Julia’s Julz Rock! And I get to make some beads to go with them.

My cousin Julia makes these beautiful semi precious stone jewelry pieces. I have been hording her work for a year.  (Yes! a YEAR!) The plan originally was not to hoard them, but to celebrate them, make some awesome bead to add to the necklaces, and sell them at art shows.

Shows? So far this year all show attendance has been down in Michigan. Two shows were canceled, and there is talk about other cancellations for next year. Not the good news; that’s for sure.

Now for the good news! I got to spend an entire year with these chunks of Apple jasper, Swarovski crystal’s, garnet’s,pearls, Star ruby, and Red tiger eye!!!  All sterling silver findings, and clasps.  This piece is radiating beautiful energy.

The change-a bead pendant is empty, and waiting for my bead…Just in time for a Glass art show this weekend at the Dearborn Glass Academy.

(This is my other good news!) I get to spend my weekend with Glass Artist’s. And! I get to demonstrate some glass melting, and watch other Artist’s melt glass into vases, ornaments, beads, culpture…etc…(furnace glass & Lampworking)

I know this is bad. I have to say, if the show was not coming up, I may not of found the motivation to create a bead for her jewelry.  Something about having a deadline seams to really help get things done. Ya know?

Turquoise! Fluorine,Sheen Obsidian,Tanzanite, Black Tourmaline, Amethyst,Onyx,Swarovski Crystal…Energy in there.

The change-a-bed pendant is still missing a bead?

The motivation was lacking for me.  This Turquoise piece is definitely one of my favorites.  If not sold this weekend, this one will find its way to my Etsy shop (Lively-hood and all…). And to be honest, I would not mind spending another year with this one.

The glass beads have been made, and I need to clean them and place them on their new home; on these neck pieces.

I am not 100% sure yet, about the beads I made. I feel especially challenged when it comes to the finishing touches.  The turquoise alone is a work of art to me. And, the beads, I treasure them like they are worth all the wealth in the world. Especially the sculptures that convey emotion. That is all it really is about for me.  The “practical” finish is the hard part.   The planning out of a finished piece is difficult for me. The chances I take when I create without a definite plan. I do select the colors consciously. Then, I let the medium flow, and then I follow that.  I do not start with a finished plan with my art.  I always sway into whatever comes up along the way. That’s just how it is for me.

Before the show this weekend, I will be photographing all of my finished pieces with ‘Julia’s Julz’.   Check back and see what I did. Not totally predictable for me.

Sheila Morley blogs from her home office in Southeast, MI.