Beadlust

Beautiful Bead Embroidery
and Fringes

It feels a bit strange to be taking a break from grieving the loss of Dad, doing something normal, thinking about something that doesn't involve him. Yet, maybe it's important for me to move on with life as much as I can...

And so, we will return to the Puget Sound Bead Festival, where I was privileged to see and photograph some fabulous beadwork. Today I'm going to bring you beadwork by Tressie Hughes.

Blue Moon with Stars
two-piece pin by Tressie Hughes (nfs)

This is the first pin (brooch) made by Tressie after taking my beaded fringe class at PSBF three years ago, and my brother Thom's beaded cabochon class two years ago. Please be assured that excellent work, such as this, is not attributable to Thom or me in any more than a very rudimentary way. Tressie took the techniques we taught and made them her own, creating work that is amazing.

Raspberry Pink Moon Lady with Stars
two-piece pin by Tressie Hughes

Like her first pin, Moon Lady has two parts. The face and two layers of twisted fringe (pink and raspberry) form the the primary component of the pin. The other longer branch fringe with stars is a separate piece. Depending on your mood, you can wear it as a fairly modest pin, or add the extra fringe for a more complex look. The bezel around the carved bone cabochon-shaped face is done with peyote stitch, a type of off-loom weaving.

Raspberry Pink Moon Lady with Stars
Fringe detail

The Peach Lady
two-piece pin by Tressie Hughes

Another graceful, femine pin based on a carved bone face. On this one, the face and fringe ending in pearls make up the basic pin, with a wear-or-not fancy under-fringe attachment. Tressie designs some of her pieces to be worn either as pins or as pendants on a necklace. Either way, this one is magnificent, don't you think?

Blue Mischief
pin or pendant by Tressie Hughes

Lately, Tressie has taken to making complete figures. There may be some mischief in this little guy, but he certainly has an angelic face. There's an optional woven necklace to which he may be attached and worn as a pendant.

Red Russian Ballerina
pin or pendant by Tressie Hughes

Tressie told me she had this hot pink dichroic glass cabochon for a year, not knowing what she wanted to make with it. Then she found the ballerina slipper charms. She says, "Those slippers just wanted to be together with the cab." Looks like a happy union to me!

In case you're wondering, Tressie doesn't have a website. However, all of the pieces (except Blue Moon with Stars) are for sale ($85 to $200, depending on her time and materials cost). If you're interested, you can contact her by email: kc7bal-at-juno.com. (Be sure to substitute @ for -at-). Check in tomorrow to see Tressie's Royal Family!

Thanks, Tressie, for allowing me to take pictures of your work and share them with my blog readers!