Three crystal bracelets

Variations on a theme, an idea I had on how to use beads to construct a base row of adjoining square shapes, like links in a chain, upon which I could set a row of crystals.



The first was done with glass beads reclaimed from old jewelry, so that I could work out my idea. For it, I used milky white beads for the base row and violet fire polished beads for the top row. For the next bracelet, I used black seed beads to construct the "link" row, and used reclaimed clear crystals for the second row. The third bracelet has clear Swarovski crystals forming a base for a row of colored Swarovski crystals. This was the bracelet I had envisioned to begin with, and had worked out the method to execute, a slow gradation of color in crystal, from yellow at one end, moving through orange, and ending at red on the other end.

All three bracelets were strung using nylon beading thread, and have magnetic clasps.

finished allergy mask

This mask is the first "garment" I've created entirely from my own design, not a modification of someone else's pattern. I started by taking measurements between various points of my face, but couldn't get the shaping of the mask correct until I also traced a silhouette of my profile, which seemed to give me an additional dimensionality I was missing. The fit of the mask is important, because its function is to filter the air, and gaps around the sides of it would defeat the purpose. The final design does fit my face perfectly, while allowing room to breathe and to speak.

The mask is constructed of two layers of silk habotai, with a thin inner filter I removed from a purchased disposable mask. It is completely hand sewn with silk thread. I was concerned that the inner layer might shift, and thought of quilting the layers together, but instead came up with the idea of embroidering on an animal face to prevent shifting, so, the face has a practical purpose and is not just decorative or silly. But I admit the animal face is also amusing to me, besides making me laugh its a bit of a social experiment to observe other people's reactions to me when I wear it.

Overall, the mask works great, much better than any other mask I've used. It's very lightweight and comfortable, and it amuses me so I don't feel so bad about having to wear one. But I'm very happy to say that the allergy shots I've been getting for the past several months have helped me immensely, so now that I have this wonderful mask, I hardly need to wear it anymore, and if all goes well, I won't need it at all someday soon! :-)