Yearning for Beauty - Dec BJP

I close our 2010 Beaded Journal Project with this piece titled Yearning for Beauty. My inspiration for the pendant was based on my readings by Lisa See. The books, Shanghai Girls and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, both novels, describe two girls growing up in Shanghai and the trials and tribulations they went through immigrating to America.
The second book discusses the custom of foot binding as a practice towards beauty. I thanked my lucky stars that I was not born in that time period.
This piece uses Chinese coins and jade to symbolize the Asian heritage. Everything is beaded symmetrically to show balance and harmony. The gold beads are a sign of wealth.

A Yen for the Zen

Metal Vintaj beads adorn this bead embroidered pendant done in blacks, copper and gold.

Charmed

My friend, Melinda, went to Greece and sent me some wonderful beach oriented charms. The charms range from starfish to pearls and shells. What fun it is to wear and hear the jingle of this necklace.

Button Bound book

This holiday oriented book incorporates pretty shell buttons on its binding. The paper has been further enhanced with watercolor mica paint.

Stab Binding Book

The use of Japanese stab binding pulls this book together. The electrical tape used brightens up the paper.