Beautiful beaded purse in pearl and leaf green

Hi friends,

Fancy a bead purse to go with that pearl-white dress you wish to flaunt at the latest event?
Wait no more, for I have the right accessory to give you that envious look from your friends.

Here is the finished piece:

And here are the instructions to do it yourself:

Step 1:  Pick up the following materials from a local craft shop:

• a pack of medium white pearl beads
• a pack of big white pearl beads
• big crystal beads of leaf green color (or any color of your choice)
• a roll of plastic wire and a needle for threading these into a design
• Scissors, of course

Step 2: Start beading the flowers using 6 leaf green crystal beads with the smaller pearl beads around the green beads, and a large pearl bead in the center.

Step 3: For the backside of the purse, make a plain mat piece of the same size as below:

step 4: Combine the two pieces by using more pearl beads of the same size as shown below:

Step 5:  Combine all 5 sides to leave only one side open as shown below:

Step 6:  Start beading a 3-D handle with the same pearl beads as shown below:

Step 7:  Combine it with the main piece on both ends using extra beads for a nice finish:

Step 8:  Here is how it looks from the front and the back sides:

Step 9:  Sew in the inner lining using Satin material either of white or off-white color.  Here I have added a green-colored inner lining.  If you fancy a zip, add one at the opening, and if desired, one smaller one inside on the inner lining for coins.

Step 10:  Add a small strip of the pearl beads on the back side and a green bead on the front, to form a decorative closing piece.

Tada!  You are ready to flaunt your latest creation!!

Hope you liked this purse and my instructions were easy to follow.

Please do leave your comments, opinions and suggestions as always!

"Cosmic Rhythm" Unique Resin Paintings

Hi friends,
I had the rare opportunity to visit my mom's friend Usha Patibandla's exhibition of unique resin paintings in Hyderabad this week, called "Cosmic Rhythm".

Me and Usha auntie

Usha is an accomplished artist and has showcased her paintings on oil in some of the most prestigious galleries of the word and featured in several publications.  Her website usha-arts.com and blog abstractextures.blogspot.in are a wonderful window into her world of portraits and her latest creations of resin on wood and glass.  



She has tried the same technique of resin on wood to come over to a glass plate, with amazing results!  Check this must-have centerpiece..
I accompanied my mother (to the left here) along with her friends Jayalakshmi auntie (in the center) and Bhargavi auntie (to the right).  Lakshmi auntie is actually Bhargavi auntie's relative..
My personal favourite? "Destination" !  I got lost in the dreamy perennial waves washing ashore..
The exhibition is open from 29th October to 7th November at the Icon Art Gallery, Road #12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
Please feel free to visit, enjoy and buy the one that tugs at your artistic strings!! :)

Ringa-ringa-roses.. More danglers and earrings coming up!

Time to update your earrings collection?
Find your style and your choice of these pretty accessories, suitable for any occasion.

As if the fish-hook earrings were not enough, and I felt the irresistible urge to try out other funky styles, here is a looka at my latest additions:

Syrian Women have a Message: Drop Earrings, Not Bombs
(Click on the headline to read.)

Wanted to share this very interesting but thought-evoking event with you where thanks to a new handcrafts initiative in Istanbul, Syrian refugee women find confidence and artistic expression making earrings, as well as providing extra income for their households.

Meanwhile, keep following my blog for more pictures!