Happy Fish + Fusion Beads = Very Fun Sunday

We had a full house this past Sunday at Fusion Beads. A couple of my students likely had more experience with bead embroidery than I, while several others simply wanted to give the technique a try.  Wondering why they all decided to take my class, I asked.  The resounding answer was 'because they're HAPPY fish; they're smiling'.  Guess I'm not the only one captivated by these little guys!  And the simple power of happiness.

There was certainly plenty of laughter as everyone worked to develop their own, unique Happy Fish. 
I was able to snap photos of almost everyone's work (I missed a few who managed to sneak out before I had my camera ready).  And they are graciously allowing me to share them here:

Bonnie's 'Turtle Taxi'

Bonnie started with some of the new two-hole cabochon beads; they look like pearls, but the flat backs make them perfect for bead embroidery.  I've not worked with them yet, but watching Bonnie, I've definitely put them on my 'wish list'.  She then added a flower bead for the eye, and finished with two little turtle beads so the fish could bring it's friends along.  Hence it's name, Turtle Taxi.   Bonnie says she's going to finish it as a pendant.  Can't wait to see it! 

Brenda's Fish, playing with different bead sizes and some leaf beads

Patty R's fish, sporting stylish dragonscale beads

Cathy's fish, experimenting with lentil beads

After capturing the large cabochon bead with peyote stitch, Cathy experimented with the possibilities of lentil beads as fish scales.  They seemed to work best if they weren't packed too tightly together.

Doris, Patty H's best dressed fish

We had some fun discussing how Patty could transition her vertical lines of beading into Doris' tail.

Cynthia's fish - inspired by paisley designs

Thank you all!  I had a blast and hope you did too.  And many thanks again to Fusion Beads for providing such a wonderful place to teach (and take) beading workshops!

Happy Fish at Fusion Beads

Forget about Shark Week!  It's Happy Fish Week around here, with lots of fishy doodles, beads strewn everywhere and fun.  All in preparation for my newest workshop this Thursday at Fusion Beads. 

In between tide pooling, going to the movies to watch space aliens try to take over the world, and eating too much watermelon, I spent the weekend putting the finishing touches on the tutorial for my newest workshop on freeform bead embroidery.

I also had some fun playing with sketches for Patriot Fish - how could I not on the 4th!  Yankee Doodle reminds me of a super-hero fish, with his blue mask & star design.  Feels like he needs his own comic book adventure!

he's a surfer fish, almost ready to ride the waves

I've also started an ocean camouflage fish, though he's really my Deep-sea camo, or my Carribbean Waves camo fish, because he really doesn't blend with the local waters.  Really, he's my Surfer fish, because he's designed to blend right in the the waves, or will be once he's done.  Maybe I'll need to create a local fish as well, one set to hide in the local kelp beds?  Guess we'll have to see. 



If you're in town and looking for something to do this week, come join me for some bead embroidery fun.  (You can see some of my earlier Happy Fish here and here).