Wolf's Den

'The Sun's Mirror', 2nd in my new 'Mirror' Series, Ndebele(Herringbone) Choker
Available on 1000Markets or Artfire.




As yet unnamed (and unlisted) brooch, featuring a raku fired button by LisaPetersArt

The newest pendant for the next 'Mirror' necklace/choker. 'The Sea's Mirror' was the first.

3 drop netweave stitched around, with Czech glass siam ruby drops, suede on the back.



Need to finish off the back, then do the actual necklace portion of this piece.

Have plans for at least 2 more in this series. If I can think up color combos/names, I may do 2 more after that. I have 6 of these tiles total.



So... 4 known Mirror necklaces/chokers to start. Not bad, I guess.

So while on vacation, we went to 2 different bead shops in 2 different towns.


The first was in Mason, Michigan, and was recommended by my Mom, of all people. She apparently takes my niece Emily, there sometimes. How well she knows me...

( Onward to the goodies... )

The Sea's Mirror

Ndebele/Herringbone and Peyote Choker with Pendant

Available at Artfire or 1000Markets.

Working on the next Our Lady series brooch pin... Care to guess the name of this one?

Quick (and not very good) shot of the latest beadwork piece I'm working on, the next in my 'Our Lady' series.

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Our Lady of Seas by =WolfSilverOak on deviantART


Available Here or if you prefer Etsy, Here.

Our Lady of Cynics by =WolfSilverOak on deviantART

Sometimes, when I get stuck on a project, I do something else.



Not something overly elaborate, but something quick and easily finished.

This is one of those times.

While I'm currently stuck as to how I'd like to attach the pendant to my recent necklace, I decided to make another brooch.

I actually completed 3/4s of it last night in one sitting. A few more hours, and it'll be completely finished, then, all I have to do is wait for a good sunny day to take crisp, clean photos.

Second in my 'Our Lady' series of brooches. Maybe I can find more faces like these and continue the series. I hope.}:P

Otherwise, it's not much of a series if there's only 2, now is it? Heh.

I'm at the stage in this piece where it gets a name.



All that's left is attaching the pendant really.



I haven't (quite) decided how exactly I want to do that. If I want to do a peyote stitch loop, or if I want to do simple strands of beads looping the double, twisted herringbone necklace. I taught myself , inadvertantly, spiral Herringbone stitch for this piece. I meant to do straight Herringbone. Heh.



Then I decided that one strand wouldn't be substantial enough for the pendant, so I did another, switching out one color of beads to give them a but of contrast with each other, and then twisted them together, peyote stitching the ends into place so it won't untwist. The clasp is a a simple tube of peyote stitch.



But first, I need a name.

A few weeks or so ago, Beadweaving Emporium Market came up with bi-monthly Challenges, to help us jump start a new project or idea, or whathaveyou.

The theme for July is 'New Horizons'. Very interesting, I thought, quite a few different ways to interpt too.

So off I went to pull out all those pages of various bead stitches I'd printed off years ago and never really got around to teaching myself the majority of. I figured I'd narrow the selection down to 3 or 4 different stitches I've been meaning to learn and just haven't gotten around to, and have Mark chose one- or as he did, two.



See, I tend to stick with what works for me. And sometimes that can put me in a rut and I'll just keep doing the same thing, over and over and over again, in varying combinations of colors and shapes, generally. But it's invariably the same few stitches, repeatedly.

I've never motivated myself to want to learn a new stitch. Not in years. In fact, the last new stitch I learned was the 'Karmen' stitch and the 'NetWeave Drop' stitch, several years ago. I learned them, but then... never did anything with them.



BEM's bi-monthly challenge was a great jump start to get myself motivated again. To make me want to learn at least one new beadwork stitch and stretch my repertoire that much more. To that end, I had Mark chose from a stack of stitches I'd never done before.

He chose two stitches, suggesting that I use one as the base, and do the other off of it, incorporating the cab I wanted to use as a focal point to the entire piece. This is why I keep him around- he has an awesome way of helping me figure out a new design or color combo. For someone so technical minded, he has a great sense of creativity to go along with it.



