I love this article

Doodles and Zentangles - About.com

She says exactly what I feel. I resent someone coming along and copyrighting/trademarking the very idea of the same type of thing I've done since I was 15, then saying that theirs is better because they make it meditative. Art is very much a method of connecting to the paper and pen. It's a form of mindfulness. I now mentally fume when working on my art because just getting my pens I really didn't want people to think I was tangling when I'm creating my art/doodles.

Another New Creation....and a Cat.

New Bracelet

I'm glad I can finish a few things off and on. I've made many bead sets, but finished few.  Definitely haven't made much into actual jewelry. This one is fairly simple, but comfortable. I set it back to sell though. Wish me luck!  In the meantime, I'm still working on that same picture from last week. I hope to feel better later to do something else on a theme. There's a  masquerade and fairy theme in a group I'm part of. Or the tail end (I think) of sketchfest? Cleaning house has to come first today, however. It'll be slow. Apartment inspections for appliances this week.

I worked on this one with a heat pad on my right knee. Zoey zonked out and just let me bead away.

New Bracelet Set

Pink Simplistic.

Took awhile tonight and I had some assistance.

I listed to bracelet set on Etsy. It's affordable. $.9.50 + basic shipping.

Pink and Aqua Paper Bead and Glass Bracelet Set - 3 Bracelets - $9.50

Discovering Some New Stuff

Now, I'm not trying this right now. I don't have the supplies or the money. I have a hideous headache, so thought I'd just link this stuff to check back later. Due to a group I'm in for chronically ill crafters and artists, I discovered...Viking knitting.

Viking Knitting by Awesome Cool and Quirky artisan

This girl is so cool, I've subbed to her channel now. I want to keep watching her speed dry brushing vids and her tutorials.  One thing other than wire that one needs is a tool for stretching. She made her own.

Here's her website: Blue Kitty Creations
Check under Gallery and Sindri Collection and you can see exactly what Viking Knit is. Her bracelets are stunning.  I do want to try this eventually. I don't have....well I might have wire that's appropriate. I'm not sure. She sells her stuff on Etsy and is working on more as well.  We had a blast watching her tutorials and videos last night for A.) the stuff she shares is cool and B.) she's quirky and FUN.  Love her personality. Makes me miss having a webcam though. Someday we will. We've wanted to vlog.

Here is where you can buy a Draw Plate

I've heard people use the circle wrenches, key holes, anything they can to stretch the jewelry.

And look! It's a cat :)  Zoey is my art assistant. I'm in too much pain to function today, but she's keeping me company. Ignore the dirty carpet. It's our art space. There are fuzzies, string and who knows what lost beads one might find.

Finished Necklace

Necklace Available on Etsy - $25.00

The beads are paper, of course. They have a daisy floral pattern with shades of green, gold, black and white. I made the necklace with black, teal, green and gold beads.

Had fun setting up a way to make this. It fits about the same as the one I made for myself, so slightly longer than a choker.

Back to Paper Beads...Varnishes and Links

Some of us started this as children, so keep in mind this is a great craft to do with kids. You can also take some scribbled art that little kids make and turn those into memento beads for mommy.

I wanted to post some of the links I'm finding useful. It's a lot of trial and error with paper beads. I find I love white glue (Elmer's) first, then the clear blue gel type elmer's after. The final varnish is where I'm still fighting for a solution. I like acrylic nail polish, but it becomes goopy fast so isn't an ideal solution. That's my main search topic tonight. This is some of what I've found:

Paper Bead Making 101
What do you use to vanish your beads? Paper Beads What do you use to vanish your beads?
How to Protect Your Paper Beads
Paper Beads - Beading Daily

Why link to other sites rather than making my own experiment? Why reinvent the wheel?  I'm still experimenting for what I prefer. I plan to locate the Triple Thick or the Minwax stuff. The last link has a gorgeous photo of very glossy beads with Triple Thick.

For papers:

I already have a book I plan to use to make a certain type of cylinder bead. I love scrapbooking paper and magazine pages the most, however. These provide some of the prettiest colors. The tougher feel of the scrapbook paper creates a sturdier bead, though. The color play of the magazines, though....I LOVE that. I'm sculpting the pendants in polymer clay. I have three dragons from years ago that I might use. They haven't sold on Etsy yet, so might as well. I made a weird little face pendant the other night to use with some black and pink beads.

On that note, it's beyond sleepy time.

I keep trying to keep up with a website...

...However I feel like I might as well give up on that. I can't really afford a website right now and my art and creations are all over the place. Creativity abounds and strikes from the shadows....or something.

Right now, the obsessions are paper beads and dragons. I have half finished projects all over the place and my desk is full of beads. I'm not even playing on my MMOs right now. So if you want to find me in various places:

Serenstar at Deviantart

Season's Way Fantasy Art on Facebook

Season's Way on Etsy

Serenstar on Ebay

I do have art and dolls listed on Ebay right now. I also have stuff up on Etsy at all times. I like the idea of eating and I've been sick a lot, so if you feel like perusing, I definitely won't complain. :)