Bead Necklaces Complete!

In my last post, I showed the basic steps to making clay beads. Here are the results! If you like the look and don't want to make your own clay beads, I put these up on Etsy! Go to bluebrooklyn.com and then hit shop.

DIY Clay Beads

Making clay beads at home with paint and air dry clay is easy.  The hardest part is making the holes while maintaining the integrity of the shape of the bead.  My beads look a bit organically shaped and chunky.

After forming the shapes above, I let the clay dry for an hour before piercing the holes through.  I used a knitting needle to make the holes.

Once the beads dry (24 hours), its time to paint.  I like to experiment. Acrylic paints work best.  This time I also used shimmery water colors I picked up at Blick a while ago.

I mixed white and green to get a light mint color and made a couple cards with the extra paint and a small circular sponge. 

I'll post the necklaces I make with the beads soon!

Behind the Scenes: Images from Blue Brooklyn Studio

Hello! This week, it was especially hard to get up every morning and leave my maker space behind (my studio is my bedroom) to go to my day job.  So today I decided to share some images from my beloved space and relish in my being able to stay here and create for the weekend.

This is the newest addition to the studio (above!), my coworker and friend brought it back from a recent trip to Baja California. Gracias Sandra! Beautiful things, especially when they're from nature, are good for inspiration.

The painted cork boards were a recent project. I simply used tape to make the shapes and acrylic paint.  A student of mine and his mama made the Emily sign for Valentine's Day...so sweet.  

This wall is a bit more personal, love notes, a picture with grandpa, and a necklace I made (Marilyn Tribal), adorn the workspace next to my computer, providing inspiration daily.

This paper garland is a recent experiment with my new (old) sewing machine and a hexagon obsession. 

I love the intimacy of working from home.  When I'm at work and my boyfriend is home, he uses my desk as his workspace.  His watch and headphones have been left behind here (and I don't mind). Also more hexagons! Always.

Feathers, buttons, an owl stamp, and of course multi-colored dice. Duh. This is the shelf over my desk that my dear friend Joel put up for me. Supportive friends are a must!

Some old collages, my dear paint brushes and my personal jewelry.  I like the aesthetics of mixing things I've made with the personal items I've collected.

Until next time!

As Promised...

I took those stamps I made on my recent post and added white fabric paint, creating a very moon-like image! And as I said I would do, I made it into a tote.  If you look closely you can see that I'm a beginning sewer...details!

Oh, and its reversible!