So, I beaded up the cab, a gorgeous piece of Lace Agate by Ahna over on that other site that starts with an 'E'. But then I also went ahead and beaded up a pair of fused glass topped tiles I had that I wanted to play with. If I tell you where I got them, you won't believe me, so I won't.}:P

Ok, yes, I beaded the 2 tiles as procrastination rather than actually starting on learning one of the other bead stitches Mark chose. Except, I finished them last night and now, besides taking photographs of my absolutely gorgeous German Bearded Irises, Siberian Irises and Japanese Irises that are all blooming, or catching up on the several days worth of food posts I need to do- one of which is the Daring Cook's challenge due on the 14th, I have no other reason NOT to start teaching myself.



The only thing holding me back is... myself. That little shadow voice in the back of my head telling me I'll fail won't shut up. That little sorrow filled other voice saying, hey, it's almost the 1yr anniversary of Dante's passing, shouldn't you be more depressed, also won't shut the devil up.

But I look at these freshly beaded pieces and I look at my gardens and I look at the myriads of photos I have of Dante in happier times, and I wonder, why the devil should I be depressed, why the devil should I feel like I'm going to fail when I can do THIS.



And thus, all reasons to continue to procrastinate leave. And thus, motivation once again returns.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have the herringbone beadwork stitch to learn.

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When you're creating a new piece of art, what can distract you and take you away from your work?

Is it your cat(s)?

Maybe you have young kids at home, or you homeschool.

Maybe you just have a busy life outside the home.

Or the warm weather and sun keeps drawing you away outside.

Whatever it is, it sure can put a damper on your creative processes, I'm sure.



For me lately, it's Caena.

Yup. An Akita puppy. A 10 month old Akita puppy.

A 10 month old Akita puppy who wants to PLAY! PLAY! PLAY! 24/7 or until she wears herself out.

For example, I'm working on a new 2 drop peyote stitch cuff. I sit downstairs, and do my beading on a TV tray while sitting on the couch. This keeps me away from my computer so I'm not distracted by the Internet, another huge timewaster for me.

Of course, sitting downstairs, on the couch means that Caena can jump up next to me. Whereupon she proceeds to paw at my arm, climb in my lap, chew on my elbows, or just stretch out and try to show me off the couch.

Now, Caena has Chrondrodysplasia, a bone and joint disorder, and as a result, is a dwarf Akita, who at 10 months, weighs maybe 40lbs. Despite this, she thinks she's twice her size and acts it.

Last night, as I was trying to finish this cuff, so I could hopefully use the natural sun to get great photographs, she decided that mom needed to play instead. This entailed not only chewing on my elbows, climbing in my lap and pawing at my arms and hands, but something else that was, while distracting, utterly hilarious.

See, I'm using a mix of Miyuki Delicas and Matsuno seed beads in this cuff, so I have them mixed and in a flat container that sits in front of me as I stitch. Well, Caena decided to 'taste' the beads.

Yup. She decided to stick that floppy tongue of hers out and into the container of beads. Luckily it was just the tip of her tongue, but still. I grabbed at her mouth and manged to swipe most of them off and into my hand, along with Akita puppy slobber. Then I sat there, laughing at her, as she looked up at me, with that oh so hard to get mad at face of hers.

I wonder how they tasted.

More details/photos ans available for purchase here.

Of newest beadwork piece.

This piece will be exclusively listed at Dante's Spirit at 1000Markets only.



It will be listed tomorrow when I can get some really good, natural light shots.

Yeah, so I broke down and opened a new shop in 1000Markets.

I figure, I lose nothing in trying it out.





It just has beadwork for now, and I hope to have new beadwork up exclusively there in a week or so.

So come on by and check it out!

Witching Hour by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

'Witching Hour'
100%Habotai Silk Scarf
8"x56" flat, 6"x56" pleated


Third in my new Dark Series, 'Witching Hour' is an Arashi Shibori, OOAK hand dyed silk scarf, with hand beaded points, using sterling silver seed beads, Fire polished Austrian crystals, silver-grey rounds and silver tone, heavy skull and crossbones charms.

