Category: knotted bracelet

Show Up, Shut Up, and Work

Sometimes when the going gets tough, the “tough” shut down. There are so many excuses why one doesn’t get to work and I think I’ve pretty much used them all. It’s a dilemma.

Resistance is difficult. Anything, and everything, can block the path to working.

Let’s be on the up and up, okay? Those of us working from home have it much worse than those punching a clock at an office. There is no one to be accountable to, other than your’s truly over here.

We get the things done that need to get done. At an office, the work comes first, the house is left for some time later. At home, the house gets done first, and hopefully there has been a schedule in place for work. Does that happen? It should, but often times it doesn’t.

Who’s the boss of me?

But, hey, you need a pay check right? So get to work! Knock it off at the coffee machine and stop hanging around with that idiot, Mr. Resistance.

While I was trying not to waste time looking for the next painting subject in the studio, I wandered off to more beads. This bracelet is made of knotted Greek leather cord with more Greek Mykonos beads and Turkish glass.

Greek Mykonos beads, Turkish beads, Greek leather cord

After finishing the bracelet I tried, once again, to find a painting subject and leafed through a few travel books. I didn’t want to spend too much time so I settled on this scene. I liked the colors and the depth. At least if I move paint around I might be able to push away some resistance.

Something new to paint/sketch..

For now, it will do. The “boss” might be happy I showed up to work at all and won’t fire me.

Friday’s Photo on Saturday

I should be painting, but I’m not. Just ordered more Greek Mykonos beads and Greek leather cord, and had to make something with them. Different colors and textures could spark some kind of ideas for paintings is what I’m hoping for. In the meanwhile, I can say I finished something.

©Dora Sislian Themelis
Greek Mykonos beads on knotted Greek leather cord

©Dora Sislian Themelis

Photos for Friday

Here is a small sample of items handmade by me! Visit my Etsy shop and my Facebook page for more items and contact information if you are interested in purchasing anything you fancy.

Hand Knit Baby Bonnet in Red from 6 months and up
$12

Hand Knit Baby Bonnet in Soft Yellow from 6 months and up
$12

Unisex Knotted Bracelet with various Greek Mykonos beads
$15

Women’s Strung Bead Bracelet with Turquoise and Glass beads
$20

Latest bracelets for Men and Women

Photos for Friday – an Artist’s Creation is Loved

Design by Dora Sislian Themelis

I was lucky enough to find and purchase these wonderful hand made lampwork beads from a fellow Etsy shop owner. Carol over at Fire in Ice Lampwork Beads makes these beads that say something to me. When I saw them I had to have them. Her work is amazing, you should visit her shop.

Not knowing what I was going to do with them, I just bought them and crossed my fingers I would think of something interesting to make. Since I’ve been playing with knotted cotton cord and bead bracelets, I thought the large holes would make threading them easier. Ideas were coming to me when I mixed them together with beads I already had.

I am so happy with the outcome I just might keep this piece for myself. Mixed together with iridescent ceramic Mykonos beads, they give the piece just the right glow. After I took photos of the finished piece I sent them to Carol with a message showing her how the beads look and I think she was pleased.

A while ago I sold a watercolor painting to a friend. That was exciting enough, but when she later took a photo of the painting framed and hung in it’s place of honor, I was thrilled. It’s a special feeling when the creator of an object can see that their piece is loved.

So, I went over to Carol’s Etsy shop and bought another set of great beads. I can’t wait to get them!

Oh, and by the way…

Sunflowers and More

Six Sunflowers (c) 2011 Dora Sislian Themelis
12×16 Watercolor on Lanaquarelle
I decided to paint these sunflowers one more time and from life, before I had to throw them out. They were getting really dry and ugly. I think I’m finally done with sunflowers. I sketched out the composition and tried my best to keep the colors light before adding darks. They don’t excite me anymore. Not like when I first painted them. I guess it’s expected.
On the distraction front, I am doing well! Isn’t that how it is? 
I’ve become obsessed by the colors of beads and this knotting business. It’s become addictive. These red beads look striking against the black of the waxed cotton cord and make me want to play with them again. I’ll be putting these in my Etsy shop soon, along with the blues bracelet from last week. Yum.

The thing with this is that some beads have too small a hole to thread the cotton cord through and it becomes frustrating. I managed.

Now I’m on a mission to use leather instead of the cotton cord. I made myself dizzy searching the online shops for both leather cord and more beads. Yeah, more beads. Beads with some sparkle. Beads with a larger hole so I can play some more. Like I said, addictive.

Veggie Haul and Something Extra

The veggie haul last week was plentiful. I found a baby watermelon, 15 apricots, 3 peaches, peppers, purple basil, 2 onions, one green and one yellow zucchini, purslane, and cherry tomatoes. Very nice, and smelled great.

And another bunch of nice, big sunflowers. I have been busy with those sunflowers!
Another distraction from painting was happening too. I made this knotted bracelet of ceramic round beads, chalk turquoise, and a couple of metal beads. The knotting takes time, but it’s great to get my mind on something other than the waiting painting. And I knew it was waiting for me.

I like the colors of beads that I used. They are calming blues and greens that remind me of the ocean. Like I said, it was a distraction.

Just a Distraction

Rather than paint I got myself involved in jewelry for a couple of days. I needed to distract myself for a while and had wanted to try making knotted bracelets. Many of us in the Greek culture wear a similar style bracelet called Monk’s Knots, supposedly made by monks with black cord, beads, and prayers. 
I’ve seen these in fancy stores made with semi-precious stones and other high end beads. I figure, why not try my hand at it? With some inexpensive materials I had at hand, here is my knotted bracelet. I used glass beads and hemp cord. Not bad for a first time.

I enjoyed myself that day. The next I was rolling along, doing my thing, errands and what-not and look what happens..

Let’s just say I hate taking my empty bottles to the recycling thingy, because look what can happen while there. Is glass known to bounce and jump? I watched a bottle jump out of my bag and break on the ground at my feet. Next thing I see my hand full of blood. How, why, what I can’t remember! Never saw it happen.

No knotting, no painting, no nothing after that. Ouch.