My Creative Space

I've wanted to create a bead embroidered cuff for as long as... well as long as I've been beading!

I have always been inspired by the exquisite cuffs designed by the likes of Sherry Serafini and Heidi Kummli and since becoming the proud owner of Sherry's latest book, Sensational Bead Embroidery (and yes.. it IS sensational) I have been even more inspired to get cuffing!!

I've decided earthy tones are in order so I couldn't go past this gorgeous 40mm x 30mm Eagle Eye Agate cabochon as my focal piece surrounded by Desert Picture Jasper tear drops which I have had in my stash for a year or so now but have not wanted to use because I l♥ve them so much
(click on the photo if you want to see these gorgeous stones up close...sooo pretty)!

I can't wait to get stitching.

The tigers eye beaded cabochon in the background is in the process of transforming itself into a ring!

Watch this space!

♥

Where are all the animals?

I have wanted to do a beaded cuff or collar for some time now and have always admired the style of Heidi Kummli and her use of plastic animals in her pieces.

I have been searching high and low for suitable plastic or rubber animals to use in my piece.

The plastic or rubber has to be of a quality high enough so that slicing them in half (to create a flat surface making them easier to attach to the felt) is easy enough but not too hard that it is impossible to cut them.

I also want the plastic to be of a high enough quality so the detail of the animal is great with no seams of plastic visible (well as little as humanly possible!). I have seen some animals and the details in their faces, such as their eyes, is not so great, which usually makes it easier to distinguish between an el cheapo animal to one that might cost a few $$ extra.

I have been admiring the Schleich range and found a few listed on Ebay at a good price so I contacted the seller who has worked in the model industry for many years and he said that he would not even attempt to slice them in half as the plastic is way too hard.

In particular I am looking for the following animals

Polar bear
Squirrel

Wolf

Racoon

Monkey or Orangutan

Panda

Penguin

Rabbit

Fox

Does anyone know where you can find such animals?

They certainlly aren't readily available in Australia!

I would also love to invest in some Laura Mears porcelain animals too.... ahhh one day!

For now plastic it is!!

♥