3/365 SHARD BEADS A LA TORY

Today's offering is a pile of shard beads.  Years ago I learned the faux ivory technique from an article by Tory Hughes in an issue of "Ornament" magazine.  Over the years I have added my own twists and turns but it still came, originally, from her.  In these beads a large rectangle of the ivory is stamped with prehistoric type images.  Next the rectangle is torn to make ragged edges and organic, non-planned shapes.  Now add a rhinestone here, a paper punched already cured faux coral shape there, and just for fun, some faux turquoise.  Now form the beads over a garden gazing ball (derived from a L. Cozzi class), antique with your favorite oil paint mix and cure.  After curing comes the sanding, backing and placing of hanging mechanism (derived from a R. Weltman class), sign and cure again.  Last, more sanding and buffing.  Now they can be hung in pairs, singles or make an entire collar of them.

As you can see from the references above, it takes a village to make a bead.