January Deborah Schlegel
Art Beads

I love the floral themes that are sometimes seen in Art Nouveau pieces, so when I saw this month's challenge I knew I wanted to make something using the sprig molds I made from plants and flowers growing on our farm. I chose lavender partly becaulse I knew I'd be able to work in the blue based purple of the painting and partly because the painting had such a calm, peaceful feeling - the same feeling I get from lavender. The beads are hand built ceramic, fired several times while I built up layers of stain. They're finished with a clear fired glaze. Deborah Schlegel stoneypointstudio.com