Tote Bag Progress

Today my arms are done, finished, wiped out, "gumbied". Know why? I just finished fulling my tote bag! I completely lost track of how many times I rolled it, and I also spent a lot of time rubbing it against the ridged mat. But it finally got down to its finished size, and is now drying on the rack after a thorough rinsing and towel-drying. Yay! I haven't decided yet what I'll use for straps or how I'll complete the closure. But I already have the bead that I'll include in the closure - this bead inspired the entire bag.

Here's the front side of the bag - still damp... The colors are a bit washed out in these photos, lots brighter "up close and personal".


And the other side of the bag...


... and here's the bead that started it all. This is from my "Brushstrokes" series.



I'm going to take a break from the tote bag for a bit and conjure up a few more vessels. I really like the beads that I make, but I'm certainly not a bead snob. I just purchased a lovely bead from Pam Brisse of The Blue Between, and I've already picked out the fibers to use in the vessel that her bead will adorn. Here's Pam's "Milky Way" bead:


Lovely, isn't it?! And here are most of the fibers I've picked out for the vessel. I'll add a few surprises as I go along. I just can't help myself... :)



But first... it's time to take mom for a Starbucks break. She and I are badly in need of a capuccino before I carry on with my delectable fibers. Have yourselves a wonderful evening!