Black as the deepest hour of night, with hints of deep blue and silver from Pearl Ex powder suspended in fabric medium, then dry brushed on and thoroughly steam ironed for durability, this unique piece is perfect for wearing as a neck wrap or even a stylish belt.

Available Here




Northern Lights Silk Scarf by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

'Northern Lights'
100% Habotai Silk
8"x54" flat, 6"x54" pleated

Hand dyed using Procion MX dyes, this gorgeous, OOAK silk scarf was Arashi shibori wrapped, then discharged, then over dyed again, giving it a myriad of depths to the colors.

Within one scarf, you'll see deep navy, blacks, indigos, violets, silvery whites, even pale blues and lavenders in the folds.


Available Here

And finally, the Hand Dyed 100% Cotton Bandanas-


Akita Rescue Bandanas by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

100% Cotton, Hand dyed Banadanas
32" on long side, 21" on short sides
To be hand stenciled with Akita Stencil at ' point', in choice of Silver, or Gold.

These cotton bandanas are lightweight, hand dyed and easy to wear. Perfect length for not only wearing wrapped around your hair, but also as a neck kerchief.

Dyed using Procion MX dyes, and to be hand stenciled day of purchase in your choice of either Silver or Gold.

100% of the proceeds from each bandana sold goes to benefit Akita Rescue.

Your choice of colors-

A- Firey Oranges
B- Bronze and Loden
C- Cinnamon and Clove
D- Vanilla and Plum
E- Turbulant Ocean
F- Oak and Nutmeg

Available Here

more coming soon.

Heading to New Jersey with Caena, Mark, sister in law, the bro in law and niece tomorrow morning.

Going up to have an early Thanksgiving with the parents in law.

Kind of hoping they have snow, so I can get pics of Caena playing in it.

Should be interesting- 4 adults, a 7 yr old and a 5 month old puppy in a Chrysler Town & Country minivan (rental, my idea) for 8 hours...

Sooo I'll be back Monday.

Next week, I have 4, possibly 5 silk scarves to photograph and list, as well as the cotton bandannas. Thinking of running a End of year sale too, to try to clear out a bit of stock, so stay tuned for possible discounts on my silk scarves, chainmaille and beadwork.:)

Have a great weekend. Don't do anything I wouldn't do... which isn't much. Most of all, be safe out there.

Rage of the Seraphs, B side by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

Rage of the Seraphs by ~WolfSilverOak on deviantART

So we went downtown again today, to pick up more Ammonite Fossils to bead and check the Bead store for bead end caps and a possible clasp for the current beadwork piece.

The bead store was a bust. Really starting to NOT like that place anymore. All they seem to have anymore is mostly focal bead type things. Very little seed beads, no Delicas anymore. but I keep trying, you know, to support a local vendor.}:/

The Rock Guy was a success though. I had taken my current piece with me, to pick out the proper size caps, etc, and showed him. He thought it was someone else's work.}:/ He said she was the best jewelry/beadwork person they had there in the Market, and said it appeared she now had competition when he found out it was my work. He was thrilled to know it was one of his rocks in the piece though. I did leave a business card with him as well. He asked if I was keeping it, I said no, when it's finished, it'll be up for sale, and he agreed that the figure I'm looking at is a good price for it.

I did pick out at least 2 other sets I want to get next weekend, so have to budget the money in. Did pick up one set today, one that I'd been really wanting. So that's my next project.



I had the beads picked out even before I had the stones, and they complement beautifully. This will be another gorgeous piece. And the best part is, again, it's 2 stones, so again, I can make 2 necklaces if I chose. These ones are also about half an inch larger than the others. The others I have my eye on are the same color schemes, but in 2 different sizes. So that'll be fun too.


Made tuna fish salad sandwiches for lunch. Am cooking up potatoes and eggs for potatoe salad and contemplating making brownies with espresso substituted for the water in the mix. Only, now I can't, as I have no eggs. Oops. Oh well.

Dante's having an 'eh' day. But then, it is clouding over and preparing for rain- I watered the garden today, go figure.

Another Titan's Glory bloomed too. }:)

See the eggs? Click on them if you would. I want to see what they turn into.







Adopt a Dragon Egg.