Whales Ahead!

Out of a life-long fascination for the life of and on the sea, a couple of years ago I created the Whale Cup. I used a salt white glaze on the outside, Hell Fire Red on the inside, then storied it with antique illustrations. This inspired a series of beads based on the sea, in particular, WHALES!

So far these have been created in limited editions and by special requests. I'm currently at the cabin working on making more - I'll be introducing these and other ocean-themed beads in my shop in a few weeks...

You may ask, what is the source of the fascination for the sea, in particular, for the history of sea-faring navigation? Easy - my father. My dad was a navigator in the air force (from the pre-computer days when they literally "shot" stars through a tiny astrodome in the top of the plane). He has always loved the water, sailing, and tales of the sea. I include here a photo of my dad teaching my daughter Audrey to pilot a sailboat.

Spring Bead Collection

Did I mention how much I LOVE making color palettes? Here's a few with beads... I'll be posting these and more over the coming days... enjoy!

Secret Fairy Garden

April Showers

High Desert

Spring Garden Mix

Sand Dollar Bay

English Meadow

Mango Orange Mix

Mountain Meadow Flowers

Whale Bead Meets Suburban Girl Studio

... and finds a home in a lovely bracelet. 

I have recently been making little whale beads and my friend Diana of Suburban Girl Studio bought one. She made it up into this fabulous little bracelet as a present for a friend who needed a little cheering up. I am SO in love with this bracelet!

Here's a picture of the completed bracelet...

Little Whaley, handmade by me from porcelain, and high fired with in aqua crackle...

Included in the design are Diana's own porcelain beads, a glass bead from SueBeads, a ceramic swirl from Jubilee... 

Glass beads from Molten Mayhem and another of my aqua crackle porcelain beads.