I know, it’s been a while, but remember a few folks asking me to see pictures of what I did with the rocks they so generously sent me. So…
Nice!
I bet those feel really cool (in addition to being pretty).
I suspect that would depend on the rate of velocity at point of impact.
djm
I especially like the ones in the topmost pic. Reminds me of my times in “East River” South Dakota and the contacts I had with the D/N/Lakota people I got to know.
Mitakuye Oyasin.
those are gorgeous (and time consuming to make, I know).
What size beads do you use? Everything I’ve loomed or peyote stitched I’ve used size 10 beads. Some of the things I’ve seen done in size 13 are absolutely amazing (for those of you that don’t know, the bigger the size number, the smaller the bead).
Now that we no longer have a Tandy store here, I’ve had to get most of my beads off of eBay. I’ve got boxes of them downstairs, but I just don’t seem to have the time to DO anything with then anymore!
My major project in the past was doing a loomed strap for my dulcimer. It’s about 4 feet long, and 25 beads wide (I think - it’s been a while - I’d have to go count). Background was white, and I did stylized tiger lilies on it in yellow with brown tones, and orange with black, on a white background, with green leaves.
Oh, yeah, they have a nice feel in the hand, only one big problem, they are fragile, believe it or not. I think the appeal is that they are SO useless!
Never threw 'em or put 'em in my wrist rocket, but I did plant a couple outside my doc’s office in Spearfish, thinking everyone here was so honest they’d look and wonder and maybe even marvel, but ya know, every single one of them was gone when I got out. Either people were not as honest as I had hoped, or…it was fun though, and a work of art, minor, but grand anyhow.
Of course the Lakota poeple inspired them! I have a few Lakota friends I love dearly. I’ve given quite a few away, that were on rocks I fished out of Spearfish Crick, and if anyone wants to learn how to make them, I’ll glady show them, but most of my beading NA friends, are baffled about how I do that! Those rocks simply form into Lakota tyosipaye and families and families, they tell me what clothes they want to wear, and then they tell the viewer their stories. Of course, every viewer brings their own story to them.
Missy! What a treat to find another chantraphile! (I am not a bead junkie, I am not a bead junkie.) I use 11’s on the larger rocks, and delicas (disasters waiting to happen) on the smaller ones. Thirteens when I can get them cheap, and sometimes even those expensive Japanese 15’s! If I’m gonna sell some, they have to work up fast. I have to give away most of my earrings, because they are so damn labor intensive, but my Gallery did sell a pair for what I wanted! YAY!
I don’t buy off e-Bay, especially the Delicas,too expensive, but have a few connections for cheap beads, which I’ll gladly share. I don’t do loomed work anymore, it’s too fragile, but I do do flat peyote and a lot of squre stitch which passes for loomed. It takes time though.
Your dulcimer strap sounds yummy! MMMMM! Please post a picture of it! Please! Whine and cheezy smile, please, I love to look at other people’s work! (I have the three year old whine that gors out the top of the head and irritates the *&!$ out of adults…)
I’m baffled how you do it, myself.
I’d forgot the word tiyospaye. Thanks for bringing it back to memory. And “chantraphile” stopped me for a moment, there, wondering where pipering came into it. 
WOW!
I remember way back when you asked us all to send you rocks. I can’t remember if I did or not. 
Those are gorgeous! I have to try that now!
Thank you, Anna; your work is lovely, and I also got to learn two, count 'em, two, new words! Tiyospaye made for some interesting reading.
You, my dear, are not a beader, and I won’t show you, Mystery you know! Hum, maybe I could do one in davidson clan plaid? Ya think? Oh Chanterphile , a lover of chanters? YUCK! 
I wasn’t sure I spelled it right, my Lakota friends are to polite to laugh at me when I mispronounce things or tell them I am illerterate. I’m not around Lakota speakers all the time. Tiyospaye is a great concept.
Anna, those are AMAZING! I love collecting beads, but I don’t seem to ever actually do anything with them. 
Sure is. For example, one may learn much from this:
And I’m particularly fond of this idea, which I think should be written into law at once.
Marriage was an agreement which was negotiated between two tiyospaye … An important factor in making a household was that men did not marry until they had proven that they were accomplished hunters, proficient warriors, and > had good sense.
[emphasis added]
There would be an awful long wait for a lot of ladies wanting to get married.
djm
Where would I be without my first marriage??? 
That’s OK, after all there are more reasons to buy beads than do DO something with them:
21 REASONS FOR BUYING BEADS
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Baggies and tubes of beads tightly packed in various containers make an excellent insulation for the home.
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Buying beads keeps our economy going. It is our patriotic duty to support bead stores.
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It is less expensive and more fun than psychiatric care.
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Because they are on sale.
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At any moment the employees of a bead factory might go on strike and limit the availability.
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We are participating in a contest. The one with the most beads wins.
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A bead keeps without refrigeration, you don’t have to cook it to enjoy it, you never have to feed it, change it or walk it.
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We need extra weight in the trunk of our cars for traction on icy or muddy roads. You never know when the weather might change.
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Because we are worth it.
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Like dust, containers of beads are good for protecting previously empty spaces in the house, such as ironing boards, dining room tables or any other horizontal surface.
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If the BIG earthquake comes, all the bead stores might be swallowed into the ground and never seen again.
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Stress from dealing with the “Bead Control Officer” (spouse) makes us do it.
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Buying beads is not immoral, illegal or fattening. It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul and makes us feel good.
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We have to buy beads before our husband retires and goes with us on all our shopping expeditions.
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A bead purchase a day helps us work rest and play.
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Beads are a proven aphrodisiac.
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While shopping for beads you don’t have to worry if they’ll fit, or how big they will make your hips look.
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Beads don’t argue, or get crabby.
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Beads get better with age, like women and wine.
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You need never go near Loehmann’s dressing room to buy beads.
