Random Weekly Round-Up! Project Updates.

I have had a rather productive week. In addition to getting my desk space re-organized (partly, anyway), I have had a chance to complete 2 bracelets and my very first coptic hand-bound journal for my Etsy shop. I thought I would randomly choose today to do a little weekly round-up of my artistic activities and show you what I have been up to:

Terra Rosa Jasper Double Wrap Bracelet

This little beauty features 6mm terra rosa jasper stone beads in a range of swirling dusty purples, pinks, maroons, creams, and blue/grays. The stones are wrapped in 1.8 mm steel blue leather and finished with an antiqued metal button closure.

I love jasper. It comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. This particular variety is a natural stone and had a different color scheme that I had come across previously. I had ordered some different colors of leather and thought these paired beautifully with the steel blue.

As for stone properties, terra rosa jasper (also known as sci fi jasper), like other jaspers, is stone of gentleness and relaxation. It is said to bring tranquility, comforting, wholeness, and healing. It is also said to have a subtle and deep energy that seems to nurture one on a soul level.

Seraphinite Double Wrap Bracelet

The other bracelet that I was able to complete this week was this elegant double wrap using 4mm seraphinite gemstone beads. These rare stones are found only in the Lake Baykal region of southern Siberia, Russia. They are a deep sea green with feathery inclusions of silvery white and shimmering chatoyant patterns, similar to tiger's eye.

These stones are said to be a premier healing stone, promoting regeneration and self-healing. It is also a purifying stone that helps one find one’s higher purpose and will, creating a feeling of wholeness and well-being.

I wrapped these in 1.8 mm dark olive green leather and finished with an antiqued silver flower button closure. I absolutely love green and so between the beads and the leather, this was one of my favorites to create!

Coptic Bound Art Journal

After getting a chance to do some beadwork, I decided I would work on my first coptic bound art journal. I have a great deal of art supplies gathered over the years and not always enough time to draw. I have been itching to do some bookbinding, so I thought I would raid my supplies and see what I could come up with! 

I found some wonderful, heavyweight, 100% cotton fiber art paper by Wyndstone in my stash. I had enough to create 5 signatures for my journal and tore the sheets by hand. They came with a feathered edge already, so the hand-tearing added to that effect. There are three signatures in 'natural' and two in 'warm white'.

 
I also made a trip to my favorite local decorative paper and bookbinding supply store, Hollander's here in Ann Arbor, to find the right material to use for the cover of the journal. I found a lovely sheet of 80gm mulberry and bamboo paper with Tamarind leaves in the paper. The Tamarind leaf tissue is backed with the mulberry/bamboo paper so it has a great weight/durability but good flexibility for covering the journal. I used PVA glue from Hollander's and waxed linen thread for the binding. I wanted to do a Coptic stitch, also known as a chain stitch, as it allows the journal to lay flat when open.


 
Since Coptic bound journals often have a lot of signatures and are hard to keep closed, I added a simple closure wrap of the waxed linen thread and added three beads of mid-Michigan alabaster that I purchased from Nawbin Beads in Traverse City, MI. I will someday make a trip up there, as it sounds fantastic, but for now, I am able to order from their Etsy shop.





The paper is great for pencil and pastel, photo journaling, scrapbooking, or for use as a guest book, writing journal. etc. I really enjoyed creating this and look forward to doing more Coptic bound journals as well as other sewn bindings.

Have you started any big projects lately? What have you been working on? Are there things in your stash you wish you could use? I'd love to hear from you, so let me know!