbidden Land, to witness the landscape again... but there will be no more killing.

Shadow of the Colossus left a lasting impact on me that I'm not sure was intended by Team ICO.  I cannot do the epic right with words, but maybe in a beaded peace offering?  I'd been wanting to do something with the Eye of the Colossus (an item that doesn't actually appear in the finished game, but the model and function code still exist in preview builds; yes, this is how much of a geek I am) for quite a long time now, and it all just sort of crashed down around me with a large, round fiber optic cabochon.  Then came paint.  And beads.  Lots and lots of bead and many days of weaving beads to more beads.

I'm so happy with this.  Not only did the Eye of the Colossus come out beautifully, but the dark gray beads frame it perfectly, and the "serpent creature" astounds me.  Of course those are Swarovski crystals for the eyes.  The clasp is one of those hook attachments that I normally use for dragon bracelets, but in this case it was the best choice.  There are also sixteen "spines", one to represent each Colossus.  They're not actually spiny in any way, as they're held together with thread and flexible.  Just thought I'd say so.

("Ramum olivae" is Latin for "branch of olive"; an olive branch.  A peace offering.)

(Sold.)

Ramum Olivae

Long ago, there was a place I visited that was like a dream.  It was endlessly beautiful, inhabited by magnificent giants--that I was tasked with killing.  Many times I questioned the slaughter, but still I pressed on, eager to see what would become of me and the world around me, and it was when I saw the giants all laying motionless that I felt the weight of what I'd done.  From that day on I left the realm, swearing a self-imposed exile; I no longer deserved to see such beauty.  Maybe one day I can return to the Forbidden Land, to witness the landscape again... but there will be no more killing.

Shadow of the Colossus left a lasting impact on me that I'm not sure was intended by Team ICO.  I cannot do the epic right with words, but maybe in a beaded peace offering?  I'd been wanting to do something with the Eye of the Colossus (an item that doesn't actually appear in the finished game, but the model and function code still exist in preview builds; yes, this is how much of a geek I am) for quite a long time now, and it all just sort of crashed down around me with a large, round fiber optic cabochon.  Then came paint.  And beads.  Lots and lots of bead and many days of weaving beads to more beads.

I'm so happy with this.  Not only did the Eye of the Colossus come out beautifully, but the dark gray beads frame it perfectly, and the "serpent creature" astounds me.  Of course those are Swarovski crystals for the eyes.  The clasp is one of those hook attachments that I normally use for dragon bracelets, but in this case it was the best choice.  There are also sixteen "spines", one to represent each Colossus.  They're not actually spiny in any way, as they're held together with thread and flexible.  Just thought I'd say so.

("Ramum olivae" is Latin for "branch of olive"; an olive branch.  A peace offering.)

(Sold)

Grid Tron Bracelet

Well, what with TRON: UPRISING miniseries happening and all, it seemed like a decent choice.  I've been meaning to do "the blue version" forever.  Finally just saw these beads on my desk one day and decided, "You know, I really should get to this."  Hoorah and so on.

Now this particular bracelet was made with Miyuki cube beads; different than the Rinzler bracelets and their use of Toho cube beads.  Miyuki is generally more expensive, sure, but the quality is definitely better.  Not to mention I wasn't having to deal with a bunch of sharp sides and shattered beads.  Still, I elected for a simpler, asymmetrical strap because... well, I just did.  I like it!  And of course there is that delicious Swarovski square crystal.  For once I actually got a good picture of it!

(For Sale)

Coffee, Tea and Chocolate

Three of my very favorite things.  How could I help but think of them while I was putting this bracelet together?  Plus there's the fact that it wound up looking both highly caffeinated and thoroughly sugar-filled...

The chain and clasp are both 14 ct. gold-filled gold.  Little left-overs from another project that worked beautifully for this one.

(For Sale)

Mushroom Rings

I've had this idea in my head for months, so it's kind of nice to finally make them.  Little awesome Super Mario Brothers mushroom rings!  You've got your Super Mushroom (in blazing, blinding red), your 1-Up (in bright frosted lime), and your Poison Mushroom (in dazzling purple and brilliant blue).  Pretty sweet, right?

(For Sale)

SOLDIER Bracelet

I come up with the most creative titles, don't I? I... am proud of this. Too proud. But it makes me so very happy. In case you did not know, this is the (modern/Compilation) version of the SOLDIER symbol. And SOLDIERs are--say it with me, folks--from Final Fantasy 7. And now it's a very shiny, very stylish bracelet. Stylish because I said so, of course.

For the most part, I'm not willing to think about how long this actually took. "A long time", as most beading projects will. What... insane devotion. But insane shiny devotion. So it's okay.

Available by commission, though I'm pondering a little design change.

Dancing Chocobo Cuff Bracelet

I took way, way too long figuring out how many beads were used here. 1,802 delicas, 6 "materia beads", and 1 random lovely purple glass bead. Many a four-letter word was uttered after. Then I poured myself a drink. But look upon the dancing chocobo cuff bracelet and be happy, for they are dancing chocobos!

Yeah, this is completely insane. But it started out so innocently with just one FF4 chocobo sprite... which became two... then six. Then I can't really explain what happened. The chocobos made me, I swear it. ...Anyway. I really like how the dark purple background turned out, which is good--I wasn't so sure at first. And of course, well... chocobos. This actually successfully combined three requests in one: 1.) beaded chocobos, 2.) sized for a larger wrist, and 3.) a metal-free clasp. Well, I feel successful.

(Sold)